Chaplain's Corner: 2007 Archives
Respond or React
There may not seem to be much difference between the words respond and react but there are huge differences. If you look them up in a dictionary they are used interchangeably. I contend however that they are totally different. If you are ill and go to a doctor they may give you a prescription. When your body responds to the medicine, you get better. When you take the medicine and your body reacts to the medicine, you might end up in the emergency room.
The same is true with each event that comes our way. If you are confronted with an angry customer, driver, spouse or even child, it is better to respond to that person that to react. When we react to an event, we do not have the time to focus on the event that is currently taking place. We take the current event and add to it, other events that have no place in the current issue. As an example road rage is not a response to a single event, it is a response to multiple events over days or weeks of driving. The same is true with workplace violence, and domestic arguments. These are momentary reactions to a history of previous similar events.
The old practice of counting to ten can often help. If that does not work for you try to journal your anger, or add it to your prayer list. Take a moment and try something for me. Close your eyes, and take a couple of deep breaths. Do you feel any better? I hope so, because the holidays are almost here. You may want to keep a paper bag close in case you start to hyperventilate.
Four Seasons
One of the great things about Atlanta is that we get to experience all four seasons. Each season has its good and bad parts, but as the year progresses each season is special. The beauty of spring as the earth awakes from its hibernation and dozens of shades of green appear in the foliage. The playfulness of summer is fun as many people enjoy a time of renewal from their basic routine. The heat increases, but the traffic is lighter. Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The colors of the trees and crispness in the air are a refreshing change from summer, but a sign of things yet to come. Winter is a time of strengthening, While the foliage is gone the roots of a plant dig deeper in the ground, making the plant stronger for the next season.
Many times the seasons have be use as an analogy for a person’s life. For me the best part of the analogy is that life seems to come to us in sections. We develop tools in one stage of our life that we will need in years to come. Imagine if you would to start the parenting experience with the teen years. Life has a flow and a rhythm all its own. If we try to take on to many tasks at one time, we become overwhelmed and will quickly burn out. Isak Dinesen described this in the following statement. “God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road.” When looking out at the horizon we can only see small sections of creation at one time. In our human form I do not think we could handle all of creations majesty in one viewing. The same is true with people we come in contact with each day of life. We need to start each day with a new perspective and hope for those we meet. My personal prayer is to see others as God sees them. I do not need to limit who they are by how I view them with my faulty earthy vision.
Rolling Down The River
Whitewater rafting is an activity that is fun for most anyone. If you have never been on a river with level four rapids, you have missed a lot of fun. It is even more fun if you know some of the people working the river with you. It is amazing how you can go from a quiet swimming section of the river to raging rapids in just a few hundred feet. As your raft goes through the rapids one of the enjoyable sights is a calm area of water along the bank of the river. This eddy is a place of calm in the middle of the activity of the chilly river. What section of the river are you in most of your life. Are you in the calm swimming area, the rapids or the eddy following the whitewater?
When all you are facing is whitewater then there is never any rest. If all you have is the smooth swimming area, the ride is boring and you are missing out on some of the best parts of the river. When you find that eddy in the middle of the rapids, use it to see what you have accomplished and what your next challenge has in store for you. Our bodies have been designed to handle the adventure and effort required to work the river. It also requires a time of rest and renewal. One other lesson for the river is that you are not on your own. There are others on the river with you. Even if you fall out of your boat, rules of the river require others to help you out. So enjoy the ride, you are not alone.
What is an Eight Track?
Our perspective on things often decides how we react to events. Students that entered college last fall think the Cold War, was fought in the snow. They have only known one Pope. Vietnam for them often has the same meaning as World War I; they see it as only history. They cannot tell you where they were when the Challenger blew up, they overthrew Tiananmen Square, or JFK, and M. L. King Jr. were shot. They grew up with AIDS, but never knew polio or smallpox. For them popcorn has always been popped in the microwave and only having three TV channels would be unthinkable let alone in black and white. (Per. Beloit College Wisconsin) They however can tell you where they were on September 11, 2001.
As we move about in our daily life, we bring with us our past, present, and dreams for the future. When we see old friends we can remember the past. Each new day we experience the present. To our close friends and companions we share our dreams for the future. As you journey through each day remember that God has been with you each step of the way. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Remember that when you are by yourself. --- You are not alone.
Freedom to Choose
From the time the alarm goes off in the morning, our day is filled with choices. Do you turn the alarm off or hit snooze? What's for breakfast? What do you wear? Do you buy a new car today? You get the idea, decision after decision, fill our every waking hour. Some of the choices have no real affect on our future, others will impact us the rest of our lives.
Among all of your choices we also should have goals. Often when goals are in place it makes our choices in life easier. There are six major areas of life that where goals motivate us to wholeness. The areas are: Financial, Physical, Family, Career, Social, and Spiritual. What are you long and short term goals in each area? Have you grown in any of these areas in the past twelve months? When we have a plan it makes some of the daily choices a little easier.
Bobby’s Trip to Grandma's
It was early in the morning and they were headed for Grandma’s house. Bobby loved going to Grandma’s. She always had good cookies that he could eat even before dinner. Bobby also loved to get into the toy closet and dig through all kinds of toys and books. His favorite thing was to get a book and crawl into grandma’s lap so she would read to him. Grandma’s house always smelled great. It wasn’t a food smell; it was just a grandma smell. Mom and Dad said it only takes an hour to get there, but it seems like all day to Bobby.
Just before they get there, Mom and Dad tell Bobby that there has been a bad storm. Grandma is not hurt but her house is all torn up. As they stop at the house Bobby is surprised to see just a big stack of garbage and sticks. Mom and Dad cry as Grandma comes slowly down the street. They all run to her and walk slowly together looking at the destruction. Dad finds a rocker in the trash and brings it to Grandma. She slowly sits down and just stares at what was her home. Bobby walks around near the house and finds a familiar book not far from the car. He picks it up and walks to Grandma. Without a word Bobby crawls into her lap and quietly holds the book. Mom comes over to get Bobby but Grandma takes the book and opens it. With tears in her eyes she starts to read, “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss. Bobby settles back to once again hear the story of Sam-I-Am.
Bobby seemed to know something that everyone else had forgotten. Going to Grandma’s was not about the house; it was about Grandma. The same is true when we go to a house of worship. The size and decorations do not matter; it is about going and spending some special time with God. Take a short time out of your life and reading a book that is familiar and meaningful to all ages, while comfortable in the arms of God.
Time For An Upgrade
One of the facts of life is that things around us continually need upgrades. Computer systems never stop changing. By the time you receive your new computer from the store, it is out dated. Every room of your home is subject to renovation, and when there are to many rooms that need upgraded, we move. There is also the issue of automobiles, landscape, and this time of year wardrobe. Some items in the closet no longer fit our “personality.” Improvement of things around us is an ongoing process.
As this New Year approaches please consider some improvement not only to things around us, but also things within. We all should take inventory of how we have grown spiritually in the last year. Are you spending quiet time in prayer and reflection? Are you gathering with others of like faith on a regular basis? We constantly update our anti virus program on our computers to keep us free from the infections of the internet highway. We also need to keep our spiritual defenses updated. Just like an upgrade of the things around us, spiritual matters require attention if you desire to grow. There is a need to set out a plan of action, and then follow that plan. The best gift you could give yourself is getting to know your God a little better.
Enjoy the Music
Rob Gilbert in his book "More of the best bits and pieces" tells the following story. Niccolo Paganini, one of the greatest violinists of all time, was about to perform before a sold-out opera house. He walked out on the stage to a huge ovation and felt that something was terribly wrong.
Suddenly he realized that he had someone else's violin in his hands. Horrified, but knowing that he had no other choice, he began. That day he gave the performance of his life.
Afterward, Paganini reflected to a fellow musician, "Today, I learned the most important lesion of my career. Before today, I thought the music was in the violin; today I learned that the music is in me."
Each day we face challenges that stretch our abilities. There are plenty of tools to help us conquer the challenges of every day life. Some of these tools are strange to us, and we are still learning how to use them. Other tools we have had our whole life, and are easy and natural to use. I have found the best tools are those given to us by God and come from within.
Each day you care for coworkers, family, customers, and each other. Learn to witness the beautiful music that sharing your daily journey with each other creates. Thanks for sharing the music.
A Prayer and an Ice Cream
I do not know the source of this story, but I love the message.
Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My Six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.
As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"
Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied.
Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.
He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."
Yellow Brick Road of Faith
One movie that has no seasonal limitation is 'The Wizard of OZ'. As Dorothy travels down the yellow brick road she is joined by three unique individuals, each on journeys of their own. The information they are given, directs them to the far end of the yellow brick road for the answers to all their problems. All of their focus and efforts are directed toward getting to Oz. Along the journey they face many challenges. There are flying monkeys, a scary forest, and a lady in black that wants a pair of red shoes, just to mention a few. When confronted with each challenge they refocus on the goal of Oz and continue down the road.
If you were able to go before the great Oz, what would you ask for? Each of us would have a different request and a different way for that need to be answered. We each face different challenges and difficulties. Dorothy had some advantages that we can learn to apply to our journey. First, she relied on the strengths, and not the weakness of her traveling companions. Another thing was that she never lost sight of her personal goal. And last was her knowledge that there were powers stronger than she was, working to get her to Oz. For us there are a few things that will help in our travels. We will need some brains, a good heart, and a whole lot of courage to get us back to a place known as home.
At roads end, we each hope to find the answers to our life's journey. Truth is that it is not some man behind a curtain, pretending to be almighty and powerful that has the answers. We are blessed to have access to the Great Physician, the Prince of Peace the Creator of the universe. Access to God does not require a pair of red shoes; we only need to go to God in prayer. We also do not journey alone. Find others and walk together in your journey down the yellow brick road of faith.