The Chaplain's Corner

 By Chad LaGrone, Grand Chaplain

E.T.S

How many of you are familiar with the acronym, E.T.S?  This is not a Masonic acronym or a sports channel like ESPN.  This phrase has its roots in military context, particularly with the marines that were in country during the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom; but has found its way to the civilian world in gyms, corporate board rooms, police departments, and so on.  My personal favorite setting to use this phrase is in my home, when doing life with three teenagers.  This phrase is “Embrace…the…suck.”

EMBRACE THE SUCK

It means to accept and endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a positive or determined attitude.  My children will tell you that this is not one of their favorite “dadisms” that I share with them.  As a father, I will listen to their gripes about school, their friends, their siblings, and I will empathize for them for each instance.  However, if they choose to keep on with the same gripes, or if I frankly get tired of their rants, I will look them in the eye and say, “ETS.”  From my son, he will stop, and say, “yes sir.”  My youngest daughter will also stop, and say, “yes sir.”  My oldest daughter, who of course is the middle child, will respond with an eye-roll bigger than Texas and ask if I could stop saying that, and eventually, she will acquiesce, and say, “yes sir.”  I immediately follow up each ETS moment with this phrase:  the sooner you accept your surroundings and circumstances, the better off you will be to be, and the faster you will be able to move forward.

As we ponder upon this phrase, we can recall our own life experiences that were difficult, ugly, or downright sucky.  The question is, how did you choose to respond?  Did you dwell on it for days, months, years?  Did it become a part of who you are today?  Did you let the difficult, ugly, or sucky define you?  Or did you eventually accept it?  Were you able to learn and grow from the experience?  Did you not let it define you, but instead, you defined it as it relates to how you deal with the difficult, ugly, or sucky situations in your life now.  Did you seek divine direction when dealing with these types of issues?  Did you go to your book of faith, to find guidance with life’s ugliness?  If you did, you would find that the great stories of Moses, Noah, Jacob, Abraham, Solomon all exemplify hardships that were overcame by accepting the circumstances and surroundings and moving forward to do great things in the name of God.

During the Master’s degree, we can see Hiram embracing the suck.  We can see the craftsman embracing the suck.  We can see King Solomon embracing the suck.  In each case, we see the noble character and virtue of each man in the way they chose to respond to a difficult, ugly, or sucky situation.  How will you choose to respond?

What are some other words that start with S we can use in this phrase, embrace the …? 

EMBRACE THE SUCCESS

This sounds easier than embrace the suck, correct?  However, for me especially, it is actually harder and I bet a lot of you feel the same.  How does receiving compliments make you feel?  Undeserving?  Awkward?  Unfamiliar?  Why is this?  If we have done what we are supposed to, go above and beyond the call of duty, or simply shined a little light in a dark part of the world… why shouldn’t we revel in the glory or happiness or receive the spoils of victory?  Why not us? 

Some may say that this is a character flaw, but I disagree.  I think it is an important character trait that we as Masons have that separate us from the uninitiated.  We have purpose, we have a directive to labor for the good of God until our very last breath.  We have a duty to help the widows and orphans, or a distressed and worthy Brother.  These traits define us as Masons and men of God, day in and day out.  This is who we are, and we do it without any expectations of praise or gifts.  To us, this is just another day.  So why should we expect our work to be considered successful?   But you are successful.  We are successful; if we weren’t, we wouldn’t be Masons.  You wouldn’t be leaving a legacy of faith, hope, and charity.  We are men of integrity, and I am proud to call each of you, my Brother.  It feels good, doesn’t it?  Gives you hope that you are not alone, right?  Embrace that feeling in your heart.  Embrace that success!

EMBRACE THE SILENCE

I have saved the hardest for last.  How many find silence uncomfortable?  How many find it scary?  For example, in Northeast Texas, during a storm, when it goes silent, it gets scary.  We send the women and children to the closets, and we go out to the porch to watch what is going on.  Doesn’t mean we are not scared, it just means we are fulfilling our manly duty to see what we can do to control the weather. 

Let’s focus on the positivity of silence.  How many of you have a daily quiet time?  Whether you are spending it in prayer, meditation, or spending it in the good book; or if you are like me as a husband and father of three, I find my quiet time in the bathroom.  My Fortress of Solitude (and silence), this is the only place my family dare not venture unless it is a matter of life or death and as a result… 99.99% of time, I get to have my quiet time.

Silence is a good thing.  It’s actually a great thing, and should be required in our daily routines to have a designated time to most importantly listen to God, have a conversation with the Father, or use it to focus our thoughts and actions for the day ahead.  Embracing the silence helps us “embrace the suck, embrace the success, and embrace all of the other “S” words we can substitute in the phrase.  Biblically, silence is highlighted as a source of reverence, wisdom, strength, and we should treat it as such.  Psalm 46:10 encourages silence in the reverence of God, “Be still and know that I am God.”  Emphasizing the value of quiet contemplation.  Wisdom in silence.  Proverbs 17:28 suggests that even a fool can appear wise by remaining silent.  Proverbs 10:19 notes virtue in silence;  that “when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”  Finally, strength in silence can be found in Isaiah 30:15, “in returning and rest, there is salvation; in quietness and trust, there is strength.”

EMBRACE THE SITUATION 

Let’s bring this home.  Perhaps the best “S” word that completes the Embrace the phrase is situation.  Situation can sum up every “S” word imaginable.  It certainly encompasses the suck, the success, and the silence.  Embrace the situation covers not only the phrase, but also the core definition of E.T.S.  With that in mind, I challenge each and everyone of you to adopt this motto in your daily lives, your Masonic lives, and with that inexhaustible source above as your focus… your lives will improve, your duties will become easier, your inner light will shine brighter, your relationships will flourish and your daily walk with God will be greater. 

E.T.S.  Embrace The Situation

I gave this devotion at the DDGM training in August of 2025.  It is as important today as it was almost a year ago.  And it is my honor to share this message with you, my Brethren All.  FAITH in God, HOPE in each other, and CHARITY toward all mankind.