This Good Guy Wears a White Hat

This is my son, Larry. Technically, he’s my son-in-law, but we’ve called him our son from the get-go. It is a term of endearment. He called us mom and dad. We loved him so much. We were proud to call him our son.

Last month, I had the joy of travelling with him and Staci in their truck and 5th-wheel RV to Red River, NM. What a great trip we had – cooler weather amidst gorgeous pine trees, lakes, rivers and mountains. And, bonus, we met up with my cousins.

On the way to Red River, we made a pit stop in Amarillo, TX to eat at the Big Texan Steak House, – known for their 72 ounce steak. If you eat it all in one-hour, your $72 meal is free. We didn’t indulge ourselves in that meal, but we sure enjoyed eating their delicious food. What many don’t know is Larry was once a real cowboy working cattle, riding horses with other ranching responsibilities while he attended Texas A&M. So, what’s a guy to do when we’re passing through cowboy country and Cavender’s Western Store, but to get himself a white Stetson cowboy hat that I must say “Looks mighty good on him, and for that matter, I think he’s a dead ringer for the Marlboro man!”

It can be said, officially, that even before the white hat, Larry was one of those good guys, but now, it includes a white hat. He is kind, compassionate and quick to meet the needs of others – including me. I’m so proud of him and his heart for being a devoted follower of Christ, as well as being an incredible role model for others.

I remember the good ole’ days when good manners, courtesy, politeness, concern for each other, patriotism, respectfulness, and thoughtfulness were the norm. In reality, all those qualities are still right here. It’s easy to recognize those who have those qualities. They may not wear white hats, but they are those white-hat-wearing-kind-of-people. Times really haven’t changed that much. There were always those who leaned toward the wild side — the mean, ornery, and disrespectful side and who could find something negative in every situation. But, there were also always the good guys.

Deep inside of most everyone is a “white-hat-wearing” loving and kind somebody. God created us good, but something along-the-way caused them to be just the opposite — maybe their upbringing, their lack of a value system, their choice of friends? What was it that changed them from “loving God, standing up with their hand over their heart while singing our National Anthem, respectfully loving others and living with kindness and honor”? It’s hard to believe how polar opposite we can be. I get that people are afraid, angered, upset, and confused about this world we live in, but we can do our part to at least change “our little world” if we want to.

We can lean in closer to God Who can change us and make us new. He is delighted to give out “white hats” to His kids. We can be committed Christ followers Who replace our meanness for kindness and our ugly talk to love talk. My Mama said it best, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”
My Mama and Mother Teresa had a lot in common when it comes to loving and caring.

Here’s the way Mother Teresa put it:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

You, know, I think Mother Teresa must have owned a white cowgirl hat because she sure did talk the talk and walk the walk that most of those folks in white hats seem to do. I’m thinking I need to go on a shopping spree for a white hat!