We'll See Each Other Again

We'll See Each Other Again

I was sitting in the living room on the farm watching television. It was almost eleven o'clock and my dad wasn't back from the barn. He isn't normally out this time of night. Usually we have all the animals taken care of by nine and then we watch some television before going to sleep. I remember looking out the window and seeing the lights on in the barn. I didn't see any movement. I had this overwhelming anxiety come over me and so I got up, put my shoes on and headed to the barn.

I was concerned. Bad things had always happened to Slatt men on the farm. My great grandfather died on the farm. My grandfather had a stroke on the farm. Last thing I wanted was to walk into the barn and find my dad in trouble or worse.

I got to the barn and I saw my dad working on reinforcing one of the fences to keep the alpacas in. I asked him why he couldn't work on that tomorrow in the daytime. He responded that he lost track of time. He did notice that I had a look of concern on my face. He asked me what was wrong. I was honest with him. I told him that it was late and I came down to see if he was alright.

What he said next will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"If anything happens to me Bobby I'm not worried. I know that you and Chris will take good care of your mom. Besides, if anything did happen, look on the bright side. We'll see each other again."

We'll see each other again.

I share this memory because it was almost a month later that both he and my mom were gone.

We'll see each other again.

I have so much joy and peace from this memory. It's taken me a while to fully understand it. My dad had a focus on the heavenly. He understood his relationship with God and with this world. This is temporary. He saw the eternal.

How many of us can say the same? How many of us can look at our parents, brothers or sisters, friends and loved ones and say that we will see them again?

My prayer is that you can answer this question with the same joy and peace that I have.

Be blessed!

9-27-11

There Is Something Wrong With My Daily Planner...

I have this one personality flaw that I can't seem to fix. That flaw is that I take on more than I can handle and I wind up with not enough time. Something always has to give. Sometimes it's sleep or eating. That's not good.

The past couple weeks I've been adding and adding a bunch of things that just piled up on me this past week. I became completely overwhelmed.

I have a system that keeps me in balance. My mistake is that I wasn't strict with it the past two weeks. It's amazing how things can pile up. I schedule my day in blocks. I have certain blocks that are constant. Things like work and working out. Other blocks are used to schedule plans and extra curricular activities. I can move those blocks around if need be. It's a good system. I just have to stick with it.

So this past weekend I had to drop a few things to make room for others. I had a paper due for class so I dropped a men's leadership conference this past weekend. I dropped some running time to make room for some ministry opportunities that I promised to help with. I'm behind on some websites at work too. That's not good.

Hopefully this week I can catch up and get back on my block schedule. It's not fun when your life becomes overwhelmed to the point where you can't keep promises or complete responsibilities.

9-12-11

Dude! You're at a college...

I get up every morning and go to the gym at the college. Every morning the same old guy comes into the locker room and says the same thing. Rich people run the world and the rich people are taking all the money. I'm in the wrong profession because football players don't do anything and they are rich. I should have been rich because I don't have anything because the rich are taking it. blah blah blah.

This guy has such a case of class envy that I do believe it has become a mental illness.

So today I had enough.

He comes into the locker room and starts talking about how the stock market tanked again. He blames the rich people for tanking the stock market. I decided to say something.

"Who are these rich people you are referring to?", I asked.

"I dunno."

"You don't know?", I asked. "If you don't know who these rich people are manipulating the stock market then how do you know they are doing it?"

He ignored me and continued on his tirade against rich people. The he went on to the EU. Again, rich people in the EU are destroying the world economy (this I actually agree with. ha ha!).

So I asked him, "How many countries are in the EU?"

"I dunno."

"Can you name me a country that is in the EU?", I asked.

"um....I think....maybe....France!"

"Good for you!", I said. "Now can you explain to me how France is manipulating the EU and causing the world economy to self destruct?"

"Yeah. It's the rich people!!!"

That's when I politely chuckled and said, "Yup! It's those rich people."

9-11-11

Updates, Birthdays and Everything Else...

Hotel Update

The quiet time I needed helped. I only stayed in the room for one night. I was able to start Monday and be fresh for the week. I needed it too. I had to do something all week that I really didn't want to do. Thankfully I was able to rest and focus on my attitude and on who I would be serving. I did pretty well but Friday was hard for me. That's all I want to say about that.

Birthday!!!

Yeah. Tuesday was my birthday. All I did was work and go to bible study. Nothing big. I did learn some cool stuff about September 6th. President McKinley was shot in 1901. Princess Diana's funeral was held in 1997. The coolest is that Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters was born on September 6th 1947.

I did have a birthday celebration though. Kristen and Logan along with Kristen's parents took me out to Danny Boys in Sandusky. We had a good time. I think we would have had a better time if we weren't all so darn tired.

9-11

Today is the 10th Anniversary of the terrorist attack. There are a lot of anniversary specials and such on television. Facebook is cluttered with photos and status updates and such. I'm not complaining. I've been disgruntled the last few years with the lack of coverage. It's been like we couldn't talk about it. We must talk about it.

My laundry is done. Gotta go!

9-5-11

Quiet Time...

Before I go off the grid this evening I thought I'd share my thoughts.

I'm currently sitting in a hotel room. Why? I needed to get away and be by myself.

Don't worry. It's okay. Nothing is wrong.

I just need to some quiet time to rest and gather my thoughts.

I've have been very busy the last month and a half. I have moved, started a college class, got involved in a few ministries and if you add the daily drama of life it all equals a very quick and expected burn out.

I'm not going to burn out. Bad things happen when Bob starts to sputter.

I looked at Christ's example. Jesus would go away and find a place to be alone to pray and gather his thoughts numerous times.

So that is why I am in a hotel room. I have Charley with me. I think he needed some relaxation time too.

This week is going to be challenging for me. For the past six months I have been going down a path that has led to many revelations and convictions. This week many of those convictions will be tested.

I must prepare my conscience and my heart to be ready and at peace.

Good night to you all.

God Bless :-)