This week we took momma fishing. It got hot quick, but we still caught a few! Then we went to the farm in search of dark berries for a sweet summer treat amongst the brambles.
Learn how to find and harvest blackberries!
family
ASK ANOTHER QUESTION
As a man, I want to fix things. I want to get things done. No time to sit around reading tea leaves.
Just call me Vanilla Ice baby because if you have a problem, “Yo, I’ll solve it.”
A friend calls needing some advice – “This is what you tell them……”
Wife begins to mention something going on in the business – “Well here is what you do……”
Kids are running around like a banshee war party – “Hey, calm down and quit swinging from the ceiling fan…….”
Clients begin throwing excuses at me – “It’s simple, all you have to do is…………
The one who gives an answer before he listens - this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
Proverbs 18:13
I serve up solutions on silver platters then sit back and wait to respond in a song like Maui with “You’re Welcome” to the flood of “Thank you” and accolades of my greatness.
Over the past few weeks, I have had several instances from books, podcasts, and a few conversations that raised a few questions in my mind.
Questions about asking questions.
I have been focusing more on questions
Questions, not in being nosy, but in a desire to learn more.
Asking better questions.
Asking more questions.
I can ask and learn more about my friends and know them and their situation better. And sometimes I learn something I can apply to my own life.
With clients, asking more questions before giving dishing out knowledge bombs, allows me to dig deeper. This, in turn, allows me to help and provide better pertinent content for them.
When my kids are wild or upset, I have posed questions instead of telling them what to do. Getting on a knee and asking questions in a calm voice calms them and even drys tears when they are upset.
Listening intently to my wife has brought me closer to her. (In case you didn’t know, our ladies do not always want us to be Mr. Fix It or The Answer Man) Sometimes they just need a listening ear. I know it is kind of odd and can be difficult, almost alien, but it is a good thing.
Now I am far from great at this. It has been a process for sure.
But am I working at it? Yes, I am doing my best!
Do you ask questions or just deal out solutions like your playing ‘Go Fish’?
The next time you are about to spit out a solution, pause and dig a little deeper. I challenge you to ask at least three questions before coming in like Vanilla and just solving it.
What questions do you find lead you to a better understanding before you offer a solution?
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
James 1:!9
Anchor
ANCHOR
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a device attached to a boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place
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a reliable or principal support
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something that serves to hold an object firmly
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to secure firmly
Anchors are attached to hold steady.
Anchors provide stability. This goes for boats but also for each of us.
Finding an anchor is critical.
Have an anchor to begin your day.
This will set your day and set the course.
Like a boat, when we leave the harbor, waves and unforeseen storms will come. But if we set our anchor, we have a steady and firm starting place. While anchored we can prepare for what may come. We are able to prepare for the struggles and trials that lie ahead. It is vital to take time to establish our anchor. To begin there every single day.
Dropping anchor is a two-step process.
First, you set the anchor in the water, then you drop it.
Same as a boat dropping anchor, my daily anchor is a two-step process.
I say a prayer and then open up my bible. I thank God for another day giving gratitude for all his blessings, pouring out anything on my heart, then ask for guidance as I dive into his word.
Then I open God’s word and begin to read.
I do not have a set reading plan.
I do not have a predetermined amount to read.
I open and read God’s word listening for his still small voice.
I look for what God has in store for me.
I seek for the wisdom that he has for me today.
I copy down a verse or two that God has put there for me. Then I jot a few lines on how I can apply it today.
I seek the action I can take. I look for how God can use me.
I look to be the man of action that God needs me to be.
It does not matter what your anchor is, but having one makes a big difference.
A run around the block. Hitting the gym. Maxing out on pushups. A quick meditation. A walk in the woods. Listening to “Eye of the Tiger”. Journaling. Reading God’s word or a prayer of gratitude.
The key is having your anchor to get all ready before heading off to face the wild wide open waves that the sea of the day will throw at us.
What Are You Worth?
The government says an hour of your time is worth $7.85.
Amazon thinks an hour of your time is worth $15.
Some might pay $50 for an hour of your time.
If you have a bunch of degrees and it looks like alphabet soup was spilled after your name, someone may pay you $100 for an hour of your time.
Is that all you are worth?
Are you only worth what someone will pay you for your time?
If you ever start to think that you are not worth much.
If you begin to believe that you are only worth your paycheck.
Stop.
Stop for a minute.
Stop for a minute and find a quiet spot.
Ask yourself……
What does my family think I am worth?
What is the value of sitting down to eat a meal together?
To pray with and over your family?
To turn your phone off and be present.
What are a few minutes of intentional and purposeful time worth to my wife?
To listen.
To hold her.
To sit and just be there for 30 minutes and watch that ridiculous reality show with her.
To tell her how grateful you are for all she is and does.
What would my kids say 10 minutes is worth?
Running around the backyard.
Playing with dolls.
Playing monster trucks.
Ask and then listen about their day.
Snuggle up and read a book.
What does GOD say I am worth?
Priceless!!
God sacrificed his one and only son to be put to death for you.
Nothing is more priceless than that!
While some may put a price tag on your time or what you are worth, those that really truly matter never put a price tag on you.
You are worth more than any earthly treasure!
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Go far going together
Emily and I ran our first Spartan race together and it was definitely a challenge!
We ran, we walked, we fell down, we got muddy, we bled, we climbed, and we conquered the obstacles. The key is “WE”.
We committed to do it together. We set a goal to complete every obstacle and finish together. We stayed by each other’s side for the entire race.
We helped each other over obstacles.
We encouraged each other through some tough moments.
We did not worry or race the clock.
We started together and we finished together. 
She encouraged me and climbed the rope a second time to challenge and encourage me.
She grabbed some water for me when I was spent and questioning my sanity after the bucket carry.
I boosted her over a wall.
I picked her up when she fell in the mud (and then wiped some mud on her face).
We are both super competitive and while we may have been able to go a little faster if we had gone it alone, we were able to do more together.
Together we completed the course.
Together we finished.
Together we laughed.
Together we built each other up.
Together we grew closer.
We are better together!
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
– AFRICAN PROVERB
