Fear the beard!

Have you ever taken one for the team?

According to the online Oxford Dictionary, this phrase means to “willingly undertake an unpleasant task or make a personal sacrifice for the collective benefit of one’s friends or colleagues.”

Note the words “unpleasant” and “sacrifice.” So, I guess my fall tour of independent steakhouses did not qualify, even though I was doing recon for an event.  I tried to tell those other guys that I was taking one for the team with each restaurant visit.  I’m not sure they were convinced.

Well, I took one for the team recently that was a legitimately unpleasant sacrifice.  The team is made up of my friends in the worship ministry at First Baptist Church of Bowie, Texas.  I am taking part in an amazing dramatic/musical presentation called “I Stand in Awe,” with performances on March 27, 28,and 29 at 7:00 p.m.  I am portraying the aged Apostle John, in exile on the island of Patmos, in the process of receiving and writing down the book of  the Revelation, and reflecting on experiences some 50-60 years earlier walking in person with Jesus.  To look as much the part as possible, I am growing my most significant beard in many years, if not ever.  It won’t be Duck Dynasty by the end of the month, but I’ll be pretty wooly.  Well, maybe not pretty …

Sadly, there is enough gray/white in my beard that I shouldn’t have to do much to it to look the part of an octogenarian.

So, that’s the team part.  And on behalf of the team, I’m inviting you to come one of those nights. If you are reading this in the newspaper, it’s not a bad drive from wherever you are.  If you are reading online, there are many flights available into DFW from an airport near you.

Now, for the sacrifice.  A couple of weeks ago, Mrs. Sweetie and I made a trip to Amarillo to visit our kids AND grand baby. We saw our son, the real actor in the family, in his debut with the Amarillo Little Theatre.  He was spectacular, by the way.  The Amarillo Globe News critic even agrees with me on that. We also got to spend some time with Mrs. Sweetie’s parents, the real octogenarians.

The highlight of the trip was supposed to be baby holding time.  I say “supposed to be” because Grandpa’s sweet girl did NOT like Grandpa’s beard.  When I picked her up, she started screaming. If this beard did not have a purpose, I would have shaved it off on the spot!  Maybe even while holding her!

Have you been there?  That moment when the thing that would make you the most happy immediately goes against the commitments you have made.  God knows and it matters to Him.

Next week, I’ll talk about how to know if taking one for the team is really the right thing to do.

Question: If you were going to write on that topic, what would you say?

Leave a comment.  It might even show up in the blog next week.

About

Just an ordinary guy living an amazing life. Amazed by God and joining Him in His amazing activity in the world. Seeking the flourishing of fellow travelers. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Singer, CoachSultant, Husband, Dad, Grandpa.