Golf Balls and Rattlesnakes

One of the little farms we lived on was a pasture away from the Brownfield Country Club and Golf Course. As young boys we thought it was neat to walk along the edge of the golf course (probably the seeds of my love to play the game) and watch the “rich” folks play. I thought they were rich anyway. I knew we were not and I didn’t know anyone, especially any of my relatives, that was a member of the Country Club and players of the game.

One of the activities that we enjoyed was finding golf balls. At that time we thought it was special and that we were really doing something. Actually now I realize that when you put the average golfer together and an extreme rough (woods, water, pastures, etc.)together you get one thing; lost golf balls.

I now know that when those duffers hit balls out into the pastures most of them would not go on foot to find them because there was a real good chance they would find something else. But as young boys who were used to the pastures as their playgrounds that was just part of the adventure and to find the treasures we had to deal with the rattlesnakes.

I don’t mean to make you believe that there was a rattlesnake with every step but they were not unusual. We did not take the dangers lightly and when we heard that unmistakable warning we found the source and carefully moved away. The adventure and the opportunity to find that brand new shiny golf ball was well worth the dangers at that moment in our lives.

One thing I learned growing up on the farm is that sometimes you have to face the rattlesnakes in order to gain the prize. I wonder if that is what Paul meant when he would talk about gaining the prize and in Philippians 3:14 where he is direct when he writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” To “press” on meant that there would be some kind of obstacle that needed to be overcome. Paul knew that there were dangers but the prize was well worth facing them.

We face obstacles everyday in the living out of our faith. Here, in most of our communities, we do not have to worry so much about the dangers Paul had to face but we do have our fears and people who would stop us from pressing on toward the prize. Paul would tell you to “run the race to win” and “press” on because the prize is definitely worth it. A young boy easing through the brush of a panhandle pasture would tell you to find golf balls you have to face the rattlesnakes.

Fly Paper in Real Life

One thing I had forgotten about since we left Texas in 1985 was the "Fly Strips" that used to hang everywhere. I have not seen one since that time. The other day we were in the store and I was looking for the "once-and-for-all" Fire Ant killer and came across a box full of the strips. It immediately took me back to my childhood and the Cotton Gin that took up much of my youth. There in one corner, just behind one of the domino chairs hung a yellow strip of sticky (I would assume sweet)material that baited flies to land and get stuck and never again tickle the nose hairs of the napping farmers in the gin office.

I remember always being amazed that the strips would last until there was no more room on them. Flies are pretty stupid I guess. Couldn't they see that their brothers and cousins, their mothers and fathers, their sisters, aunts and uncles were all stuck and couldn't free themselves. Wasn't there some kind of Fly Strip warning signal. Evidently the sweet allure of the bait was to much to ignore and every fly that was stuck, buzzing and flapping wings in effort to free themselves were the very ones that would "get away with it". Sound familiar?

Maybe humans and flies have some things in common. How many times do we get caught in the sin trap. Maybe we just look at the sweet bait and ignore the glue (they always go together). Why don't those who are stuck already warn us (they probably do in action if not in words). Could it be that some of them love the company so no warning is given? Could it be that some are still so enticed by the sweet bait that they have yet to recognize they are stuck in sin?

Where is the "Fly Paper" in your life? Before you answer too quickly remember one of the characteristics of the paper may be the rejection of its danger. The truth is you cannot free yourself. Go ahead and try. . . pull and flap your wings all you want but you will find you need help. That is where Christ comes in. I John tells us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9 NIV) The only way off the strip is to be pulled off and only Christ can do that!

Nike Didn't Invent "Just Do It"

Wow, it is really easy to get behind in writing my blog and this is not a simple attempt to catch up but is an actual short thought that I have had recently. It deals with the freedom to act without “permission”.

I was brought up with the idea that if it needed to be done and you knew it you were the one that was see that it was accomplished. If you went by a fence that was broken you fixed it. If you grabbed a harness that was dry you oiled it. If a light bulb was out when you flipped the switch you replaced it. If you did wrong and it was brought to your attention you corrected it. It was simple life. It was done and you did not need to worry about that item anymore. You did not have to wait around for permission or an order to get it done.

I carried this philosophy with me through my military years and it seems to have worked. When I was promoted to Spec. 4 they pinned Sgt. E-5 stripes on my shoulder. They called it an “Acting Jack”. My squad was always top in our company in everything from room inspections to field performance. Each man knew his job but was always looking to see what else could be done.

I found that when a vehicle is moving it is much easier to steer and direct. Try turning your steering wheel when you car is still! It is the same with people and organizations. The problem with this is that sometimes there will be mistakes made. Things do not get double and triple checked and find that they are late in getting done. But when the day is over more progress has been made.

I will admit there are times when perfection is needed. When the surgeon is cutting on me I want him/her to be absolutely sure that it is the correct hip he is replacing. When our astronauts are being hurtled into space I am sure they are thankful that there are those that figure and refigure the exact speed and trajectory they are being shot into. The examples could go on and on with good reason.

However, in general we do not live our lives with these margins or the need to be so precise. In fact such restriction usually slows progress and frightens people into inactivity.

Louis Pasteur said “Chance favors the prepared mind.” My words then would be to prepare the best you can, act and do not be afraid less than perfection. You will find that you will be ahead in the end.

Survival

My Hibiscus plants, Bear grass and several herbs that Debbie and I brought with us and the Tomato, Pepper and Okra plants that I planted all have one thing in common this year. As much water as we poured to them they just could not take the oppressive heat of this summer. They are all dead. They are not hurting or just dormant; they are dead! However, the Aloe Vera and other cactus that I planted are doing well. Obviously because of years of adaptation to this environment they have developed the necessary survival traits needed to endure the South Texas heat and lack of water.

I have been told by many that this year is one of the hottest they can remember but these plants in my garden are well fit to draw every morsel of water that I can give them and store it for tomorrow because tomorrow they might need it.

We as Christians often find ourselves in “hostile environments” but the Lord has given us the ability to survive those situations. How do we do it? Through study, prayer and preparation we are able to store away valuable resources that will help get us through any situation. Bad work conditions, illness, family problems all come our way and if we are not prepared we can shrivel up and wilt away under the pressure. However, if we are and have stored away those valuable treasures we will be able to survive but endure with praise and thanksgiving. My prayer is that you are preparing for the times of your strengthening and during those stretches of heat and drought you will not only survive but grow and blossom. “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:3

B. B. Guns and Rules

BB Guns HURT!

David, my younger brother, Allen the boy on the bicycle (see Horses and Bicycles in previous post) and I would often play “Army” in the caliches pit that was between our two houses. Looking back at the hole in the ground now I laugh at its size. It is not near as big as I remember it but at that age it was an entire country that needed defending again invading forces. If there was no one else visiting we would often play two against one. The defender would have to take on the two invaders. It was not long before our empty BB guns started getting loaded and used.

We had rules. You could not shoot anyone above the waist unless it was in the back (saved the eyes). You could not shoot anyone if you were too close (subjective but usually worked). We all had lever action Daisy B.B. Guns but sometimes a rich kid would come play and would have one of those fancy pump B.B./Pellet guns. We absolutely did not allow pellets and you could only pump your gun three times. We did many experiments to see about how many pumps were equal to our Daisy’s. A shot anywhere was a kill! The last and firm rule was that MOM’S COULD NEVER FIND OUT we were doing this or our guns would be confiscated.

What did we learn some things. Number One, most outsiders didn’t always play by the rules. I know that some of those who brought pump air guns into the play would add an extra pump or two trying to get the distance advantage. Number Two, Guns, even B.B. guns hurt. I think this gave us an appreciation of how dangerous guns could be and to this day I am very conscious of where my guns are pointed. A B. B. gun at 20 yards would sting even through jeans, I can only imagine what a shotgun or rifle would do if through carelessness someone got shot, which does happen everyday.

I know you might criticize our boyish play as dangerous. Looking back I would agree and there is no way I would have allowed my boys to play like that if I caught them. And, if my mom and dad would have found out they would have immediately taken our guns away.

I am a gun advocate but also realize it is a different day. Most of the world no longer lives in rural environments so we have to be sensible in our teaching and training and expectations of those handling guns. I understand that laws enacted for the vast majority of people in the United States living in urban areas are going to effect me living in the “country” and accept that as long as they are reasonable. The problem is that one of the things “I Learned on the Farm” was that not everyone plays by the rules!

Horses and Bicycles

In continuing a series on “Everything I needed to Know I Learned on the Farm” I realize that many of these may have no “spiritual” value to speak of but if they make you laugh or bring back a memory of your past the time spent in writing them will have been well spent.

We lived for a while in a tiny house out on Country Club Road. I remember it as being a Cinder Block house with two bedrooms. As most of the farm/ranch homes there was a barn near the house that let out into a small pasture. We had an old mare that had been given to us to play on. She had been a great roping horse in her prime but a leg injury had relegated her future to becoming a “kid” horse. Her name was Blue; we called her “ol’ Blue”.

There was a boy about our age that lived across the road around a quarter of a mile away. Allen, myself and David (my younger brother) learned a lot about life together in that year or so we lived in that house. I used to put the hack-a-more on ol’ Blue and ride over to Allen’s house to play “cowboys and Indians” or “cops and robbers” or to have world saving battles with our G.I. Joes.

I remember one time while we were going down the road, me on ol’ Blue and Allen on a bicycle, we decided to race. Normally you would not think a boy on a bicycle would have much chance against a former champion roping horse in a short distance but this was going down one of the few hills in that country.

We took off like a flash. Because I was “bare-back” I had a tight hold of the reigns but and even tighter hand full of mane. I got the jump and was out ahead but evidently ol’ Blue was showing her age because soon I noticed that Allen had pulled up beside us. For just a moment I took my attention off ol’ Blue and started worrying about Allen. Evidently it surprised ol’ Blue also because she remembered well how to stop and when she sat down I had nothing but a handful of hair to keep me on her back and that was not enough.

Grabbing for more mane I went over her head and landed flat on my back in front of her with the hacks reigns still in hand. I was dazed and she was puzzled standing there looking at me. Allen got stopped and came back to see if I was OK but was laughing so hard that it only added to my embarrassment.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Horses can not only start out faster than a boy on a bicycle they can also stop much quicker and that when you are in a race you need to focus on your job and not those around you so much.

I miss ol’ Blue. She taught me several things about life.

Daddy and Electric Fences

In a series that I could call “Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned on the Farm” I would start with one of my earliest memories. It happened when we were living way, way out of Brownfield on the Tahoka highway. I remember the tiny house and the terrible water, the front porch and several dogs that we played with.

It was during this time that I learned about electric fences and how they could bite you hard. There was a barn with a stable yard on one side of it. For some reason dad had erected a electric fence on the pens that were already there. I can remember it being lower than a single wire that would normally be used for a horse so I assume we might have had some goats or sheep or something smaller. I really don’t remember the animals but I do remember dad kneeling with a “tester” to see if the fence was hot.

Without knowing the consequences I walked up to dad and touched him just enough to get him off balance and he came into contact with the fence. Well, to make the story short dad yelled as he jumped backwards and I not only got knocked down by his movement but got a “double-dose” of the fence current.

After the shock wore off dad was on the ground beside me laughing. I was on the ground crying and everybody else was standing over us starting to understand what had just happened. Since that time, while I have had several run-ins with electric fences I developed a strong respect for that little shiny wire!

Living Old Time Today

While driving back from taking some boys to the annual RA camp at the Alto-Frio Baptist encampment I had some wonderful time to “ponder” on some things. Two things happened at the same time that took me by surprise and made me realize something.
As I drove on the wide two lane Texas Highway with “improved shoulders” I caught a glimpse of a car coming on me pretty fast. Without thinking I pulled over to the shoulder giving the chase car plenty of room to get around me easily; he didn’t even have to change lanes. At that same time I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of my drivers side window. I saw my dad, I had acted like my dad.
Take away the MP3 player that was playing, the cell phone that was out of range of any signal, my emails and texts that were waiting for me. Never mind the flat screen television in my living room and the computer in which I get my news from (instead of the newspaper) I do not live that much different than my father and even my grand-father.
When approached by an upcoming car I give them room, when coming up on a slower vehicle I expect the same. If I am unable to get the check for lunch I get the tip. If I catch the ticket first then I expect you should get the tip.
If you need a tool and are close you are welcome to use mine. They are not locked up. All I ask is that you leave me some kind of note so I don’t look for it if I need it. I generally keep my tools pretty neat but can leave them laying somewhere if I get distracted. When you are through with it bring it home then not two or three days later. I might need it. I would do the same for you.
I believe there is a cost to borrowing something. If I break it, I either fix it or get you a new one. Guess what….yep I expect the same.
I believe that when two men meet they greet with eye-to-eye firm hand shakes. I question the person who cannot look me in the eye and shake my hand at the same time. This is not expected when there is some unknown distance between them, but a hand thrown in the air or some gesture of friendship should always take place.
I believe that if I see someone stuck on the side of the road I should do what I can to help. I may need to shovel, pull out a chain and pull them out of a hole or change a tire. Rain, heat, ice, snow or nothing else should play in my decision to help. I believe that helping someone in need may be more important than being on time for a dinner engagement. My dad could not do this but we can; we can pick up our cell phones and call those who might be waiting.
I might live in a time past using the tools of today but all-in-all when I have treated everyone the way in which I would want to be treated my conscience is free.
Hmmmmm….there might be something Biblical in that!