Oz Never Did Give Nothing To The (Thin Mints)

 Girl Scout Cookie time is here! This is from February 28, 2011.

The title means nothing to you unless you remember America's classic hit. Actually, it was The Tin Man but I always wanted to sneak that in a blog. As usual this year, I bought my share of Girl Scout cookies at school. This time, I was the customer of Amy, Christina, and Katherine, although due to some sort of mix up, I haven't received my order from Katherine yet. It's ALWAYS Thin Mints. I'm not saying I'm in a rut but I am predictable. I usually share them with my students and players, always a big hit. Yesterday after worship, I stopped by the neighborhood WAL-MART for a few items (ironing starch-toothpaste-dental rinse-gift card for baby shower if you're interested), hoping to be in and out quickly despite the post-church crowd. As I got close to the door, I saw a group of Girl Scouts by the entrance and I knew what they were doing. I already had my excuse ready, that I appreciated their efforts but I bought my cookies from the Girl Scouts at our school. Right when they asked me as I turned inside, just as I was vocalizing my regrets, I heard, "Coach Hawley!" I looked up and saw Julia and her mother interspersed with the young cookie saleswomen. I'd better introduce Julia. I've coached a great number of kids at summer basketball camps in three different states but Julia is in my top five without question. From the time she was in kindergarten, she has always been the model camper in terms of discipline, attentiveness, and enthusiasm. Last summer, we even went an hour or so where she repeated everything I said word for word. Every year, on the last day of camp, Julia's mom takes a picture of the two of us together and I see her change from year to year. In front of Wal-Mart, I asked her mom if Julia had gotten taller since last June but she thinks it's her new contact lenses. And so there, with her classmates from the Catholic school that is adjacent to ours, I decided to buy another box of Thin Mints from Julia. I didn't really need them but I needed to buy them from Julia, if that makes sense.

There are people we do stuff for because of the relationship we have. Sometimes, it's adults and sometimes it's kids. I wonder if I would be a pushover as a dad- I see some tendencies! You know, I think our Father in heaven sees His children like that. He knows what we need and what we want. I believe His heart is tender when His children are involved. We know the Lord changed His mind when it had already been determined that Hezekiah was about to die in 2 Kings 20. Maybe it was the sound of the king calling out that persuaded the Lord to extend his life by fifteen years. I heard the voice of Julia Sunday. All I know is that I changed my mind and I'm glad I did. A guy cannot have too many Thin Mints or maybe, reasons to buy them. I better get ready for next year.

Applicable quote of the day:
"The thing I received from Girl Scouts more than anything else was a sense of real teamwork and working for the community, helping others and it was not competitive. I remember working as a group to achieve a goal or to help the community. There was a great sense of accomplishment in that."
Cathy Rigby (Olympic Gymnast) 

Copy and paste here for a great live version of Tin Man by America. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uJL8er_tV0

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
www.hawleybooks.com
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com