The ultimate tubing adventure! (If you look closely, you can see K. flying off his tube!)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Snapshots of Summer: Week 3
The ultimate tubing adventure! (If you look closely, you can see K. flying off his tube!)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about."
-Dale Carnegie
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Hidden Treasure
We have two nursing homes on a side street outside my neighborhood. I love to walk to them for the monthly Catholic Mass with the residents. It stirs me deeply to watch the amazing, selfless priest be Jesus to these people. To see the faith of these residents despite their grim surroundings. The grace is palpable.
This morning was no different.
Fourteen of us gathered around a large wooden table—most in wheelchairs. One woman with labored breathing. Another sleeping with her head drooped so low onto her chest. Two women chatting about when they would go home…while another one sadly stated, “This is my home now.”
But we all came to the table in faith, like the Apostles long ago. Connected by this love for Jesus and His Church.
Deacon D., a resident there himself, read the Gospel today. This man who had lived a life of service, now lives in a nursing home relying on the service of others. He read slowly, sometimes having to pause between a sentence or even a phrase.
But it was beautiful.
And as he read the words of Matthew, chapter 6, I was struck with how appropriate today’s reading applied to these dear people. The Father who sees what is hidden.
These hidden treasures. These faithful people.
They may never again be able to serve at a soup kitchen, sing in a choir, go on a mission trip, or even kneel down to pray.
But they still serve God in their own quiet, hidden way. By the world’s standards, they have nothing left to give. As Christians, we know it’s quite the opposite. Every single one of us, while we have breath, has something to give, something to offer.
And our Father sees in secret. Nothing is lost.
At the conclusion of the Mass, we sang all five verses of Amazing Grace. The feeble voices became strong with this beloved hymn—how sweet the sound. And this precious grace—this grace that transforms the little things we do into gifts for God…this grace that gives meaning to every moment of our lives because we know Him…
It is amazing.
This morning was no different.
Fourteen of us gathered around a large wooden table—most in wheelchairs. One woman with labored breathing. Another sleeping with her head drooped so low onto her chest. Two women chatting about when they would go home…while another one sadly stated, “This is my home now.”
But we all came to the table in faith, like the Apostles long ago. Connected by this love for Jesus and His Church.
Deacon D., a resident there himself, read the Gospel today. This man who had lived a life of service, now lives in a nursing home relying on the service of others. He read slowly, sometimes having to pause between a sentence or even a phrase.
But it was beautiful.
And as he read the words of Matthew, chapter 6, I was struck with how appropriate today’s reading applied to these dear people. The Father who sees what is hidden.
These hidden treasures. These faithful people.
They may never again be able to serve at a soup kitchen, sing in a choir, go on a mission trip, or even kneel down to pray.
But they still serve God in their own quiet, hidden way. By the world’s standards, they have nothing left to give. As Christians, we know it’s quite the opposite. Every single one of us, while we have breath, has something to give, something to offer.
And our Father sees in secret. Nothing is lost.
At the conclusion of the Mass, we sang all five verses of Amazing Grace. The feeble voices became strong with this beloved hymn—how sweet the sound. And this precious grace—this grace that transforms the little things we do into gifts for God…this grace that gives meaning to every moment of our lives because we know Him…
It is amazing.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"This nation needs you. Know the facts. Stand for what's right. Don't be discouraged by the mocking of those who want to claim we just cling to our religion. I'm the first to admit-- yeah, I do cling to my faith. That's all I've got."
-Sarah Palin, in Louisville Courier-Journal, qtd. in The Quotable Rogue, edited by Matt Lewis
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Palin, Politics, and a Unique Summer Read
Sarah Palin.
What comes to mind when you see that name?
Former governor. Vice prez candidate. Author. Mom. Alaskan. Tina Fey?
Intriguing, this Sarah.
But sadly, most of the words we hear or see about her come from a media that loves to create drama and to bend the truth (is that harsh?).
Enter The Quotable Rogue: The Ideals of Sarah Palin in Her Own Words, edited by Matt Lewis. A book of quotes from the woman herself. Instead of hearing what others say about her, let's read her own words, her own opinions, her own values.
The Overall: 180+ pages of quotations from various sources. Divided by topic--such as abortion, economics, national security, family, faith--making it interesting and easy to follow. I found myself reading chapters at a time, like a fiction book.
Favorite Quotes: "I am a normal American. And when it comes to my pro-life views, there are more Americans today saying that they understand the sanctity of life and that they are pro-life than they are pro-abortion for the first time in decades."
"My dad always says, 'don't retreat, just reload.' Don't let anybody tell you to sit down and shut up."
"We hear of a judge's ruling that our National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. I think we'll be challenging that one. God truly has shed his grace on thee--on this country. He's blessed us, and we better not blow it."
The Nitty-Gritty: I really don't have anything negative to say about the book. I guess if you're not a fan of quotes, you may not enjoy it!
What Sticks Out: Sarah is brave, candid, and conservative. I admire her energy and desire to reform and transform. I loved reading her actual words instead of the media's opinion of Sarah. There were a few things I may disagree with her on, but she had my vote before and she likely would in the future (depending on her opponent, of course). Small government, pro-life, energy independence-- I like the way this girl thinks!
[I received this book for free from Booksneeze for this review. These are my original and honest comments about the book.]
What comes to mind when you see that name?
Former governor. Vice prez candidate. Author. Mom. Alaskan. Tina Fey?
Intriguing, this Sarah.
But sadly, most of the words we hear or see about her come from a media that loves to create drama and to bend the truth (is that harsh?).
Enter The Quotable Rogue: The Ideals of Sarah Palin in Her Own Words, edited by Matt Lewis. A book of quotes from the woman herself. Instead of hearing what others say about her, let's read her own words, her own opinions, her own values.
The Overall: 180+ pages of quotations from various sources. Divided by topic--such as abortion, economics, national security, family, faith--making it interesting and easy to follow. I found myself reading chapters at a time, like a fiction book.
Favorite Quotes: "I am a normal American. And when it comes to my pro-life views, there are more Americans today saying that they understand the sanctity of life and that they are pro-life than they are pro-abortion for the first time in decades."
"My dad always says, 'don't retreat, just reload.' Don't let anybody tell you to sit down and shut up."
"We hear of a judge's ruling that our National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. I think we'll be challenging that one. God truly has shed his grace on thee--on this country. He's blessed us, and we better not blow it."
The Nitty-Gritty: I really don't have anything negative to say about the book. I guess if you're not a fan of quotes, you may not enjoy it!
What Sticks Out: Sarah is brave, candid, and conservative. I admire her energy and desire to reform and transform. I loved reading her actual words instead of the media's opinion of Sarah. There were a few things I may disagree with her on, but she had my vote before and she likely would in the future (depending on her opponent, of course). Small government, pro-life, energy independence-- I like the way this girl thinks!
[I received this book for free from Booksneeze for this review. These are my original and honest comments about the book.]
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wounded Souls
As I mixed up his IV medications, I overheard my patient talking with the other nurse. Gruff, negative, tough-guy-attitude. Complaining about his job—“hating every minute,” he said calmly. This comment—in an economy where there are those who would love to have a job they hate…just to have a job.
And when I searched for a vein to use for the IV, he joked about how he’d wanted to punch the last nurse that started an IV in his hand. Lucky me.
I was mildly annoyed with his dramatic, pessimistic attitude.
And in a brief moment, with rolling eyes…
I judged him.
Such a simple action. A moment in the mind. We evaluate and we label and we measure. By whose standards?
I had him all figured out from a few interactions. This complex child of God.
Later before his stress test, I reviewed his chart for a medical history.
And saw words like Divorce. Depression. Evaluating for suicide.
My heart plummeted. How could I have been so wrong?
This wounded soul. I was focusing on caring for his heart physically, but these were matters of the heart that a cardiologist couldn’t heal. Was he aching for love? Wondering his worth? And what had I done to help?
I, who am so quick to judge and slow to learn.
Sorrowed and softened by this newfound knowledge, I spoke more kindly. I treated more tenderly. I tried to love as Jesus would love.
Yet the lesson remains.
When I’m in a hurry, when I’m frustrated or annoyed, when I’m preoccupied with my own worries or pains…what wounded souls am I overlooking?
When I impulsively judge a person by their looks, their words, their actions…what wounded souls am I passing by like a Pharisee?
Holy Spirit, thank you for never giving up on me. Help me to see beyond the exterior. To obey your command not to judge (Matthew 7:1-5). Transform my eyes and my mind and my heart—to see and think and love as you would have me do.
And when I searched for a vein to use for the IV, he joked about how he’d wanted to punch the last nurse that started an IV in his hand. Lucky me.
I was mildly annoyed with his dramatic, pessimistic attitude.
And in a brief moment, with rolling eyes…
I judged him.
Such a simple action. A moment in the mind. We evaluate and we label and we measure. By whose standards?
I had him all figured out from a few interactions. This complex child of God.
Later before his stress test, I reviewed his chart for a medical history.
And saw words like Divorce. Depression. Evaluating for suicide.
My heart plummeted. How could I have been so wrong?
This wounded soul. I was focusing on caring for his heart physically, but these were matters of the heart that a cardiologist couldn’t heal. Was he aching for love? Wondering his worth? And what had I done to help?
I, who am so quick to judge and slow to learn.
Sorrowed and softened by this newfound knowledge, I spoke more kindly. I treated more tenderly. I tried to love as Jesus would love.
Yet the lesson remains.
When I’m in a hurry, when I’m frustrated or annoyed, when I’m preoccupied with my own worries or pains…what wounded souls am I overlooking?
When I impulsively judge a person by their looks, their words, their actions…what wounded souls am I passing by like a Pharisee?
Holy Spirit, thank you for never giving up on me. Help me to see beyond the exterior. To obey your command not to judge (Matthew 7:1-5). Transform my eyes and my mind and my heart—to see and think and love as you would have me do.
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