What's your role?

We aren't always chosen for the spotlight, for the important part, for those much touted 15 minutes of fame.  That's OK.  There are other roles, perhaps lower key and perhaps more important.  

This story has been making the email rounds lately and deserves a wider audience.

Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.  Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play.  His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.
 
On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school.  Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.  "Guess what, Mom," he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me...."I've been chosen to clap and cheer!"

There are many ways to clap and cheer for one another.

Staying focused amid distractions

A couple of weeks ago I met a new friend, Jolinda Wade, who is not your typical served-time-in-prison former drug addict.  She turned her life around and is now co-Pastor of an active church that includes running a community soup kitchen.

In the prison segregation unit, for 18 months she wrote a daily letter of gratitude to God which, she said, kept her sane.  Her letters, now published in a book, Divine Grace behind the walls, show her acceptance of His unconditional love, her instant obedience to everything God asked her to share -- with inmates, guards and administration.

One thing that comes across is that life in segregation is free of distractions.  You're in one room 23 hours a day.  No laundry, no grocery shopping, no TV, no phone calls, no emails.  Just, if you so choose, you and God.  You pray and you listen and you do.  She startled herself by thanking God for segregation where she learned to give Him her every moment.

My goal too is to give my every moment, my every thought, to God to be purified.  But I have to ask myself, how well do I deal with distractions?  It takes great discipline of thought to say focused in a gratitude-prayer walk, not to become angry, annoyed, or disappointed. Sometimes it's a struggle.

Gratitude isn’t denial of the injustices all around, so much as commitment to recognizing the good, however small it may seem, as evidence of God present and active.  I can do better!

Thank you, Jolinda, for setting such a high standard.  

Burnt biscuits

The following arrived in an email.  It's such a good reminder to appreciate the broader good.  Love, forgiveness, and gratitude go a long way towards maintaining good relationships.

 When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned  biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

  After I got up from the table that evening, I heard Mom apologize to Dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

 
So my prayer for you today is that you will learn to take the
 good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God.  Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

Actions of thanks

Kindness is like the sun breaking through the clouds.

"Accion de Gracias."  This is Spanish for Thanksgiving.

Don’t you love that first word, which translates as “action”?   Literally it reads “Action of Thanks.”

What a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving -- with actions.

Even though times may be tough, there is always something to be grateful for.  Maybe you have a friend, a spouse, or children who love you; or a dog or cat or a bird who loves you.  Maybe you can count on three meals a day and a roof over your head.  Maybe you have a job.  

Maybe you have an opportunity to set things right in a relationship. 

Here are some possible actions of gratitude:  A phone call to let someone know you care about them, or an email for the same reason.  Maybe a card or a letter -- sent the old fashioned way!   Your time given can be a precious gift.

How many ways can you find of to express your thanks through actions this coming week?

Ordinary miracles?

How easy it is to take goodness, beauty, love for granted.  To assume that somehow the world revolves around us.  We are the center of what's important.  It's all about us, right?

Yet the seasons share their uniqueness impartially, rain nourishes the earth, sunrises and sunsets awe the eye that sees them; events somehow work out well against all odds.

This singer proposes in her own gentle way that each day is a miracle to be honored and valued.




American religious leader Mary Baker Eddy talks about "Day," as unfolding good.  If God is good, and I believe She is, then each day is filled with goodness -- if we'll slow down enough to recognize and identify its many quiet facets. 

I should be grateful for this mess?

The joys of moving!

My friend Chris and her husband, Stash, bought a house earlier this year. Both are very skilled. Whatever they do, they do with caring attention to detail. Stash knows, for example, how to conduct the heat from the fireplace he built in the basement rec room to warm the living room on the other side of the house.

They completely gutted the place and started from scratch. After months of work, they have moved in, accompanied by many, many boxes.

I stop in this snowy evening to see how things are going. Chris has not exaggerated. Boxes fill the freshly painted living room and kitchen. Teen Christopher in the rec room is putting together a tall corner cabinet.

Immediately my generous friend gives me not one, but two Christmas presents. I hand her my bouquet of grocery store flowers, intended to cheer her unpacking. We find a place for them on her bedroom dresser, where the mirror behind enhances their simple beauty.

We three sit down for tea and talk – a welcome break I think for both of them. Since they are moving from a larger to a smaller space, it has been difficult for Chris to decide where to put things. Although she is very capable, today the task seems overwhelming.

We have very different concepts of God, and I am not sure we will connect by talking about God’s supportive love. So, letting His/Her love support our conversation, we talk instead about gratitude.

“I should be grateful for this mess?” she half jokes. After a moment’s thought, she adds, “I am grateful for my mess. Yes, I am.”

Stash nods kindly. “Yes, a great many people would be happy to have these boxes as their biggest problem.”

As I head home, the defroster melting the ice on the windshield is an apt metaphor for the power of gratitude melting despair. And I thank God for His/Her love meeting every human need -- one way or another.

Mother's Day 2008

As this Mother’s Day draws to a close, I am so grateful for my mom. I so appreciate, more today than yesterday, her unselfed love. Her wisdom, caring, being there to cheer her us kids when we did well, and to reassure us when life seemed tough – these are her expression of God as Mother.

For me this does not diminish God’s fathering role. Rather it complements the masculine protectiveness and decisiveness with a nurturing, tenderness, and steadfast love associated more often with moms.

· A mom is a peacemaker. She wants her children/neighbors/community to get along.
· A mom stands up for what is right. She will side with the teacher when her kids mess up.
· A mom is a good listener. She listens between the lines, between the tears.
· A mom sees through deception when her kids test their boundaries.
· A mom is there for you, even when it means facing consequences.

Even those with no biological children have opportunities to mother – to nurture and support the good in neighbors colleagues, family. The world needs a mother’s wisdom and gentleness, her caring and consolation. If we cannot save the whole world, we can at least mother it.

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.” William Makepeace Thackeray

“The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests.” Author Unknown

“A mother’s affection cannot be weaned from her child, because the mother-love includes purity and constancy, both of which are immortal. Therefore maternal affection lives on under whatever difficulties.” Mary Baker Eddy

“Father-Mother is the name for Deity, which indicates His tender relationship to His spiritual creation.” Mary Baker Eddy

God's love in action

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, the same Source, the same Giver. I was listening to these words by Peter Link this morning. He adds insightfully, “These gifts are God’s love in action.”

I thought of the board meeting last night. It’s a good board. I’m happy to be part of it. The members bring many gifts.

The chairman is gracious and orderly, gentle and considerate of others. He bends over backwards to not push his own agenda.

The clerk is gentle and kind, attentive to detail, generous and always willing to help.

The treasurer brings a gentle and willing heart. She is kind and caring.

Karen is a researcher. If something is controversial, she goes onto the Internet, digs into details, background, and shares her findings as well as her own inspiration.

Margie is a peacemaker. If she senses any conflict, she finds the common ground.

Anne loves gardening. It’s her hobby. She brings her common sense about the soil, sun, and rain – what makes healthy growth – to the meetings.

I love the opportunity to see these wonderful qualities, these expressions of God’s love in action, moving the board forward in its purpose to make wise decisions.

Gratitude Dance

Gratitude. It's an attitude.

Gratitude recognizes present good.

As the YouTube below shows, gratitude is pretty universal,

The desire to dance for joy is pretty universal.

These folks have chosen to dance their gratitude!

It's always good to set aside a few minutes each day to pause and recognize what's good in our lives. And who, or Who, we can be thanking for it.

It might be a tenderly quiet time of reflection, or a few spontaneous moments of great joy.

Enjoy.

(Just double click on the arrow in the middle of the screen)

Hippo gratitude

It’s always thrilling to me to see limiting assumptions shattered by an occasional exception to the rule.

Especially when that exception springs from love.

Jessica and her family are one of those exceptions.

Click Here for video

Hope you enjoy this romp into the unexpected.

The Lord's Prayer -- different perspective

A daddy swan (called a cob)

Someone posed this question:

What would happen if we put “Dear Father” in front of every phrase in the Lord’s Prayer?

Would we think more deeply about that prayer?

Let's try it.

Dear "Father which art in heaven,"

Dear Father, "Hallowed be your name."

Dear Father, "Your kingdom come."

Dear Father, "Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Dear Father, "Give us this day our daily bread."

Dear Father, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

Dear Father, "lead us not into temptation,"

Dear Father, "deliver us from evil:"

Dear Father, "Yours is the kingdom,"

Dear Father, "Yours is the power,"

Dear Father, "Yours is the glory,"

Dear Father, "For ever."

Amen.

What then about Dear Mother?

or Dear ever-present Love?

or Dear forever Truth?

or Dear infinite Mind?

or Dear eternal Life?

What then?

Sweet celebration --Veteran’s Day

Alan introduces himself

and his shy "patriot"

At Jefferson grade school, all the kids were urged to bring a vet to school at 1 pm last Friday. The kids who invited their vets were called “patriots.” Patriots is also the name of the school mascot. About 60 veterans showed up for the program in the school library, including my friend Alan with his granddaughter.

The principal warmly welcomed the vets, and invited everyone to sing the National Anthem. The sixth grade chorus in bright red polo shirts sang “Grateful to be American.” Two kids read a neat patriotic poem of gratitude to those who have fought for our freedoms.

Then came the best – and longest – part. Each vet accompanied by his “patriot(s)” went to the microphone, and read from a little sheet they’d filled out when they came in. They told their name, branch of service and years they served, their highest rank attained, and their “patriot’s” name and grade.

The whole room was totally attentive! Vets of all ages, every branch of service, were each honored with a great round of applause. Some had served 8 or 9 years or more; some were career guys; some on active duty – one just back from Iraq, another re-deploying in February. One harked back to WW II. Some were in uniform, some not – from all walks of life.

Group photos of the men (no women this time) with their military branches followed these individual introductions. Then began a great parade through flag-decked school halls, lined on both sides with 800 clapping, cheering, children and their teachers.

Think 6, 9, 12 years old. And you and your brother/uncle/dad/grandpa are being cheered by your classmates, because of their service to their country. What a special memory!

Gratitude is always appropriate. Appreciation for another's sacrifice is never out of fashion. And honoring those who have put their lives on the line for their country speaks of generosity and caring.

Thanks NF for the photo!

Talking with the animals

Snack time

Communication involves listening more than anything else.

While hiking in Colorado with friends this summer, we were followed out of the tree-line by a gang of three jay-sized birds. They seemed particularly interested in us, so I took a piece of crust from my sandwich, and held it in my outstretched palm. Instantly a jay lit on my hand, took the crumb, paused - perhaps to say thanks, and flew back to the pines.

Without knowing that these (later identified as) gray jays have a rep as “camp robbers,” there was communication. I had understood that if we offered something, they would respond.

Even better, a friend from New Hampshire, seeing that photo, emailed her own bird experiences. “A few years ago I was able to rescue a tiny hummingbird and got to nestle him and let him know he was just fine until he flew off.”

Jen prays about everything, and I know her well enough to know that with this “nestling” she was affirming his unbroken link with his Creator, that his Life was constant, uninterrupted, and that this little idea had an important role to fulfill in Life’s plan.

Jen added, “Just last year when we were screening in our porch, a nuthatch flew in after we had gone into lunch. Evidently he was stunned and wasn't able to find his way out. I picked him up and talked with him while I carried him outside, and do you think the little guy would leave my hand and arm that he was exploring? No, so I had to help him off onto one of the bird feeders.

“A short time after that I was watering one of the hanging plants and lo and behold (I'm sure it was the same little guy) he landed on the plant not 12" from my face and ‘talked’ to me! It was amazing, and I think he was just saying thank you!!”

When the heart speaks,
however simple the words,
its language is always acceptable
to those who have hearts.
Mary Baker Eddy

See fellow bloggers:
Squirrel rescue /Scroll to September 12
Hummingbird communication

Appreciating men AND women

First it was Polish jokes. When poking fun at cultures became politically incorrect, blonds picked up the brunt of appearing empty-headed. Close after came humor bashing men. Lawyer-knocking jokes still make the rounds. Wit making seniors look foolish enjoys popularity as well.

While I confess to having chuckled at the novelty of each appearing joke group, it dawned on me that bashing people groups isn’t friendly. And, even though some of the jokes are really funny, I don't want to be part of putting others down.

This is because I tremendously value what the women in my life (Polish, blond, and otherwise) share – empathy, concern, wisdom, joy, encouragement, nurturing, honesty, helpfulness, flexibility.

And I love what men bring to the mix – breadth of vision, spontaneity, adventure, quirkiness, humor, dependability, respect, thoughtfulness, generosity.

I have a dear lawyer relative, and his stability, kindness, caring and goodness mean all the world to me.

And seniors -- those gentle, wise, active folks who have been around the block a few times, are always there with help and advice. Even the curmudgeons have marshmallow hearts.

For that matter, I treasure my Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Christian Science, Baptist, agnostic, and other friends whose worship I may not know, for the honesty, cheer, and daily dedication they bring to our relationships.

Since I credit God as the source of all that's good in life, I thank Him/Her for this wonderful variety of people who so enrich my days and years.

I take heart in the diversity with which God expresses His love and comfort for letting us help each other. This world isn’t always an easy one, and we need one another to strengthen our journeys with hope, courage, joy, and the confidence that we each have something worthwhile to contribute.

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Keep out of debt altogether,

except that personal debt of love

which we owe one another.

If you love your fellow man

you have carried out all your obligations.

Paul to his Roman friends

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Finding the source of the fun

Looking for the source

Playing with children and animals reminds us that life is intended to be fun. Play is inherent in most creatures, especially, but not only, in the young. I marvel at the athletic skill and pure joy of dogs leaping into the air and snatching Frisbees.

Within the confines of my comfy home, the cats and I play too. What I’ve noticed about cats is they look to the source of an action. If you wiggle a toy on the end of a string, their gaze follows the string to your hand. They look beyond the waggle to the cause. While they will play with the toy, they always want to know the source. What’s causing the fun?

This reminds me to be grateful for the source of all the good in my life. To do more than enjoy the good, to follow the unseen string to its source. To say, OK God, I see what You are doing here, sharing this glorious sunrise with me, or the miracle of tulips opening in spring. Or providing a kind driver who pauses to let others into a line of traffic. I will enjoy these gifts, and give You the credit! Thanks for caring so much! You are the greatest!

Dogs -- bundles of gratitude

Golden retriever gives love in a nursing home

Over a period of weeks, I visited a friend in a nursing home, and Snowflake the white poodle-mix greeted me in anything but a friendly way. Her tiny body bounced into the air with each defensive woof. I like dogs, but decided not to push this relationship. There was something going on that I wasn’t privy to, and I decided to leave whatever it was in God’s gentle and caring hands.

One day one of the nurses told me the dog’s story. The nursing staff had adopted Snowflake when her original owner, a client there, passed on. Then Cindy arrived. Cindy was legally blind, yet maneuvered around the building pretty well with her walker. Snowflake felt Cindy's need for security and immediately attached herself to her. Cindy was delighted with her new buddy. Well, that’s good, I thought. “God sets the solitary in families.”

Each time I came to visit my friend, Cindy and Snowflake were there, usually settled on the living room couch. Often as not Snowflake lay draped across Cindy’s lap. When Cindy used her walker to go to the bathroom, Snowflake trotted faithfully behind her. She pasted herself to the closed bathroom door until Cindy came out. The little dog didn’t bark at me anymore, but she still eyed me cautiously.

One day as I walked from the study to my friend’s room, Snowflake came dashing towards me. Then back to the doorway, then towards me. She was clearly anxious about something. I followed her and found Cindy standing with her walker at the front door.

I greeted Cindy, asked where she was headed, turned her back in the right direction, and made sure she navigated the proper corners. As I bent down to retie my shoe, little aloof Snowflake galloped over and vigorously licked my hand as if to say, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Smiling in amazement I suddenly understood the fierce devotion of this little curly-haired bundle to her mission. Her life purpose was as Cindy’s guardian and protector. And she was generously acknowledging my small part in assisting her.

Spontaneous gratitude is one of the most heartfelt expressions of being alive that I know. Who can say a grateful animal is not expressing the highest intelligence?

All of God's creatures,

moving in the harmony of Science,

are harmless, useful, indestructible.

Gratitude - an active awareness of good

Grateful doberman thanks firefighter

Gratitude's the thing. A grateful person lights up a room. My father-in-law is like that. He loves people, and they feel his genuine love. He can walk into a room full of strangers, and 30 minutes later have half a dozen new friends. He considers their achievements and accomplishments amazing and wonderful. And they love his recognition of their worth.

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“Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love.
It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone,
but requires all mankind to share it.”
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You know what? I used to be embarrassed by his delight in everything. Now I am in awe of the consistency of his joy. It hasn't wavered in the nearly 40 years I've known him. He meets "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" with the same inner strength and good humor with which he greets good news. And, I've never heard him criticize anyone.

Not always having felt so naturally grateful for everything, I find it helpful from time to time to list the things I'm grateful for. This is not an exercise in positive thinking, so much as a conscious decision to recognize and rejoice in the good in my life. Since whatever is truly good originates in God, gratitude recognizes the hand of God moving gently through my life, my day.

Gratitude can be for good not yet seen, too. Jesus thanked God before he fed the multitudes. He thanked God before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.

It's most satisfying when gratitude moves from thanks for things you can hold, to thanks for things you feel in your heart, such as, Thanks, dear Father-Mother good, for always being here for me! Thanks for being the source of all that's good in my life. Thanks for amazing sunsets and gentle rain. Thanks for celebrating the promise of spring with happy flowers and singing birds.

In fact, before going to sleep tonight, I'm going to leave a voice mail for God, just thanking Him/Her for everything good I can think of. It's a great way to fall asleep. I highly recommend it.