Half full or Half Empty?

Talk about a suntan! Yes, Jaque is sporting her usual tanned and tone body. Didn't take long either. Broken Bow lake has always been some type of mysterious therapy for Jaque. Seems like when she is on the lake, she is just a little closer to our maker. We have enjoyed this summer, cooking out, swimming, and just hanging with friends. Some friends are new to our lives, others, like little Ms Kelsie have been around forever.

I cannot help but share a recent conversation that I had with an older man who was a grandpa of one of Jaque's teammates for the Haworth Lions. Be prepared, because in true Carol style, I have decided to be blunt.

It started out as him just asking how Jaque was doing. Of course, I filled him in on school, lake, friends, etc. Then he started talking about his granddaughter. I was tickled to hear that she was doing well. She is a sweet kid with a lot going for her in life.

But as the conversation kept going......God hit me with a brick. It was right then and there I realized that their are two types of people in this world. 1-over achievers 2-over comers. disclaimer*I am not talking of the granddaughter, merly making a statement on what people see is important.

An over achiever is one who sets the bar high in life. Satisfied with the trophies on the wall, the next big challenge, and glory when it is achieved. They miss the small milestones because they can only focus on the big wins. They see any setbacks as loses. They see defeat as weakness. They focus on the "what if's" of those around them. If someone has a potential and does not fulfil it (for any circumstance) it is a failure on their part. It does not matter the life circumstances, if they are not a winner, they are losing.

And over comer is, in my weird way of thinking, one who faces each challenge and is proud of the outcome no matter what it is. They know as long as they try their hardest, they are winners. An over comer keeps God always in the game plan and understands that in life, not everyone is given a path that is golden. They see that each of us is just a prayer away from becoming the person that God wants us to be. They also understand to appreciate each trophy as a day that they were meant to win, and know that some days just are not meant to be.

An over comer is proud of their accomplishments in life, but they know that "what if" is a question left to those that dwell in the thoughts of the devil. Those that are asking "What will I do next" shows strength and courage to move in the right direction.

If you cannot tell, this man did strike a nerve.

Jaque has been giving pitching lessons and loving it. I have heard more from the mothers of the girls about how much Jaque has positively affected the lives of these young girls and even the friendship she is making with the moms.

This man talked as if her not walking affected her ability to teach, to witness, to understand.

Yes, I know you are all shaking your head. But know that the 10 minute drive home was used in talking with God about how this grandfather, a man of God, is missing the point. How I prayed for him to know and understand what Jaque has taught me.

If we can do nothing more in life than inspire someone to be more that they are, to see that we have faith, and to know that through our trials, God is getting us ready for what lies beyond this earth.......if we can do that, I think we are working in the right direction.

I always say that the devil attacks us when God is getting ready for a great blessing. The devil tried to attack me that day, but he forgot I was on Team Jaque. That afternoon, I had a wonderful time cooking with Jaque. Then, she had friends over, and we had family as well. She was surrounded with love, smiling and laughing. Chasing Jordan and Carson with water balloons, hide-and-go-seek, and playing bumper cars with her buddies in powerchairs. I wished at that moment the grandfather could see her. He could have a humbling sense of when the world throws you a curve you can watch it go by or take it for a long road out of the park.

Pray for this man, and peace in his life. Remember that those you might come in contact with today may not have strong faith. The words you say to them might cut deeper than you think. And it is easy to pour salt on a wound than it is to help someone bandage it up. Be on the side of the healer, not on the destroyer.

Yesterday my family lost a strong woman. My great Aunt Olean. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Please keep our family in your prayers. She was ready. Angels had appeared to her, and she spoke of what she would say when she saw Jesus. She was ready....are you?

With Love for all of our friends and family that keep up with my rambling.