Ronin Ministries

Topic: Keep your head up.

Boys,

Today when when I left the store a homeless man was asking for money. I didn't have any cash on me or I would have given him some. Instead I gave him a sleeve of Oreos I bought on the way out of home depot. And before you start, yes I know I'm not to be eating them, but that's not the important part of the story.

I talked to the guy and his buddy. They offer me one of the Oreos. He probably could see the disappointment on my face when I gave them away. They seemed like good dudes, but it's hard to know anyone's story based on a 5-minute conversation.

As I walked away I told them to keep their "heads up" after I prayed with them. Yeah, I prayed with them, weird, I know, that's your mom's thing. And yes I could feel your mother shaming me if I didn't pray. I also said "I will keep you in my prayers" and they said "We could use them. Between feeling your mom's prayer shaming me and my promise that I would pray in the moment if I thought they needed prayer, instead of waiting until evening prayers.

Why bring that? Because there my Shrek-looking butt putting hands on the shoulders of two random black homeless dudes had to be hilarious site. That and to tell you it was backward as can be. Your mom. Has a gift that I do not. I felt ridiculous. I felt like I was back on a middle school mission trip praying for the first time out loud in a crowd.

The first guy said, "That's easy for you to say." His tone indicated as if I said it as a dismissive slight against him. I couldn't argue his logic, I won't lie and make it sound like I have a bad life, because we don't. But the 2nd guy said "See I told you so. Listen to the man."

I often tell you, boys, to keep your head up. And it is typically in moments of struggle. It can be in sports, relationships, work, or other life advice. It's never meant to minimize what you're going through. It's because in the grand scheme of things, it's a temporary issue and it will pass.

I have seen the poorest become rich and the rich become poor. I have seen the sick become healthy and the healthy become sick. I have seen happily married men get depressed and divorced and the divorced man finds joy in another marriage.

So when I tell you to keep your head it's because when you do you see the world differently. It's easy to get lost in a rut. It's easy to believe lies being told to you. It's easy to get stuck in the not feeling good enough rut. If you keep your head down you never find your way out.

So when I say keep your head up. It's not to minimize what you're going through. It's to remind you to look to the future and not get stuck on your past. I am also not claiming it's east. It takes strength sometimes. It takes effort but it's worth it. Sometimes your trial will lead to greater things.

Love,
Dad