Good Call

It was back to the soccer pitch these last few weeks refereeing junior high games. They are definitely on the "recreation level" of soccer, but they still provide good competition and some good moments. In this league, I've found that I've had to nudge both players and coaches into making better decisions.

A player bends the corner flag to get a better angle on a corner kick. "Sir," I mention. "If you didn't know ... that's now allowed under the laws of the game." Recently, it was "Coach, you sure you want to start this game with only 10 players on the field." He quickly ushered the needed player on to the field.

My eyes fell on an interesting verse - 2 Kings 12:2 (NASB) "Jehoash did right in the sight of the LORD all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him." The boy-king seemed to go along well as long as he allowed himself to be guided by the advice of the wiser, more-experienced counselor. But, it wasn't long before Jehoash was feeling his oats and put his advisor in his place. Later, he embarks on a fruitless battle against the King of Israel, only to drag home with his tail between his legs.

I'm not saying that all advice from those who are older is right or even wise. There's a reason that there's a proverb that says "There's no fool like an old fool." Still, when you've surveyed the landscape for men and women in whom resides the Spirit of God and a gentle, practical wisdom; it would be wise to include them in on your thinking.

Over they years -too many times to count - their insight saved me from some tremendous hurt. Some of those sages are now gone and I am righteously jealous of the few who remain. I want to listen with intent, love, and a view to the future.

2 Kings 10-14

The Happiest Place on Earth

Judy and I just returned from our "Southern California Tour." We visited both our dads and then, for a change of pace, spent a day at Disneyland. A day at Disneyland without children has a whole different pace. We could dither and dally. We could take our time in making decisions about where to go and what to do. Most of all, we didn't have to hurry. Many times we would just sit and watch the people walk by us. It was during one of those respites that I discovered the truth.

Disneyland may bill itself as "the happiest place on earth," but you wouldn't know it from the faces that passed by us. The scale went from weary to grim. The only person with anything close to a smile were a couple of toddlers who were still on a maniacal sugar high. To be fair, a number of the employees at the park looked as if they were enjoying themselves. But, even then, there were a few who had that glazed look that said "when does my shift end."

I'm sure there were many children who went to sleep that night clutching their Buzz Lightyear action figure or curled up around their Cinderella doll. I don't know if there were many parents who - as the kids dropped off to sleep - would intone "We had a wonderful time."

I guess the point for me is that happiness can be over-rated. When our nation's Constitution promotes "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," it was in the context of well-established virtues. Happiness came from living the life for which one was created. It was not the temporary euphoria of Big Thunder Mountain or the Matterhorn.

I had to chuckle as we waited 55 minutes in the line for the Indiana Jones ride and then, once on, the ride to 3 1/2 minutes to finish! How's that for the pursuit of happiness?

Isaiah 26:3 (NASB) "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."

2 Kings 5-9