"This is America, where a white Catholic male Republican judge was murdered on his way to greet a Democratic Jewish woman member of Congress, who was his friend. Her life was saved initially by a 20-year old Mexican-American gay college student, and eventually by a Korean-American combat surgeon, all eulogized by our African American President." ~Mark Shields, quoting Allen Ginsberg on PBS News Hour January 14, 2011
Lynn said that a blog might be coming on as a result of my having read this on her FB. It took a few days for me to process the above and its significance. I don’t pretend to write the definitive prose regarding the quote. I will, however, comment on it.
As I commented on FB, I think this is often the case in our everyday lives and we just don’t realize or appreciate it. Think of the people that serve you in some capacity. Those who work in a restaurant, the doctor’s office or dental clinic. Maybe you could think of those who provide you with food stocked on the shelves of your favorite grocery store as well as those who grow and process it.
What about those in the banking system or the mechanic shop where you get your car fixed? Or maybe in City Hall and those who provide decent water, sewer services, and of course police, fire, and EMS protection.
This nation is still built on the diversity of its population and the fact that, by and large, people work together for a common good and for the welfare of others. Whatever their religion, nationality, race, or political leaning, most people desire only to do their job and make the world a better place.
Look at it this way. Think of a world where you interacted with and were economically and environmentally connected only with people who were your own race, nationality, religion and color. What would you NOT have that you now have? Could you live even close to how you are living now were it not for people who are different from you who provide for you in some way? Could you adequately do your job without people who were different from you?
Pure Christianity is much the same way. People from all walks of life, from all nationalities, economic classes, races, and yes, even people with different religious viewpoints all band together under the banner of Jesus Christ as risen Lord and Savior and together make something that as a whole is much, much greater than the sum of its parts.
I am reminded of what John said in the Revelation: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…” (Rev. 7:9) You may disagree with me on the specific interpretation of this verse, but I think it’s clearly apparent that not everyone who is a child of God is a white, middle class male (or whatever you may be).
So here’s to diversity. May it ever be a part of who we are and how we think. May it always come through in times both good and bad. And may we ever celebrate the beauty and diversity of God’s creation and honor both it and Him.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Success
This past week, one of the residents of our adult care home passed away. Gina (not her real name) had many serious medical issues. Her stage four metestatic cancer was one of the lesser of her issues. We brought her in for rehab about three months ago in the hopes that she would become strong enough to weather a round of chemo and radiation, but in spite of all of our, and her efforts, that didn't happen.
She had no family that I know of. She did have a friend who was her power of attorney and handled her affairs. She was bed-bound for most of her stay with us due to other medical issues, but managed to be in a chair and get out of her room for the last couple of weeks before she passed.
This woman had lots to complain about. She had lots to be angry about. And she had lots to attribute to an unfair deal. But I never, ever, ever saw her that way. She was always pleasant, positive, and upbeat, at least on the outside. She conversed readily and seemed to be genuinely interested in the problems of others.
I don't know her religious background or her life history. But one thing I do know is that she had every right to be mad at the world and at life for the hand that was dealt to her. She chose to not play that hand; rather, to make that hand into something that was decent and honorable and good.
She succeeded.
She had no family that I know of. She did have a friend who was her power of attorney and handled her affairs. She was bed-bound for most of her stay with us due to other medical issues, but managed to be in a chair and get out of her room for the last couple of weeks before she passed.
This woman had lots to complain about. She had lots to be angry about. And she had lots to attribute to an unfair deal. But I never, ever, ever saw her that way. She was always pleasant, positive, and upbeat, at least on the outside. She conversed readily and seemed to be genuinely interested in the problems of others.
I don't know her religious background or her life history. But one thing I do know is that she had every right to be mad at the world and at life for the hand that was dealt to her. She chose to not play that hand; rather, to make that hand into something that was decent and honorable and good.
She succeeded.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Riverside
I got off work early today (very early) before lunch, so I went over to the Minisa Barbershop and got a haircut (actually, hairs-cut). It was close to lunch by then so I walked around the corner to the Riverside Café.
They weren’t all that busy, but busy enough. No one was at the counter, so I sat at the second chair from the left (There is a “protocol” for where to sit at a lunch counter, just as there is a “protocol” for which urinal to use when in a multi-urinal bathroom). The waitress was prompt, giving me water and asking for my drink order. By the time she had my diet Coke, I knew I wanted the catfish filet lunch.
Now, I’ve blogged before about the Riverside Café. Today, I noticed especially the way the wait people worked. They moved quickly, yet there was virtually no wasted motion or step. Each movement seemed to be an exercise in multi-tasking, planned out long in advance.
Of course, it wasn’t planned out. The wait staff just had worked there long enough to know how to work efficiently. They also were able to work around each other, not running in to someone else. There was only one slip up…a loud noise in the kitchen and shards of glass sliding out of the doorway told me that someone had dropped something back there. Luckily, I already had my lunch in front of me.
I have to wonder what that place sounds like in the middle of the night. By day it’s very noisy, almost raucous. The old-time juke box is constantly blaring with 50’s and 60’s music. The wait people are talking to each other and greeting customers. Customers are carrying on conversations with one-another, and occasionally from table to table. Dishes are clanging. Doors are closing. The cash register is ringing up something. The din is sometimes in the upper end of the decibel scale, it seems. So at night, it would be eerily silent, except for the refrigeration units and occasionally the furnace, I would think. Hopefully, there aren’t many mice in there that would make noise.
I don’t get over there often. I’m glad I stopped in today.
They weren’t all that busy, but busy enough. No one was at the counter, so I sat at the second chair from the left (There is a “protocol” for where to sit at a lunch counter, just as there is a “protocol” for which urinal to use when in a multi-urinal bathroom). The waitress was prompt, giving me water and asking for my drink order. By the time she had my diet Coke, I knew I wanted the catfish filet lunch.
Now, I’ve blogged before about the Riverside Café. Today, I noticed especially the way the wait people worked. They moved quickly, yet there was virtually no wasted motion or step. Each movement seemed to be an exercise in multi-tasking, planned out long in advance.
Of course, it wasn’t planned out. The wait staff just had worked there long enough to know how to work efficiently. They also were able to work around each other, not running in to someone else. There was only one slip up…a loud noise in the kitchen and shards of glass sliding out of the doorway told me that someone had dropped something back there. Luckily, I already had my lunch in front of me.
I have to wonder what that place sounds like in the middle of the night. By day it’s very noisy, almost raucous. The old-time juke box is constantly blaring with 50’s and 60’s music. The wait people are talking to each other and greeting customers. Customers are carrying on conversations with one-another, and occasionally from table to table. Dishes are clanging. Doors are closing. The cash register is ringing up something. The din is sometimes in the upper end of the decibel scale, it seems. So at night, it would be eerily silent, except for the refrigeration units and occasionally the furnace, I would think. Hopefully, there aren’t many mice in there that would make noise.
I don’t get over there often. I’m glad I stopped in today.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Can You Imagine?
In the spiritual, “Ain’t Got Time to Die”, the song talks of serving God and praising God through service to our fellow-man...helping the sick, feeding the poor, serving the Master.
Then the song says this: “If I don’t praise Him, the rocks are gonter (going to) cry out, ‘Glory and Honor!’ ‘Glory and Honor!’ Ain’t got time to die!”
I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of a literalist. And I may well not be understanding this song the way those who created it meant it to be. But I believe, really believe, that some how, some way, God will be given glory and honor; whether by my praise of Him or whether the rocks themselves will be called to cry out praise to God.
I can’t imagine answering to God for why the rocks had to cry out because I didn’t give Him praise. Can you?
Then the song says this: “If I don’t praise Him, the rocks are gonter (going to) cry out, ‘Glory and Honor!’ ‘Glory and Honor!’ Ain’t got time to die!”
I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of a literalist. And I may well not be understanding this song the way those who created it meant it to be. But I believe, really believe, that some how, some way, God will be given glory and honor; whether by my praise of Him or whether the rocks themselves will be called to cry out praise to God.
I can’t imagine answering to God for why the rocks had to cry out because I didn’t give Him praise. Can you?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Arizona Tragedy
I wasn’t able to hear the President’s address to the people last night in Arizona. I called it up on the Internet tonight and listened to the entire speech. This may have been his best speech. Twice, he invoked the Christian scriptures. Several times, he mentioned those who had died in the shooting tragedy. And he continually called for us to present the best that is within us, to love one-another, and to honor those with whom we differ.
He did all of this without getting caught in the notion that somehow those whose words recently have been filled with vitriol prompted this tragedy. He plainly took the high road and challenged each of us to do the same.
I had to wonder as I listened to that speech whether anything even close to the thoughts that were in that speech has come out of the mouths of those radio and cable hacks on either end of the political spectrum. You know…those who spew their garbage to the ones of our number who don’t wish to exercise their brains by thinking for themselves. They’d much rather a talking head do their talking for them. My guess is that no one of the political/cable/radio hack club has said anything even remotely close to the thoughts and words of our President.
I am truly troubled by the events in Arizona. I am truly troubled by the evil that is in the world. And I am truly troubled by those who would, for their own gain, capitalize on such an event. I guess it takes all kinds, but this is not only ridiculous, but is behavior of the basest sort.
Even the Topeka church clan stayed away (You know who I’m talking about). I applaud them for their restraint, although I suspect that there wasn’t much about their decision not to picket that was altruistic or compassionate. My guess is that they (correctly) figured that if they went and protested, they would have been universally assigned, even by those few who agree with them, to the trash heap of irrelevance, insignificance, and worthlessness. They would finally, fully, and certainly have been exposed for the kind of people they really are…uncouth, vulgar, and gauche. They don’t have the stomach to stand up to that kind of universal judgment and condemnation from their peers.
I wish well those who are recovering. I pray healing for those who have lost loved ones. And I trust we will have learned something positive from the evil that manifested on that day.
He did all of this without getting caught in the notion that somehow those whose words recently have been filled with vitriol prompted this tragedy. He plainly took the high road and challenged each of us to do the same.
I had to wonder as I listened to that speech whether anything even close to the thoughts that were in that speech has come out of the mouths of those radio and cable hacks on either end of the political spectrum. You know…those who spew their garbage to the ones of our number who don’t wish to exercise their brains by thinking for themselves. They’d much rather a talking head do their talking for them. My guess is that no one of the political/cable/radio hack club has said anything even remotely close to the thoughts and words of our President.
I am truly troubled by the events in Arizona. I am truly troubled by the evil that is in the world. And I am truly troubled by those who would, for their own gain, capitalize on such an event. I guess it takes all kinds, but this is not only ridiculous, but is behavior of the basest sort.
Even the Topeka church clan stayed away (You know who I’m talking about). I applaud them for their restraint, although I suspect that there wasn’t much about their decision not to picket that was altruistic or compassionate. My guess is that they (correctly) figured that if they went and protested, they would have been universally assigned, even by those few who agree with them, to the trash heap of irrelevance, insignificance, and worthlessness. They would finally, fully, and certainly have been exposed for the kind of people they really are…uncouth, vulgar, and gauche. They don’t have the stomach to stand up to that kind of universal judgment and condemnation from their peers.
I wish well those who are recovering. I pray healing for those who have lost loved ones. And I trust we will have learned something positive from the evil that manifested on that day.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Crack of Doom
I’m staying up late tonight. We have a resident who is receiving a blood transfusion at a local hospital this evening. When they are finishing, they will call and I will take the home’s transportation van there and pick her up and take her back to the home. She went in about 4pm today. It takes several hours to infuse blood products, and if there are any glitches, it takes even longer.
I’ve done this a few times before, but never quite this late. My guess is that I won’t get to bed until after midnight. That always seems to befuddle me some the next day. I’m never quite rested, it seems, and don’t feel “normal” (whatever that is nowadays).
Normally my bedtime is about 10:30. I know that seems early for many of you, and it may be late for some who have to get up (as my cousin used to say) “at the crack of doom.” I always liked that better than the “crack of dawn.” Gave it a little more class, in my book.
Hopefully, they will call shortly and I can begin the trip. If not, I may be up later tonight than I thought.
I’ve done this a few times before, but never quite this late. My guess is that I won’t get to bed until after midnight. That always seems to befuddle me some the next day. I’m never quite rested, it seems, and don’t feel “normal” (whatever that is nowadays).
Normally my bedtime is about 10:30. I know that seems early for many of you, and it may be late for some who have to get up (as my cousin used to say) “at the crack of doom.” I always liked that better than the “crack of dawn.” Gave it a little more class, in my book.
Hopefully, they will call shortly and I can begin the trip. If not, I may be up later tonight than I thought.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Back to Work
Tomorrow, I go back to work. I’ve been off since Friday afternoon a week ago. I think I’m ready to go. Hopefully, my mental and emotional condition will allow me to go back to work with joy and purpose, even in the face of things at work that aren’t always the way (I think) they should be.
Of course, no work place is perfect. Everyone who interacts with the outside world in any form has to work with imperfection, incompetence, and sometimes sheer stupidity from time to time. The question is not whether one will encounter these things (the Dilbert syndrome), but rather how one responds to these things.
The Dilbert syndrome is alive and well, no doubt. Things happen that shouldn’t; people make bad decisions; words are spoken that are better left unsaid. Sometimes one has to take a breather from that environment to see the larger picture and the true blessings that are a part of life, living, and yes, work.
And the key that I’ve yet to learn is this: Do I trust that God will take me where I need to go, even though I may have no control over where that is or don’t have a clue where we’re going? He still says to me, “Do you trust me?” I’m not sure I have the answer yet.
I’ve written each day this week I’ve been off. I’ve opened my heart at times, and let you know what was inside. I don’t mind doing that in this venue, and trust that you will understand.
For those of you who know me, thank you for your love and prayers. For those who may read this who don’t know me, thank you for stopping by. I am wonderfully, wonderfully blessed.
Of course, no work place is perfect. Everyone who interacts with the outside world in any form has to work with imperfection, incompetence, and sometimes sheer stupidity from time to time. The question is not whether one will encounter these things (the Dilbert syndrome), but rather how one responds to these things.
The Dilbert syndrome is alive and well, no doubt. Things happen that shouldn’t; people make bad decisions; words are spoken that are better left unsaid. Sometimes one has to take a breather from that environment to see the larger picture and the true blessings that are a part of life, living, and yes, work.
And the key that I’ve yet to learn is this: Do I trust that God will take me where I need to go, even though I may have no control over where that is or don’t have a clue where we’re going? He still says to me, “Do you trust me?” I’m not sure I have the answer yet.
I’ve written each day this week I’ve been off. I’ve opened my heart at times, and let you know what was inside. I don’t mind doing that in this venue, and trust that you will understand.
For those of you who know me, thank you for your love and prayers. For those who may read this who don’t know me, thank you for stopping by. I am wonderfully, wonderfully blessed.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
A Challlenge
I’m sure I’m not the first one who has thought of this, but it came as a kind of an epiphany to me this week as I did some meditation and study during my time at home on a staycation. I blogged about it earlier this week. The thought was that perhaps someone, sometime in the distant past has prayed for me in some way and God is now fulfilling that prayer request in my life. The person who prayed may well never have known me or about me, but prayed anyway. The thought that what God is doing with me now may well be a promise God made in answer to prayer that may have occurred 100, 200, or 500 years ago is mind-boggling.
I then asked in that same blog if you have prayed for those who come after you, whether your blood descendents, fellow Christians, or leaders of some kind. That seems to me to be even more mind-boggling as I think of those possibilities and what it may mean for not only me, but for those for whom I am praying.
We seem so focused on the here and now. We seem to be so tuned in to our own lives and our immediate issues and problems. We think little about others even in our time frame, let alone those who will come after us 50, 100,or 500 years from now. It makes me think differently about prayer and how it “availeth much” as the King James Version of the Bible says in the New Testament book of James.
Some how, some way, I have to get out of the present time and the momentary problems I have now and focus more on others, their issues, and the greater vision of God’s plan for His creation and for its salvation. This kind of prayer may well be one of the keys to help me do that.
This also brings to mind my brother’s thoughts about praying for things that in our existence have already happened. It tends to lend a new credibility to his thought that maybe, just maybe it is acceptable to pray for something that has already happened, as if it hasn’t happened yet. He tempers this thought with the idea that in order for this to be effective, we must not know the conclusion of the event or incident…it is enough to know that something was to have happened or might have happened.
Of course, we quickly get into the notion of time and what it is; how it interacts with our existence and how God relates to time, if at all. We quickly develop many more questions than we have answers for, Einstein’s equations notwithstanding. And we can quickly get caught up in the nuances of such ideas to the exclusion of our mission as people of God…to live and love in such a way that others will know that we are children of God.
I challenge you, though, to give serious thought to who and what you pray for, and to use prayer not so much as a vehicle for your own comfort and satisfaction as a means to talk with the Timeless One about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns for others yet to come (or who have already gone, if you think there may be something to the notion of “praying in the past”). If nothing else, I think you will appreciate and enjoy your prayer life much more than you now do.
I then asked in that same blog if you have prayed for those who come after you, whether your blood descendents, fellow Christians, or leaders of some kind. That seems to me to be even more mind-boggling as I think of those possibilities and what it may mean for not only me, but for those for whom I am praying.
We seem so focused on the here and now. We seem to be so tuned in to our own lives and our immediate issues and problems. We think little about others even in our time frame, let alone those who will come after us 50, 100,or 500 years from now. It makes me think differently about prayer and how it “availeth much” as the King James Version of the Bible says in the New Testament book of James.
Some how, some way, I have to get out of the present time and the momentary problems I have now and focus more on others, their issues, and the greater vision of God’s plan for His creation and for its salvation. This kind of prayer may well be one of the keys to help me do that.
This also brings to mind my brother’s thoughts about praying for things that in our existence have already happened. It tends to lend a new credibility to his thought that maybe, just maybe it is acceptable to pray for something that has already happened, as if it hasn’t happened yet. He tempers this thought with the idea that in order for this to be effective, we must not know the conclusion of the event or incident…it is enough to know that something was to have happened or might have happened.
Of course, we quickly get into the notion of time and what it is; how it interacts with our existence and how God relates to time, if at all. We quickly develop many more questions than we have answers for, Einstein’s equations notwithstanding. And we can quickly get caught up in the nuances of such ideas to the exclusion of our mission as people of God…to live and love in such a way that others will know that we are children of God.
I challenge you, though, to give serious thought to who and what you pray for, and to use prayer not so much as a vehicle for your own comfort and satisfaction as a means to talk with the Timeless One about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns for others yet to come (or who have already gone, if you think there may be something to the notion of “praying in the past”). If nothing else, I think you will appreciate and enjoy your prayer life much more than you now do.
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