Love You Forever

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be." ~ R. Munsch

The obstetric nurse entered the hospital room with empathy and a stethoscope.  Sara hadn’t felt her baby’s gentle pokes for nearly 24 hours.  She and husband Bob were justifiably concerned especially since their last baby was stillborn at 20 weeks.  But babies can be elusive.

The nurse’s silence sealed their fears before the doctor confirmed it.  Their 18 week old son was no longer alive.

Sarah knew all too well the pain of grief.  She’d finally crawled out from its weight when they learned they were expecting again.   She’d dreamt of a baby boy that held her hand on the way to swings, squealing with delight and demanding higher pushes.  In her mind’s eye he was generous with smiles and free with his hugs.

In that moment time stopped.  All presence of quiet coping vanished.  She slumped on the exam table; deadness dulling her senses and salty tears flowing unchecked.

To make the unthinkable worse, doctors told the couple that they’d not be able to conceive again.

Bob too, took the news hard.  He’d worked part-time at an orphanage while studying to become a Jesuit priest.  He wasn’t ‘priestly’ material, but he loved working with kids.  A prolific storyteller, he’d developed quite the knack for keeping preschooler’s attention.

He often sung silently to himself an ode to his two dead babies; never out loud or written down.  Every time he tried to sing it he cried.  It was his way of grieving.

Eventually, his wife convinced him to take some time off to write down some of his favorite children’s stories.  At age 35, he sent 10 each to nearly a dozen publishers.  Nine said, “No” and one said, “Yes” to a story called ‘Mud Puddle.’  It sold a just 3,000 copies in 1979, but it established Bob as a legitimate writer.

Before committing them to paper, Bob often told his stories to live crowds.  One day while performing at a theatre, he made up a story on the spot to accompany the song that had been in the back of his mind.  Almost magically a story poured out about a mother who’d sing her son the same lullaby at night during every phase of his life - even when he was fully grown.

It was the first time anyone, including Sara, heard the now iconic "Love You Forever" story.

Robert (Bob) Munsch first published “Love You Forever,” as a picture book in 1986.  This touching account of a mother’s evolving relationship with his son has become one of the best-selling children’s books of all time – selling over 30 million copies to date in multiple languages.

The Munsch’s have since become adoptive parents of three.

God our Father, Your beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them.  Give us grace, that we may entrust these unborn babies to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to Your Heavenly Kingdom.  Amen

Savior or Servant?

“If you want to stand out, then step down.  Be a servant." ~ Matthew 23:11

In a cramped room that smelled of sweat, deodorant, and shampoo-scented steam, Coach Bagley readied his basketball team for the big game.  Frankly, it was the BIGGEST game of his career.

His Farmville Eagles had a chance to make school history.  After 27 losing season, Coach had not only posted his first winning season, but today they had a shot at the conference championship.

A man not known for fiery speeches - was on fire tonight.  "When we walk onto the court, those butterflies will turn to ferocious Eagles.  You’ve gotta want this night to last forever."

After a quick prayer, they left the locker room to a boisterous crowd of delirious fans.  Who could blame them?  With a population of just under 1,500, Farmerville had but one stoplight within its city limits of roughly two square miles.

The Eagles played just one school smaller than itself during the season.  They were out-numbered, out-sized, out-everything.  Could tonight could be THEIR night?

Bagley had announced before the game that a local businessman had donated money for a 4-year college scholarship for the team’s MVP.  The recipient would be chosen by the team’s 9 players after the game.

Maybe it was the scholarship … or perhaps blazing desire, but the Eagles soared that night.

Thomas hit almost everything he launched, finishing with 27 points.  Danny (aka “Dimes”) added 14 points and 11 assists.  Despite being the shortest Eagle, Darnell flawlessly moved the ball up the court and directed the offense.  Tug, short for Tugboat, ‘owned the paint’ collecting rebounds with reckless abandon.

Because there was no girls’ basketball team at Farmville, Sydney played with the varsity boys.  Her warrior-like hustle earned her the nickname “Squito” for her mosquito-like agility.

After celebrating with fans, the Eagles entered the locker room for one final task.  Each was given a sheet of paper and asked to identify who they believed to be the team’s most valuable asset.

It took just a few minutes before Coach tallied the results.  He looked up after nodding agreement.  “Seems right to me, too,” he said wiping away a single tear.

“By unanimous vote, I’d like to congratulate Meredith Olsen, our Equipment Manager, who you’ve chosen as our Most Valuable Player.  Away from the spotlight, she stayed well beyond practice to ensure uniforms and practice gear was washed, organized and ready for the next day.  She even laundered the cheer uniforms and mascot costume.”

Meredith led the team by serving.

She demonstrated what Christ meant when He washed His disciples feet.  Jesus became a servant to become our Savior.  There is but one God.  If you want to be great, you must serve others.

Almighty Father, help us to be better than we are.  Teach us to be more like you, and less like the world around us.  Help us to put aside our selfish desires and vain ambition. Teach us to be true servants in both word and deed.  Amen

Honey for the Soul

“Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." ~ Proverbs 4:32

Naomi’s body language told it all.

While people scurried about the Village mall, her shoulders slumped forward; a common trait of those depressed as they try and be smaller and take up less space.  Her gait revealed a lack of energy and enthusiasm.  And her eyes cast a blank, listless stare.

But even though it hurt, she tried her best to smile.

What made matters worse, shoppers scurried about unaware that she even existed.  Her heart ached; she was invisible to everyone around her.

Nothing seemed to be going right in her life.  Sometimes Naomi just wanted to curl up into a corner somewhere and hide forever.  Nothing could be worse than feeling alone, rejected and unloved.  People were simply too busy with their own lives to bother with her.  She needed a hug, even if were only the fragile beginnings of friendship.

She walked into the aisle that carried her favorite items.  Naomi couldn’t find the Peanut Butter Cups through the tears misting her eyes.  What was the point of living anyway?  Who would care if she suddenly disappeared?

Reaching for a prized chocolate treat, a stranger approached.  He’d noticed her dejected body language; then said the kindest words she’d heard in a very long time.

“You have a beautiful smile, you should use it often,” he said.

“Excuse me?” Naomi asked wiping moisture from her eyes.

“I saw you coming toward me and just wanted to tell you that,” he said before walking away.  It definitely wasn’t a pickup line; it seemed authentic and sincere.

For Naomi, those simple words made all the difference; as if invisible holes had poked her skin and all her tension leeched out.  She tilted her face toward the brilliant light shafts breaking through the clouds above and her gloom began lifting.

She beamed!  Someone had noticed her.  She wasn’t invisible after all.  "Perhaps," she wondered, "this is happiness; what comes when the battle’s over."

The moral is twofold:

1.       Be kind and gentle with your words.  Just a simple word of encouragement can impact someone’s life today.

2.       Body language can tell you a lot about someone’s emotional state.  Learning to recognize the nonverbal signs can help us extend needed compassion to those who may be struggling.

Kindness has many synonyms - love, service, charity.  But they all imply action; tangible things we can do every day.

God designed our bodies perfectly for that purpose.  Each part has a unique role to help other parts function better as a whole.  We have two eyes trained to see twice as much, and two ears to hear double the amount we speak.  Therefore, we should approach others as humble learners earning the privilege to speak.

Dear Lord, teach me to love tenderly and vulnerably.  Help me to not shrink away from others because of fear, and miss opportunities to extend a loving, charitable, helping hand when they arise.  Amen

The Vinedresser

"I’m the Vine; you are the branches. Those who believe in Me will bear much fruit." ~ John 5:15

I always dreamed of owning a vineyard.  So on this south-facing slope, it became my life’s mission.

A practiced vinedresser schooled me on how to tend my grapes.  He was old and bent, but his smile was inviting.  His hands were gnarled but they held everything tenderly; wisdom gained from experience.

For one entire season, we walked the morning-wet fields.  He taught me everything I needed to know about the secret world of the vines.  Surrounded by grapes, I learned to pray for gentle rains, generous sunshine, and cool nights.  He also shared the spiritual symbolism of his work.

“Humans develop much like plants,” he said.  “There’s nature and nurture, and a balance above and below the earth.”  From the time they’re grafted and take root in the soil, vines need careful and constant attention.  Like our children and friends, grapes ripen slowly, thriving with decades of kindness and affection amid a fragile environment.

“A bountiful harvest doesn’t happen by accident,” he warned.  “Without pruning, there’d be no fruit to gather.  A vine has only enough energy to nourish a few canes.  Let all of them grow and none will flourish.”   We want it all.  But we must decide how best to use our energy; how many activities and possessions we can feed.  The answer’s not as many as we think.

“Good vinedressers know their vines, branches and the soil they’re growing in,” he revealed.  “They know what’s needed and when.”  We often don’t know what’s best for us.  But our Heavenly Vinedresser does.  Because God loves us, He constantly ‘prunes’ us.  He’s not angry; He’s hard at work in His vineyard.

“Keep trimming what’s dead or misshapen, lest you end up with a tangled mess,” he suggested.  “Train the vines on trellises - not to restrict them but to support them, just as Jesus, the proverbial ‘Vine’ supports and sustains us.”

“And when it comes to harvest time,” he advised, “move around and let the sun hit the vines from different directions.  Lift that leaf where more grapes are hiding.”  There are so many surprises if you walk around and look at things from different angles.

It got me thinking about looking at people from a different perspective.  Like the branches, sometimes you have to get down and crawl on your knees and look pretty hard.

And finally, a vineyard can be wiped out in five minutes of hail.  That too, is a lesson in faith and hope.  All is not lost; the vineyard will recover.

As I rock on my porch in the cool evening shade, I give thanks for the fruit of my vines and the God who made it all possible.

“Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we’ve received the wine we offer You: fruit of the vine and work of human hands.  It will become our spiritual drink.” ~ Roman Missal

I Am the New Year

“The old has gone, the new is here!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

We’re about to jump into the month named after the Roman god Janus, a fitting image of the start of a New Year.  Janus had two faces so that he could look ahead toward the future and back at the past concurrently.  Hence, he was worshipped at both planting and harvest times, as well as births, marriages, and other beginnings.

So it is that, like Janus, we approach January 1^st as a transition from one situation to another, from one vision to another, from one goal to another.

But before we rid ourselves of the old year, there should be time for deep reflection and celebration of all that’s taken place in our lives.  We should remember each experience for the good that’s come of it and for the knowledge we gained; the efforts made and the targets met; the laughter, the joy, the hard work; even the tears.  We know through experience what we did wrong and what we did right, hoping to do better in the coming 52 weeks.

Such is the New Year - an unspoiled page in our book of time, a new shot at the art of living, our chance to improve on what we learned from living the last twelve months.

All that we sought and didn’t find lies perhaps within reach, waiting for us to search it but with more determination.  All the good that we attempted yet didn’t achieve is still attainable with fewer conflicting desires.  All that we dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that we hoped but didn’t drive, all the faith we claimed but didn’t practice lies dormant, waiting to be lit by the torch of a strong purpose.

Most notably is our opportunity to renew our allegiance to the One who said; "Behold, I make all things new." Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life even though we’ve done little to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it.  All from God.

Whether you’ve just walked through the greatest year of your life, or are anxious to see this one finally end, one truth still rings clear amidst it all.  You’re not alone.  Not ever.  Hope can be found in Jesus, not Janus.

The best way to have that new beginning is with God’s help.  Ours is a “with us" God.  On the heels of the celebration of the birth of our King, that reminder has the power to carry us right into a fresh, new start.  He is Immanuel (meaning ‘God with us’).  Though people and things shift and change around us, God never does.  His unwavering assurance promises everlasting security.

Almighty Father, shine Your light in us, through us, over us.  May we make a difference in this world, for Your glory and purpose.  Reflect Your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs Your presence and healing.  Amen

A True Gift

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." ~ Romans 13:8

Gina took a sip of her fresh peppermint latte and stared out at the sea of faces flowing like water to their destinations in the busy airport terminal.  Leaving late for the Christmas holiday could jolt even a cheerful person into despair.

A young child, dressed as Superman, wailed as he said goodbye to his military father.  An older man appears hopeless when told he ‘just’ missed his flight.  A befuddled guide dog attempts cutting through the human traffic with limited success.

Gina was determined to make the best of her journey homeward despite the persistent clamor, overpriced food and rude travelers.  Finding a quiet spot at LaGuardia can be difficult.  Yet after searching for 27 minutes, she found a quiet hallway at the far end of the concourse.

The only other person in the area was a twenty-something young woman curled into a corner.  She was quietly weeping to herself, looking at her phone and obviously distraught.

Gina thought for a moment and reached into her travel bag and pulled out a milk chocolate bar that she kept for ‘chocolate emergencies.’  She approached the crying woman and placed the tasty treat atop her backpack.

“Chocolate makes everything better,” she said with a slight grin.

Through her tears the young woman said, “Thanks, that’s really sweet of you!” before packing it into her bag.

Gina buried herself in the book she’d purchased to pass the time.  When she looked up an hour or so later, the young woman had left.   Gathering her belongings, she headed toward the gate and merrily boarded her flight to Omaha.  Almost home.

After settling into her seat, Gina watched as the (previously-sobbing) young woman found the last available seat on the plane – directly in front of her.  The young woman had no idea that Gina was sitting right behind her.

Just before takeoff, Gina overheard the young woman telling the passenger next to her, “I was traveling standby.  The airline was jerking me around; giving me no helpful information.  This was the last Christmas Eve flight out.”

“In the midst of my meltdown, the sweetest thing happened.  A wonderful lady approached me, handed me a chocolate bar and told me that everything was going to be all right.  It was so nice!”

Gina smiled yet continued her anonymity.  She hadn’t needed to find out what was wrong or why the girl was crying.  She just wanted to connect with her during a tough time.

This Christmas, give the gift of kindness.  Acknowledge, honor and connect with someone not because of what it does for you but because of what it can do for others.  That’s a true gift.

Dear Lord, during this Advent season, teach me to love like Jesus.  Don’t let me settle for a love that’s safe and bordered.  Open my arms wide to others.  Help me to love in a way that’s unrestricted, unbounded, and unrelenting.  Amen

Love Like Winter

“He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes." ~ Psalms 147:16

Andrea had always considered herself a one-season gal.  She only enjoyed summer with its hot sun, warm breezes, and cold popsicles.  Summer is for swimming and vacationing, it’s for listening to the cicadas, sipping wine coolers, and smelling lilac blossoms.

But then came the other seasons; fall and spring with their winds and rain and, winter, where everything is frozen and ostensibly dead.  Sure, winter in the Rockies is magnificent, but winter in the Midwest, where Andrea lived, was a brutal battle against the forces of nature: shoveling snow, treacherous roads, and cancelled flights.

Today however, she gazed out the window and gave thanks to God for this day; grateful that while it was winter outside … it was no longer winter inside her heart.  For too long she’d felt like winter languished there.  For too many years the world had seemed cold and harsh.  For – ever, she’d foolishly avoided the warmth of God's love.

After breakfast Andrea pulled on a favorite sweater and slowly sipped a mug of coffee.  She heard the gentle thumping noise as the furnace kicked on and warm air flowed from the heat vents.  She chuckled as her youngest stood on one of the vents to warm his feet.  In spite of the bitter cold on this frozen winter’s day, she felt the fire of His love heating her heart and soul from within.

Outside the grass lay frosted; the ground crunched beneath her feet as she walked the dogs.  The sun was rising but did little to ease the cold.  The snow had a purity that raised her spirit, the world made pristine as a new book full of adventures.  Even the chill on her face felt refreshing.

Andrea saw her breath noting how we don't see it in other seasons.  She caught a snowflake – so whimsical yet geometrically perfect … and watched it disappear.

“God’s a genius,” she thought to herself.  He carefully ordained every ray of sunshine, drop of rain, bolt of lightning, and falling snowflake.  There’s a warmth that tumbles out in the winter time; when all else is so cold.  It radiates from those who love and nurture as easily as they breathe.  In truth, the sparks of kindness are always present no matter the season.

Andrea returned to the house and prepared for the day.  She wondered how much complaining would be eliminated from our lives if we could truly be thankful for the weather we experience each day - the rainy days as much as the sunny ones, and the cold days as much as the warm ones.

Friends - let those perfect plans go.  Slide over that patch of ice, relish the cool breeze, fashion a snow angel.  Soon enough the weather will change.  Maybe you will too.

Almighty Father, don’t let my heart stall in Winter.  Shine Your love and light into my heart and soul, then let me share my Spring with the world.  Amen

Bebop's Final Gift

“Be kind and compassionate to one another." ~ Ephesians 4:32

Today marks five years since the Hanson family lost their infant daughter, Bianca.

Bianca, or Bebop, was born with a serious heart condition and had basically become a citizen of the pediatric intensive care unit of the hospital.  She’d already had a half dozen open heart surgeries in her short 11 month life.

Jenna and Marcus snuggled their precious baby as her health began to fail.  Marcus pressed the call button and paced the room, then pressed it again.  The nurse took one look at little Bianca and paged the doctor.  They were not prepared for what came next.

While waiting for the doctor, several musicians appeared at the doorway and asked if they could play a few tunes.  The performers were part of a group called Pickleberry Pie that provides free concerts for seriously ill kids in various hospitals and special facilities nationwide.

The Hanson’s agreed and soon they were all singing “Jesus Loves You.”  As they sang, something magical happened.  The hospital sights and sound faded into the background, along with all their fears and anxieties.  Joyful notes filled the air and the lively tempo transported them into an entirely different mental state; a transcendent quality that calmed and soothed aching spirits.

The tiniest hint of a smile slowly spread across Bianca’s face and reached into her doe-eyed innocence.  Chubby little hands went straight into her mouth as she giggled with pleasure at the sight of her parent’s glowing faces.

Bebop’s happiness was infectious as it slowly crept into the hearts of everyone present.  She was the epitome of God’s creation and had captured the hearts of everyone around her, just by a single smile!  Her expression spoke volumes as if to say “I love you and I loved being loved by you!”

They sang the last of several more songs when it occurred to Jenna that she’d not heard Bebop breathe for a few minutes.  She leaned back to look at her and saw that their beautiful child was gone.  She’d left this world hearing joyful music while sensing her mother’s heartbeat.

It took but a moment, but the memory of Bebop’s smile would comfort them forever.  She didn’t suffer, she wasn’t in pain, and she most certainly wasn’t alone.  Painful at first, the Hanson’s were eventually able to appreciate loving her through this life and the next as God's gift.

Every small thing in life is a moment able to nourish the soul if we let joy in.  Live with awe, humbleness, present in each moment and the gifts of life will fill you to the brim, so much that your joy will overflow and make better the lives of all around you.

Sweet Jesus, help me to smile with the radiance of a child and love with a pure heart devoid of selfishness or jealousy.  Teach me to be happy and appreciate even the littlest things in life, and especially from these angels of God!  Amen

Yes You Can

“When I prayed to God, He freed me from all my fears." ~ Psalm 34:4

Deja shared a common fear: the fear of heights.  She’d even been terrified of looking down from tall buildings.  Hoping to overcome that crippling fear, she decided to join the parachute school.

Vigorous training helped her prepare for the big moment.  But at the signal to jump, Deja froze; terrified in fear.  Jake, the instructor, led her back safely into the plane.

She was the only one that day who’d left the runway and landed without jumping.  When her companions met her back at the base they smirked.  Even Deja’s close friends were uncomfortable in her presence.  She failed.

Jake took her aside, explaining that it wasn’t unusual to be afraid.  “Real courage comes from facing and overcoming fear,” he said.  “You can do this!”

They returned to the sky that same afternoon.

Placing his thick forearm on her shoulder, Jake reassured Deja that she could do this.  She nodded, then swallowed hard.

When it was her turn, she positioned herself on the wing strut. Without hesitation this time, she plunged from 13,500 feet.  Her freefall lasted about 30 seconds before pulling the ripcord.

It became instantly clear that something was wrong … terribly wrong.  The parachute had become inoperably tangled.  Her training required that she cut the parachute free.  (Imagine falling at terminal velocity wondering if your reserve chute might also fail).

“Lord,” she thundered.  “I can’t do this!”

“Yes you can,” her sweet Savior whispered.  “I’m going to help you.”

Deja cut the twisted chute loose.  She went back into free fall and seconds later pulled her reserve parachute.  Luckily, it opened without any problems.  She floated effortlessly; gazing at the stunning landscape below.  There was nothing more to do than trust the wind and the silk above.  Tears of pure joy filled her eyes.

It was a perfect landing.  She’d conquered the greatest of human enemies: fear … with God’s grace.

I can’t imagine how many times God’s had to do that with me.  I’ve memorized the conversation: “Lord, what You’ve asked me to do is too big.  I can’t do this.”

Then He speaks directly to my soul, “Yes, you can!”

Time and time again He’s patiently cheered me on my journey.  I might still feel afraid, but I believe God is with me.  I may not be in control, but I trust the One who is.  I may not know the future, but I know the God who does.

He’s with us in whatever we face, in the turmoil and struggles, amidst the anxious thoughts and the worries of life.  He gives us the power to live courageously when many things that surround us would tell us to be afraid.  He’s got your back!

Father, I’m so grateful for a God who travels with me every day of my life.  Oh, and I’ve discovered one more thing that makes a big difference: Life goes much smoother when I give up my control and let You pack my parachute.  Amen

Unrivaled Kindness

“Obey our Lord’s command by sharing each other’s troubles and problems." ~ Galatians 6:2

Raymond’s job was never easy; working in a funeral home was akin to being a wedding planner with only a few days to plan the entire event.  Almost every day a new family, a new story, a new tragedy unfolded.  Raymond understood that – but it was his calling.

An economical coffin was placed at the front of the room, chairs were aligned in perfect rows, soft music played in the background.  He’d prepared the parlor not for the deceased older woman but to soothe the living.

He escorted Betsy, the deceased’s sister, into the quiet room to pay her respects where she lovingly stroked her hair and marveled at how peaceful she looked.  Raymond’s work was done; he remained available yet inconspicuous.

Normally the room would begin filling with grieving friends and relatives.  But today – no one came.  Not a single visitor reached out to mourn the passing of her sister’s life.

Raymond’s heart sank.  “No one should ever grieve alone,” he thought as he approached Betsy.  She looked so small; alone in such a cavernous room.

“Tell me about your sister Emily,” he asked in a genuinely kind voice before sitting beside her.  That one question led to an hours-long outpouring of emotions as varied as the seasons.

He learned that Emily had always been a bit of a loner, but that her isolation deepened as she aged.  Betsy believed it came down to embarrassment.

Emily was increasingly embarrassed that at a party, she wouldn't remember the names of friends that, just a few years ago, she would have remembered.  She'd frequently forget that she told that same story the last time they talked.

By the time Emily was 70, she had, without having made a conscious decision to become a recluse, ostensibly become one.  Her friends stopped inviting her to get together.  A sad tale, but one he’d heard all too often.

But he listened attentively … compassionately … tolerantly.

Finally he said, “Betsy, I’m so terribly sorry for your loss.  Emily died alone with no family to comfort her.  But today, we are her family.  It’s been my honor to sit with you, to memorialize her life, and to remember Emily in death as we commend her soul to eternity.”

Betsy would live the rest of her days never experiencing a greater act of kindness than she experienced in Raymond’s company that day.  If we all lived that kind of life, people like him would never have to sit with a lonely, grieving loved one again.

It’s not good for us to be alone.  God desires that we live in community with friends, family, and other believers.  Whether one or 1,000 people come to your funeral really isn’t the point.  The point is God made us to live our happiest most fulfilled lives with others people.

Almighty Father, thank You for opening our hearts and minds to this corporal work of mercy.  May the perpetual light shine upon Emily, and bring her peace.  Amen