By Richard Ruland

My eyes opened.  I’m not sure if I made a decision to open them or they opened on their own; but opened they were.  I looked at the alarm clock less than a foot from my face.  4:45 AM.  Barely awake, I reasoned that if I were going to make it to the Men’s Breakfast I had to get up now.  Even a few more minutes and I may not get there on time.  I began to wonder if I really should go.  The argument in my head went like this:

I didn’t sleep well last night and I have to work all day, I may be grouchy and overtired-not a good state for an elementary school teacher.

Don’t even think about it.  This is why you made your decision to go last night, this is not the time to decide if you should go.  Stop thinking, you’ll talk yourself out of going.

I got up.

Careful not to wake my wife I showered and got dressed.  I went downstairs, and got the leashes for the 2 dogs.  Glancing at the outside thermometer I noted that it was winter cold out there.  And I was tired, very tired.  Would my body wake up enough to warm up when outside?

I got the dogs leashed, stepped outside and began the routine morning walk.  Because one of the dogs has odd elimination habits it had to be about 25 minutes.  I began the journey, too tired to notice how cold it was.  But, I was able to think:  Do I really want to do this?  I am tired (yawn)!  Stop thinking, you’ll only convince yourself not to go.

I finished the walk.  Fed the dogs (again, because of their oddity I have to watch them eat or they steal from each other).

I sat down and didn’t like the way I felt.  “I am tired,” I thought out loud.  Really tired.  I really don’t think I should go.

Then I made the decision-I’m going.

It was amazing.  Once I had resolved to go my emotions changed.  I suddenly was really glad I was going, and I was looking forward to it.

I went, and I enjoyed.  It is good for men of God to get together and fellowship.  It’s good in the Lord.

So, was it worth it?  Well I was tired throughout the day, but that was it.  I was still kind to my students, and I taught all the lessons.  It wasn’t that big of a deal.

Yes, it was worth it.

If you would like to go to the Men’s Breakfast it is on the second Friday of each month.  Men, it’s worth it!