After last week's blog, a couple of my friends expressed concern I might be trading off honesty in favor of optimism. My somewhat facetious reply was, "I don't know that I can write about 'rainbows and kitties' all of the time and feel as though I'm remaining true to my beliefs, but I do think I can, perhaps, make an effort to avoid politics, in particular, and its polarizing effects." Having said that, in my first week into my renewed efforts toward optimism, I have decided to share a story about a kitten. Our kitten, specifically.
Shortly after my dad passed away, just over two years ago, his cat made the short journey from his place to ours to take up residence. This past June, at the age of 14(old for an outside cat, I believe), she evidently decided it was time to go. One Monday, she stopped eating. We didn't notice she was otherwise acting sick or unusual; she just didn't eat. As the week went on, we figured out what she was doing, and by Saturday, we found her dead in her favorite flower bed. After a short memorial service, whereby her devotion to my father was noted, we buried her near the garden.
Because of the need for mouse control in our outbuildings, we decided to get another cat. Shortly after, Max, a lively kitten who had been abandoned in town, was adopted to fill the role of chief mouser. Perhaps because of his gratitude at being rescued from a life of dodging cars, or maybe because he honestly has a sense of humor, he is the sweetest cat I have ever known. He loves to sit on laps and gently stroke our faces with his soft little paws, and he is unrestrained in his delight at making us laugh: stalking, jumping out from behind anything, playing madly with a ball. He is determined to out-kitten all other cats.
And he reminds me of the wild abandon we should show in loving others, which is the way we fulfill God's commandment to us. Max does his job of catching rodents, and without reservations, with no hesitation, enjoys life while doing it and apparently, desires for us, his family, to savor life, too. He is my current role model. I'm not proposing we're only here to be the entertainment for everyone else, but I do want to enjoy every day to the same extent our kitten does, letting go of worries, living to the fullest and imparting joy. Don't you?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A New Day
This past Monday, my husband and I celebrated our thirty-first wedding anniversary. During the good-natured banter which resulted from discussing the occasion with our friends, I was again reminded of how very blessed I am, in every way. I was also reminded of the importance of laughter and maintaining a good sense of humor, and it dawned on me I have been terribly serious of late. In this blog and elsewhere.
On the day after my anniversary, I had an opportunity to give a motivational presentation to a local group, and as I was sharing my thoughts with them about the choices we all make every day regarding attitude and happiness, I found I was in need of the same advice I was dishing out: Lighten up.
As the presidential race goes into full attack mode, more than a year away from the 2012 election, I am already weary of the nonsense ("I love God more than you!") and rancor ("But I hate you!") surrounding the process, as I'm sure many others are, as well. And yet, my temptation is to jump into the fray and add my two cents. Well, I'm praying, "Lead me not into temptation."
Most regular readers of this blog have a pretty good idea of where I stand on many issues which have become (sometimes wrongly) politicized in this country. In my recent days of enlightenment, I have realized I am most likely not going to change anyone's political opinion, and further, that has never really been my goal. Controversy is a good way to alienate and cause strife, and I don't want to do either.
My aim is to challenge us all to think about how our spiritual life and beliefs should be manifest in everything we do, every day. While I personally remain passionate about certain issues, in this forum I'm hoping to back away from what tends to cause division and steer toward that which unites and encourages. I'll do my agitating elsewhere. (I do reserve the right to challenge believers to be socially responsible, but will try to limit my thoughts to that which happens outside the political process.)
I claim to be an optimist, and I need to put that assertion back at the top of my list of priorities. I've been a little gloomy lately, and it's time for a change. Let's make a pact, what do you say? What if we try to find common ground even when we disagree, find joy even when things aren't going so great and love one another no matter what? It's a new day dawning on a new season, and I'm back on the Good News train!
On the day after my anniversary, I had an opportunity to give a motivational presentation to a local group, and as I was sharing my thoughts with them about the choices we all make every day regarding attitude and happiness, I found I was in need of the same advice I was dishing out: Lighten up.
As the presidential race goes into full attack mode, more than a year away from the 2012 election, I am already weary of the nonsense ("I love God more than you!") and rancor ("But I hate you!") surrounding the process, as I'm sure many others are, as well. And yet, my temptation is to jump into the fray and add my two cents. Well, I'm praying, "Lead me not into temptation."
Most regular readers of this blog have a pretty good idea of where I stand on many issues which have become (sometimes wrongly) politicized in this country. In my recent days of enlightenment, I have realized I am most likely not going to change anyone's political opinion, and further, that has never really been my goal. Controversy is a good way to alienate and cause strife, and I don't want to do either.
My aim is to challenge us all to think about how our spiritual life and beliefs should be manifest in everything we do, every day. While I personally remain passionate about certain issues, in this forum I'm hoping to back away from what tends to cause division and steer toward that which unites and encourages. I'll do my agitating elsewhere. (I do reserve the right to challenge believers to be socially responsible, but will try to limit my thoughts to that which happens outside the political process.)
I claim to be an optimist, and I need to put that assertion back at the top of my list of priorities. I've been a little gloomy lately, and it's time for a change. Let's make a pact, what do you say? What if we try to find common ground even when we disagree, find joy even when things aren't going so great and love one another no matter what? It's a new day dawning on a new season, and I'm back on the Good News train!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Better Or Bitter?
A question I have heard asked of someone who suffered a terrible loss in his personal life was, "Will this make you better or bitter?" It's a question I ask of our country on this, the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Have we made good choices, as a nation, in the past ten years? Was the decision to retaliate the best course of action, given the toil it has taken? The cost is measured not just in dollars, trillions of them, but in horrific loss of human life and limb. Several thousand U.S. military personnel have died, along with well over 100,000 civilians in the Middle East. The passage of another 50 to 100 years will give us a better perspective on the success of the so-called war on terror. In other words, time will tell.
But in the process of it all, has the soul and spirit of our country been damaged? Do we, collectively, continue to feel the impact of the attack, causing us to fear and worry? The grieving process has been long and difficult, but after ten years, we should all have permission to believe it is time for healing to get into full swing.
Commemorating the bravery of the firemen and other rescue personnel who labored selflessly during and after the event is a good way to remind ourselves what is best about human nature and will help us overcome feelings of defeat and loss. Incessant focus on a lurking enemy, harboring constant fear of when the next attack might be and fomenting distrust is not a good way to heal, and will not make us better. Let us please leave the worst behind and move forward.
Let us focus, instead, on what is recorded in the book of Philippians, "....whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things....and the God of peace will be with you." (verses 8-9)
There is good in the world, and many reasons to remain hopeful and joyful. Concentrating our thoughts on the best, on an overcoming spirit within us, is the way to peace and healing. Focusing on the worst, is the path to bitterness. Better or bitter? I choose better, don't you?
Have we made good choices, as a nation, in the past ten years? Was the decision to retaliate the best course of action, given the toil it has taken? The cost is measured not just in dollars, trillions of them, but in horrific loss of human life and limb. Several thousand U.S. military personnel have died, along with well over 100,000 civilians in the Middle East. The passage of another 50 to 100 years will give us a better perspective on the success of the so-called war on terror. In other words, time will tell.
But in the process of it all, has the soul and spirit of our country been damaged? Do we, collectively, continue to feel the impact of the attack, causing us to fear and worry? The grieving process has been long and difficult, but after ten years, we should all have permission to believe it is time for healing to get into full swing.
Commemorating the bravery of the firemen and other rescue personnel who labored selflessly during and after the event is a good way to remind ourselves what is best about human nature and will help us overcome feelings of defeat and loss. Incessant focus on a lurking enemy, harboring constant fear of when the next attack might be and fomenting distrust is not a good way to heal, and will not make us better. Let us please leave the worst behind and move forward.
Let us focus, instead, on what is recorded in the book of Philippians, "....whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things....and the God of peace will be with you." (verses 8-9)
There is good in the world, and many reasons to remain hopeful and joyful. Concentrating our thoughts on the best, on an overcoming spirit within us, is the way to peace and healing. Focusing on the worst, is the path to bitterness. Better or bitter? I choose better, don't you?
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A Labor of Love
As Labor Day approaches, I'm reminded of the story in Matthew chapter 8 which describes a landowner hiring vineyard workers. The first group is hired early in the morning, while subsequent groups are hired at various time throughout the day, with the last group going to work just one hour before quitting time. When it is time to be paid, the last ones to be hired receive a full day's wages, as does everyone else, including the first ones hired. The first ones hired are indignant because they are not paid more than the others.
The ones who worked the entire day are not so much angry over the amount they are paid -- they receive their promised wages -- they are upset because of the unfairness of the situation. Their perception is that the last workers hired got a nice bonus which they didn't deserve.
The first laborers hired, "...grumbled at the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius [standard day's wages]? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?' So the last shall be first, and the first last." (verses 11-16)
One of the foundational teachings of Jesus is to proclaim the kind of equality described in this story, to promote the poor and to provide equal footing to all, regardless of one's social standing, or what others think someone else may or may not "deserve." The celebration of Labor day has its roots in the early labor union movement, specifically efforts to end harsh working conditions, thereby giving a voice to those in poverty. As such, I believe it is probably one of the more "Christian" holidays we celebrate in America. Christmas and Easter commemorate the birth and death of Jesus, but Labor Day could be viewed as a celebration of the way Jesus lived: encouraging work and productivity, while teaching the vital importance of caring about what happens to other people.
His life was a labor of love. Let us always pursue the same line of work as Jesus.
The ones who worked the entire day are not so much angry over the amount they are paid -- they receive their promised wages -- they are upset because of the unfairness of the situation. Their perception is that the last workers hired got a nice bonus which they didn't deserve.
The first laborers hired, "...grumbled at the landowner, saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.' But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius [standard day's wages]? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?' So the last shall be first, and the first last." (verses 11-16)
One of the foundational teachings of Jesus is to proclaim the kind of equality described in this story, to promote the poor and to provide equal footing to all, regardless of one's social standing, or what others think someone else may or may not "deserve." The celebration of Labor day has its roots in the early labor union movement, specifically efforts to end harsh working conditions, thereby giving a voice to those in poverty. As such, I believe it is probably one of the more "Christian" holidays we celebrate in America. Christmas and Easter commemorate the birth and death of Jesus, but Labor Day could be viewed as a celebration of the way Jesus lived: encouraging work and productivity, while teaching the vital importance of caring about what happens to other people.
His life was a labor of love. Let us always pursue the same line of work as Jesus.
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