"Do you want to be a superhero?"

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When I was a kid, I wanted to be a superhero. I pretended that I had X-ray vision and could see through walls to watch the “bad guys” robbing a bank. And I could leap tall buildings in a single bound.

When I got tired of being Superman, then I imagined that I had a spider-like agility, that I had sixth sense and could tell where danger lurked around the corner, and I could climb up walls and stick to them.

Well, when I got tired of being Spiderman, then I pretended that I had this superhuman, freakish strength, that I had the temper of an enraged rhino, a brain the size of a walnut, and was green all over.

But then I even tired of being the Incredible Hulk. So I grew up and decided that it was okay that I wasn’t Superman or Spiderman or the Incredible Hulk. That it was just fine to be who I am—a child of God.

Today, when you’re tempted to be someone other than who you are, take off your cape or cowl and wipe off the green body paint, and just be the wonderful person God created. Go ahead and make a life, not just a living.

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"Do you live backwards?"

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Now, I know that’s a strange question, Do you live backwards? So, what am I talking about? I’m talking not so much about driving through your life looking in the rearview mirror. That’s a sure-fire way to wreck your life.

What I’m talking about is in your mind, going to your own funeral and imaging what your family and friends say about you in the memorial service and around your grave. Most likely your family will leave your grave and go have potato salad for lunch.

But will they just eat potato salad? Or, will they love each other and other people who gather for your service as they remember you and pass on the love you shared?

So, how do you live backwards? Start living today with the realization that what you do and say today determines what goes with the potato salad after your funeral. That’s living backwards, with your ending here in mind.

And the best way I’ve found to live backwards is to focus on making a life, not just a living as you listen to life today for what God has to say.

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"How honest are you?"

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School started back recently and I remembered the start of our younger daughter’s last year in elementary school. We received the usual introductory letter from her teacher. Well, actually, this letter wasn’t usual and that’s what I want to tell you about.

The teacher wrote, “In the past, I have started my school year with a letter to parents brimming with bits of advice on parenting the school-aged child. I have, however, been humbled by my daughter’s entrance to school. School is just not as simple as I thought it would be. It is not easy for a parent to find the balance between family time, extra-curricular activities, and school work.”

Like most of us, she was full of advice, knew exactly what others should do, until she started walking in the parenting shoes of a school-aged child.

And isn’t that the way most of us are? You can tell someone else what to do and how to do it, but when you’re in the situation, life isn’t so easy.

Will you be honest with others and not so quick to advise someone else who’s in a place you haven’t been? And instead, listen to life first?

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"What did your father teach you?"

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With our daughters going back to school, I was thinking recently about how much I learned from my father. My father taught me about my roots, saying, “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?” He taught me about the physics of time travel: “Boy, if you don’t stop that, I’m gonna knock you into the middle of next week.” And I learned my sense of humor from him, “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.” And I learned about anticipation—“Just wait until we get home”—and receiving—“You are going to get it when you get home!”

My father taught me about the circle of life when he told me, “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out” and osmosis, “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.” I learned irony from my father: “Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.”

But most of all, my father taught me wisdom, saying, “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.” I’m starting to understand, Dad. And thank God for all you taught me about listening to life!

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"What did your mother teach you"

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With our daughters going back to school, I was thinking recently about how much I learned from my mother. My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done, telling my brother and me, “If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.” I learned logic from her when she told me, “Because I said so, that's why” and, “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.”

My mother taught me how to plan ahead—“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident” and about stamina—“You'll sit there until all that liver is gone.” She was a weather expert as well, telling me once, “This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it” and evidently studied medicine before I was born because I still remember her saying, “If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to freeze like that” and even must have studied law, teaching me about justice: “One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

Mom, they are, and they’re wonderful! I thank God you taught me so much!

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