ALL-IN!

From the time I was old enough to observe, I saw my Dad throw himself into whatever needed to be done. His stride would quicken and his arms, elbows bent, churned the air. He wanted company and enlisted his children to plow the garden, repair the chicken house, take care of Daisy, the cow, and feed the chickens, clean the chicken house or caponize chickens.

When Dad took someone home, they would try to make it easier, and have Dad let them out near their destination. He always said, “When I take you home, you are ‘took’ home!” As a teenager, I awakened to the cry up the stairs, “Up and At-Em!” No matter what Dad did, he was All-In! He taught us to go the extra mile. He never complained when he delivered packages for the post office late into Christmas Eve.

Then I married my dear husband. I realized he was a laid back version of All-In, when we took our first born, Dan, to the doctor for his 6 weeks check-up. My husband insisted on carrying Dan to the doctor’s examining room. I followed with the obligatory diaper bag. I glanced up to see a picture of All-In. Wearing cowboy boots, tight jeans, and then I saw how those jeans, worn while herding cattle were equipped. From the left back pocket, hung a cloth diaper (it was 1952, after all). From the right back pocket was a half full bottle of formula – at ready. What a picture of a proud father. With the three children who quickly followed – My dear husband was always All-In. (The graphic on this page, a father’s day card from one of our All-In children was sent this last week)

Now, our children are grown, and when I receive an email from one of our children, I print it out and give it to their Dad. He reads it slowly, commenting along the way. He is an All-In Father and Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He is concerned about every part of their lives.

When I tried to understand the genesis of the term, All-In, I was astonished to see that it comes from a game of pool. But how is it used today? In the passage of 82 years, I have seen many phrases come and go. Now with texting and messaging, a curious mix of letters has meaning to the discerning texter/messager. I was stumped when my grandson said – brb. Or a friend last night saying – ttyl. After asking, I finally learned some of the phrases. The plethora of abbreviations show the short cuts of those try to keep pace with today’s ever-increasing speed.

I submit that God –in the beginning created the heavens and the earth. Creation shows that God is All-In in so many ways.

Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. Whenever I think about God, I love to read Job 38…in part….4-7 – “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together 
 and all the angels shouted for joy!

Recently our great-grandson, when asked what he learned in Sunday school answered, “God knows how to count the stars!” He has an understanding that God is All-In and He is our Lord.

God Can

God can count each star – He knows them by name

He can calm the storm – Wild animals, He can tame.

God can move mountains – He makes giant trees

He touches each rose with dew – He created everything we see.

God can do anything – And He’s my King

God loves you and me – For He is All-In, you see.

All-In means enthusiasm, with all your heart and with your entire mind. One quote said, “Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness.”

All-In is ‘marked by unconditional commitment, unstinting devotion, or unreserved enthusiasm: wholehearted approval’

When I think about wholeheartedness I think of the Apostle Paul, a man who put his heart into persecuting Christians, and then whole-heartedly lifted up Christ.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23.

One of the favorite verses of Mom’s was this one from Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

An All-In verse that explains how we can be ALL-IN – is from Luke 10: 27 – He (Jesus) answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

This All-In living is our response to our Lord who is ALL-IN