Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Gentle Men

Reading:  Titus 2:6-7
" Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

After a long day out and about yesterday, I asked Tom what sounded good for supper. His reply was a good diner that was open late on a Sunday evening. Lo and behold, a few miles down the road, that diner appeared.

The food was really good. I'm convinced that one reason it was really good was that I had the opportunity to watch it being prepared. Interestingly, it was fixed by two high school-aged boys. You know, the age that tends to have their eyes and fingers glued to a phone--the age where fixing sandwiches for folks on a sleepy Sunday evening is the last thing on earth they'd want to do. That's where it got really fascinating. And, I will admit, when I first saw who our cooks were, I had my doubts. Then I started watching, fully prepared to see a scuffle break out with the some shoving while the onion rings burned or a moping routine that resulted in a poorly prepared supper.

I'm happy to report that none of the above took place. As I continued to watch, I witnessed two young men on task, working smoothly and efficiently, chatting while working, and taking care to make sure everything was completed to a t. When the order was finished, they delivered it to the serving window and lightly gave the bell a tap. No slamming, no excessive tapping...just a quiet "ding".

Two young men that made our day.

As we left, I went back to the kitchen doorway. I figured the least I could do was compliment them both and give them a little monetary tip for their good work. As I left, the young man I was speaking to reached out and shook my hand.


What a pleasure to know that the ageless graces are still alive and well in some little corners of the world. It gives us hope that the ridiculous "dramas" of so many young people today are a passing, mindless phase and that these young men exemplify the solid good nature of young men we so need them to have for our world to remain strong. 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Do What You Love...

Readings:
Ecclesiastes 3:22 --"So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them "(NIV)

Colossians 3:23--"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (NIV)


I work on feet. I enjoy it. And yes, when I reply to someone when being asked what I'm doing these days, I get some interesting expressions as well as responses. As you can guess, the most heard question is, "Why?"

Why indeed...

Many who have asked have heard my story. I had worked in education for 27 years in different capacities--I've always loved sharing information with others. So, it seemed only natural that I would continue on the "sharing trail" even if formal education was no longer my daily job.

One day it came to me--reflexology. Up until that day, the only knowledge I had on the topic was the contents of one 20+ year old book I had bought on a whim. A book that, every once in awhile, I would pick up and read a bit. It intrigued me--but not enough to give it more than a passing glance. Nevertheless, when I donated a bunch of my books to the library a few years back, the reflexology book stayed on the shelf. Why? No idea.

Isn't it neat how God works? It was all in the timing.

And so God led me on an interesting journey to Greenfield, Indiana, to study feet...and so much more.

With this new work that I do, I am once again able to share--information, hope, healing energy, positive thinking, and, through Reiki which came to me via the reflexology practice, unconditional love.

I've always read that when one works doing what one truly loves, all good things follow. I am blessed--I know it. I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these are gifts from God is that I am being allowed to share with others. I pray each morning that I will be able to continue to share these gentle gifts with many different folks. I thank God each night for those He brought to me.

There is nothing better than a person to enjoy his/her work. Unfortunately, so many go through life doing work that is only work. If we look at the verse that tells us, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" perhaps everyone's work will be more fulfilling. By serving our brothers and sisters with good and honest work, we are, at all times, serving our Lord. I hope all of you will be able to find love in your work--if not, remember that all work we do to help others is good in God's eyes.

Peace be with you.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Turning Back Time

Reading--Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven." 
 
 
Turning back the clock. How many times have we found ourselves wishing for the power to do just that? "If only", "If I could just turn back time a little bit"...we can easily slip into this mode and, before we know it, we're living lives of regret. And, sometimes, we do regretful things to ourselves and to one another. Nevertheless, if we take the Bible verse above to heart, we know in our heart of hearts that no matter what has transpired, there is indeed a time for every event under Heaven.
 
 
God has granted us a pretty good device to figure out lots and lots of things. Our brains are able to calculate, guess (with pretty close accuracy), and decide how to make good choices.
 
 
But we're not perfect.
 
 
We're not given the gift of knowing all--that left us a long, long time ago. We are fallible; we are capable of making mistakes. We are also capable of longing for the days when life was so much easier...but was it? Perhaps in some cases. But, for the most part, life becomes different. New situations spring up--some seemingly out of nowhere, catching us off-guard. And we wonder...why did this happen to me or to her or to him? What did I do wrong? Sometimes nothing. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. Nevertheless, God is there...always. With His eternal love there's no need to turn back any clocks; there's no need to wish for a do-over.
 
 
The next time something doesn't necessarily go our way, let's not spend a bunch of time lamenting the fact that we can't have a re-run. Let's remember the lesson that "to everything there is a season" and then take the time to sit at the feet of the Master through meditation with Christ to learn the lesson and to grow yet closer to him and our Heavenly Father. His lessons are the best...and the outcomes are miraculous.
 
Peace be with you.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Doing the Right Thing

Exodus 20: 1-17  Mark 12:31

I normally try to keep this blog spiritually based and keep the "profane" of the world out of the central focus. However, after the past couple of weeks, it seems appropriate to voice my frustrations--frustrations of many, I'm guessing.

Doing the right thing. During these irritating times when those of us in the United States become more and more appalled day after day while helplessly watching our elected officials acting more like selfish and entitled spoiled children rather than the statesmen and women they claim to be, we wonder where common sense and clear thinking has gone.

And then, this morning, during the usual political prattle that has become commonplace from the D.C. folks, the term slipped out from one of those folks..."doing the right thing".

My first reaction was how dare you use this term only to push your poorly thought-out arguments.

Doing the right thing. How have we slid so far from center that this morally loaded phrase has lost all meaning?

Maybe we need to head back to the rule book--the original "Big 10". A straightforward, simple set of rules that a child can understand. Here's a few of these ageless rules revisited. Perhaps the egos in tailored suits running amuck in our country's capitol might want to briefly review:

No idols...that includes yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. Your egos have become so unbearably inflated that you believe anything (and I do mean anything) that comes from your mouth. You've increasingly built up yourselves to be idols...bad move.

No stealing...Stop it. Stealing comes in all forms. You're stealing not only currency from the pockets of the taxpayers, but more importantly, you're stealing the very heart of people of all walks of life. While you're pretending to keep our best interests on the forefront, you're actually driving the morale of the country down to some of its absolute lowest levels.

No false testimony against your neighbor...WOW...how about less back stabbing for the sake of your own ego and more working together for the good of those you're suppose to be serving...remember us? The ones who go to work each day and try to keep the country running and running well despite the present situation?

And one more for good measure...Love your neighbors as you love yourself. Health care? Why is it okay for us but not those of you in power? Employment? Again, why do you continue to demand high salaries with no annual evaluations while, at the same time, you're not allowing people who want to work and to support their families go about their business with decent employment? I don't see this as loving one's neighbor as oneself.

Thankfully and mercifully, there are many many people who still look out for one another day after day. Nameless people who will make sure that bills are paid, homes are cooled or warmed, pantries are not empty. We the people. No matter what the conditions in Washington, we will continue to live these heavenly rules to the best of our abilities. They, ladies and gentlemen, are doing the right thing. Bless them all.

Peace be with you.