Made Her Day

“Live so that others will see the good things you do in God’s glory." ~ Matthew 5:16

As Wilson dressed for work, his demeanor changed.  He became quiet, stern and pensive as he mentally prepared for whatever the day would bring.  Ballistic vest – check!  Utility belt – check!  Silver shield – check!   The transformation to ‘Officer’ Wilson now complete, he headed for the local breakfast dive.

Lots of negatives about police work, he thought.  Long hours, low pay, uncomfortable uniforms, and flying bullets were bad enough.  Hollywood’s portrayal of cops as dumb, knuckle-draggers or irascible, head-thumpers doesn’t help either.

As Wilson brought the second cup of coffee to his lips, a twenty-something female entered the diner, looking as if her facial muscles had gone on strike.  He knew the look – chemo fog.  He had watched the love of his life fade away a few years back.  Recalling its cruel toll, his heart sank.

Her shoulders drooped, giving the aura of one who’ spurn even the most well-meaning attempt to strike up a conversation.  She fell into her booth like a sack of dead puppies.

She's in there, he thought, but it's as if she withdrew from life.  He wanted to reach in and tell her it wasn't hopeless, but she wouldn’t believe him.  He wanted to rekindle her passion for living but her insides were too damp with uncried tears.

Then it hit him like a frozen puck!   

Wilson called the waitress over and explained that he wanted to buy the young lady's lunch, anonymously.  Then he instructed the waitress to give her this note when she attempted to pay her bill:

"Someone today thought you were beautiful, that your smile glowed with excitement and your eyes lit up the world.  Today somebody cared and wanted you to know it.  Enjoy the rest of your day, may God bless you with His gentle touch."

Several minutes later the young woman asked for her check.  The Officer watched discreetly as she was told her tab had been paid for.  “Why?” she questioned.  “Who?”  The waitress simply handed her the note and informed her that the gentleman who did it already left, keeping her promise for Wilson’s anonymity.

Officer Wilson watched as she slowly read the note.  Her eyes teared up, for only a moment, and then came the smile!  A huge, beautiful, hopeful smile!  Her expression lit up the room and she sat up straight, not caring who saw her.  

Wilson kept his grin concealed for now.  Cops have the ability to affect lives simply based on what they do or how they treat others, he reasoned.  Whether it's by helping change a tire, showing empathy at a crash scene, or helping see that justice is served for crime victims, he reminded himself that they took the job because they wanted to help others.  Today would be a great day!

Dear God, each of us have been gifted great purpose!  Use me to appreciate and inspire; to affirm and love categorically.  Remind me to point them toward You in Jesus’ name. Amen

Never Too Late

“God sees all; nothing can be hidden from Him." ~ Hebrews 4:13

Before the hockey game, identical twins Andrew and Steven, each bought a $10 raffle ticket for a chance at the $50,000 intermission shot.  The hole in the plywood 90 feet away was just barely larger than the puck.  It was about like trying to throw a golf ball into a beer mug from center field. 

Steven was recovering from recent shoulder surgery.  As (bad) luck would have it, Andrew was off flirting with some girls when the stadium announcer called his name.

So Steven, his brother’s ticket, and his bum wing entered the ice rink and lined up the absurdly difficult shot.  They look so much alike, who would know?  No real harm! 

Steven let it fly.  The gliding puck headed straight for the tiny opening . . . but quickly lost momentum.  The crowd roared as if its clamor could energize the rapidly fading disc. 

And it worked!  A cacophony of cheering, whooping, and back slapping erupted as the puck barely crossed the goal line and into the net. 

As Steven stood proudly for pictures and congratulations, his mind quickly wandered toward how best to spend his fortune.  He’d start with some new hockey equipment; maybe give a thousand or so to Andrew.  He’d even donate some to their hockey association.

Their dad thought: "Fifty grand?  Four kids, a daughter in college, two boys in high school?  This will really going help.

When they all got home that night, something didn't feel right.  After the kids went to bed, both parents felt the same conscience betraying their guilt.

But why?  

The money came from a huge insurance firm, since the youth hockey association had taken out a legitimate policy.  Who cares about greedy insurance companies? 

But lying just wasn't worth $50,000.  So the next morning, the parents were about to tell the kids they were going to have to give the money back when the boys floored them with their own announcement.  They didn't think they should take the money.  “It just felt wrong," Steven said.  “And it’s never too late to do the right thing.”

Steven called the insurance company whose name appeared on the check and explained what had really happened.  Yes, he was the boy who’d made the shot.  But the raffle ticket belonged to his brother.  Wrong kid.  They’d return it immediately – uncashed.

The boys were disappointed, yet relieved.  Mom and Dad beamed with pride; an unplanned opportunity had blossomed into a teachable (although expensive) moment. 

Our God Sees us when nobody else does.  When we couple that with a desire to please Him and not grieve Him, it makes a difference in how we act and behave.

Lord, I’ve not lived my life the way that You wanted, nor did I choose the path that You  wished I’d take.  Help me change that!  So that when the day comes, I’ll hear Your words: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  Amen

Sharing Soles

“We are all the same in Christ Jesus." ~ Galatians 3:28

It was a dusty, blistering afternoon in late August.  Chase had just returned to Dawa, the tiny village in Malawi where he taught English.  Having spent the past 10 days visiting friends back home, Dawa was a huge letdown.   He was still an outsider and already feeling pangs of loneliness.

He distracted himself by writing a few letters and catching up on stuff that’d piled up in his inbox while on home leave.  Frankly speaking, he was also conveniently avoiding the heat and, to some extent, the village itself.  

Somewhat refreshed after hours of seclusion, Chase decided to get a little exercise and unpacked the new pair of running shoes he’d bought in the states.  They were perfect – light, durable and so comfortable – like skipping barefoot in cool grass. 

Crossing through the village, he spotted a young boy hastily dipping his feet in sticky black goo.

“Teacher, may I join you for a run?” the boy named Dulani yelled in near-perfect English. 

Chase stared down at his hundred-dollar running shoes.  He hated stubbing a toe.  These kids rubbed tar on the soles of their feet to protect them from sharp rocks and dangerous bacteria. 

“Ahh, sure,” Chase said after an awkward pause.  And so they ran.

Each one of Dulani’s strides was worth at least two of the American’s.  With the slightest effort he barely broke a sweat, never panting, pausing occasionally for his teacher to catch up.

Along the way, Chase noticed things today he hadn’t seen before – a peaceful, picturesque landscape; clean streets (poor doesn’t mean untidy); busy, hospitable people. 

He lived here . . . but he didn’t really LIVE among these people.   He’d been so busy teaching western values that he’d failed to appreciate how differently and magnificently this culture vibrated around him.

After they finished their run, Dulani introduced him to his family.  They presented him with a bag of kola nuts and a gourd of dolo (the local beer).  Everyone he met seemed to be related.  That’s just how African families are - one big family!

Later Dulani walked Chase back to his flat . . . out of respect.  Once inside, he couldn’t shake the feeling of their humility and hospitality.  Americans have a lot to learn from them he thought . . . in terms of how they treat each other as family!

Chase did two things that day.  First, he gave his new running shoes to Dulawi.  He might never wear them, but it was a gesture born out of genuine affection.

Second, he vowed to take more risks; to immerse himself in the environment that surrounded him.  He’ll try and learn their language, strike a better balance between work/play, and embrace the fullness of their cultural differences.  Soon this too would feel like home.

Holy Father of all peoples, look upon us with mercy, for we are divided in so many ways.  Give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love.  Amen

Bored Grateful

“His peace will protect your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:7

Time flowed like tar.  Marsha checked her phone for the time.  Three minutes had passed since she last checked an hour ago.  Or so it seemed.  God she hated this job.

Marsha had moved back in with her parents last year to save money.  She’d like to get her own place again.  Or get a job much closer to her parents’ house because the current commute was killing her.  It was long, stressful, and involved multiple modes of transportation.

As a Telemetry technician in a large hospital, Marsha places electrodes on patients’ chests to monitor their heart activity.  The data collected is sent to a cardiologist for evaluation and specialized treatment.
She’d been in a bit of a ‘funk’ for quite some time now, but lately it’s been getting much worse.  She frequently gets massive headaches on the way to work, just thinking about work.  Patients and families can be so demanding and disrespectful.   Wearing a ‘phony smile’ all day really taxes one’s spirit.

Staring at a mind-numbing bank of computer monitors, Marsha almost jumped out of her skin when her cell buzzed.  It was an email from her brother-in-law stationed in Iraq.  Something about it shouted urgency, so she opened it and began reading.

"Today, a roadside bomb put two of my friends in the infirmary.  One lost an arm.  His left eye was destroyed, and most of his nose, lips, and teeth were missing.  Through a badly mangled face, he whispered: “How am I going to take care of my family," since I can no longer lead soldiers in combat?”

“OMG” Marsha replied.  “I’m so terribly sorry for your friend.  You mentioned two friends.  What happened to the other one?”

After an unusually long pause, the soldier answered simply “He died!”

Suddenly Marsha realized how lucky she was.  No matter how bad her situation was, someone else’s is worse.  Her job may look fabulous to someone who is unemployed or to someone who is barely making minimum wage.  Maybe her commute looks like a Caribbean cruise to a soldier suspicious of any object on the side of a road looking for IED’s (improvised explosive devices - the leading cause of death for American soldiers in Iraq).

Be thankful for what you have and what God does for you!

When you find yourself comparing your life to those who have more or who are doing things you want to do, remember that it’s all about perspective.  Why not remember how many people would be happy to be living your life?  Remind yourself to look at the “cup” as half full instead of half empty.  It helps to stop and remember how lucky and blessed you really are.

Thank you God for giving me health, for the food You provide, for the awareness You have awakened in me. Thank you for the energy that feeds my soul, the sun that warms my body and the air that fills my lungs.  Amen

Minions and Me

“Worship the Lord your God; serve only Him!” ~ Luke 4:8

Movies were her secret pleasure.  For those few blissful minutes, Madison simply projected herself onto the big screen as the hero, casting director, and number one fan.

Today, however, would not be one of those movies.  Today Madison found herself at a matinee babysitting her nephews, chewing on gummy bears, and fascinated by Minions.  You know those small, funny, genetically humanized kernels with one or two eyes.  They’re adorable! 

She allowed her mind to wander.  What really is a minion?

Minion /ˈmɪnjən/: 1. someone not powerful or important, who obeys the orders of a powerful leader; 2. One who is highly esteemed.

“So if I'm one of God's minions,” she thought, “that means I'd be: 1. a servant of God, subordinate to Him; and 2. highly favored by Him.”

Madison was certainly OK that!

She went on to learn that these Minions love.  They care for each other and protect the kingdom to which they belong.  In this topsy-turvy world where good is bad and villainy is endearing, Minions model a rich faithfulness and strict obedience that’s both powerful and endearing.  

Madison imagined that the biggest compliment for a Minion would be the words ‘well done good and faithful servant.’  For them, nothing could be better.  “Aren’t we as Christians called to act in the same manner, setting ourselves apart from the world that promotes self-reliance and self-fulfillment?” she wondered.

As she absorbed more of the film, Madison recognized other messages:  

1.      Be Yourself - despite how stupidly innocent Minions are, they never try to be something totally different.  Embrace your flaws and use them.

2.      Have Fun - Don't take life too seriously.  The essence of Minion-ism is childlike enthusiasm.  There’s nothing wrong with wearing a hat made of fruit, or hula dancing to pass the time.

3.      Look Out for Your Friends - What's the fun in laughing alone?  Stick with people who join you in ditsy mistakes, then giggle ‘em off. 

4.      Hug Often – The one thing better than a smile is a friendly hug!  They’re scientifically proven to lower stress.  So if words aren't enough to console a friend, give ‘em a bear (or Minion) hug.

5.      Don't Let Work Take Over Your Mind - You can't drool away like a sloth and then expect happiness.  Break up the drudgery.  Be silly and entertain yourself and others.

On the drive home, Madison felt great peace.  No matter how hard they tried, the Minions always seemed to fall short of their master’s approval.  She could relate.

There’s nothing she could do, no act great enough to enable a relationship with God.  As much as we try there’s nothing we can do ourselves to attain His approval.  We already have it.

Dear Lord, we seek to be Your Minions.  Let us lay down our need to compete, to strive, to one-up.  Let us decide that a life lived for You is better than a life lived for ourselves Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.  Amen