We've All Got Stuff

I was booked to do a motivational presentation at a corporate function. That's one of the things I do. I travel around and share with anybody who will listen that they have a future just waiting to meet them and with the right attitude, it can be shaped into something extraordinary. I share with people the need to look beyond their circumstances and help them move into better living.

Well, let's just say as I was preparing for it, I had a moment of doubt as to why I, of all people, am doing a motivational presentation.  Now, my friend Derrick Tennant, he is a motivational speaker. Because of an injury as a child he was told he wouldn't walk again. He has experienced brain surgery, coma, and paralysis. He spent a portion of his life in a wheelchair and after much rehab and even more determination, he does walk, even with limited use of his whole left side.

He is also funny and has a great attitude which is a winning combination for a motivational speaker. He can share his story with people in a way that makes them feel like "wow, if he can deal with that and come out laughing, then I guess my situation isn't so bad." His goal is to motivate people to overcome their obstacles and move on to better living.

Well, I've been through stuff in my life, too. I won't share it with you here and now because I've just shared Derricks with you. My stuff doesn't compare with his. He has a way better hook than I do. And as a motivational speaker, that just isn't fair. "Gee Dwayne, that sounds like kind of a jerk thing to say". I agree. Trust me, I wouldn't have posted this if Derrick didn't fully agree with the content and the point that I am about to make.

"Well, what is the point you are about to make, jerk?" Well, stick with me for a moment and I'll tell you.  I recently spent some time in Nashville with Derrick and some of my other funny friends at the Christian Comedy Association Conference. I also spent this past weekend with several people who have seriously extreme stories of overcoming.

These are people who have overcome physically debilitating injuries or addictions. People who have gone from convicted murderer to productive member of society. And people who have suffered the horrific loss of children and all are now sharing about living a life for Christ. These people are awesome and God has big plans for them. He has spared them and they are using their time and opportunities to share about the importance of right choices, right attitudes and Jesus Christ in their lives.

The point I am making is this: most people tend to view their own life story in the context of the story of someone else. We look at our lives as being either better or worse than another life. And the problem with that is that it unduly minimizes us or them. Looking at life in comparison to that of someone else can cause us to see in terms of what is "fair" or what we "deserve" when we really should be looking at life for what it is: life.

My story is mine and yours is yours and we each have a choice to be content with the way it's unfolding or to make changes. It's good to encourage others or be encouraged by the overcoming of obstacles in life. That's exactly what we are supposed to do. But don't make the mistake of minimizing a life story, not even your own. You, me, Derrick, all of us, we matter. God loves us all and has plans for each of us. The question really is this: Are you going to spend your time comparing yourself with others, or getting on board His plan for your life?

Checkout my friend Derrick at his site www.leftarmcomedy.com. For my booking information, check me out at www.funnybutclean.com, by e-mail at dwaynecastle40@yahoo.com, or by phone at 419-961-1265. And if you like the blog posts, subscribe and share.

Get Up and Get Going

What a week! I'm preparing for our first major outdoor youth event and neighborhood block party which takes place all day Saturday.  I'm also preparing for my performance at a benefit, that takes place immediately afterward. My pastor (and good friend) along with his family, are moving out of the country in less than a week, on a weeks notice and I'm trying to help our church with the transition. I just came back from visiting a dear friend in the hospital (she's doing well). And, by the way, my oldest daughter and her husband just moved to Cambodia for six months of missionary work. As I type this, I'm waiting to hear that they landed safely in Phnom Penh. "What a week" may be a bit of an understatement.

An amazing woman and me

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we took a vacation with our world traveling kids as kind of a big "hurrah" before their trip. While there, we went para-sailing and I thought this would be an appropriate time to share.

I've been sky-diving before, but this was different. You first have to straddle one of two yellow tubes that make up a "banana boat" as it motors you from the beach to a waiting speedboat. On this particular day, the water was so choppy that the group ahead of us hit a wave and we watched as several of the passengers were tossed from the banana boat, into the Atlantic. Surely, we wouldn't be allowed to go if it was unsafe, right?  

It was a bumpy ride to the waiting watercraft but, surprisingly, we were all there for the headcount.  Once aboard, the boat's captain put it in to high gear, bouncing us through the water. Coincidentally, this was the same time some of the passengers began questioning their prior meal choice.

Samantha and Andy went first. Since he is not keen on heights I was filled with a mixture of pride, in him facing his fear, and joy, in seeing the man who took my baby girl away, squirm as he was harnessed in. They were up in the air for about 10 minutes as the captain turned the boat this way and that, lunging up and down, apparently trying to find new ways to dislodge our internal organs while, I believed, yanking our kids around the sky.

They were reeled in and suddenly it was our turn. We had no time to debrief them about the experience, so I had no idea what to expect. We were harnessed in, given the last second instructions (don't undo your harness, you will fall), and away we went, quickly ascending just as you would expect of a kite when the wind catches it.

Once the line stopped and we reached maximum altitude, we looked down and could see the wake as the boat knifed its way through the water, the white trail behind it disappearing only when the ocean covered it up. The boat was zigging and zagging, presumably giving the on board passengers a new respect for Dramamine.  For some reason I thought we would be pulled to and fro, in time and rhythm with the boat below, but I was wrong.

We discovered that although there was much activity happening down there, "up here" where we were was calm.  So calm in fact that Deborah and I managed a beautiful conversation about something or other. I can't recall specific details of that conversation right now, but that isn't the point. The point is this... high above the situation, we were unaffected by what was happening below. No chaos, no commotion. It didn't matter what craziness seemed to be happening under us, it was all good up top.

This is a huge time of transition for me and my family, my friends and my church. It seems as if there is some form of change taking place everywhere, maybe even in your corner. When we are in the middle of it, that change can feel like turmoil and sometimes seems as if it won't end. But, if you could get above your situation you would realize that it's all relative and it will pass.

You see, this life is temporary, as are the trials and transitions that come with it. If I didn't have an eternal perspective which allows me to step back and see it for what it is, I'd probably go nuts. Instead, I can find peace and joy even in the midst of the chaos. I am so thankful that Jesus sent me a comforter that allows me to enjoy the changes in this life, or helps me to get through the tough ones. 

Samantha and her loves
from her previous trip

Do you feel like you are in rough seas? Maybe you just need a new perspective. If you would like to know more about Jesus, The Comforter, or this eternal perspective I mentioned, I am happy to share. 

By the way, the kids have landed safely and are already hard at work in the mission field. Please remember to pray for them (and for us).

Subscribe to my blog, comment on it and share it with others. Book me for your next event today! I can be reached on-line at www.funnybutclean.com,  by e-mail at dwaynecastle40@yahoo.com or by phone at 419-961-1265. And please don't forget to check out my advertisers.