Readers! I love Cajun music and Cajun food. Happy to share some Cajun wisdom from Eric Frugé, longtime family friend and writing mentor:
“My family moved to Kentucky from Lake Charles, Louisiana when I was only two years old. I have some photos from those early years, but no memories. Since my father’s entire family was still down there, we travelled back every summer, and a couple of times at Christmas, to reconnect. His family is Cajun, and they all lived in Louisiana. My dad and his eight siblings all grew up with French as their first language, and that wasn’t the only thing about the family that reminded me I had a special heritage. Because my grandmother never spoke English – she died when I was seventeen – everyone would come to meet us at my grandparents’ house, sit in a big circle outside, and catch up in French. Not us kids. We were all English speakers.
There was the coffee – I had my first cup when I was pretty young, and I still remember that Cajun baptism. My Aunt Nettie added sugar for me.
The entire visit we feasted on foods you just didn’t find in Kentucky in that era: a hundred varieties of gumbo (a Cajun can make a gumbo out of almost anything), shrimp and crab boils out of a new fifty-gallon drum when the entire clan gathered, boudin, crawfish and every other Cajun dish you might imagine. Of course, to eat something, you usually had to catch it, which brings me to my story.
My uncles would load us kids into pickup trucks and take us to the rice canals to catch crab. In retrospect they weren’t the safest places considering all the snakes, gators and other critters, but those canals were full of crabs. Among the things I remember most was where we put the crabs after they were caught; A shallow metal basin about nine inches deep and twenty inches across. The first crab had a chance to escape and sometimes did when we weren’t watching. But once the second one was dumped in, they were as good as on the dinner table.
Why?
Because two or more crabs latch on to each other with their claws. We could fill the basin to the rim with crabs and not lose a one. It would’ve been easy to just slither off the top, but no. As soon as one fell in, clamp!! The claws were on him. They all held each other down, so busy holding each other down they couldn’t escape even though getting free was the easier thing to do.
There’s a life lesson there, right? Some people see the success of others as personal failure for themselves. So, they hold others down, sabotage their success or undermine their opportunities, make cheap criticisms, etc. Problem is, it’s contagious behavior. Someone sees us doing it to others, and suddenly its easier for them to do it to us. And then a culture of competitive jealousy develops. Next thing you know the job feels like a dinner table and you’re on the menu. Fortunately, a job isn’t a basin. You can get out and take a new direction which, while it sounds costly and difficult, is far more rewarding that remaining with the crabs.
We tend to limit the wisdom of Jesus to church and personal life, but its application is far greater. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” has value for all of life, and especially in the workplace. A culture of success, where everyone pitches in for not just the success of the business, but also for individual achievement builds a trusting environment that is advantageous for everyone. It strengthens relationships. When it’s time to celebrate, the party is not just for one person but also for everyone who helped him or her succeed. Helping others selflessly is contagious also. Colleagues are more likely to help us succeed and when they see us helping others.
Who wants to live in a basin of crabs where everyone is out only for themselves, holding others and themselves back?
Be like Jesus. Lift others above the rim, and be free
William Eric Frugé lives in Kentucky where he and his wife spend their time hiking, kayaking and exploring the beautiful Commonwealth. With a graduate degree in Church History, he’s also a French bilingual, retired fundraiser and avid flower gardener when he’s not writing or blissfully enjoying his favorite music. Stay tuned. This talented author of Uncle Ahmad’s Toys has a heart-wrenching sequel on the way.
Praises
Within less than a week—a dear friend sold her home for the asking price and found a new wonderful one in her price range. She has faithfully trusted God throughout this process and is praising Him for his abundant providence!
New opportunities are coming my way in the form of voiceover work. Praise God!
It’s Derby season in Kentucky— amazing horses and pie. Oh my.
The mercy of God. Much needed. Thank you Jesus.
Prayers
Praying for safe travels for friends and family on the road. That includes me today.
A woman on a fixed income faces the challenge of rising rent in her housing complex. She is figuring out next steps.
Faith-based entrepreneurs seek God’s guidance for fund-raising. Their word: ENTRUST. “… actively surrendering my desires and plan … actively receiving God’s guidance and provision. If He wants this to happen, He’s going to do it, and I need to follow him!” Amen.
A man prepares to visit his aging parents. Lord, we ask for healing all around.
Family members seeking to help a young woman who struggles to overcome POTS are in need of encouragement and wisdom for next steps.
Wherever crabbiness abounds, Lord God we ask you to bring YOUR kingdom. Amen! Teach us to love.
Quests
Local Lexingtonians—or those searching for an online community of worship, the good folks at Calvary Baptist Church on 150 East High Street, are well worth a visit. Pastored by Monty Stallins, this group of believers seeks to “love God and each other, and to share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ as we worship, teach, serve and nurture spiritual growth.”
Calvary does this well all week long through a wide range of ministries for all age groups. Their quest has been long and fruitful. This year the congregation celebrates 150 years in ministry. Mark your calendar for Homecoming Weekend: June 21, 22, and renew your friendships, or come make new ones. No prior church experience required. Nor fancy dress. Just show up. Psst—by the way— you might run into my writer friend Eric there.
Until next week…
Are you grappling in a bucket? Or working on a bucket list? Time flies friends.
With love,
Jana
P.s. from a new friend, Christian author Nanci Lamborn:
Crazy Has A Name: A Novel Inspired by True Events
Tormented by voices and fractured childhood memories, Danny’s adult life is a storm he can’t outrun. As a cynical Christian, he lives with the secret of the others inside his head, convinced he is trapped in his diagnosis. Coming face-to-face with the foster system that harmed him, he fights to cling to his self-reliant logic and doubt-ridden faith. Will Danny open the darkest pieces of his past to the only one who can bring total freedom?
Part tough narrative, part tender prayer, Crazy Has A Name offers a gritty, moving look at one man's supernatural journey out of clinically diagnosed dissociative identity disorder and into complete mental and spiritual freedom.
Peace!
JG