Another contest, another absolute butt-kicking… and man does it hurt. I work so hard, put my whole heart and soul into the cook, only to come out middle or bottom at the end. Sundays are tough these days after contests. It’s the same feeling I had after losing a big game while playing at San Jose State University…didn’t happen often, but it’s an empty, pain in the pit of my stomach. The reality is that, win or lose, it’s in the books. There is nothing you can do about it. It’s what draws us to the sport, feeds our competitive spirit, and drives our Sunday celebrations or depressions. I usually snap out of it by mid day, but it’s a rough road that I bump along.
Ok, so many of you that follow my BBQ adventures…aka ministry, know that I make videos from each contest. It’s a fun way to catalog the event and reflect on over time. These have evolved into a template where I share interactions with fellow cooks, talk about the event and chronicle the location. About mid-way through, I take a little break and fade to a slide show of all the pictures I take during the contest. I try and get around and catch every team at some point during the cook. It usually happens on Friday morning, very early, that I sit down in my little cook area and turn on the recorder to capture some audio that will play along with the slide-show. These little talks give me the chance to reflect on the moment, the calm, peaceful reflection of what is the essence of Professional BBQ.
After the contest in Brookhaven, MS, I made the video and was watching the final edit. I didn’t notice, but Caroline was listening behind me. After that, we packed up for church and headed off. I was lamenting about the loss, the hurt, the pain, the dis-appointment, and Caroline just listened quietly. Then she dropped the bomb…. She says, “you know, I listened to your video this morning and you talked about everything you love about BBQ. You mentioned the people, the cooking, the relationships, the sharing of meals, holding cooks church, the travel to different communities…” I said, “yeah, that’s what I love about the whole process”. And then she says,"You don’t mention winning!"
Talk about dropping the BOMB… Wow, it hit me between the eyes. There is so much that I take away from the competitions that brings joy to my heart, but I put them on the side-line to the results, which don’t come to mind when I think about what I love in BBQ.
It’s taking for granted the blessings God pours out to us every day that we simply dismiss. For some reason, looking at the negative is a magnet for our thinking and reflection time…when it should NOT be. I know it’s human nature, I know it’s the competitive spirit we all have in this sport, but that doesn’t make it right or put into its proper perspective. God’s love for us is consistent, no matter the outcome and that is worth celebrating every day, over and above, where we finish on the score-sheet. God’s plan for us is perfect, have you given Him your whole heart? You can take His promises to the bank. God bless you and read this scripture very slowly, it will give you the right perspective for your next “Sunday-after” feelings.
1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. [Psa 23:1-6 NLT]
Ok, so many of you that follow my BBQ adventures…aka ministry, know that I make videos from each contest. It’s a fun way to catalog the event and reflect on over time. These have evolved into a template where I share interactions with fellow cooks, talk about the event and chronicle the location. About mid-way through, I take a little break and fade to a slide show of all the pictures I take during the contest. I try and get around and catch every team at some point during the cook. It usually happens on Friday morning, very early, that I sit down in my little cook area and turn on the recorder to capture some audio that will play along with the slide-show. These little talks give me the chance to reflect on the moment, the calm, peaceful reflection of what is the essence of Professional BBQ.
After the contest in Brookhaven, MS, I made the video and was watching the final edit. I didn’t notice, but Caroline was listening behind me. After that, we packed up for church and headed off. I was lamenting about the loss, the hurt, the pain, the dis-appointment, and Caroline just listened quietly. Then she dropped the bomb…. She says, “you know, I listened to your video this morning and you talked about everything you love about BBQ. You mentioned the people, the cooking, the relationships, the sharing of meals, holding cooks church, the travel to different communities…” I said, “yeah, that’s what I love about the whole process”. And then she says,"You don’t mention winning!"
Talk about dropping the BOMB… Wow, it hit me between the eyes. There is so much that I take away from the competitions that brings joy to my heart, but I put them on the side-line to the results, which don’t come to mind when I think about what I love in BBQ.
It’s taking for granted the blessings God pours out to us every day that we simply dismiss. For some reason, looking at the negative is a magnet for our thinking and reflection time…when it should NOT be. I know it’s human nature, I know it’s the competitive spirit we all have in this sport, but that doesn’t make it right or put into its proper perspective. God’s love for us is consistent, no matter the outcome and that is worth celebrating every day, over and above, where we finish on the score-sheet. God’s plan for us is perfect, have you given Him your whole heart? You can take His promises to the bank. God bless you and read this scripture very slowly, it will give you the right perspective for your next “Sunday-after” feelings.
1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. [Psa 23:1-6 NLT]
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