Good Enough

After the playoffs last year in which Tony Romo cost the Cowboys a victory, many people doubted if he was the right person for the job. He had suffered failure. He had not performed up to expectations. When it counted the most, he wilted. It was some time later that he found in himself in the whirlpool next to Big Bill (try to keep from picturing it, lest you poke out your minds eye!). As they talked, Parcells told him that he would be tempted to play it safe, to manage the game, to play "not to lose." And that if he did those things, that if he just stayed at the level he was at now, that he would be be "good enough." And then, with the stern look and in the gruffed voice that can only come from an old-school toughie like the Tuna, he looked Romo in the eye and said, "Don't ever let good enough, be good enough!"

I just got back from spending 3 days in Dallas at a ministry conference in one of the nations largest churches. And what I took from that conference is that too often I wonder if I let good enough be good enough. It will take some work, some intense self-examination, but I am determined not to let good enough be good enough in my marriage, in my parenting, in my finances, in my relationship with God, in my future ministry. I think this is what Paul meant when he said, I have not apprehended, but this one things I do, I keep pressing forward"

The enemy of the best is often the good. Good enough is not good enough!

Pease

It's Monday - my son/daddy day. Favorite day of the week. Today was a good day for Jordan and I. We watched Barney; we had our eggs and toast for breakfast; we swang outside for awhile. Then came the dreaded but needed nap - and I'm talking about me! I laid Jordan down and he threw the pacy. I picked it up; he threw Mr. P again. I picked it up again but didn't give it to him. He yelled and demanded it. I said ask for it. He cried and cried and cried. A span of just 10 minutes seemed like eternity as everything in me wanted to give him the pacy - to satisfy him and for my own sanity. But I knew what was best for him was to teach him to ask for things, not demand things with a fit. So, I said say "pease" - he can't seem to say the L yet. He wouldn't do it. At 18 months old, I saw pride well up in my son. And so we sat. Until, finally he said pease and then we went to sleep.

As I laid there with my son, asleep on my chest (no greater feeling in the world!), I pondered my own relationship to my Heavenly Father. I thought, how many times God did you want to bless me, to work in my life in ways I never dreamed, to give me something or to just have fellowship, and I missed it. I know God is sovereign and accomplishes his good pleasure, I also know that God uses my response too. The words of James 4:2 came to mind - "You have not because you ask not". I became determined that I was going to put myself in a position to receive all that God wants to give me. I don't want to miss it. So today, as you face life amidst the many demands of family, friends, children, tests, projects, bills, work, etc. - what do you need? Where do you need God to work and intervene in your life? What redemptive purpose could God be looking to accomplish through this set of circumstances in your life right now? Come before your loving Father and ask him for it - guidance, wisdom, provision, strength, change, etc. We show our dependence when we ask him; and he delights in the giving. You might just need to say "Pease!"