My actual job description is part time starter. I am not completely enamored with the title probably because of the number of projects I have hanging right now. I actually am one of the part time starters at a wonderful 36 hole public golf complex. Our job entails verifying payment, filling range practice balls so golfers can warm up, keeping tee off times on pace, confirming golf cart rules for the day and hopefully providing a smile to get our customers off to a good start. There is that root word again.
Starting an endeavor can be taxing regardless if it is before April 15th especially when it is your maiden voyage. I will never forget our daughter getting interested in playing lacrosse back when she was 13. Our area had something called Fall Ball, which was basically girl lacrosse players getting together to do drills and practice their skills for the upcoming spring season. Driving our younger one to this first practice was quite stressful as she knew no one and only her passion for the sport kept her in the car for the ride over. “What am I supposed to do when you drop me off?” I told her to go up to the first girl she saw and ask her to throw with you. I said a prayer asking for a receptive player and that she would have a fun experience. Praise the Lord it all worked out and she ended up having a very successful lacrosse career. Small positives can lead to larger triumphs in life. Financial planners love to show you what compound interest can do over time. I found the same is true with compounding confidence.
How about what is new in your life?
One that I experienced was making a new meal for a New Year’s Celebration back in 2025. Growing up in Pennsylvania, pork and sauerkraut was a tradition but I figured after living in the South for over 40 years I better get with the local program. So as you see in the picture, I gave Collards, Black eyed Peas and Cornbread a go. Sweating out not wanting to screw it up, I used plenty of bacon and my side kick for the cornbread was a full butter dish. Bacon jazzes up not only entrees and appetizers but also book covers as Bac, my good friend from Erie, PA, designed my book cover. The first attempt at this southern specialty turned out satisfactory with the key being, only let Yankees taste test your initial batch.
Starting something new can be filled with uncertainty and doubt. On the flip side it can be refreshing as it takes you out of that dull routine I know I fall into because, well it just seems easier to touch my repeat button.
Springtime is a season of renewal and a perfect calendar fit for new beginnings. I had to post a picture of azaleas in our neighborhood and the colored eggs for our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt for our grandchildren this Sunday. That gets me to the most significant part of this piece. Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It represents the victory of Jesus over death, his sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life. It is a glorious time for renewal of our Christian faith or a wonderful time to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. I am confident from there God takes over as you worship in spirit and truth to give you the full time starter who takes you through the finish line.
Your cornbread and veggies look awesome, made my mouth water. Hallelujah we can celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. Enjoyed your writing.
Thanks Rick! Hallelujah!
Robert, there is a reason you are one of my very blessed friends, and I just read one! I absolutely love your writing style and I am amazed how you can pull your readers in. Maybe I am too much of a writing idiot, but I love your blogs, and I love my best friend!!! Write on my dear friend, Write on!
He has Risen! Thank you Richard, Happy Easter!
Always love the main focus of your posts…Jesus!
Happy Easter!
Great words David. He has Risen! Thank you and Happy Easter!
Robert: Thanks for the reminder that Spring is a great time for renewal! Renewing our faith and commitment can be a great boost to our spiritual well being. Nature demonstrates what a renewal looks like with the blooming of flowers, trees, and green grass. Let us stop and do the same!
Yes Sir Thiel Thunder, Renewing our Faith and Commitment to Jesus Christ as our Savior is such a blessing to our spiritual well being!
Thank you for your writing.
Glad you’re getting comfortable being a southerner sir! No one retires and moves north ya know 🙂
Love the north though and considering how much I sweat, it’s a miracle I stayed put. Cant beat ol NC though. I’ll endure 3 miserable hot steamy months to get 9 perfect ones. As Ric the Nature Boy flair said, “learn to love it, cause it’s the best thing goin. Woooo!”
Thinking of the brutal excruciatingly painful beating Jesus took for us before giving up his spirit, makes me realize just how serious sin is and just how much God loves us to endure it for our sake. God didn’t exactly tell Adam & Eve, ‘oh well, i guess we’ll give this another try.’ He still took care of them but booted them from the garden and separation from God was the effect of sin. God knew the only way to reconcile that relationship so we could dwell together again would be to come to earth in the form of the Son and be the ultimate blood sacrifice for sin once and for all. The OT law couldn’t fix sin. Only Jesus laying down his life in the ultimate act of love could overcome sin. Those who believe in Jesus and accept his sacrifice receive grace and his promise of eternal life and a reconciled relationship with God. Who wouldn’t be homesick for Heaven with a promise like that?
Brett, The only reply I have is Amen and Thank You!
1Peter 1:8-9 ‘Although you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you have not seen him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’ What assurance!
Thanks Bob. Spring and especially Easter remind me of how grateful I am for a fresh start. Life doesn’t just go on, but begins with new promise, hope and joy.
So true Sharon, I am totally in on being grateful! Love those words, Promise, Hope and Joy!
Thanks Bob. Love the pictures, but can’t do the collards!
Spring and especially Easter remind me of rebirth, blooming, and renewal. Optimism and hope are refreshed. It tells me to start again on my journey with renewed hope; another chance to maybe get it right! Thanks for your thoughts.
Good stuff Sharon! I am on board with optimism, hope and always making the effort to get it right.
That is a genuine endeavor loved by all.
Spring starters come in many different versions. As a northwest central Pa. native and likely “lifer”, Spring starter reflections often include: (i) putting one’s snow shovels away for hopefully 6 months; (ii) examining one’s current weight and physyce (sp ) and then hearing your buddy Bob’s voice reminding you ”again” of that regular exercise routine you verbally committed to many years ago; (iii) up until about 25 years ago telling yourself this is the year you’ll win the club championship; and (iv) coming to grips with one’s age. Fortunately,one can change gears and due to the “good news”derived from our Savior’s sacrifice and resurrection, those prior starter thoughts can be looked at with a different perspective as both you & Brett so eloquently pointed out. On a more personal note,spring brings the renewed thoughts of how fortunate we are to have loving family members and friends ,being able to live in a free country,and being healthy enough to enjoy the pleasures our heavenly father’s creation affords us. In closing, although trying new things such as sampling your “Dixie boy food concoction” is not part of my comfort zone, as a devoted yankee, I reccomend when you offer your concoction to someone hailing from north of Mason-Dixon, you also offer a side alternative consisting entirely of bacon. This way everyone involved will leave with favorable memories. Ace
Ace, I so much enjoyed your enlightened thoughts from what Spring starter means to you.
A nice recommendation too, for having a second option for Yankees not on board with collards…..