An Epiphany

 

A few months ago, our neighbors across the street and down a house sold their home to a family who moved in late in the summer.  The family is an ethnic minority family complete with kids, dogs, and lots of relatives and friends.  They have done a lot to improve the place, putting in a new fence for the dog in the back yard as well as other improvements both inside and out.  When I went over to introduce myself after they got settled in, I discovered that they spoke very little English, and I was reduced to gesturing as well as speaking as best I could, given my total lack of knowledge or fluency in the Spanish language.  We were on good terms, and I think we both did the best we could to introduce ourselves.

Shortly after they moved in and got settled, we started hearing them gathering in the garage, playing music rather loudly for several hours...so loudly that the bass part penetrated walls and doors.  They had several of their friends or relatives over during these times...usually on Saturday nights...and had a good time until they wrapped it up about 10:30 pm.

The dog is one of those who barks at leaves dropping from the trees as well as if we went to the mailbox to get the mail, opened our garage door, or just ventured outside for something.  He got other dogs in the neighborhood to start barking as well, and it became a chorus of barking.

For our normally quiet neighborhood, this was a rather big change for us.  We aren't used to barking dogs and booming bass coming from a garage.  I began to resent the weekly parties, and wondered if there was anything I could do to quiet the dog.  Fall came...then the holidays...and nothing seemed to change.  Our house walls seemed to not do much to quell the noise of the bass part of the music.  But they did usually stop it around bed time, for which I was thankful.

Over the weeks and few months, we would wave at each other if the opportunity arose, but that was the extent of our interaction.  The language barrier was one of the problems.  The culture barrier was another.  The music and dog issues were a third.

A few days ago, about mid afternoon,I noticed that the neighbor right next to me...not the people I've been talking about, but rather the elderly neighbor right next door...had to call the ambulance.  One of this man’s relatives showed up, went inside, then came back outside in the front yard for a cigarette break.  I knew him somewhat, so went over to ask what was going on, as we try to make sure the older gentleman is OK as best we can.  He also has caregivers that work with him so he isn’t alone.  As the older gentleman’s relative and I were talking, we also talked about the party was going on across the street.  The Hispanic neighbors had the grill out and were cooking something.  They had a table out with chairs, plates and other food and were preparing for some kind of a meal, along with the ever-present music.

The next door relative I was talking with mentioned that the noise from the music was bothering his father-in-law…the elderly man…so much that he no longer wore his hearing aids in order to help quell the noise.  The relative and I also discussed the food and party-ing that goes on pretty much weekly...talking in rather negative terms.  As I started to leave that conversation with the older man’s relative, I had an epiphany.  I decided to go across the street and ask about the food they were cooking.

So, walking toward the house, when I got their attention, I made an eating motion.  Someone met me who spoke English, and I asked what they were cooking.  They showed me brats, hush puppies, and other stuff that I wasn't sure what it was.  They asked if I wanted to stay and eat, and got a chair for me along with a bottle of beer.

I refused the chair and beer, but mentioned the brats and hushpuppies...the only two things that I recognized.  They put a few of each on a paper plate, gave it to me, and asked me again to stay.  Saying I was taking the food to my wife, which technically was true, I thanked them profusely and went back home.  Before I left, though, I picked up a brat and took a bite…it was indeed wonderful, and I said so.

Once home with the brats, I decided to reciprocate.  I loaded up some homemade sugar cookies and a slab of homemade fudge and took it over to them.  Their kids immediately gravitated to the sweets, and I came back home to help get ready for our company coming later on.

About 2 hours later, the doorbell rang.  Pat answered.  It was two of the women from the house across the street.  They had what we believe was leftovers...but good leftovers...a couple of those things I didn't know what was when I was there earlier.  Turns out it was seafood fixed Mexican style.

OK, I tell you this story to say this.  Following my interaction with the neighbors who had the loud bass, it was amazing that I no longer was resentful of their music or their party.  In fact, it's almost 10:30 pm right now as I write this, and I can hear the bass from our basement.  My demeanor has changed completely toward these people...just with the interactions we had today with the exchange of food.  No longer am I resentful of their music.  The barking dog...well, that remains to be seen.  I think the dog barks because he is generally ignored most of the time.  Hopefully, that will eventually change.

This may well be a prime example of how relationship…even relatively superficial relationship, can change one’s opinion of another and foster a more, shall we say, peaceful way of life.  What I did was nothing special.  But it was an acknowledgement of a way of life that I wasn’t familiar with, and the expression of a desire to be civil and cordial.

Now, if I can only expand that “civil and cordial” thing to other areas of life and livin where people tend to grate on me in unpleasant ways or have habits or ways of life I’m not familiar with, maybe…just maybe I can remove some of the stress, hard feelings, and anger from my life.  And it may take nothing more than an “epiphany” to reach out in some way.  Besides, I may just score some good food while I’m at it.

 

Blessings.

There's a lesson here, and I think it's fairly obvious what it is.  Relationships...even the beginning of relationships...make a difference in how we see and think about others.  Until I went over today to ask about the food, we had no relationship.  Now we at least are on speaking terms, and we know that the other is friendly and open for interaction.  The resentment is gone.  Hopefully, we will be able to live together in this neighborhood for many years to come, continuing to foster the relationship between neighbors and cultures.

Hope Has Begun

 In January, I’ll begin teaching an adult Sunday School class on the Old Testament book of Joshua.  Telling the story of how the Israelite people came into the land that was promised to their ancestors all the way back to Abraham, the book is filled with stories that amaze, surprise, and mess with our 21^st century sensibilities.  Seen only with a narrow focus, the book makes us wonder whether the God of love that we know is the same God we see in the book.  But when viewed in the context of the overarching story of God’s plan for the redemption of His creation, the book makes sense and is one that brings comfort to God’s people.

The main commentary I am using for the class is titled “No Falling Words.”  That title refers to the idea that whatever words God speaks…whatever promises he makes…whatever he says will be done…those things indeed will be done…will be carried out…will be completed.  Joshua is filled with evidence of the God of Abraham keeping His promises…keeping his word…never letting his words fall away unfulfilled.

Not only could the book of Joshua be titled “No Falling Words,” rather, every book of the Bible could have that title.  The Bible is filled with stories and accounts of God keeping his word…keeping his promises…keeping his people.  And the pinnacle of those promises was first uttered in Genesis chapter 3 when God promised that the offspring of Eve would crush the head of the serpent, who had caused Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit.  Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, that promise was made in some form or another as God worked with His people and His creation to bring about its fulfillment.

And as Christians have long believed, that promise was fulfilled in the coming of the baby seen first in a manger in a stable in a backwater town in first century Israel.  As Amy Grant sings in her song, “Love Has Come,” hope…real hope…had indeed begun when Immanuel entered the world.  Listen to the chorus of that song.

 Love has come For the world to know, As the wise men knew Such a long time ago

And I believe that angels sang That hope had begun, When the God of glory Who is full of mercy

Yes, the God of glory Sent his son

 I know that there are many for whom the holiday season is not one of merry-making and joy.  Family relationships that are off base, loved ones who have passed away during the holidays, illness, depression, anxiety, and other issues that humanity faces every day get in the way of the wishful bliss of a merry and happy holiday season.

Even so…even with all that takes away the joy and happiness of the season…even with all of that, we can still rest in the truth that Hope has begun, and because of the resurrection of Christ that hope endures.

Whatever your circumstance during this time, know that with God, there are No Falling Words…that the Hope of the creation is alive and well.  May your days ahead be blessed days; and may you find that the baby in the manger brings you hope and blessing.

T he Holidays

 The end of each year seems so crowded and busy, given the holidays and all that goes with them, time off from school for the kids, the change in the calendar, and the sometimes difficult navigation of the weather.  The holidays are a time of travel, planning and attending get-togethers with friends and relatives, special services at churches, light shows in parks and other venues, cooking and meal-planning, gift-buying, end-of-semester testing at schools, and for some, graduation.

The holiday season begins before Thanksgiving and ends following New Year’s Day.  Thanksgiving and Christmas travel are two of the busiest times for travel in the year.  Many stores and businesses rely on holiday purchasing to push their bottom line over to the positive side.  Churches and other groups put on special events and shows, relying a lot on volunteer help.  Non profits ask for help providing food, gifts, and other necessities for those who are in need.  Even blood banks put out special pleas for blood donations because this time of the year is one of the slower times for that.

There is a down side to all of this.  If we’re not careful, we’ll get so wound up in the things and events of the season that we forget to care for ourselves.  We don’t plan for any down time.  We’re always working toward the next event, program, or thing to do.  And when it’s all done and January 2^nd comes around, we look back and wonder just what it was that we accomplished, or at least tried to accomplish.  The January/February doldrums hit at about that time, and we feel deflated, tired, and out of sorts.

Adding to all of that is the reality of another year on the calendar.  That means that we’re a year older.  It means that the months and years seem to be flying by ever more quickly.  We look back and wonder what happened, because the last we seem to recall, we were years younger and using a telephone with a dial on it that was hanging on the wall of our house.  We had to get up to change the channel on the TV, and sometimes open the little trap door and adjust the vertical hold.  We marvel that anyone younger than about 25 years old has little to no comprehension of 9-11…that anyone younger than about 35 doesn’t recall a time without cell phones or the Internet, anyone younger than about 45 doesn’t remember the Iranian hostages, anyone younger than about 55 doesn’t know about Watergate, and anyone younger than about 65 doesn’t recall Sputnik.

This year as you are going through the holidays, take some time for yourself.  You have permission to say, “No, thank you,” if you are asked to do something or attend something you really don’t have the time for.  You don’t have to have the best decorations in the neighborhood.  Your home doesn’t have to be spotless.  Your relatives out to third cousins once removed don’t all have to have a gift.  And it will be fine to buy some Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls rather than making your own.

One more thing.  Keep in mind that there are some who aren’t in the holiday celebration mood.  Maybe they recently lost a loved one, or perhaps the holidays are also the anniversary of the loss of a loved one.  Some may be going through a tough relational situation with a spouse or someone else.  Some may not yet be working or have the wherewithal to go, buy, and do.  Some may be in the throes of depression or anxiety.  Some may have kids who are going off the deep end in some way.  Some may be battling chronic pain or illness.  Some may have a son, daughter, spouse or significant other in harm’s way in the military service.  There are a myriad of ailments, illnesses, trials and troubles in the world today.  Be thoughtful.  Be kind.  Be understanding.  Be patient.  Get the spotlight off of yourself.  Care about and for others.  Make your care tangible by doing for others.  Even a little goes a long way.

Above all, remember (as the old phrase goes) the reason for the season.  This should be a time of Thanksgiving…a time when we remember the blessings, both physical and spiritual, that come our way.  A time when we in turn serve and help others by using those gifts we have been given.  We pay it forward when we use our gifts, talents, and abilities in service to others.  And those small acts of kindness tend to keep on giving long after we did what we did for someone else.

May your holiday season be one of wonder, beauty, and light.  Blessings…

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

 Coming in to work this morning, I decided to take the long way to work.  I sometimes do that when I want to think or just enjoy the morning.  I don’t take Kellogg in as I usually do; rather, I come in by one or more roundabout ways that consume more time, but also have less traffic and congestion.

 As I was coming in to work, I was thinking about those just in our congregational fellowship who are dealing with some kind of pain or suffering during this holiday season.  We have one in the ICU on a ventilator due to COVID.  One was admitted last evening with a heart attack.  More than one is a widow or widower mourning the relatively recent loss of a life mate.  One has a son with advanced cancer.  One has had surgery that didn’t relieve the pain and is faced with either more surgery or being on pain medication for an extended time.  One has lost her child support and has no other source of income.  And these are just the beginning of the health issues that have manifested over the past few days and weeks.

 Additionally, we have people who are barely making ends meet right now.  Some are struggling with mental health issues.  Others have family and relational issues.  Some are caught in one of the governmental bureaucracies that purport to provide help but often are a hindrance due to the way the program is constructed.  Some are facing the reality that older age often brings…that life can never be as it once was.  And again, this is just the beginning of the struggles that I am aware of…and I’m sure there are many that I have no knowledge of.

 For a church Elder and minister such as myself, the burdens of the congregation can be overwhelming at times.  And one of those times was as I was driving in to work this morning thinking about all of the hurt, pain, and turmoil many are experiencing now.  As I thought of many of these individuals and families, a sense of helplessness came over me and, as often happens at such times, I asked God how we were supposed to be able to work with it all.  No answer apparently came.

 Arriving at the building, I was greeted by Rocky, one of our outdoor friends.  He was sitting in the sun warming himself, charging his cell phone using one of our outside electric outlets.  Rocky usually doesn’t come around until later in the day.  This was sort of unusual for him.

 “Hey, Rocky!  What’s going on?” I called out to him.

 Rocky told me more bad news.  He told me that Wild Bill, another of our outdoor friends who had recently gotten an apartment, passed away.  Rocky wasn’t sure, but thought they were saying the death was suspicious.

 We visited about Bill for a minute, then Rocky told me someone had stolen his bike…had cut the lock and took his bike.  This was the most recent of several that have been taken from him, and he wasn’t a bit happy.  We visited for a minute or two more, and then helped him with a couple of his immediate needs that we could fill.  I asked him to let me know if he finds out more about Bill.

 I went into the office and fired up the computer.  I clicked on the live feed of Senator Dole’s body lying in state in the Capitol building.  The politicians were finishing up short speeches about the Senator’s extraordinary life of service.  And although I never knew the Senator, the news of his passing a few days ago was just one more thing on my mind today.  Mr. Dole was far from perfect, but was an example for those in the political world to emulate, should they decide to do so.  With all of bad news I’d already received and thought about this morning, I again wondered how in the world I as an Elder and minister was supposed to process and respond to these events.  The depression and, shall I say, morbidity factor were rather high this morning in the office.

 And then the live feed of the Dole memorial announced a song to be sung.  The piano introduction sounded vaguely familiar, and I wondered if it could possibly be…  Yes, it was the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”  I immediately focused all my attention on the words that I already knew so well, and thanked God for giving me an answer to the depressing morning.

 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father.  There is no shadow of turning with thee.  Thou changest not; thy compassions they fail not.  As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

 Great is they faithfulness!  Great is they faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see.  All I have needed thy hand hath provided.  Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest; sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth.  Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.  Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow; blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside.

 Great is they faithfulness!  Great is they faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see.  All I have needed thy hand hath provided.  Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

 AMEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Long As It Is "Today"

 

Good afternoon, Thursday.  And welcome to December.

Yesterday started out as an ordinary day.  Getting up, doing the morning routine and coming in to work at the church, all was normal.  I spent most of the morning working on a Bible class I will be teaching at the beginning of the new year.  The time quickly passed, and it was time for lunch.  Sometimes I go home for lunch, and that was what I did yesterday.

In the kitchen, I decided to fix a sandwich for lunch and have some fruit.  I got out the sandwich-making stuff from the refrigerator…the mayo, lunch meat, lettuce, and so on…and took a couple slices of bread out of the loaf.  As I began to prepare one of the bread slices, it suddenly hit me.

I have vertigo and dizzy spells from time to time, and one chose this time to attack me.  It came on suddenly, without any warning signs I usually can detect.  I thought it might clear up in a few seconds, but it hung on so I did my best to put stuff back into the refrigerator and went to sit down in the living room.

That still didn’t do the trick, so I decided I needed to lay down and prepare for a longer bout with the dizziness.  I went back to our bedroom, hitting both sides of the hallway on the way there.  I managed to get my C PAP fixed up, took some medication, brought the trash can near the bed, (you can guess why) and lay down to rest.

A couple hours later I woke up feeling better.  I got up and gradually got back into the land of the living over the next hour or two.  This attack proved to be somewhat shorter than some I’ve had, which in many cases last most of the day.  I was grateful to be able to get up and be somewhat productive at home the rest of the afternoon and evening.  I never went back into work.

On a somewhat related note, and I’ll connect these two stories at the end, earlier in the week I was visiting with one of our members who has been battling cancer for the past several years.  I’ll call her Janice.  Janice has never been in remission, and the cancer is incurable, but the treatments she is still getting have slowed and sometimes stopped the progression.  She has ongoing chronic issues with the cancer as well as the treatment, and is home much of the time.  Her memory sometimes isn’t what it ought to be, and her strength and stamina are a shadow of what they were a few years ago.  Every day is a battle for her.

I asked Janice during the conversation if she ever felt like just giving up and not getting out of bed in the morning.  She said that she was thankful for every morning that she could get up and get around, and hasn’t dwelt on the idea of just giving up and giving in to the illness.  Her attitude seems to be one of thankfulness and gratefulness in the life she’s been given, and she is determined to live that life to the fullest extent possible for as long as possible.

I thought of my conversation yesterday with Janice as I was laying in bed fighting off the vertigo and dizziness.  Sometimes I just get to the point in life that I don’t much care anymore.  And sometimes it doesn’t take very much for me to begin feeling that way.  I’m sure that Janice has also had days and times when it seemed much easier to just give up the struggle…give up the fight.  But thankfully for her, those days and times seem to be few and far between.

I too sometimes have that little pity party for myself, as I did for a few seconds yesterday wondering why in the world I was blessed (so to speak) with chronic vertigo and dizziness issues.  I’ve had these things for the past 38 years, and have learned to live with them and deal with them as best I can.  However, vertigo is not life-threatening.  Cancer is.  There’s a world of difference in the battles I fight and those Janice fights.  She’s fighting for her life every single day.  I’m fighting for being productive on those infrequent days I don’t feel well.

Sometimes we look at our lot in life and wish we could get rid of this or that hindrance, or that we could be like someone else who apparently has no hindering issues of major importance.  Sometimes we feel sorry for ourselves because of what life has given us.  And sometimes we just want to go hide under the covers and not come out until the second coming of Christ.

The great Apostle Paul of the New Testament talks about a “Thorn of the flesh” that he had…possibly something similar to my vertigo episodes or Janice’s chronic condition.  Or perhaps it was something like a disability or hindrance that you might have.  Paul wrote about it in what we know as the second letter to the Corinthian church.  He had just written about his being privy to revelations from God that he could not put into words.  Then he writes this to the Corinthian church:

So that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant.  I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

Whether or not we are given such things as vertigo or cancer in order to keep us from being arrogant, as Paul said about himself and his thorn, I don’t know and won’t even speculate.  But I have to make the connection with Paul when he says that was the reason why God chose not to remove that liability, whatever it was.

May we always be thankful and grateful that we wake up in the morning to a new day…that we revel in the time given to us…that we make the most of that time in service to the God who loves us, chooses us to be in his family, and desires the very best for us.  May we love and serve God as well as our neighbor with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength for as long as it is “today.”

 

Blessings,