Below is the link that will enable you to hear the sermon Bo and I preached on Sunday:
http://mortonmemorial.org/sermons.php
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Friendship is an intricate thing.
It has been from the time we were little. Think about it.
For instance, I ran around with the same group from the time I was in elementary school until my senior year in high school, and for the majority of those years, we were either verbally or non-verbally arguing over who was whose best friend.
From what I remember about my childhood experience, it was an understood thing that you had only one best friend. You couldn't have multiples because, well, it defeated the purpose of the term "best" in front of friend if you had more than one.
---
Yesterday I realized I don't have a best friend. Those of you who know me well can probably imagine how this revelation consumed me (because I tend to be a pretty emotional person aaaaand I just over-think things in general on a regular basis. :) ).
I guess, more specifically, I realized that there is not one person in this world who I solely refer to as my best friend who, in turn, refers solely to me as their best friend.
For some reason it really saddened me. I love people. I always have, and I guess the thought of having a best friend that was all mine was appealing. It doesn't help that the stereotypical image of "best friends" is extremely evident in media, both past and present (Bert and Ernie, Laverne and Shirley, Dora and Boots, Will and Grace, etc.).
I think somewhere along the way I got mixed up--I thought that if I didn't have one best friend I was doing something wrong. Maybe I wasn't good enough. Maybe I didn't do all I could. Turns out the only thing that was wrong was the mentality with which I addressed this subject. The friendships I have are not so much about the "me" as they are about the "us."
For one thing, I have a number of people I consider my best friends (There are at least seven that I can think of without having to work too hard.). This is a blessing in and of itself. No matter how long it's been since I've talked with one of these people, I know that as soon as we get together, things will essentially return to the place we left off as if we'd never been apart. Not everyone has these kinds of relationships and I have (at least) seven of them. I need to focus more energy toward my grattitude for having them in my life.
Another thing I realized is that for being so concerned with having a best friend, I sure don't do the best at being one! I don't give near as much time, loyalty, and dedication to my standing relationships as I should in order to maintain a best friendship.
And then I think about the relationships that Jesus had with those around him (You had to know it was going there, right?). From what we see in the Gospels, Jesus not only maintained strong relationships with his disciples but we see throughout the New Testament narrative that Jesus was highly concerned with relationships that stretched far beyond his inner circle because the love that he taught about and lived out called for those kinds of relationships.
Wow. "That's where I'm getting it wrong," I'm thinking to myself as I write this blog out of my head. Not only do I need to do better about maintaining and strengthening the relationships I already have; I need to do better about expanding my desire for close relationships with those who don't fall into my handful of close friends...
With those who aren't even accustomed to having real relationships for whatever reason.
It's a pretty tall order because many of us are not used to doing things that make us uncomfortable but my response to that is pretty simple (and complex. all in one): Are we not called, invited to the uncomfortable in the hopes that all people might know of and experience God's love?
---
After Bo approves, I will be posting the mini-sermons we preached on Sunday. Bo talks about the importance of diligently working toward right-relationship with God and others and how those two things go hand-in-hand, and I talk about some of the nitty-gritty of being in relationships with those who suffer who are outside the inner-circle of our comfort zones.
Thanks for stopping by! In this week of thanks, be sure to let those friends who mean so much to you know how you feel while also working with me to think about ways we can reach out and form relationships with those who need to know the love of God and others in their lives.
Happy week of extra thanks, friends. I hope you are surrounded by those you love :)
It has been from the time we were little. Think about it.
For instance, I ran around with the same group from the time I was in elementary school until my senior year in high school, and for the majority of those years, we were either verbally or non-verbally arguing over who was whose best friend.
From what I remember about my childhood experience, it was an understood thing that you had only one best friend. You couldn't have multiples because, well, it defeated the purpose of the term "best" in front of friend if you had more than one.
---
Yesterday I realized I don't have a best friend. Those of you who know me well can probably imagine how this revelation consumed me (because I tend to be a pretty emotional person aaaaand I just over-think things in general on a regular basis. :) ).
I guess, more specifically, I realized that there is not one person in this world who I solely refer to as my best friend who, in turn, refers solely to me as their best friend.
For some reason it really saddened me. I love people. I always have, and I guess the thought of having a best friend that was all mine was appealing. It doesn't help that the stereotypical image of "best friends" is extremely evident in media, both past and present (Bert and Ernie, Laverne and Shirley, Dora and Boots, Will and Grace, etc.).
I think somewhere along the way I got mixed up--I thought that if I didn't have one best friend I was doing something wrong. Maybe I wasn't good enough. Maybe I didn't do all I could. Turns out the only thing that was wrong was the mentality with which I addressed this subject. The friendships I have are not so much about the "me" as they are about the "us."
For one thing, I have a number of people I consider my best friends (There are at least seven that I can think of without having to work too hard.). This is a blessing in and of itself. No matter how long it's been since I've talked with one of these people, I know that as soon as we get together, things will essentially return to the place we left off as if we'd never been apart. Not everyone has these kinds of relationships and I have (at least) seven of them. I need to focus more energy toward my grattitude for having them in my life.
Another thing I realized is that for being so concerned with having a best friend, I sure don't do the best at being one! I don't give near as much time, loyalty, and dedication to my standing relationships as I should in order to maintain a best friendship.
And then I think about the relationships that Jesus had with those around him (You had to know it was going there, right?). From what we see in the Gospels, Jesus not only maintained strong relationships with his disciples but we see throughout the New Testament narrative that Jesus was highly concerned with relationships that stretched far beyond his inner circle because the love that he taught about and lived out called for those kinds of relationships.
Wow. "That's where I'm getting it wrong," I'm thinking to myself as I write this blog out of my head. Not only do I need to do better about maintaining and strengthening the relationships I already have; I need to do better about expanding my desire for close relationships with those who don't fall into my handful of close friends...
With those who aren't even accustomed to having real relationships for whatever reason.
It's a pretty tall order because many of us are not used to doing things that make us uncomfortable but my response to that is pretty simple (and complex. all in one): Are we not called, invited to the uncomfortable in the hopes that all people might know of and experience God's love?
---
After Bo approves, I will be posting the mini-sermons we preached on Sunday. Bo talks about the importance of diligently working toward right-relationship with God and others and how those two things go hand-in-hand, and I talk about some of the nitty-gritty of being in relationships with those who suffer who are outside the inner-circle of our comfort zones.
Thanks for stopping by! In this week of thanks, be sure to let those friends who mean so much to you know how you feel while also working with me to think about ways we can reach out and form relationships with those who need to know the love of God and others in their lives.
Happy week of extra thanks, friends. I hope you are surrounded by those you love :)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Being in a church leadership role is far from easy. While I have never been employed in such a position, I have had the privilege of watching many mentors and colleagues move through the process. Some have even trusted me enough to share with me the trials and frustrations that come with the administration, guidance, and pressure for church-wide-rejuvenation that is necessary to govern a church body effectively. I know the career path Bo and I have chosen will be far from always-guaranteed smooth sailing. But if we reflect on characters from the bible-Jesus in particular-we find that the struggle is nothing new. We are not called to a life of easy answers, kittens, and marshmallows. We are called to travel the bumpy, confusing and troubling roads of which life often consists.
We are not called to lead others into believing that the moment they allow Christ into their hearts that all of their worries will disappear. I think for those of us who have lived a privileged life (privileged in the sense that we have food to eat, a family who loves us unconditionally, health care, a roof over our heads, heat that works, etc.) up until this point in our lives find that difficult to process. "What heresy is this! How dare you say that Christianity/God cannot right all the wrongs of this earth!"
That's not what I said.
I fully believe God can and will right all of the wrongs that have been committed on this earth because I believe my God embodies the ultimate expression of love and eventual restoration.
What I said was we are not called to preach a message of hope that falsely teaches others that the pains and the hurts of this life will somehow go away entirely should they invite Christ into their hearts. By sharing the Word and Spirit of God with others, we are merely promising that those who will hear us out are not going their road of despair and anguish alone and that all things will eventually be restored by God.
This blog post is what fueled the fire for this discussion about the prosperity gospel this morning:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html
It's a little long, but it is honestly worth the read. While there are parts where I feel as though the author is treading awfully close to crossing the line between teaching by using examples and condemning the people who use said examples, this article gives some perspective into why it is so important that ministerial leaders do not take the easy way out. It is absolutely unacceptable to promise our congregants that if they do [blank] or give [blank] amount of money, that their lives will change drastically for the better. It is not only unethical (Please see the video included from John Piper about the prosperity gospel--particularly the part that begins at 5:05), but it is false teaching. It is also absurd for us to create false disconnects between us and our congregants--telling them that we have been given some profound gift of prophecy and the like-- in order to give ourselves erroneous credibility and/or power over them.
Our foundation, our tradition, the stories of people who struggled and flourished in their faith before us lies within the bible. Am I one of those who believes the bible is completely infallible? Absolutely not. However, I know that reading it and preaching from within it is a crucial part of what it means to lead Christian congregations because the word is divinely inspired; it still moves and is still relevant to how we understand God and our world today. Yes, it was written by humans who we know to be imperfect; however, taking time to spend with the Word opens a window to where God's presence and Spirit dwell.
We have a better sense of the desperation and longing for hope in our world based on the laments of the psalmist. We better understand the duty to walk with those whom the world shoves to the margins because Jesus walked with those persons in his ministry. We love because John lets us know very plainly that God loved us first. God still loves us and is residing among us.
But when we move to preaching false doctrine because it's easy and we're viewing our call through a lens of what WE can gain from the easy "message" we share...we are stifling God from being made known. We are stifling God from breathing new life-- God's pneuma--into this broken world.
God is here; therefore, there is good in the world. But when leaders in the church put our own agendas ahead of God's, we. are. lost. And the people who look to us for guidance and love and hope and knowledge...they're just as lost as we are, if not more.
No. We are not called to a false sense of easiness in our ministries. We are called to embrace this life, and its reality. Every last bit of the ugly, as well as the good. And by forming relationships with those who are lost where the light and hope of Christ is not so easily noticed, we are able to teach the true message of our God. The message that, "Love never fails." That God is with us and is not some far-away being that we only have the hopes of being reunited with one day. God is here. God is now. And we, ministerial leaders, are called to help those who are afflicted--in our congregations, in our communities, in other states and countries, those across the world--so that the message of being servants, grace, and love envelopes those who cannot find their way out of the hurt.
We are called to form loving, solidarity-standing, rightly-related communities. That means being real with each other. That means acknowledging the bad and working together to help ease the suffering of others. That, in its essence, is what it's all about. If we do not make it our priority to share God's love with others through correct teaching and through authentic relationships, we are not teaching anything substantial. We are not teaching, loving, and being in community the way that Jesus taught us at all.
Jesus himself showed us it's not easy to be a part of (let alone lead) humble and genuine ministry, but the true sharing of love and hope is beyond the worth of the work it takes to make it all come together.
Thanks for your time, friends. Happy Thursday, one and all :)
We are not called to lead others into believing that the moment they allow Christ into their hearts that all of their worries will disappear. I think for those of us who have lived a privileged life (privileged in the sense that we have food to eat, a family who loves us unconditionally, health care, a roof over our heads, heat that works, etc.) up until this point in our lives find that difficult to process. "What heresy is this! How dare you say that Christianity/God cannot right all the wrongs of this earth!"
That's not what I said.
I fully believe God can and will right all of the wrongs that have been committed on this earth because I believe my God embodies the ultimate expression of love and eventual restoration.
What I said was we are not called to preach a message of hope that falsely teaches others that the pains and the hurts of this life will somehow go away entirely should they invite Christ into their hearts. By sharing the Word and Spirit of God with others, we are merely promising that those who will hear us out are not going their road of despair and anguish alone and that all things will eventually be restored by God.
This blog post is what fueled the fire for this discussion about the prosperity gospel this morning:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html
It's a little long, but it is honestly worth the read. While there are parts where I feel as though the author is treading awfully close to crossing the line between teaching by using examples and condemning the people who use said examples, this article gives some perspective into why it is so important that ministerial leaders do not take the easy way out. It is absolutely unacceptable to promise our congregants that if they do [blank] or give [blank] amount of money, that their lives will change drastically for the better. It is not only unethical (Please see the video included from John Piper about the prosperity gospel--particularly the part that begins at 5:05), but it is false teaching. It is also absurd for us to create false disconnects between us and our congregants--telling them that we have been given some profound gift of prophecy and the like-- in order to give ourselves erroneous credibility and/or power over them.
Our foundation, our tradition, the stories of people who struggled and flourished in their faith before us lies within the bible. Am I one of those who believes the bible is completely infallible? Absolutely not. However, I know that reading it and preaching from within it is a crucial part of what it means to lead Christian congregations because the word is divinely inspired; it still moves and is still relevant to how we understand God and our world today. Yes, it was written by humans who we know to be imperfect; however, taking time to spend with the Word opens a window to where God's presence and Spirit dwell.
But when we move to preaching false doctrine because it's easy and we're viewing our call through a lens of what WE can gain from the easy "message" we share...we are stifling God from being made known. We are stifling God from breathing new life-- God's pneuma--into this broken world.
God is here; therefore, there is good in the world. But when leaders in the church put our own agendas ahead of God's, we. are. lost. And the people who look to us for guidance and love and hope and knowledge...they're just as lost as we are, if not more.
No. We are not called to a false sense of easiness in our ministries. We are called to embrace this life, and its reality. Every last bit of the ugly, as well as the good. And by forming relationships with those who are lost where the light and hope of Christ is not so easily noticed, we are able to teach the true message of our God. The message that, "Love never fails." That God is with us and is not some far-away being that we only have the hopes of being reunited with one day. God is here. God is now. And we, ministerial leaders, are called to help those who are afflicted--in our congregations, in our communities, in other states and countries, those across the world--so that the message of being servants, grace, and love envelopes those who cannot find their way out of the hurt.
We are called to form loving, solidarity-standing, rightly-related communities. That means being real with each other. That means acknowledging the bad and working together to help ease the suffering of others. That, in its essence, is what it's all about. If we do not make it our priority to share God's love with others through correct teaching and through authentic relationships, we are not teaching anything substantial. We are not teaching, loving, and being in community the way that Jesus taught us at all.
Jesus himself showed us it's not easy to be a part of (let alone lead) humble and genuine ministry, but the true sharing of love and hope is beyond the worth of the work it takes to make it all come together.
Thanks for your time, friends. Happy Thursday, one and all :)
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
I will admit that it sometimes takes me a minute or twelve to understand why God is inviting me to attend/volunteer in particular ministerial situations. One such occasion took place this past weekend when Bo and I were asked by the youth leader of our church to accompany her, three other adults, and over twenty youth to a place called Faith Ranch. We accepted the offer to go along, but I had no clue at the time what the purpose was of us attending. I knew, regardless, that I would have a good time with the people present, and we were going to be hanging out in nature. For me, it doesn't get much better than that.
After a long car ride with three young teenage girls talking about everything from "I killed a guinea pig one time when I was six!" to "Poor Khloe Kardashian. She's the fat, ugly one," (This particular part of the conversation will play into a future blog post, so keep an eye out for ways that I think our society is failing to articulate women's worth unless they fit a largely-accepted stereotype for what is considered "beautiful.") we finally reached our destination and the madness ensued. Teenagers racing to the rooms they wanted, a rousing advanced version of hide-and-seek was enthusiastically played, and finally we were off to bed. Despite being exhausted, there was no sleep for this girl, which made for a cranky beginning to the next day.
Breakfast at 8 outside in low 30-degree weather the next morning only added to the crankiness. "Lord," I asked, "what in the world am I supposed to be taking away from this? I'm tired, cranky, and I don't know how I'm supposed to lead small group sessions later today while being both of these things." So, the mild snarky-ness coupled with attempts to be patient and enthusiastic continued through the next few hours until it was time to lead small groups. And wouldn't you know it? I was put with all boys, whom I figured would refuse to talk to me about the importance of taking time to spend with God. Pausing to be with God was the theme of the weekend, and I realized shortly into our time in small groups together that these boys were much more invested than I assumed they would be (That's what I get for assuming), and we were able to have a serious discussion about the opposing forces of our busy schedule and the crucial need to spend time with God.
I think we often (myself included) discount the power of our youth to teach us things about our faith. But I can honestly tell you that the youth of my church helped me to reflect on ways that I was failing to pause in my own life to spend time with God while also remembering why it is so important that I do make time for those pauses throughout my day. Yeah, I was cranky because I was tired and cold, but what if I had made time before my day even began to thank God for the opportunity to retreat to a place that so evidently displayed God's beautiful creation for the weekend? What if that had been my primary concern, rather than finding things to gripe about?
My favorite part of the weekend was stations worship that we set up for the kids to do. It was such a humbling and fulfilling experience to create that space of worship for our youth. Sitting in the dark, looking at the candles burning, finding myself consumed by the music that softly played in the background, watching the youth move through and "pause" their lives at particular stations was really a rejuvenating thing.
I took away from the weekend a much-needed reminder of taking time to spend in God's creation and also the reminder that taking the time to spend with God in general is essential for our functioning as humans, and I think this is especially true for ministerial leaders--not because we are more important but because we are called to care for the spiritual potential and flourishing of others.
I think one of the most enlightening things that I took away from the weekend was the idea that there is an essential connection between ministerial leaders taking time in our own lives to commune with God and providing spaces and words that encourage spiritual growth for others so that they may nurture their relationships with the Holy One. If we want to foster real relationships with those under our care, and if we want to encourage authentic relationships between them and God, we have got to do better about fostering our own relationships with God.
So, my encouragement to all of us who find ourselves responsible for the spiritual vitality of those under our care--whether in congregations or inner circles (both kinds of relationships being incredibly important)--step out from behind the computer screens, TV screens, phone screens and let's spend time growing our relationships with one another, and especially with the Holy One who loves us so, the One who reaches out to and desires a deeper connection with each and every one of us.
After a long car ride with three young teenage girls talking about everything from "I killed a guinea pig one time when I was six!" to "Poor Khloe Kardashian. She's the fat, ugly one," (This particular part of the conversation will play into a future blog post, so keep an eye out for ways that I think our society is failing to articulate women's worth unless they fit a largely-accepted stereotype for what is considered "beautiful.") we finally reached our destination and the madness ensued. Teenagers racing to the rooms they wanted, a rousing advanced version of hide-and-seek was enthusiastically played, and finally we were off to bed. Despite being exhausted, there was no sleep for this girl, which made for a cranky beginning to the next day.
Breakfast at 8 outside in low 30-degree weather the next morning only added to the crankiness. "Lord," I asked, "what in the world am I supposed to be taking away from this? I'm tired, cranky, and I don't know how I'm supposed to lead small group sessions later today while being both of these things." So, the mild snarky-ness coupled with attempts to be patient and enthusiastic continued through the next few hours until it was time to lead small groups. And wouldn't you know it? I was put with all boys, whom I figured would refuse to talk to me about the importance of taking time to spend with God. Pausing to be with God was the theme of the weekend, and I realized shortly into our time in small groups together that these boys were much more invested than I assumed they would be (That's what I get for assuming), and we were able to have a serious discussion about the opposing forces of our busy schedule and the crucial need to spend time with God.
I think we often (myself included) discount the power of our youth to teach us things about our faith. But I can honestly tell you that the youth of my church helped me to reflect on ways that I was failing to pause in my own life to spend time with God while also remembering why it is so important that I do make time for those pauses throughout my day. Yeah, I was cranky because I was tired and cold, but what if I had made time before my day even began to thank God for the opportunity to retreat to a place that so evidently displayed God's beautiful creation for the weekend? What if that had been my primary concern, rather than finding things to gripe about?
My favorite part of the weekend was stations worship that we set up for the kids to do. It was such a humbling and fulfilling experience to create that space of worship for our youth. Sitting in the dark, looking at the candles burning, finding myself consumed by the music that softly played in the background, watching the youth move through and "pause" their lives at particular stations was really a rejuvenating thing.
I took away from the weekend a much-needed reminder of taking time to spend in God's creation and also the reminder that taking the time to spend with God in general is essential for our functioning as humans, and I think this is especially true for ministerial leaders--not because we are more important but because we are called to care for the spiritual potential and flourishing of others.
I think one of the most enlightening things that I took away from the weekend was the idea that there is an essential connection between ministerial leaders taking time in our own lives to commune with God and providing spaces and words that encourage spiritual growth for others so that they may nurture their relationships with the Holy One. If we want to foster real relationships with those under our care, and if we want to encourage authentic relationships between them and God, we have got to do better about fostering our own relationships with God.
So, my encouragement to all of us who find ourselves responsible for the spiritual vitality of those under our care--whether in congregations or inner circles (both kinds of relationships being incredibly important)--step out from behind the computer screens, TV screens, phone screens and let's spend time growing our relationships with one another, and especially with the Holy One who loves us so, the One who reaches out to and desires a deeper connection with each and every one of us.
[[Thankful that God is always reaching out to us.]]
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thankfulness.
I think it's a topic most of us think we prioritize in our lives... Until we take time to notice the suffering that's always taking place around us. What little things are we taking for granted every day?
For me, this semester has been one of emotional frustration--with school earlier in the semester and being so far away from my family and friends. On the good days, I attempt to remember how blessed I am and try to take the time to thank God for the people and "daily bread" with which God so generously blesses me. But I will be the first to admit that there are days of major slacking.
I think it's a topic most of us think we prioritize in our lives... Until we take time to notice the suffering that's always taking place around us. What little things are we taking for granted every day?
For me, this semester has been one of emotional frustration--with school earlier in the semester and being so far away from my family and friends. On the good days, I attempt to remember how blessed I am and try to take the time to thank God for the people and "daily bread" with which God so generously blesses me. But I will be the first to admit that there are days of major slacking.
I noticed this picture floating around on my Facebook newsfeed early last week.Turns out the man mentioned on the flyer above, Rick, had approached a young man in a WalMart parking lot in Knoxville, Tennessee. The young man immediately became skittish when Rick walked up to him without saying anything to hand him this piece of paper. The young man was obviously uncomfortable, and it must have showed on his face because the young man in his post made mention that Rick handed him the flyer and quickly walked off seeming even more uncomfortable than the young man.
Can you imagine? You are deaf. People look at you in confusion or judgment because you don't speak when spoken to. You've had to ask someone to help you make a flyer in the desperate hopes that you will find a job, ANY job to which you are able to keep. Can you imagine the probable embarrassment that Rick experienced going through this entire process? Stories like Rick's make me stop in my tracks and think a little more in depth about what it means to be thankful for the gifts that I don't take the time to consider in my daily routine.
I've had five friends lose either a parent or sibling in the past year. Some of you have probably been there. Whether you have lost a parent or sibling, or whether you haven't, stop for a second and think about your own parents, siblings, or people in your lives whom you cherish. When's the last time you took the time to tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life? When's the last time you told them you loved them? When's the last time you thanked God for the amazing family and friends in your lives? On days that I feel like griping, I am reminded that I have the hope of hugging my parents and my younger sister again in this life, and I am reminded that these friends of mine spend every day of their lives wishing that they could hug the loved ones they've lost just one more time. Changes my perspective entirely.
Thank you, God, for our loved ones who nourish and love us more than we'll probably ever know.
Thank you, God, for our loved ones who nourish and love us more than we'll probably ever know.
I just read about a man who documented his wife's journey through having cancer, from the day they found out to the day she passed away. He did this not only so that it would be documented, but in order to put a face to cancer and the torment that it causes people physically.
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/guys-wife-cancer-unforgettable-3-photos-destroyed-me/
Losing a spouse, a partner, a serious girlfriend or boyfriend, the love of your life. In the times that we get frustrated with our significant others, I pray that we would remember this man and others like him who have lost those whom they love more deeply than some of us can fathom. I pray that we would remember them in order to remind us to be grateful for the relationships that bless us in our daily lives. Even in the frustration, what blessings these people are in our lives.
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/guys-wife-cancer-unforgettable-3-photos-destroyed-me/
Losing a spouse, a partner, a serious girlfriend or boyfriend, the love of your life. In the times that we get frustrated with our significant others, I pray that we would remember this man and others like him who have lost those whom they love more deeply than some of us can fathom. I pray that we would remember them in order to remind us to be grateful for the relationships that bless us in our daily lives. Even in the frustration, what blessings these people are in our lives.
Thank you, God, for those whom we love more than words can express.
Today I heard a woman I admire admit to a room full of people whom she barely knows that she is essentially estranged from her parents because they do not agree with her sexual orientation. I know relationships with parents are never perfect, but I would be willing to argue that most of us are blessed in the fact that we are loved and supported by those who raised us--through the good times, bad times, and the times when we are brave enough to be honest with ourselves and others about who we are. It breaks my heart to think that someone so wonderful is not fully valued by people who clearly mean a lot to her. Think about all of the people who encourage you to be yourself. All parts of you. Good, bad, deaf, blind, ugly, different, gay, straight, extravert, introvert, passionate, indifferent, nice, rude. Those people who love you, for who you are. And never ask you or expect you to be anyone other than your whole, full self.
Today I heard a woman I admire admit to a room full of people whom she barely knows that she is essentially estranged from her parents because they do not agree with her sexual orientation. I know relationships with parents are never perfect, but I would be willing to argue that most of us are blessed in the fact that we are loved and supported by those who raised us--through the good times, bad times, and the times when we are brave enough to be honest with ourselves and others about who we are. It breaks my heart to think that someone so wonderful is not fully valued by people who clearly mean a lot to her. Think about all of the people who encourage you to be yourself. All parts of you. Good, bad, deaf, blind, ugly, different, gay, straight, extravert, introvert, passionate, indifferent, nice, rude. Those people who love you, for who you are. And never ask you or expect you to be anyone other than your whole, full self.
Thank you, God, for those who love us for who we are and encourage us never to be someone that we are not.
Thankfulness. I'm no biblical scholar, but I can think of many instances throughout the Bible where the authors chose to include stories of thankfulness. A lot of times, it takes something bad happening to trigger that state of authentic thankfulness. But what if we lived in thankfulness? What if it was our essence, every fiber of our being? Spending every free moment thanking God for specific blessings in our lives and using the energy from that thankfulness to be blessings in other people's lives? To help people feel loved, to feel whole, to feel important.
Living an attitude of thankfulness in our everyday lives is nothing short of a challenge. However, I honestly believe if we live in that state of mind, we will be more appreciative of the lives that we have been given and can use that sense of appreciation to give back. To let others know how much they matter to us. To let others know that we are thankful for them. And maybe most importantly, to be mindful to the suffering of those around us who do not have the things and people that we tend to take for granted in our own lives.
Thank you, God, for the gift of life. Please help us to live it to the fullest by forming rightly-related relationships with you and with one another by living a lifestyle of thankfulness and love.
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