Hang on, we're going for a ride!

When I'm told by someone that they have tweens or early teens, I tell them "Hold on, you're going for a ride!"

Turns out, that life is like that almost at any age.  Even as a "ripening" adult, I see the roller coaster of life.  It is all around us.  Look at the stock market in the last week or so.  Panic? Brace? Hold on and ride it out?

So much is out of our hands.  One of the hardest lessons to learn.  I'm learning, but not a scholar of patience.  Facing challenges I've found is best handled by turning it over to God, (my Yellow Bus Driver).

Recently family members were faced with potentially serious challenges.  Much worry as a parent, (even though they are all fully adult, I can't quit being a concerned parent).  In addition, I have had to evaluate my commitments to ministries that are near and dear to me.  Recently I've felt my Yellow Bus Driver pulling up to a couple of stops on the route.  Sometimes it is really hard to get back on the bus and trust the Driver to be my tour guide.   When I love something, but realize that I need to prioritize my service in order to do best at whatever I am guided to, I feel torn.

Thankfully, due to prayer and guidance from trusted friends, the prayers for the well being of my children, and the answers to ministry commitment have come to fruit.  My family concerns turned out well, by the Grace of God.  My direction, and directive (by virtue of guidance of my Yellow Bus Driver) has become clear.  Don't know where the next Bus stop will be, but I know that it can only be a good place.

A shelter guest view

Staff: “Good morning Jane. Time to get up. Get a cup of coffee and a donut. We'll see you in a few hours.”
Jane; “Ugh! It's cold outside. like 25 degrees. Can't I stay just a little longer?”
Staff: “Sorry Jane, we need to get the shelter cleaned up for services later, and for tonight.”
Jane: “I don't feel well. Can't I stay inside?”
Staff: “The clinic will be open in a while. Maybe you can get a voucher to stay inside. Till then, you need to leave.”
Jane: “Hey, I just found a few dollars in my pocket. Maybe I'll go to McDonald's for some coffee to stay warm. It's about a 2 mile walk. Ugh! I know, I'll get a day bus pass and ride around all day until time for the shelter to open again. Beats getting arrested for loitering.”

Me. I have never been homeless, and I am grateful for the warm home I have. I have witnessed the challenges people face when they have nowhere to go. When I go out to get my paper, sometimes I feel the shock of cold air and if feels good. Only thing is, I’m back inside my home within seconds, and no one is asking me to go back outside. I grab my hot coffee and sit and read the paper. I also use this time to pray, often remembering my friends at the shelter. When I start to lament any discomfort in my life, I fall back on remembering what I do have instead of what I don’t have. Praise God.

Winter is coming

A new day. I woke up to a dusting of snow on the street. Quiet time of year. Time to slow down (especially when driving, LOL). A friend (you know who you are ;-))sent me a meditation yesterday, and I didn't open it till this morning. I am finding that I'm not in such a hurry to open every email and text immediately. "I have a flat tire and need help now" type of email I will look at right now, but other stuff, not so much. Not that they aren't important, but I think I've reacted to NOW stuff for so long, that I'm trying to take care of what needs immediate attention, and savor the other stuff more. Turns out that after thinking about things, there is more "other stuff" that is just as important as "emergency", but also important to pay attention to. I've been enjoying the "Indian summer" weather lately, and playing plenty of golf. Sort of not looking forward to cold and snow, until I saw it this morning. A reminder to self. Snow, cold, and winter are "other stuff" that needs accepting and enjoying for it's own merits. Thankfully, I CAN enjoy. When I go by the homeless shelter, I realize that my perspective is different than the clients at the shelter. I can enjoy nature as God gives. Not everyone can and does. Then again, how do I know what is going on in their minds. For now, I will do what I can to help those who need, and praise God for his blessings every day. As we go into the holy season, and new year, I pray that everyone is safe and healthy. As Father Earl says "Peace to the whole place)

A new day!

I woke up ready to pray today.  Does that make me any better than anyone? No, just lucky first of all that I woke up, ;-).  Secondly, that I am able to pray, and know that there is a purpose for prayer.  Being in touch with and surrounded by people who pray, and being gifted by my Yellow Bus Driver, I am here today to celebrate my 67th birthday.  Not looking or asking for lauds, just aware that God has blessed me in so many ways.  Thank you God.

I started my day - OOPS, Pam just waked in.  Talk about a blessing!  What a gift!  Another of many reasons to be grateful for today.  Anyway, I started my day ready to pray, and as sometimes happens, my mind wandered off of the "prayers" I was going to read and recite.  I started thinking about a subject we were supposed to present to the high school catechism class tomorrow.  The four marks of the Church.  One, Holy, Catholic Apostolic.  How does one present in a meaningful way the idea of Holy? Music is one way, so I searched "Holy" on YouTube.  Lots of songs.  I listened to a couple, and as YouTube works, I was threaded to "Be not afraid".  If you are reading this, even if you have heard the song, take a minute to listen to it. Years ago, my youngest son was sent into Iraq, (first of three deployments).  In one of my correspondents I wrote the lyrics of the song to him.  In his situation, it was amazingly appropriate.  As I go through life, I know that the words are also amazingly appropriate for me to consider every day of my life. 

We worked at the "shelter" last night, and I was talking to one of the "guests".  She was thanking me for volunteering and helping out.  As I talked to her, I realized that she and all of the homeless that we serve at the shelter are as much for my benefit as I am there for them.  Their burden of homelessness is my Yellow Bus Driver's assignment to do His work.  How bless I am to be here at this point in time to ride the Bus. Thank you God.

God's Special Children

Special Needs People.
I have the privilege to work with Special Olympics athletes. The fact that they participate in Special Olympics does not make them unique among special needs people.  There are many people in this demographic that do not participate for various reasons.  For me, getting to know and work with my special friends is a blessing that I receive more than I can return.

This past weekend, Farmington hosted the annual Four Corners Regional Special Olympics.  What an amazing event to experiences.  HUNDREDS of athletes from across the four corner region gathered to be among their peers to participate in a wide range of athletic events.  It is a sight to behold.  The participants range from highly functional disabled, to severely limited functionality.

My participation is to coach the swimming event.  Over the years, I have seen many of our team develop from having high anxiety of water to swimming independently.  I have also experienced the physical deterioration of functionality of some of our athletes.  Both experiences are extremely emotionally challenging.

It is incredible to see the desire and exhilaration of these awesome people as they participate in their chosen events.  Equally, it is inspiring and touching to see the pure innocence of children in fully (physically) grown adults.  The trust and love they return to us coaches and their care takers is something that is impossible to describe.  My Yellow Bus Driver dropped me off at the pool several years ago, and left me to participate with these Special People so that I may learn from them.

Continued

So I asked what lens do I look through?

What is absolute and true?  For sure, God is absolute and true.  Jesus is absolute and true.  The Word of God (scripture) is absolute and true.  The Eucharist is absolute and true. Some people say that these are only a crutch.  I say that they are my base and root.  Money, power, fame, talent, popularity, beauty etc. never last the test of time.

To say that death is absolute and true is not a statement of despair.  It is a fact.  What is despair, is to not have anything after death.

I can talk to people about these things and I can pray for people to believe these things.  Ultimately each person has to accept or reject these absolutes.  What I am grateful for at this point in my life is that I have come to grips with these and accept them.  They are my base, not my crutch.  Scripture tells us that a house built on a weak base will not last (Matt. 7:24-27)  Even though not eternal, we see evidence of ancient foundations, long after the building has deteriorated.  Same true with a sturdy tree.  Long after a tree dies and decays, roots remain.

I am most grateful that while I am still alive, and physically able to, I can receive the Body of Christ every day of my life in the Eucharist.  The Eucharist is the most amazing gift God gave us to bring us as close to Him as we possibly can while we have breath in our body.  While God will never force us to unite with Him, I believe He wishes that everyone will.

What lens do I look through?

News, movies, reality (my perception of it at least), internet, encounters with people. etc. etc. etc.   We are constantly being confronted with sometimes diametrically opposed viewpoints and images. What do we follow?  How do we know what is right and what isn't.  What is the kid that grows up in a family of addicts or thieves to understand?  What is a kid that is raised in a privileged environment supposed to think of the under privileged?   If someone has to collect food from a dumpster to eat, how does he/she feel okay about someone who says "have a nice day!"?
Today's gospel (Matthew 19:16-22) is the story of the young man that asks Jesus what he must do to enter into heaven. Jesus proceeds to recite the ten commandments.  The young man replies, "I already do that, what else must I do?"  Jesus tells him to give up his possessions and take care of the hungry and needy.  The young man goes away sad because he cannot give up his possessions.
I've often wondered about that.  Am I failing because I have possessions?  I'm hoping that what Jesus is saying is that I must not put my possessions in a position of greater importance than my love for God, or my fellow man.
I have been blessed to have what I need (and truly, more than I need).  Much of what I do in the ministries I serve are possible because of my possessions.  I am hoping if I direct my possessions given to me by the grace of God to things that benefit others, I will be following what Jesus was trying to tell the young man.
Truly there have been many Saints that have given up all worldly possessions, and dedicated their live to Prayer and service.  I guess I have to hope that my Yellow Bus Driver is taking me where He wants me to be.  Thankfully, He is patient, and forgiving.