Doesn't it seem, sometimes, that regional attitudes can develop? I was talking to my my spiritual counselor about the strange surge of upset, frustrated, and sensitive people I've been encountering, and I had to admit my own recent touchiness. He said that it's been a kind of theme recently in his office, too. Is it the stormy spring weather, along with economic anxieties, and awareness of global issues like the tragedy in Japan, the conflicts in Egypt and Libya? And perhaps we feed off of each other through all these means of contact: personal encounters, phone calls (business or otherwise), grocery lines, emails, even facebook and instant messages.
When we're noticing this, let's make sure to take more moments to step briefly under some kind of spiritual awning, and breath in enough strength and assurance to be a different voice and presence for others. Perhaps enough of us doing this can be a part of turning the tide, or at least we can help create islands of a more peaceful sort.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Even whiners are allowed.
I try to be a patient father, but there are things my boys can do that drive me crazy. One of those is whining. I hate it; I can barely put up with it. Even yesterday, little Trevan was getting over a virus, and, good Lord, was he up and down. One minute, full of spunk and energy, the next clinging to my leg and whining, or refusing to eat something I knew he would love, “But I don’t like it.”
“You haven’t tried it! Try it, trust me. Trust me, Trevan!” But at that moment he didn’t trust me, not about this. It all finally ended with him crying in his room and me brushing my teeth and muttering.
Eventually, he quieted down, and I went in. “Are you done, then?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Done whining?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Okay, then you can come out.” And I began walking away.
But then I heard his voice behind me asking, “Daddy?” And he was holding his arms out. “Will you give me a hug?”
His question was real; he wasn’t completely sure; he didn’t know that I would stoop to hug him. It was a risk he was taking, risking his heart on me. Maybe he didn’t trust me on the food thing, but he had enough need, enough trust, and enough faith to risk that I still loved him anyway, enough to forgive and comfort him. If he didn’t have enough faith in me as his father, he wouldn’t have asked. It takes faith to ask.
Trusting and inviting Jesus to be a larger part in or to work through our lives is a step of faith. Letting go of our own mistakes and guilt, admitting them and letting them go is relying on faith. Just lifting our arms to him is an act of faith. It means risking your heart with God. Letting go of what others may have done to us, depends again, not on knowledge, but faith. Inviting God to change us from within is an act of faith. And he will pick us up, even when we don't immediately feel it.
“You haven’t tried it! Try it, trust me. Trust me, Trevan!” But at that moment he didn’t trust me, not about this. It all finally ended with him crying in his room and me brushing my teeth and muttering.
Eventually, he quieted down, and I went in. “Are you done, then?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Done whining?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Okay, then you can come out.” And I began walking away.
But then I heard his voice behind me asking, “Daddy?” And he was holding his arms out. “Will you give me a hug?”
His question was real; he wasn’t completely sure; he didn’t know that I would stoop to hug him. It was a risk he was taking, risking his heart on me. Maybe he didn’t trust me on the food thing, but he had enough need, enough trust, and enough faith to risk that I still loved him anyway, enough to forgive and comfort him. If he didn’t have enough faith in me as his father, he wouldn’t have asked. It takes faith to ask.
Trusting and inviting Jesus to be a larger part in or to work through our lives is a step of faith. Letting go of our own mistakes and guilt, admitting them and letting them go is relying on faith. Just lifting our arms to him is an act of faith. It means risking your heart with God. Letting go of what others may have done to us, depends again, not on knowledge, but faith. Inviting God to change us from within is an act of faith. And he will pick us up, even when we don't immediately feel it.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Positive Images -- What Have You Seen?
Last Sunday, near the end of the message, I offered this assignment...
"Our lives are too full of images of fear, we're surrounded by commercials that tell us we don't have enough, un-ending news of risk and danger. In words or pictures, I'd like you to start collecting images of where you see God at work caring for you, or people or the world. Do exactly what Jesus says: Consider some lilies and birds, or maybe a special person, a grandma or a child.
"Start tomorrow; people have cameras on their phones, or take one with you and snap some photos, or take a journal and describe what you see this week. And then email or send them to me. Let's see what we can collect and share."
I'd love to see and hear about your images and experiences; please, send them in: pastorkaurin@gmail.com.
"Our lives are too full of images of fear, we're surrounded by commercials that tell us we don't have enough, un-ending news of risk and danger. In words or pictures, I'd like you to start collecting images of where you see God at work caring for you, or people or the world. Do exactly what Jesus says: Consider some lilies and birds, or maybe a special person, a grandma or a child.
"Start tomorrow; people have cameras on their phones, or take one with you and snap some photos, or take a journal and describe what you see this week. And then email or send them to me. Let's see what we can collect and share."
I'd love to see and hear about your images and experiences; please, send them in: pastorkaurin@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)