Be Courageous

Last weekend we were blessed with making a trip to Mena, AR to ride. We had family from OKC area and met some great friends as well. One particular instance I want to share is the trail ride. The last trail ride was the "most difficult" trail we had been on the entire trip. Jillian was tired of riding her 90 Polaris, so she got in with me and we took the RZR. Jaque got on her ride and up the mountain we went. Jillian and I were nervous the entire way up... Thinking we had made it to the top, we let our guard down, only to round the corner and have another hill. I told her that I knew we would not drive off the mountain, because we were not going to get going that fast...... And so we followed the group. Jaque rode that little 90 up that mountain, with courage and more importantly without fear. On the steep parts, Chris stayed in front of her to ensure that the wheeler did not tip. Knowing she could do it, but also being there if she should need a hand. Well, Jillian and I thought we might throw up when we got down, we were pretty rattled. But we survived. We lived to tell about it. Lol. And Jaque just kept going, without limits. Then on the last ride, we decided to follow the group to a hidden cave. It was a tight squeeze for the Jeep, but we made it. First, we walked a short distanc to a creek bed, the up it to the cave. Chris told Jaque to hop on and gave her a piggy back ride. The cave was awesome. Soon, someone noticed an opening to go through. The opening was probably three feet tall, and we could see light on the other side. As the group went through one by one, Jaque told Chris to take her back. That it was ok, that she had seen the cave. It was enough. But any of you that know Chris knows that he, like Jaque, has no boundaries. So what did he do? He got down in the bear crawl stance and crawled through the opening, knees in mud and all...... And got her through a part that she could not go at alone. Well, she could... She could have army crawled! Anyway, when we all got through to the other side it was magnificent. It opened up to a beautiful breathtaking view with a waterfall. It was rather large inside, and there were trails leading out of it. Jaque set down and just enjoyed the view. If the limits of the world would have been followed, she would have not seen that cave. But she and Chris pushed the envelope and got to experience the majestic views that it offered. Jaque is doing well in school. She has had to fight some memories of her past the last few months..... But has done so boldly with the help of true, real friends. She is thinking Texarkana A&M maybe in the fall.... lord willing. I cannot ever write enough how proud I m of the person she is becoming. She shared with me that one night, while Chris and I were at the cabin, she had a moment when she knew..... That she just had to pray about her future. She had to pray to God to show her what type of man she needed to wait for, and I believe that the Lord came to her and spoke. Jaque is not perfect. She is a typical 21 years old with all the flaws that go with it. Knowing that she has a moral compass that is trying to work is a wonderful thing. She has been giving some pitching lessons. The girls, ranging from Freshman to 10 years old, have been good for her. (and of course, her cousin Deanna). She is realizing how influential young girls are, and she wants to be a solid and loving figure in their lives. I see her bonding with each girl, building a relationship with them and their parents. I see her making a difference in their lives. And just as equally important..... They are making a difference in her life. When she is ready for a relationship, God will have a wonderful man ready too. She has some really great guy friends, but at 21..... Neither are ready for forever just yet. Of course, I am good with that! Life is to short to let the world limit you to what it expects of you. Set your own limits. Whether you are 21 or 49.... Don't just sit on the sidelines. Press forward and make others around you strive for being more as well. Life will pass you by and before you know it.... It will be gone. Make it worth something. Make it worth it for your family! Show your children that you care and give them the most precious thing you can... Time! You cannot buy it, borrow it, steal it....but it is the most precious thing you have. And when you do that, they will grow up wanting to be the type of person and parent you are. Be the type of dad, mom, or parental figure that gives up selfish time with "your friends" to spend with your kids. As for my Jaque, I feel great things coming in her future. Recently someone asked her if she lowered her standards for a man, since she was in her chair. this young person is new to a chair, and trying to find their way. Jaque said no, I didn't. In fact, I think I raised my standards. And through a connection with my nieces New York Mission work, another friend went to church for the first time, not because of Jaque, but through what witness she gives. God will provide us the tools, he will show us the way, and pave his WILL for our lives. We have the choice to follow his lead. Cast the devil in your life out! Surround yourself with others that have your basic beliefs and see what God can do in your life. It is much easier to follow the devil. But with God with you, who can come against you that you shall fear? No one. Start today, for tomorrow is no guarantee. Chris would literally bear crawl through a cave, climb a mountain, ride a wakeboard with Jaque on his back that see her miss one single opportunity in life. Are you willing to do the same for your kids?