It is my purpose in life to encourage others to pursue their dreams. I often
joke that my business card should read "Bob Perks, Reminder." I believe there
are basic rules in life we already know. My job is to remind you of them. My
purpose is to help you remember that you are never alone, always loved and
created to accomplish great things.
I also see myself serving as an example. Both as an example of what one should
do and what one shouldn't do in life. I've done both.
I've had enough challenges to keep me humble and enough opportunities to live a
happy successful life. After discovering that my oldest son had cancer, one
friend in an effort to console me, said, "God gives you these challenges because
He knows you can handle them. All of these things help to give you a deeper
understanding so you can help others facing the same situations."
My reply was, "Well, I need to let God know that I don't need to be an expert in
everything. I've learned enough, thank you."
So my life leads me on a wonderful journey crossing paths with some of the most
incredible people.
We all have so much to give others and so much more to learn from them.
I have never walked away from a "chance" meeting without getting more than I
gave.
Today was no different.
It is autumn here. Mixed with the reality of the end of summer's bounty, I am
reminded that there is beauty in dying. The flaming foliage throughout the
countryside makes up for the loss of the collection of spring flowers I planted
earlier. At their peak, the leaves are as breathtaking as a field of
wildflowers.
It was during a recent trip to the park I discovered I had much in common with
weeds.
"Aren't they magnificent?" I said.
"Yes, they are. I begin my visits here at the first sign of fall. Over the
course of a few weeks I see these trees change slowly. It's like watching a
fireworks display in slow motion," she said.
"I never thought of it that way," I replied.
"I see myself as a tree. My friend is a weed," she said.
I started laughing and she turned to me with this very serious look on her face.
"I mean it. My roots run deep. I found my place and planted myself there. My
friend plants herself temporarily in one place and grows there until she
blossoms. Then as the wind blows, she flies on to a new place," she said.
I thought for a moment and replied, "But at least she's been to more places than
you."
"You must be a weed, too," she said and walked away.
I stood there feeling abandoned and somewhat insulted.
Driving home I thought about what she said. Was I a weed? Could I see myself as
a tree?
When I arrived at home I found the answer. It's not that I hadn't noticed them
before, but suddenly I was very aware of the two trees located directly behind
my house.
"They are huge!" I said.
I actually crawled up into the bushes and stood in between them. I felt so small
and lost.
My wife, Marianne came outside and saw me standing there.
"Okay, I'll ask. What are you doing?"
"I'm not big enough to be a tree. I can't for a moment see myself just standing
here for my entire life," I said.
"Alright, you're not a tree," she said.
"Am I a weed?" I asked. "I know I don't stay in one place very long, but people
don't like weeds."
"What's this all about?" She asked.
I went on to explain what happened at the park. By now she shouldn't be
surprised at all by anything I do. Still, she had that look on her face.
"Bob, you are neither. Together you and I are a rose bush. I'm the rose and you
are the thorn," she said smiling.
"Come on in the house before the squirrels start climbing on you," she said
laughing.
"You know some weeds are beautiful!" I shouted as she walked away.
I stood there for a few more minutes trying to decide. Suddenly a gust of wind
came down over the hill. I looked up and saw the branches on both trees swaying.
Then another gust swirled around the house and I could see the bigger branches
bending from the force.
"I'm not that strong," I said to myself.
Then I looked down at my feet and saw the weeds. I had just pulled them the week
before and there they were again.
"Determined! That's it. I am a weed. I may not be as strong as these trees, but
I am determined to keep growing!" I yelled toward the house.
I turned to see my neighbors standing in their yard watching me.
"What does she know. She's only a rose!"
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.