Life After Wins

Have you ever noticed or experienced that life after winning seems to be followed by a letdown? Examples are: harvest is in, 2025 is over, the season has peaked, and winter is here. It's tempting for life to get flat. Winning removes the pressure. It can also remove focus.

In the Bible, Elijah defeats the prophets of Baal, a God glorifying win. Shortly afterwards he is down in the dumps, and asks to die. Moses miraculously crosses the Red Sea, only to lose his temper on a rebellious people. David wins many battles including Goliah, and then fails badly with Bathsheba. Hezekiah survives sickness and war, only to lose at the end with pride. 

Pattern tiling is a win, until winter comes. That doesn't mean a tile investment is a failure. It means we live, and expect another win. However God uses winters. Elijah didn't meet God at the fire and burnt offering. He met him after his collapse. David wasn't restored during his wins, but after repentance. God doesn't always meet with us during our healthy times, but He often does during a loss, or when we're sick. The apostle Paul speaks of a thorn. He talks about how God's strength is revealed through our weakness.

On Thursday Mike was busy "defeating" the willows and cattails around his pond with a mulcher. Until he fell through the ice. Fortunately brother Kurt was able to pull him out.

Levi had a win when he pulled a big catfish through a little hole, ice fishing. Fathers, Karl and Ben, had taken their kids ice fishing on our pond. Thanks for the picture Ben.

The guys are going through the list of repairs on Mark's JD 9770 combine. If we hope and expect another winning crop season this coming year, the equipment needs to be ready. That's what winters are for.

"Pictures capture the truth". Pictures can make you ask questions. What's the story behind the picture? Karl is figuring out the electrical details on an idea he fabricated and the guys built.

On September 10, 2025 Charlie was assassinated. Several days later, at his funeral, the gospel was presented several times by a number of dignitaries and heads of state, to tens of thousands that attended, and tens of millions, that watched on-line. Those speeches of God's gift of salvation to the world was possibly the biggest presentation of the gospel of all time. Yet, just four months later, our country's conservative voice is fractured. And Minnesota is an example of the problems we have. 

I am thankful to live in Iowa. I'm thankful for conservative leadership that cares about Iowans. I want that to continue. Last Tuesday evening, Adam, Eddie, Zach, and Brad, met in Des Moines to talk about the future of our state, and their abilities to possibly lead it. A fifth candidate, Randy, chose not to attend even though he was in town. Adam has been Chief Operating Officer for Iowa under Governor Kim for the last five years. He is faith, family, friends, and freedom. He is also a winning father, and is posing for pictures during intermission with his son Ryker.

Adam and Kasey's second son was hanging out before the debate, when I told him thanks for helping his Dad, and asked if I could have a picture. Thanks for the picture Maverick. And thanks for being willing to hang out with grownups.

Letdowns after wins can happen for a number of reasons. Pride says, "Look at me. I'm good". Fatigue says, "I'm worn out, and feel like a failure". Sometimes we take shortcuts after wins and don't do the hard stuff. Winning can empty our gas tank. If we don't refill afterwards (winter) with gratitude, contentment, humility, and rest, we won't be ready for the next win. A final huge lift is helping others win. Blessings.