Some Thoughts

My maternal grandfather died last Saturday morning.  For most of my life, Grandpa Ben lived in Arizona, so I did not see him very often.  This past year, however, he has been living near my parents in Sebastopol, so I was lucky enough to see him much more frequently.

A visit with my intensely private, very quiet grandpa never lasted very long.  I would drop in, we would catch up for a little while, and then after about 5 minutes (10 if he was feeling especially chatty), he would inevitably say something like, “Well, thanks for stopping by.”  I took that to be my cue to leave.  Not being a super chatty person myself, that did not bother me at all.  It was enough time for me to update him on my life, and for him to share something sarcastic about world events – what more do you need!

There was one person, however, who would keep my grandpa’s attention for hours – his great-grandson (my son) Ben.  (Yes, they do share the same name!)  Whenever Ben was in the room, my grandpa was completely transfixed by him.  I do believe that if a herd of buffalo came stampeding through the room, grandpa wouldn’t even notice them if Ben was also there.  I’m pretty sure that nothing, other than his own children, brought grandpa as much joy as Ben.  The neat thing was that Ben did not have to be doing anything special for grandpa to find him absolutely enthralling.  Ben could read a book, play with a toy, even sit and watch tv – and it didn’t matter.  Grandpa loved simply being in Ben’s presence.  One of my lasting memories will be of the huge smile that appeared on grandpa’s face whenever Ben walked in the room.

One of the things about grandpa’s death that brings me the most sadness is that Ben, who is only 21 months old, will probably have no memories of his great-grandpa.  He will know, however, about the unconditional love he received from his great-grandpa, because we will tell him over and over again!  

Whenever I saw grandpa Ben and baby Ben together, I couldn’t help but think that they were a great human example of how God loves each of us.  It doesn’t matter what we do – read a book, play with a toy, even sit and watch tv – God loves us simply because we are God’s children, created in God’s image.  How wonderful it is to be loved so unconditionally.  May we remind each other of that love over and over again!

Great grandpa meets Ben for the first time - Jan. 2008

The Bens having fun together - Summer, 2008

I am continually amazed by how thoughts and ideas are communicated on-line.  The most recent phenomenon sweeping Facebook seems to be the “25 Things” list.  Basically, someone writes a list of “25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you,” and then shares it with their Facebook friends.  Two things strike me about this list.  First, how widespread it has become.  I have had friends from Maryland to Pennsylvania to Berkeley write a list.  Friends who do not know each other, I might add!  It certainly makes the world feel a lot smaller when so many people from so many walks of life are sharing in the same thing.

Second, I am amazed by the depth at which people are willing to share.  On these lists, I have read some very personal, very meaningful goals, desires, and dreams.  I have really appreciated the opportunity to get to know my friends in a new way.  I wonder, though, if they would share these same things face-to-face, or if the power of the keyboard helps people to open up about themselves in ways they otherwise would not.

I totally support anything that helps us to share of ourselves with each other.  I believe that is when we really see the Holy Spirit in action – when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable with each other, and when we hold each other in love.  I hope, however, that we are able to have this depth of relationship in all aspects of our lives – not just on-line!

I went to a wonderful, spirit-filled meeting last Saturday morning where three people (two of whom I have known for many years) were approved for ordination in the United Church of Christ.  For those of you not planning a career in ministry, this means that these people – once they receive a “call” – can become “official” ministers.  Congrats to Kristen, Beth, and Jean!

There was a lot of talk about “call” at Saturday’s meeting.  Generally, when someone decides to become a minister, it is because they sense a call from God.  It is very rare to hear someone talk about entering the ministry without mention of a call.  It was interesting for me to hear the very different calls of the three women on Saturday.  One felt strongly called to youth ministry.  Another felt called to hospital chaplaincy.  The third definitely felt called to ministry, but not to a specific discipline.  She said she will probably be “shot out of a canon” and land at a place that is right for her and God.

I wonder why we don’t talk about call as much in other professions.  God certainly calls each one of us, but God definitely does not call us all to the ministry!  God calls some of us to teaching, some to business, some to medicine . . . you get the point.  Do you feel that God called you to your current profession?  If not, to what might God be calling you?  If you’re still a student, to what profession might God be calling you? 

One of the youth from our church, Sam, wrote a great editorial that was published in the local paper today.  (I think this link will get you there – http://www.marinij.com/opinion/ci_11554495 )  I love how he discusses his call, both generally – to help change the world, and specifically – to study business in order to work in renewable energy.  God has called to him, Sam has acknowledged that call, and is ready to respond.  May we all do the same!

“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters.” 1 Corinthians 1:26a

I’ve been putting off posting this week, because I feel that I should comment on the inaugural events of Tuesday.  However, I don’t really have anything to say that hasn’t already been said by a whole bunch of people.  It was, indeed, a truly inspiring, hope-filled day.  In the back of my mind, though, is the knowledge that there is a LOT of work ahead – not only for Obama – but for us all.  One man can only do so much, even if he is the President of the United States!  I pray that all of us who had tears in our eyes on Tuesday are now ready to turn that hope into action.

From the global to the personal, the other thing on my mind today is that my dad, grandpa, and two of my cousins are on their way to an ICU in Los Angeles, where my aunt is in very poor health.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of them as they make difficult and important decisions about her care in the next few days.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a

Last Tuesday I wrote an entry about “living in the moment” and being present to the daily occurrences of my life – rather than worrying about the future.  Then, at our Saturday evening worship service, our speaker focused her entire reflection on the concept of a “ministry of presence.”  It was as if she was talking directly to me!  She talked about the importance of our relationships, and how we can (and should!) be authentically present to people.  I appreciated that she encouraged us to be present with people as they are – not as we would like them to be.  We so often turn people into their labels – “She’s the mother of so-and-so” or “He’s the boss of that company” – rather than getting to know them as beloved children of God.  And then the labels turn into expectations, and suddenly we aren’t truly knowing people at all – just boxing them up into neat and convenient little packages.

I realize that is a broad generalization, but it has helped me this week to prioritize my time.  I love to “task” and to get things crossed of my mental lists.  But sometimes I do that at the expense of being present with people.  I easily identify with Martha, who was “distracted by her many tasks” when Jesus came to visit, when I really could learn a lesson from her sister Mary, who “listened to what he was saying.”  (Not familiar with this story?  Check out Luke 10:38-42.)  The floor can be swept any time, but how often do we get a chance to be in the presence of Jesus?  May we not allow our tasks to prevent us from being present with a child of God.

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.”  Luke 10:41-42a

Tonight is the big BCS Championship Bowl game.  I must admit, my enthusiasm for all of the college bowl games wained after my Wildcats lost a heartbreaker in overtime in their bowl.  But, Florida/Oklahoma should still be interesting.

In all of the publicity that has come out for this game, I took particular interest in the picture of Tim Tebow that I have posted below.  (He is Florida’s quarterback, for those of you who don’t follow college football.)  I noticed that he has a Bible verse written on his eye black – Philippians 4:13.  Since I don’t have every line of the Bible memorized, I had to look up this particular verse, and I found that it says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

In general, I’m not a fan of athletes giving God credit when they win a game – as if God decided on a favorite team, and then used special divine powers to give that team a victory.  Whenever one of the youth at church wants to pray for a win in an upcoming sporting event, I gently encourage them to rethink their prayer – to perhaps pray that everyone plays to their full potential, or enjoys the game, or learns something new during the game.

I am happy, therefore, to see that rather than giving God credit for a victory (would that also mean that God gets blamed for a defeat?), Tim Tebow is instead reminding himself that he can find strength in God.  Strength to play his best, strength to respect his opponent, strength to enjoy the game in victory or defeat.  What a wonderful reminder to us all . . . we truly can do all things – and not just on the football field! – through God who strengthens us.

It is now January 6, and I am still trying to decide if I want to make a New Year’s resolution.  Is it too late?  Are there any rules about needing to start New Year’s resolutions exactly on the 1st?  In general, I tend to stay away from such things – the cynical side of me questions why a simple day on the calendar means we should radically change our lives.  Shouldn’t we be working to better ourselves each and every day?  On the other hand, I do realize the need for some sort of external push to make radical, and perhaps difficult, changes to our lives.  And what better time than the start of a new year?

I do think I want to make at least one resolution for this year, and that is to “live in the moment” more often.  I feel like I spent way too much of 2008 worrying about the future.  Our family had less income than usual, so I worried about how all our bills would be paid.  I went back to class after a year off, and I worried about finding the time to finish all of the readings and write meaningful papers.  I found myself often thinking about what might, would, or could happen, rather than what was happening at that very moment!

The problem with this is that I then miss amazing and wonderful moments that are happening in my life each and every day.  I cherish time spent with my family, but miss out when consumed with worry.  I love spending time with the youth at church, but do a disservice to them and me when I am not fully present with them.  I have found that even my time spent with God in prayer, or in silence, has been interrupted by my thoughts about the future.  Too often lately I have been “living in the wreckage of my future” (as my mom likes to say), rather than in the present.

So that will be my Epiphany (if not my New Year’s) resolution – to live in the moment.  We’ll see how it goes!

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.”  Matthew 6:34

One of my Facebook friends posted this status the other day - ”is taking down her Christmas decor . . . I know it is a little early but I want to get back to ‘normal.’”  I must admit, I have had that feeling this week as well.  Christmas was great, but the holiday is over, so let’s get back to “normal.

But then I stop to think about what we actually celebrated at Christmas.  We celebrated the birth of Jesus – the Light of the World coming into our lives.  How can we ever return to “normal” after that?  Jesus came into the world for the very purpose of shaking up “normal” . . . to encourage us to rethink how we live our lives, how we prioritize our time, and how we are in relationship with one another.  He wants us to see that perhaps our “normal” can use a kick in the pants!

Have you settled into comfortable and familiar routines that need some revitalizing?  Have you fallen away from regular time spent with God?  Is your life run by stress and worry rather than by gratitude and joy?  Perhaps “normal” isn’t where we want or need to return at all!  Perhaps this year, as we put away the Christmas decorations, we will establish a new “normal” – one filled with God’s love and grace.

 ”I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10b

In the last three weeks, two of my friends from high school have had babies.  Welcome to the world Diana and Ivy!  It’s interesting to me that this baby boom has happened at Christmas time, when we are celebrating the birth of another baby.  I am very grateful for this timing, because the two births have really helped me to stay focused on the true meaning of the Christmas season.  Just ask the parents of Diana and Ivy – birth is filled with joy and excitement, with anticipation and hope about what the future will hold.

Especially this year, when the economy is sagging and anxiety is high, I have been treasuring that joy and excitement that Christmas brings.  In celebrating the birth of Jesus, we celebrate the hope he brought to the world not only two thousand years ago, but also today.  In the midst of what sometimes seems like a very dark world, the light of Jesus continues to shine brightly.  May you recognize that light in your own life this Christmas.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”  John 1:5

During our youth class last Sunday, we each wrote a haiku poem, titled “Jesus Is.”  They turned out great, and are a wonderful reminder about the one whom we celebrate this Christmas season.  I want to share just a few of them . . .

A hero to us, A great light in the darkness, A world saver.

Water in the pond, Color in our souls, Family and friends.

Jesus is a shepherd, Jesus is our Savior, Jesus is God’s son.

Jesus is the man, Jesus is our great Savior, He keeps us from sins.

Jesus is powerful, Jesus is the Son of God, He gave us Christmas.

Jesus is Savior, He cleared our sins from our souls, Jesus loves us all.