HAPPY  NEW YEAR!!

The new year right after the winter solstice is an opportnity to look forward, not backward.  I find myself not lingering in the past.   Much of my past has been gifted to me with great blessings.  On the other hand, I have experienced many challenges.  Like most people I have experienced some things that I regret.  The blessings I hope outweigh the challenges and failures.  

Looking forward, I pray that whatever I do this year will be for the good of those I encounter or who seek help.  I also have to do what I can within my potential.  That has waned somewhat (physically), but hopefully, I can help with the open hands that Jesus has given to me to do his work.  I also pray for patience (see previoius blog entries re: patience).

One of the most recent blessings I am grateful to carry into the new year is having two more grandsons and a new daughter in law 💟.  I am happy for our son David and his new family.  What a blessing for him and for us.

I pray that all that read this will realize blessings that come to you this NEW YEAR.

 Reaching the finish line (I hope)

KRAZEE!!!

(if you wish to comment, send to ortiz.tom103@gmail.com

Cataracts, colonoscopy, hernia repair😕.  Hopefully end of list. I have a tatoo that says,"what a ride".  The ride has been beyond what I ever expected.  While I am hopefully looking at the finish line, I try to focus beyond that.  I realize I have limitations pre 2020, I want to focus on what I CAN do. One thing I know, is that our lives( mine and Pam's) must be my priority.  I am so grateful for what we have, and I am thankeful that we have come as far as we have.  We have so many awesome friends and family.  I realize there are those that don't have these blessings.  No matter what I have been through, therre are multitudes that don't enjoy what we have.  Having worked with the homeless, I have seen first hand many that strruggle day to day just to survive, not to mention those that suffer from severe injuries and illnesses.

I have joked in the past about the saying "God only gives you what you can handle"  Sometimes I wanted to say, "ok God, you can stop now!!"  Seriously though, If I've handled thus far, I trust that I can continue to take the curve balls that our Lord tosses at me. 

For all who read this, I appreciate all of you.  Thank you and blessing for a wonderful Christmas and New Year.  

With much love, Tom

 

(should you wish to comment, sent to ortiz.tom103@gmail.com)

Friends,,

This edition is borrowed from the Henri Nouwen Society.  It was sent to me by my friend and mentor Bernadette Bach.  I had been lamenting to her on how I was struggling with not being productive during my recovery period, and how I had enjoyed the past activities pre-surgery. Shortly afterwards, she sent me this meditation below. By the way, today (Jan.6. two years ago) I had my first surgery. I have since returned to a lesser schedule of activity, and I am grateful that I have succeeded in recovery..

(NOTE: the text below are words of the author, not mine.)

Pruning

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, to make it bear even more” (John 15:1–2). These words open a new perspective on suffering for me. Pruning helps trees to bear more fruit. Even when I bear fruit, even when I do things for God’s kingdom, even when people express gratitude for coming to know Jesus through me, I need a lot more pruning. Many unnecessary branches and twigs prevent the vine from bearing all the fruit it can. They have to be clipped off. This is a painful process, all the more so because I do not know that they are unnecessary. They often seem beautiful, charming, and very alive. But they need to be cut away so that more fruit can grow. It helps me to think about painful rejections, moments of loneliness, feelings of inner darkness and despair, and lack of support and human affection as God’s pruning. I am aware that I might have settled too soon for the few fruits that I can recognize in my life. I might say, “Well, I am doing some good here and there, and I should be grateful for and content with the little good I do.” But that might be false modesty and even a form of spiritual laziness. God calls me to more. God wants to prune me. A pruned vine does not look beautiful, but during harvest time it produces much fruit. The great challenge is to continue to recognize God’s pruning hand in my life. Then I can avoid resentment and depression and become even more grateful that I am called upon to bear even more fruit than I thought I could. Suffering then becomes a way of purification and allows me to rejoice in its fruits with deep gratitude and without pride.