Fridays with Mac: "Devil His Due"

In years of trying to assist displaced men, low-income kids and, the past year, fellow folks battling Amyloidosis and kidney disease, the word “encouragement” has always been a bedrock to this work. Your scribe has always loved the definition of the word, described as, “To give hope and confidence to.”

Can you imagine? In these challenging times? As we roll into the new year and try to “Soar in ’24?” Holy smokes, if we could inject more hope and confidence into our daily lives and, with that spirit, really address critical social issues concerning homelessness, immigration, political strife, educational reform and more live organ donations to name just a handful? Bartender, give the house a round on me.

I know, “Hey knucklhead, get your head out of the clouds.” As former University of Colorado head football coach Rick Neuheisel used to say often, when we discussed Buffs football success or lack thereof on his coach’s show, “If it’s and but’s were candies and nuts? We’d all have a Merry Christmas.” Amen brother. Neuheisel’s a fun guy and talented CBS college football analyst. The 62-year-old is well suited for the role.

Stay away from the “If” game, right? But encouragement? Bring it on! For those who believe we’e born with certain gifts? I think this pearl was plopped into my DNA while marinating in mother Patsy Sue Perry’s womb. This ol’ jock turned sports guy turned advocate for helping others achieve goals and overcome challenges, cherishes moments when blessed to utilize this potentially life-transforming trait.

In a recent Friday morning gathering of a bunch of goofs who come together to grow spiritually, it made the topic of “Discouragement” quite interesting. We were discussing a passage from pastor and author John Yates’ book “An Attitude of Gratitude.” Being the “Encouragement” fella, it really resonated.

To preface this, let me be transparent, I don’t know if there’s a “Devil” out there but I do believe within those six inches of our ears? We can think devilish thoughts about being unworthy. That stinkin’ thinking puts a powerful clamp on successful living. Anyway, enough preaching, here’s what Yates offers about discouragement, again from a pastor’s perspective. “One of the Devil’s favorite tools? This dastardly miser was having a yard sale. All tools were marked with different prices. There was hatred, jealousy, deceit, lying, pride - but there was a tool most obviously worn and the most expensive. The tool was DISCOURAGEMENT.” When questioned, the Devil said, “It’s more useful than any other tool because few people realize it belongs to me.”

Marinating on that statement made me sit back, drop the reading glasses and ponder the power of discouragement. I see it often on the faces of friends in dialysis, men living on the streets and, frankly, those who seem to “Have it all” but can’t seem to find hope and confidence for the future.

The conversation among seven dudes transitioned to the word, “Dwell.” Defined as, “Settle down, be at home in, occupy.” What about our thoughts? Negative or positive? Who’s winning the battle of our minds? At least for this ol’ knucklehead, it’s a daily contest of trying like heck to see the good despite the bad and indifferent. Trust me, your scribe has been called “naive” more than once. Who’s winning this crucial tussle? There’s no important contest than the battle for our minds and where our craniums dwell.

As our morning was concluding, another gem was offered. It was about trees and how those with deep roots can withstand storms and droughts. We have those in life. Everyone whether we’re black, white or brown; live in a mission, mansion or Main Street; identify as whatever and believe the same. As we love to joke at A Stronger Cord, “We’re all a bunch of knuckleheads.” The question always become, “How are we gonna deal with the crap?”

Let’s weather the storms with a positive mindsight. Rooted and grounded in encouragement. Yep. Whatever situations arise rocking our worlds? Mind, body and spirit? Muster hope and confidence to banish discouragement to the deepest infernos of hell and give the devil his due!