Big Boy Pants

Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you must be the adult, put on your Big Boy Pants, and take charge of the situation. It might be uncomfortable, somewhat frightening, and a challenge, but you step up and do it anyway. That is my idea of being a strong man or woman, a true American, and sometimes even a patriot.

So, what happened to spark this line of thinking? It is not just one thing, it is all of the craziness we see on the news, at our colleges and universities, at the border, and in our neighborhoods. This week, I was in the right place at the right time to make a difference in someone’s life. My choice was to watch out for myself or put my interests and safety second to help another person.

I was at a doctor’s appointment waiting for the Dr. to come in for our appointment when the fire alarm went off in a three–story medical building. Almost everyone evacuated to the stairwell, while I chose the hallway leading to a very large atrium with balconies overlooking it. As I traveled down the hallway, I noticed the double doors had closed as you would expect in a fire. Just as I got to the doors, I noticed a young mother pushing her significantly disabled daughter in a wheelchair. She was near panic as the fire alarm blasted loudly. I opened the door manually and we proceeded on the balcony toward the elevator.

Elevators don’t work in a fire. When she realized the elevator was off–line, she was now trembling in full–on panic mode. She was desperately trying to figure out how to get her daughter’s wheelchair down the very high stairs and out to safety. It was time to be an adult and bring peace and calmness to the situation. I assured her that everything was going to be alright, that we would work together to get her daughter down the stairs if it came to that, and that there were plenty of folks available to make that happen in the event this was a real fire emergency. By the way, I was taken aback by the number of adult males who passed by this mom with the wheelchair and didn’t even give her a second glance.

I assured her that I wouldn’t leave them and that I had every confidence that God was in control and wouldn’t let anything happen to them. “We are going to be alright, fear not”, I reassured her. We waited for what seemed like hours, but was really only a few minutes. Then the alarm turned off and it was over. We went our separate ways and everything was indeed alright.

I am proud of a country where ordinary people step up in a crisis, 9–11 comes to mind, the Georgia trooper who picked up a pro–Palestinian protester at a Georgia college and physically carried him to the Patty Wagon, to my sweet wife who pulled an elderly woman from a burning car after a car wreck occurred right in front of her. Many years ago, while having lunch with my RN wife in the hospital cafeteria, I was privileged to apply the Heimlich maneuver to a choking nurse. The room was full of doctors and nurses, but God used a poor old carpenter on this day to deliver a life–saving miracle. First responders, firemen, and police officers do this every day and I am so grateful for each of them.

Just say yes when the opportunity presents itself, put on your Big Boy Pants, and be the adult in this situation. Turning wood and using razor–sharp tools is inherently dangerous. This is why we keep a first aid kit in the shop in case of emergency. It is not a question of if you will get hurt, only when and how bad.

Turning Tip:

Learn to turn with the other hand; right–handed folks, turn with your left hand, lefties turn with your right hand. You will be amazed how some difficult cuts become no big deal using your other hand.

Remember that wherever you go, there you are. Here is my inspiration for this week’s message.

(Ps 23:4 [HCSB])

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me.

(Ps 27:14 [HCSB])

Wait for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait for the LORD.

(Isa 41:10 [NIV2])

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.