Mircle on 23rd Street

“Faith alone, without action, is dead." ~ James 2:17

Despite the early morning hour, it was already approaching 80 degrees.  The air felt so thick he could almost chew it.  To make matters worse, Martin was running late for work . . . again.  His GPS found a shortcut that might save a few precious minutes.

But when he crested the hill, brake lights flared from the car ahead.  Martin slowed; slowed some more, then pressed the brake pedal hard.  Traffic had come to a complete stop, a long ribbon of taillights flashed bright red.  An accident?  Road construction?

Glancing at the gas gauge, Martin wished he’d filled up last night.  This line of cars could be trapped for hours.  He pounded the steering wheel.  As one prone to fitness, this week he’d pushed his sleep needs well beyond their limits.  He’d snapped at his wife; said hurtful things he didn’t mean and blown minor issues way out of proportion.  It's just too easy to be cruel in the moment.  So many times he wanted to unsay things; take them back.

He hit the steering wheel again as if beating it would release stress and guilt.  Martin sat still for a few minutes, gazing out the car window unaware that he was about to witness a minor miracle.

A young mother caught his attention as she hurried toward an old house.  Swollen eyes failed to hide an emotion that Martin couldn’t quite put a finger on – depressed, scared, worried?  The toddler in her arms seemed to have absorbed her tension; tightly clutching her mother’s neck as they scurried into the dilapidated building.

When they came back out ten minutes later, Martin noticed two things.  First, their expressions had changed radically.  A smile spread over the mother’s face faster than syrup on a hot pancake.  The little girl laughed and skipped around her Mom; happy as a kitty in a cream pie.  Everything seemed to be alright now.

The other difference was the heavy bag of food that Mom carried.  The once-pristine manor was now the home of a local food pantry.

Since that day, Martin helps restock the pantry’s shelves.  It feels good helping them help others, knowing that he’s partnering with God to keep the miracles growing.

What can you do today to make this world a better place?  Today you can help fill a hungry child’s tummy or give a struggling family hope.  Today you can ease another’s sadness with your smile or lift another up with your joy.  Today you can make a minor miracle by sending out ripples of love that have no end.

Today you can make God smile and the angels sing by using what you have to make Earth a little more like Heaven.

Servant Christ, help me develop a heart and spirit like Yours.  Let nothing I do be from selfish ambition but for the well-being of others.  Let Your Holy Spirit guide me along the way and reveal how You wish me to use the talents given to me.  Amen

Hear the Music

“Being a parent is a God-given privilege - a blessing from God's own hand.” ~ Neva Whitney

Have you heard the one about the little boy who asked his father how much he made an hour? Surprised by the question, the father gave his son a glaring look and said tersely: "Look pal, that’s personal!  You don’t need to know that.”

“Please Daddy,” the youngster insisted. 

Surrendering to the child’s timid voice and adoring eyes, the father conceded: “$20 per hour."

"Okay, Daddy.  Will you loan me ten dollars?" the boy asked.

“No!” said the confused and slightly annoyed parent.  “Go get ready for bed.”

Curious as to his intentions and later feeling guilty, the father went to his son’s room.  "Here's the money asked for earlier," the father said.

"Thanks, Daddy!" rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his pillow and removing seven $1 bills and a handful of loose coins.

"Now I have twenty dollars!" shouted the elated boy.  "Daddy, could I buy you for an hour?"

What a joy and privilege it is to be a parent and what a great responsibility too.  But if you’re like me, you’re far from perfect.  How often have your kids dropped in to chat and sat in silence while you checked your email?  Ever told your daughter, "We'll do it tomorrow."  And in your haste, not see her disappointment?  Or missed a son’s important milestone because “work comes first?”

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older.  The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.  We can be so busy with our jobs, and our personal goals, and changing the world, that we have very little time to spend with our kids.  One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things settled down."

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift . . .  thrown away.  Life’s not a race.  Take it slower.  Do something you WANT to do. . . . not something from your ‘SHOULD DO’ list.  End each day with PLAY.

Go watch your kids playing on a merry go round or listen to the rain slurping up the soft grass.  Follow a butterfly's erratic flight or gaze at the sun into the fading night?  Start a pillow fight, invent a new board game, or explore a museum.  Play loud music, dance crazily, or make mud pies.  The activity isn’t necessarily important – the TIME is.

Our children are God-given disciples and they will define most of our daily schedule and when all is said and done - our life's work!  Hear the music . . . before the song is over! 

Help me as a parent, Lord, with all my weaknesses and imperfections.  Give me strength and godly wisdom to raise this child in a way that leads to eternal life.  Please supply what I lack.  Amen

Garbage Grace

“People who don’t take care of their families, have given up their faith." ~ 1 Timothy 5:8

No one answered when Karl called out after arriving home from work.  The silence was eerie.  He raced up the stairs to her room.

His daughter lay on her bed - eyes welling up with a sadness her young years should not know.  A single tear fell from Sadie’s warm, butterscotch eyes, followed by another, until soon, a steady stream of salty tears made its way down her small pale cheeks.  

Karl scooped her up into his massive arms and held her until the heart wrenching wails subsided. 

“Cupcake,” he said tenderly.  “Did something bad happen at school?”

Sadie didn't want to tell him at first.  She was embarrassed and didn't want to hurt her father's feelings.  He sat her gently back on the bed. 

"It's OK, sweetie.  You can tell me anything.  But you don't have to tell me your secrets, if you don't want to.  Is this a secret?"

"It's not a secret Daddy. The other kids poked fun of me because you're a garbageman.  They said your job was dirty and you smell bad.  They said I stink too."

Jodie gazed at her Dad.  He didn't seem angry or hurt.  His mouth twitched as he fought back a smile.

"Well," he said.  "I guess they don't know how much fun it is to be a garbageman."

"But your friends were right about one thing.  Mine’s a dirty job; garbage is messy.  Every day I see stuff so disgusting it'd make you skin crawl.  And girl, does it ever stink! 

But then we grab that slimy, rotten garbage and throw it in a big green truck we call the ‘Monster.”  It growls and gulps nasty garbage.  Then everything's nice and clean, the way we like it.  After a long hot shower, I'm as clean as a toddler’s rap sheet.

Sadie grinned.

I love my job Honey.  And I like the people I work with, too.  But ya wanna know the best part?”

“Well, while most people are still working, I get to come home, clean up, give your Mom a big kiss, and wait for you to come home from school every ding-dong day.  I’m so blessed!”

Now whenever somebody asks Sadie what her Dad does for a living, she politely replies, "He's a garbageman!"  And if they say "Ew!" or “Yuk!” she says, "Everybody makes garbage, but my Daddy hauls it all away.  Otherwise, we’d be to our eyebrows in garbage! 

Work is God’s gift to us.  We bring glory to Him by working diligently and serving others by helping Him meet their needs.  In serving others, we serve God.  And that’s why our work matters to God.

Lord, thank you for this job and the blessings it provides.  May my hands always be prepared to help lighten another’s load.  Remind me that the quality of my work is a reflection of You to those around me.  Amen (by Mike Stevens “The Worker’s Prayer”)

 

 

 

Full Throttle

“Godly people are also kind to their animals." ~ Proverbs 12:10

For Jacquie, working at Loving Hearts Animal Shelter was not just a job, it was her passion.  There she shared a love for animals and the people who cared for them.  The best part was adopting out a rescued pet – the worst part . . . well, you probably know that part due to the space constraints of their shelter.  Today would be a great day!

A young family arrived early, eager to adopt a puppy.   As usual, the Shelter was bursting with cast-off hounds, but no puppies.   Jacquie recognized their disappointment; she’d seen it many times.  Everyone loves a puppy, but like they say, "Every puppy grows up to be a dog.”

Not to be dissuaded, little Jayden decided to take a look around anyway because these dogs really needed a home badly.

One dog was walking and jumping on his hind legs.  Full Throttle, as the name on his cage read, was unquestionably a hyper dog with sad brown eyes that followed their every movement. 

Jacquie knew that no one would ever consider adopting him; he’d be put to sleep before long.  As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t encourage first time pet owners to adopt an overactive dog; they're just too much trouble.  This dog never seemed to rest.

“I want this one Daddy,” Jayden said excitedly.  “He’s trying to shake hands; I think he wants to come home with us!”

Jayden knelt down near the cage; their bond was immediate, almost sacred.  “Pleeeze Mom!  “Can we let him out?  Can we Pleeeeez?”

In anticipation, Full Throttle hopped impatiently on his hind legs.  When the kennel door opened, he peed all over the place.  It was probably the first time he’d been out of his cage in a while.

Jacquie cringed.  As much as he’d like to see Full Throttle go to a nice home, she feared that it would only be a matter of days before she’d see the uncontrollable dog back at the Shelter.

And she was right! 

Less than two weeks after Jayden and his parents took Full Throttle home, the little boy and his Mom entered the lobby with a huge box.  When they opened the lid, Jacquie just stared at it open mouthed.  Her brain formulated no thoughts other than complete shock. 

The container was filled to the rim with big bags of treats, toys, blankets and other supplies that the Shelter desperately needed.

“Today is Jayden’s 5^th birthday.  Instead of presents, he asked his Dad and me to help donate these items for your use.  We couldn’t be happier with our newest family member.  What a blessing you have given us.  Thank you!”

Please Lord, help me find a home today,  I’m lonely and scared.  I heard them say, just one more day.  So I plead, can just ONE help me?  Whisper in a rescuer’s ear, tell them to be the ONE.  Cuz’ that’s all I need, just ONE loving, friendly, peppy human.  Amen

A Beautiful Thing

“God’s Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

“Whatchadoin’ Zac?”

“Writin’ love notes to my parents.” the young boy answered back, “For when I’m gone.”

“Where ya goin’ buddy?” his best friend Benjamin asked.

“To heaven,” Zac answered matter-of-factly.  “I got cancer.  The angels will take me there when I get too sick.  So I’m hiding notes around the house, in books, in books, in Mommy’s dresser, in Daddy’s toolbox . . . so they’ll know that I still love them when I’m gone.”

After feeling ill and tired for weeks, Zac Eisenberg was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).  ALL, a fast-growing disease of the white blood cells, is the most common childhood cancer.  Most are cured with standard chemotherapy; Zac’s form was resistant to even the most intense therapy regimens. 

The two first graders have been almost inseparable since birth.  So it was no surprise that Benjamin showed up at Zac’s house the next day with a shaved head.  Well, not totally shaved.  The child barber-to-be had tried his scissor-best, but left small tufts of unreachable hair.  Still, his effort made Zac giggle, and feel less alone.

Benjamin started asking questions and learning about cancer.  He taught his fellow classmates that ALL is “when your white and red blood cells fight each other.”

When he learned that Zac's treatments were expensive, Benjamin raised a couple hundred dollars by selling stocking caps on Facebook that he made with his Mom.  “I sold them so the doctors can fix you,” he told a grateful Zac.

There’s pure joy in their laughter.  “Why did the chicken cross the playground?” Zac asked with a boyish grin.  “To get to the other slide!” finished Benjamin.

Until recently though, there hadn’t been much to laugh about.  Then the news came that Zac’s cancer had gone into remission.  His friend’s encouragement seemed to be working.  As a precaution, he’ll continue to get treatments for two more years.

The two best friends have a lot to teach the adults in their lives.

When a news reporter recently asked, “What is friendship?” Zac replied simply - ”A beautiful thing.”  Clearly, wisdom doesn't always come with age.

Kids with cancer often feel isolated and alone, especially if they're in the hospital or away from school for long stretches of time.  Visit as often as you can.  Fight the urge to stay away because you feel awkward or wish this weren't happening.  Even if you aren't sure what to say to your friend, just being there to show your support will mean so much.  If distance or your schedule makes it hard to be there in person, stay in touch by sending notes and cards and by emailing, IM’ing, phoning, or texting.  

“For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers, their laughter and their loveliness will clear a cloudy day.  Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow, they're a promise of the future and a blessing for today.” ~ John Denver

 

God Doesn't Make Mistakes

“Rejoice my son, your brother was lost and now he’s been found." ~ Luke 15:32

Both his dad and grandfather were pastors; evangelists for over 100 years combined.  Young Vince did missionary work with them on Arizona’s Apache reservation.  The only way his Christian upbringing could’ve been more complete was if he’d married the daughter of a Baptist minister – which he did in 1976.

Once the poster boy of Christian morality, Vince Furnier (aka Alice Cooper) shocked the world in the 1970s with am outrageous stage show that featured baby doll mutilation, boa constrictors, and Cooper's dark, androgynous make up.   ‘Shock Rock’ as it was eventually labeled, celebrated moral decay.  Cooper’s band set the standard for countless heavy metal and punk bands such as Ozzie Osborn and Marilyn Manson.

Introduced to drugs and alcohol when he began his music career, Cooper quickly became obsessed with both.  “I was probably the most functional addict ever; I never missed a show or slurred a word,” he admitted. 

That all changed when his wife Sheryl threatened to leave him because of his decadent ways.  They attended a church with a “hellfire” pastor. 

Cooper claims Divine intervention broke his drinking habit.  “I guess you can call it a miracle.  It’s the only way I can explain it.” He shocked the rock world again by quietly embracing Christianity – “more out of the fear of God, than the love of God.  “I didn’t want to go to hell.” 

Now he sees his faith in Christ as “an ongoing journey; something you just progress in.  You learn.  You study the Bible.  You pray!” Further he admitted, “I’m a rock singer - nothing more than that.  I’m not a philosopher.  I’m low on the totem pole of educated Christians.  So, don’t look for answers from me.”

Cooper’s revelation was more a return to faith than a coming to faith.  “I was convinced all my life that there was just one God.  And there’s always been a Devil too,” he said.  And he has this advice for his critics: “I was one thing then, and now I’m something new.  Don’t judge Alice by what he used to be.  Praise God for what I am now.”

“I’m the modern day Prodigal Son,” said Cooper.  “I messed up and then God started reeling me back in.  He chips away at your life all the time to try to make you more like Him,” said Cooper.  “That’s what a Christian is, a person that’s constantly being molded and shaped.

That’s exactly what that visionary pastor advised him years before.  He said “God doesn't make mistakes!   God put you in an uncommon situation with a purpose.  Now let your lifestyle be a better example.” 

That’s not the counsel Vince had expected.

Dear Lord, of all the things I want for my child, salvation is the greatest, yet it feels the most elusive.  Embrace my child with Your wisdom and love. I pray that (s)he is becoming tender toward You and receptive to Your Word.  Amen

Sneezy

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." ~ Psalm 119:105

Nearly 100 students took their seats onstage of the lively auditorium.  They looked almost as grown up as they felt - heads held high, chests puffed out, proud to be finally done with those difficult high school years.  Dads swallowed hard; Moms brushed away tears.

Today was unusually somber.  For the first time in the school’s 80 year history, student-led prayer would not be allowed.  With help from the ACLU, Natasha Appenheimer’s family filed suit to exclude the traditional invocation and benediction prayers.

The court ruled in favor of the Appenheimers , granting a temporary injunction barring any Commencement prayers.  Having deemed the graduation a "school sponsored event," the court ruled that prayer was an unconstitutional violation of the 1^st Amendment.

Angered by decision, many found unique ways of protesting the judge's ruling.  Students organized a prayer vigil around the school's flagpole.  Some 50 seniors clasped hands in a circle while about 150 underclassmen and members of the community encircled them.  

Several students decorated their mortarboards with religious slogans: "I'm praying now," "One nation under God," and "I’m still praying today."  One parent distributed homemade wooden crosses to the students.

Educators and students cautiously spoke within the court’s guidelines, offering no mention of Divine guidance.  The audience booed Natasha when she received her diploma.  No one blessed the graduating seniors.

When it was his turn to speak, Ryan Brown walked confidently toward the microphone, bowing briefly in silent prayer.  As his form of protest, (he’d worked this out in advance with some friends) he feigned a sneeze at the podium. 

Everyone played their assigned roles to perfection.  In unison, they cried out "God bless you!"  

The audience stood; applauding loudly.  Ryan replied: "Don't congratulate me, applaud for God!" He left the stage having found a brilliant way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.

The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed school-sponsored prayers at graduation in 1992 (Lee v. Weisman).  But prayer doesn’t have to be banished from the graduation experience altogether.

Many communities hold Baccalaureate services during graduation weekend with as many prayers as they choose.   Students and teachers are free to attend or not.

It’s also possible that a student speaker at graduation will offer a prayer.  But under current law, such prayers are only legal if the student speaker was chosen by neutral criteria and given primary control of their speech (i.e., not reviewed or edited by the school).

But God knows, the best way to allow prayer at graduation is to let people choose for themselves what, if any, prayers they want to pray by putting a “moment of silence” on the program.  

Father, thank You for our time together, for all the friends we’ve made, for the days of laughter and fun, and for all the times of great discovery and learning.  Thank you too for all who have given of their energy and skill so that we can graduate.  Amen