When shadows are good

Shadows can make some

interesting photography

A shadow hints at a reality.

A shadow formed by a small passing cloud may prompt us to look up to find that cloud.

A shadow on a compass can help us find “north” if we know what time it is.

Shadows of themselves have no substance. They give us an outline of some original thing.

A loved Psalm speaks of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Shadow here implies scary. But the verse also assures us that we’ll come out the other side.

Other Psalms using the word “shadow” with “the Almighty,” convey a sense of inclusiveness and safety. “How excellent is your lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings.”

This pigeon is trying to nudge three

homeless bunny babies under her breast

(emailed photo; would love to credit it)

The security of feeling God’s comforting presence, belongs to everyone. It’s a here and now caring. Something we can lean on when it feels like we’re walking among uncertain shadows. It's good to know we're not alone, when it feels like might be.

Light and reflection

Yellow willows reflected in a Monet-like pattern

Yesterday was one of April's come-outside-and-play days.

I finally left my office just before dinner, picked up my little digital camera, and drove to a near-by public path.

Don't you love these back pockets!

Others had the same idea – families, dog walkers, roller bladers, and bike riders, all loving the same opportunity.

The late afternoon sun uniquely highlighted logs, trees, and rocks.

In the right light, ordinary becomes beautiful

A little girl on a bike grinned as she realized I was taking her photo. A migrating warbler (I think) hovered in front of me, hummingbird-like, devouring invisible insects.

Serious bird photographer

A real photographer, with his camera on one end of a very long telescope, was capturing bird photos. He showed me some of his shots; he was good.

One message from my little walk was that Christ lights up even what appears ordinary and makes it beautiful, special, important. I want to become more aware of what that Christ light reveals all the time.

Trusting the One in charge

Firehouse sidewalk

in red-orange!

The new fire station around the corner has been under construction for several months now. While the project has not moved quickly, it has moved steadily.

For several days the workmen were pouring concrete, one section at a time, on the drive where the fire trucks will zoom out. Later they poured the concrete for the sidewalk.

But they did something that seemed very odd. They left the sidewalk squares closest to the driveway unpoured. Four places the sidewalk touches the driveway, and those squares remained empty after the cement truck had driven away.

To the casual observer (me) it made no sense. At that point I had to decide whether to dither and criticze, or to trust that the cement crews knew exactly what they were doing. Having better things to think about, I decided to trust and not dither, and see what would happen.

The next day as I went past, the truck and crew were on the job, pouring in those last squares of sidewalk. My confidence in their understanding of the whole job was not misplaced. The squares touching the driveway were contrasting red-orange and textured. The color and surface would alert pedestrians that this was a fire station, and they might have to quickly move out of the way.

This was a good lesson for me. If our lives are progressive, we often find some area under construction. Construction projects can be messy, and we may not understand why some parts are finished while other important-to-us parts remain incomplete.

I’ve found that it’s OK to trust the great Architect, who I also have found wholly caring and the source of all good and right things in the world. Because S/He sees the whole picture, the big picture, S/He knows the perfect timing for each part of our lives to fit exactly with what’s gone before so we can better love our fellow beings.

There may be steps we need to take, but not out of a sense of forcing events. If I try to push things from my perspective, it often interferes with what would have happened in an orderly way a little later.

Apparently somebody else reached this conclusion a long time ago, because he advised, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs)

What's your gift?

Talent comes in many shapes and sizes.

Gifts. Some of us have been blessed with many; everyone with at least one.

• Some people speak multiple languages -- well!
• Some people understand motors and engines and how to fix them.
• Some people love teaching children.
• Others are tender care givers.
• Some grasp complex math equations easily.
• Others are skilled at establishing order where chaos clamors.
  

Sometimes we develop new gifts over time. What is your special gift right now?

Smiles in Chicago

Larger than life Sculpture

by J. Seward Johnson

Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa, featured some of native son, Grant Wood’s paintings. During my years at Coe I grew fond of his stylized trees, gently rolling Iowa farmlands, and Paul Revere’s ride.

I still smile at the endless parodies of his classic “American Gothic” featuring the famous couple with their props: kitchen apron and clunky shoes, bib overalls and pitchfork. Have you seen the one with the faces of Miss Piggy and Kermit?

So here I was in Chicago, walking along Wacker Drive towards Michigan Avenue. I looked across the river and saw... "American Gothic" in bronze! And it is way larger than life.

Iowa on Michigan Avenue

I had to cross over and look up at those very serious faces. And yes, it's OK to touch. Everyone was grinning as they took turns having friends snap their pictures in front of the farmer's lower legs. Yes, he's that tall.

What a gift, a happy surprise to see these old friends. The sculpture represents beauty – a faithful reproduction of the characters. It’s also humor –the quirky delight of finding 1930s rural Iowa plunked among 21st century Chicago's skyscrapers. In addition the sculptor has added his own touch – a well-traveled suitcase.

To me there is something beyond human planning when the city and two artists (one past, one present) come together and succeed in creating a continuing collective smile on passersby.

How children learn

Fun winter memories

Children learn what they live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

"Green Blue Sea"

"Green Blue Sea” profiles an Arab-American youth of Palestinian descent. Here’s the surprise for main-stream Americans – his Muslim values have instilled in him a deep love and respect for nature and the world around him.

This is contrary to the media stereotype of "young Muslim terrorists." The fact is, young Muslims have more than one story to tell. If you care about world peace and learning more about our neighbors, this may interest you and any Muslim friends you may have.

Eboo Patel, founder of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Core, writes “The Faith Divide” column in the Washington Post. He says, regarding this four-minute film, “At my organization, Interfaith Youth Core, we couldn't agree more with the idea that while we share the earth, it's more important to work together than argue over our views of heaven."

Film Description

An inspirational profile of a young Muslim Scuba Diver with a deep love and respect for the sea and the world around him.

Smile awhile

What happens in this train station looks spontaneous but, like any good surprise, is clearly the result of careful planning.

This little video is about giving -- giving joy and quality fun and not asking anything in return.

I smiled four minutes non-stop. See if you smile too.

Mothering

A calf naps on clean straw

at Kline Farm

Having my grandsons spend the night one-on-one is always special.

I pray a lot about these boys, because it seems important. My prayers include gratitude that the God whom I consider Father-Mother, fathers and mothers all children; and fathers and mothers their fathers and mothers. This caring God gives every one of His/Her children good ideas and the ability to follow through on these good ideas. And it is the nature of each of His/Her children to listen and honor what God is telling and showing them about their innate goodness and love.

While the boys’ dad was in the hospital for too long, both grandmas ran the household and became the disciplinarians. It was not always easy. Now that he is home and things are settled again, I’m watching again for overnight opportunities.

Last night the older boy and I went to a model railroad club in Elmhurst. Serendipitously we met a real engineer, now promoted to a manager of engineers. He and his son were first-time visitors as we were. Once we discovered his genuineness, my grandson plied him with questions, and he generously shared both funny and harrowing experiences.

My grandson chattered non-stop all the way home – about 45 minutes. I listened.

A "Lamb's only"
feeding station -- the doorway
is too small for full-grown sheep

At home we watched West Side Story. He cried at the end as Tony died in Maria’s arms. We discovered this special edition DVD included the complete script. To brighten things up, we sang our favorite songs: “I feel pretty!”; “Officer Krupke”; the wonderful rooftop dance where the Puerto Rican girls sing their delight at being in America, and their boyfriends counterpoint with their frustrations about America.

At the playground this morning, I warbled, “I feel charming, oh so charming! It’s alarming how charming I feel!” (Maria is singing about her great joy in having shared a kiss with Tony.) My grandson, who is convinced girls and kissing are yucky, sang back, “I feel weird, oh so weird; it’s alarming how weird I feel!”

That laughter established the tone for the rest of the day, and we set off for the Kline Farm – an 1890s living history farm run by DuPage County. We took the guided tour of the genuine Victorian farmhouse; took photos of lambs and calfs, and laughed some more.

The naturalness of mothering

It all felt genuine. I felt so much God’s fathering and mothering our time together. I cannot imagine anything happier than that sweet and gentle presence. And I wish this for everyone.

What do we delight in?

Because King David guided his people

wisely, he was like a shepherd to them

“I delight to do your will, in fact your law is firmly in my heart.” (Ps. 40:8) Attributed to King David.

Apparently when David wrote this, he had found a relationship with Somebody he respected and trusted.

In the cultures of his day, animal sacrifices to appease tribal gods would be commonly practiced for more than another thousand years. Yet he glimpsed a higher nature in the God he worshipped –something pure and fair and consistent. He wrote of a loving God, a God of tender mercies – who really wasn’t interested in burnt offerings or in sin offerings.

He understood something of the God Christ Jesus presented centuries later, the one Jesus identified as “Our Father,” a universal Spirit of Love who is keenly interested in how we relate to one another. “Treat others the way you want others to treat you,” Jesus explained. Take the initiative.

At a glance, it’s not an easy way to live. It goes contrary to knee-jerk reactions against insults and injustice. But there’s a spiritual logic to communing with this Love God and choosing behaviors He/She approves, that makes the long-term benefits outstanding.

Can we do better than to delight in the will of ever-present good? And to have His/Her law of goodness firmly established in our hearts sounds like a pretty healthy attitude.