Live Bullets

Last night the baseball team, that I coach and that my son plays for, had what was called a "scrimmage." Only thing is, is that everybody else that showed up prepared for more of a real game. This is an "All-Star" team from the city league, so I guess I should have known better! The fans came out, the parents and grandparents were at their stations, the other team was in their full array. But, I wasn't ready. Therefore, our team was not really ready to face the live bullets, they were about to face. I showed up for a "gun-fight" with a pocket knife! The worst part about it was the effect it had on our team's confidence. I'm sure today they feel less than they really are. It's my job to make sure that they know better, and not allow the debacle to define who they really are.
That is what life is like many times. We allow the low points along life's way to define who we are, as well as determine our potential. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth! Those low points are exactly that, "low points." You can not allow those points in life to become your ceiling!
Your worst performance can't nullify your best performance.
Your worst day can't keep you from your best day.
Your worst moment can't delay your greatest moment.
More than likely you will find yourself fully involved in a battle that you were just not ready for, sometime in the near future. One where they're using live bullets. You may find yourself beaten down pretty bad. But try to remember, you can still win the war!

Easy Street

So, you want to take the easy way out? That's the normal response for the majority of people. It's just our nature to take the route that will lead to the "smoothest" ride through life. Avoiding as many of the challenges of life as possible. The only problem with that is, that way may not be the best way. And, it may not even lead you out! It may lead you deeper into the mess you're trying to get out of. I'm certainly not saying that is always the case. We can over-complicate matters at times. But there may be times that require you to go "over the river, and through the woods," instead of the smooth way that we all prefer. The Quick-fix might not be the Best-fix!

Here are some thoughts that may keep you from always jumping on what seems to be the easiest way out.

1)If your mess has been created over a long period of time(months, years, decades), then don't fool yourself into thinking that you can work your way out of it overnight. If you "worked" long and hard to get into the mess, you may have to commit the same effort to get out!

2)Remember that resistance will make you strong. The challenges that are being confronted in your life will grow you in the long run.

3)If your "way out" is to good to be true, it better be GOD! He has a way of working the miraculous in our lives everyday. Just make sure you're not taking the route that is simply appealing to the desire for "easy."

The Quick-fix will always be attractive. But it is usually not the route that leads you back to Easy Street!