Government

Good government begins with self-government.

If we can govern ourselves, we will be eligible to govern (steward) others – beginning with our families, in our churches and communities. People will see we are a person of integrity, with wisdom and good morals. They will come to us with questions and concerns, and we’ll be able to help them or point them to someone who can.

This is how good leaders start. This is where good government begins. From the local. From the ground up. From the family – a small governing body by itself. From the respectful and responsible father to the thoughtful and industrious mother. All the kids get involved; learning to see what can be done and help. They become independent thinkers on the lookout for a good project to begin!

Self-government is one of our highest freedoms, leading to all other freedoms we enjoy and want to have. It is the hardest, yet the most needful in a free society. Great strength under control! That’s the real meaning of meekness.

We are a strong country, a strong people. Let’s lead ourselves through our own self-control to become what we’d like to see in others – set the example for our children, families and youth. .

Don’t let others dictate to you how they think you should be. You dictate through your life, your honesty, your integrity, your faithfulness to your word, your love for family, your willingness to help keep up your part of the world and begin to see the difference.

There are many followers. They need a good leader to point them in the right direction. Point them by your life. Give them hope for a better future.

You (me) be the change  🙂

Hands On!

My heritage were the ‘hands-on’ folk. We made stuff! Good stuff!

It didn’t all start out as good stuff. As we learn the stuff goes through a progression from bad to better to pretty good to ‘that’s great’!

Mom’s side had the wagon master in her lineage. There were produce gardeners, writers, musicians, decorators, shop keepers, sewers.

Dad’s side were cabinet makers, craftsmen, painters, metal workers in casting and tools even on the railroad.

Mom became an interior designer doing anything to help make your house a home. Dad became a professor teaching shop class, metal work, drafting, slide rule (what’s that?) and at home helping in the cabinet making department for mom’s business.

My older brother had his own hobby shop for years. Now with 2 college degrees, he chooses to work with his hands in maintenance…electricity, plumbing …steam heat is his specialty! Get him down there with the boilers, radiators and pipes and he’s in his niche!

Younger brother took up cabinet making and makes his living restoring old houses, boats and furniture. Beautiful work!

Both brothers are deep thinkers, avid readers and good problem solvers.

Now my own flock of kids – all grown – are hands on entrepreneurial sorts as well.

The wonderful thing about hands on, hand made, is you are looking at what you make as you make it. You see its flaws and promises. You adjust as you go, and it will be unique! That’s what we people want!

So to all you hands on peoples out there…keep up the good work. Share your skills so we don’t lose your craft. Keep growing and improving. The world needs what you have to offer. What you are doing may seem small in your eyes, yet every nut and bolt is needed to hold the bridge up.

What can I make better today with my very own hands?

This Memorial Day

We are free today because of another’s loss on this Memorial Day.

Let’s not let our veterans’ loss, who willingly gave their lives so we could be free, go in vain.

Yes, we mourn the loss of those lives, they were our own flesh and blood, brother, sister, father, mother, aunt and uncle, neighbor and friend.

Yet I don’t believe they want us stuck in a state of mourning over them, they would want us living daily in the victory they fought and gave their lives for us to have.

Today and always let us remember to keep the hard fought-for freedoms our ancestors died so we could have.

They were looking ahead toward future generations and their well-being of life, of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What is one thing I can be thankful today because of their loss for my gain?

What is one thing I can do going forward to continue this freedom for my family and future generations?