First, Best Friend

 “Don’t look back, lengthen your stride, and press toward the goal." ~ Philippians 3:13-14

As a young lad of six, Eric’s first friend wasn’t another little boy or girl, but an eighty old man. Their farm lay outside a small town that spoke of denim skies, rustic winds, and bygone days. A single television received only one channel clearly.

It was a place of solitude and the freedom of playful thoughts; a place to hear the rain on the old tin roof as if it were music from the heavens. Eric spent most of his free time playing alone outside amid the tall grass and meadow flowers.

It was only a matter of time before Eric’s curiosity led him to “Little Barney’s” house. Town folk called him that because he was short and hunched over from a lifetime of hard work. Although he had money from disciplined saving, he lived in the only three rooms of a dilapidated, 100-year-old farmhouse that were still livable.

It had no electricity or running water. Barney cooked his meals and heated his house with an ancient cast iron stove. He still worked every day gardening, cooking, and cleaning.

Oddly, the two became fast friends.

A first-generation, German immigrant, Barney spoke only broken English, but Eric understood him well enough. They would share fried-baloney sandwiches and fresh vegetables. Then the old man would show the boy old photos from decades gone by.

There was a peacefulness about Barney that seemed out of place even now. He labored long, worried little, gave freely, smiled easily, laughed gently, and loved kindly. He never complained about how difficult it was to be a Depression-era child.

But its lasting effects were evident.

They loved going outside at dusk and chase lightning bugs. Lying down in the grass, they’d gaze at the stars, trying to identify constellations. It was a time of savoring simple things, slowing down to rest, and unplugging from the world.

"Look at the sky," he'd say in a dreamy, wistful tone. With a small smile on his face, Barney would draw out the words longer than necessary, orchestrating a symphony of perfectly melted hues. Then he’d stay silent, taking it in as if for the first time, acknowledging its unpretentious beauty.

Their friendship was short-lived. Little Barney died when the boy was still young. Yet, part of him still lives on in Eric’s heart and mind. He became a better adult because of the brief time they spent together. He is kinder, more loving, and closer to God because of their early friendship.

An earlier generation’s knowledge is a goldmine of wisdom and strength if we’re willing to listen and learn. We all too have those special teachers, who touch our lives briefly but stay in our hearts forever. May we always love them, cherish them, and embrace what they teach.

Almighty Father, help us let go so that we can make room for You. Inspire in us the margin and space to breathe more deeply, live more simply, and appreciate the beauty surrounding us more fully.  Amen

A Lesson in Humility

 “Learn of Me; for I am meek and modest in heart.” ~ Matthew 11:29

“Predictable” described his addiction path. He went from partying occasionally to drinking every night. When he began boozing in the morning to stave off the agony of withdrawal, he realized he’d become a hard-core alcoholic.

Joshua had children but never married their mother. A failed business venture left him broke and desperate.  When his house was foreclosed, he moved in with his parents… under one condition.

He entered rehab for the third time. His Dad drove him. There was no reason for optimism. Except this time, Joshua accepted his powerlessness and begged God for help.

God answered. Joshua found a commitment to sobriety he’d never experienced before. He returned to his childhood church and threw himself into Bible studies and volunteer work.

One glaring problem remained. He needed income. And now that Joshua was trying to repair the damaged relationship with his children, his financial obligations grew.

A friend offered him a management-trainee position at Chick-fil-A. He was grateful yet mystified by the offer. His previous attempt at business bombed spectacularly. He’d never worked behind a counter in his life. But he needed a job and took it.

In fast food, you work your way through every job you’ll eventually manage - if you survive. Initially, Joshua was given a late shift to avoid the rush hours.  Still, the work depleted him. He had no idea there are so many variations to chicken.

Working at night until closing also meant cleaning certain areas of the restaurant. Imagine degreasing an entire commercial kitchen every night if you've never done this. Part of the routine also included scrubbing the baseboards along the bottom of the walls in the customer seating area.

It was Joshua’s least favorite part of the closing checklist.  His boss would crawl under random booths to inspect how the baseboards looked BENEATH the benches where customers sat. Nobody would ever see that – yet it was important to her that Joshua did his job thoroughly.

But upon reflection, it was much more than about her being meticulous.

She took her responsibilities very seriously. She wanted to run the best possible business, which included attention to detail. So she crawled underneath booths in the restaurant to show Joshua what humble leadership looked like.

There would never be an award or recognition for taking care of the minute details. Yet they added up to big things. And leadership was best served by example.

Humility is one of the dominant principles Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. His humility in life, death, and resurrection, testifies to one of God’s clearest and most memorable promises in all the Scriptures: “He humbles the proud and exalts the humble.”

A style Joshua would instill personally and require of his staff as he opened his own restaurant.

Lord, You taught us the meaning of humility through Your teachings and example. We pray that our own words and deeds reflect an inner sense of meekness, contriteness, and submissiveness to You, our God. Amen 

"Cats in the Cradle"

 “Teach your children right from wrong by your example. " ~ Proverbs 22:6

The above song presents a series of dialogues between a father and his son. As the verses progress, we see them age without really connecting.

When the son is young, the father can't find time for him, too busy with “planes to catch and bills to pay.” Despite the emotional distance, the boy admires him, saying "I'm gonna be like you, Dad."

Near the end of the song, the now-retired father aches to spend time with his boy. Married now with a family of his own, the boy has indeed followed his father's example and is too busy “if [only] I could find the time” for his aging parent.

Picture a man sitting at his kitchen table, staring into the backyard at a rusted swing set and an overgrown sandbox. Regret grieves him as he reflects on how it all went by so fast and how his son “had grown up just like me.”  

As the haunting chorus depicts "the cats in the cradle" (the family at home) "and the silver spoon" (wealth the father seeks to earn). The "little boy blue" (sad, neglected child) waits patiently while “the man on the moon" (father) remains emotionally unreachable.

It's about the father’s deep regret for ignoring his maturing son while always choosing to do things more important. It’s a vivid realization that his adoring son did indeed grow up to be his mirror image.

The song's lyrics began as a poem written by Harry Chapin’s wife, Sandra. Put to music in 1974 after the birth of their son Josh, it offered a blunt warning of a joyless future should he continue the torrid pace of his life. Ironically that summer, the musician was tragically killed in a car accident.

The “Cat’s in the Cradle” message provides a warning about not investing enough time in one’s family. So many powerful and seemingly desirable personal goals and idols lure men away from the home.

The song shatters the myth of spending “quality time” with your children or the myth that “you can have it all.” Parents who spend too much time seeking their own needs can only caution their kids: “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Father’s Day is a day to honor and celebrate dads. The day also compels fathers to introspectively examine the serious calling of being a Dad.

The family must always be a father’s priority, putting his family's often mundane, needs before his own. A father’s love must be constant and enduring, no matter the circumstances. Leading by example through an example of fidelity, compassion, attentiveness, and reflection defines true leadership.

Dads – it’s never too late to hear the call to arms on behalf of your children. Happy Dad’s Day!

Almighty Father, help me be a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.  Help me love them unselfishly and You have loved me. Amen

Unlikely Friends

 “Don’t be selfish or conceited. Humbly value others above yourselves." ~ Philippians 2:3

One was black, one was white.  One was from the South, the other from the mid-west.  One was a first-round draft pick the other signed as a free agent and was relegated to the practice squad.

Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo couldn’t have been more different, yet they became close friends. They had two things in common: open minds and open hearts.

It was a friendship that shattered social norms in the late 1960′s. They became the first interracial roommates in NFL history. Their friendship, love, and support set a brilliant example for the world.

Sayers, 24 at the time, was already an established star, a shy, humble black man who was generally regarded as warm and affectionate. Piccolo, the same age and white, had an effusive personality and competed with Sayers for playing time in the Bears’ backfield.

Midway through the 1968 season, Sayers suffered a ruptured cartilage and two torn ligaments in his right knee, ending his season. Piccolo became the starter. The two grew close when Piccolo vigorously and unselfishly supported Sayers’ efforts throughout his rehabilitation.

By 1969, the Bears were in the midst of a 1-13 season, their worst in the history of the franchise. Piccolo finally earned a place in the starting lineup blocking for the much-heralded Sayers. During the November 16^th game in Atlanta, Piccolo voluntarily left the field unable to catch his breath.  A healthy Piccolo would never have done that, raising concern among his teammates and coaches.

When the Bears returned to Chicago, Piccolo received a diagnosis of late-stage testicular cancer. Sayers would remain unfailingly by his side while he fought for his life.

Sayers, who’d recovered from his injuries to win the NFL Rushing Title, was honored with the George Halas Award as the league's most courageous player for the 1969 season. At a ceremony in New York, Sayers gave an emotional speech saying there was somebody more deserving:

"He has the heart of a giant and that rare form of courage that allows him to kid himself and his opponent - cancer," Sayers told the audience. "You flatter me by giving me this award, but tonight I accept it for Brian Piccolo. It will be his tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like you all to love him, too. When you hit your knees tonight, please ask God to love him."

Brian Piccolo lost his battle with cancer less than a month later at the age of 26.

Their enduring friendship became the subject of “Brian’s Song,” a 1971 made-for-TV movie that remains one of the most popular sports movies of all time. It resonated because of its truth. Their friendship, love, and support for each other was woven with threads of every color of human skin; a new symbol of humanity working together for a better future.

Heavenly Father, thank You for my friends and their spiritual impact on my life. I pray that our friendship will only continue to blossom, sharpening one another for God’s glory. Amen

Blue MInd

 “The water I give will become in you a spring of water that gives eternal life.” ~ John 4:14

The water was calm as Kailani floated on her longboard. The minimal wind had the board gliding across the water, cutting through it like a laser through mild steel – “glassy” in surfer-speak. She could almost see her reflection while she waited.

During these brief moments, the universe slows down, as if time itself stopped its linear progression. Just being out there, floating on the water, feeling the sun, feet dangling in the water, absorbing the oceans’ natural beauty fully engulfed by God’s presence.

Kailani took in the view, the wind, the smells, and the sound of small waves fluttering against “Godship” – the nickname she’d christened her paulownia soft top.

Almost immediately, she could feel her muscles relaxing, her breaths growing deeper and her brainwaves slowing down to mirror the gentle roll of the waves.

Whether it’s embracing the sea breeze, the gentle lapping of waves, or the glint of sunshine on a rippling surface, there’s something deeply restorative about being in or near water.

Kailani erased the distant traffic. She thought of her cell phone, sitting on the coffee table at home. She couldn't stop bad things from happening in the world even if she turned off the 24/7 news. To her, this was the place for quiet contemplation. Here she thought about love, the people she cherished, and what was right with her life.

She felt God's whisper echo from the sea. Once found, this happiness will be easier to find again.

As a scientist, what Kailani experienced wasn’t just in her head. There’s a growing body of evidence revealing the remarkable truth about the benefits of being in, on, under, or simply near water. Even taking a shower, or glimpsing a photograph of a river will do the job. Even a fountain may do.

The Victorians knew this, prescribing sea air as a treatment for melancholy. So did the French, who, for centuries, sent people with ailments to natural springs. Now modern scientists are catching up.

Scientists believe that the atmosphere at a beach, on the ocean, or by moving water contains elevated levels of negatively charged ions. These ions cause the brain to release mood-enhancing serotonin and reduce blood lactate levels, lowering stress.

Dr. Wallace Nichols called it “Blue Mind.” It’s a mind at rest, neither overly positive nor negative. It's Zen, it's mindfulness. It's joyful, it's chill.

Kailani calls it being at peace with God, living in harmony with all that He’s created, trusting in unanswered questions, fearing neither death nor eternity. She’s secure in the knowledge that Jesus has done all that was necessary to make her right with God – a peace that passes all understanding. 

Loving God, I’m a sinner and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I seek to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord. Amen

Auto Doctor

 “Don’t use your freedom to indulge the flesh, but serve one another humbly in love." ~ Galatians 5:13

As a kid, Carl wasn't necessarily a great student. The material was bright and interesting, but the pressures that came with growing up in poverty shifted his focus away from academics and toward basic survival.

Gang violence was pervasive in his Cleveland neighborhood. Food scarcity, personal safety, the lack of decent clothing and basic school supplies, and just trying to fit in took precedence over studying and getting good grades.

He dreamed of one day becoming a doctor but knew that was probably unrealistic. So, after school, Carl focused on something he was good at - fixing cars. At 16, he took a job at an auto parts store. On his own time after work, he would fix customers' cars in the store's parking lot.

By the time he was 19, he’d gained a solid reputation as a mechanic. With the help of a $500-limit credit card, he opened his own auto repair shop and dedicated his life to that work.

Interested in improving his business and feeling a bit restless, the entrepreneur enrolled in a night business degree program at a local college. He was 34, married, raising four children, and running two auto shops.

Before he could graduate though, he needed to pass a biology class. Carl initially resisted, as the course had nothing to do with business. But from the moment he sat down, it seemed to rekindle his adolescent dream of becoming a physician.

So, in 2010, Carl, now 39, enrolled in community college to take more science classes.  He also started shadowing and volunteering at local hospitals to get exposure to the medical field. As he gained experience, he felt even more confident about his new career path.

He eventually transferred into a pre-med program at Cleveland State where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Science.  In 2015, Carl started medical school at Northeast Ohio Medical University - twelve years after that first biology course.

Carl graduated from medical school at age 47 and began his residency in ER medicine in 2019. The moment he’d dreamed of since childhood came three years later when Dr. Carl Allamby landed his first job as an attending physician at age 51.

He said repairing cars and treating people aren’t as different as people think. Both jobs come down to pretty similar things: compassion and keeping promises. Both career paths helped him carry out his life’s mission to better serve his community

Many people earn college degrees later in life nowadays. Whether it’s a demanding career, family, or other obligations, life sometimes gets in the way of ambitious dreams. But it’s never too late to pursue your passions, even if it takes years to accomplish your goal. Carl Allamby. M.D. proves you can achieve anything in life if you have self-confidence and treat others kindly.

Holy Father, You oppose the proud but elevate the humble. Help me follow Christ’s example, leading and loving humbly and graciously in every interaction. Amen 

Chop Wood, Carry Water

 “He made them woodcutters and water carriers for the needs of God’s altar." ~ Joshua 9:27

Amid Kentucky’s ruggedly scenic, Appalachian Mountains, Tyler stood before a mountain of wood that his Dad and older brother had cut, split, and unloaded the day before. The gangly, pubescent, twelve-year-old needed to take one wheelbarrow load at a time around the house, stack the wood into cords, and cover it with a tarp to keep it dry.

A full cord is 128 cubic feet of material. That’s about three trees’ worth. The boy was looking at more than a ton of work.

There was only one way to begin: he tugged on britches, boots, and gloves and trudged outside. Tyler dumped his first load back by the woodshed and studied the shapes of the logs, trying to fit them together in a deliberate sequence. Sometimes the gaps between them left too much space for the stack to be stable or too little for the wood to dry.  It was challenging, like fitting the pieces of a puzzle together.

Tyler took his time storing the wood so each cord was sturdy. It became a game seeing how neatly he could stack it and even found himself smiling during the arduous task.

Eventually, the wood was all skillfully put away. The boy’s back and shoulder muscles burned - proof that he valued himself enough to put in the extra effort it required. He’d turned a mundane job into a richly rewarding one. 

His Mom greeted him on the porch with a glass of sweet tea. They sat on the steps; both dogs at their feet. No words were spoken as they soaked in the fresh, cool fragrance of the season. “Heavenly,” he thought.

With his spirits soaring beyond the colorful boughs above, he recalled an old Buddhist proverb that went: “Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.” His Dad had explained once that the key to success in life was to simply wake up and do the most extraordinary job you can with whatever God put on your plate for that day.

Tyler’s “purpose” today was to help provide a source of heat to keep the family warm during the cold winter ahead - by doing his job of “chopping wood” (literally). 

Many of us think that once we achieve some future state - enlightenment, financial security, winning the lottery, getting retweeted by a celebrity – we’ll finally be content. But the truth is that none of these destinations bring lasting contentment.

Enlightened or not, we all have some wood-chopping and water-carrying to do. It’s best then to do it with love in our hearts, humility in our approach, and joyfully under Heaven’s eyes.  And when you’re done, it’s best to sip some tea with someone you love.

Joshua wrote, “Everyone wants to be great until it’s time to do what greatness requires.” For many years it feels as if nothing’s happening.  Help me trust Your process and continue to chop wood, regardless of what’s happening around me. Amen 

The Final Salute

 “This woman will be forever remembered for what she’s done.” ~ Matthew 26:13

Paula vividly recalled the drums beating slowly as she walked with her two boys from the Old Post Chapel, behind the horse-drawn caisson carrying her husband’s flag-draped casket.

Struggling to maintain her composure, she stared at his freshly dug grave, the 21-gun salute, Taps. The chaplain handed her a perfectly folded flag. A blur of tributes.

Then a lady stepped forward, a stranger, dressed not in uniform but in a simple black dress. She whispered a few words and pressed a card into Paula’s hands. "If there’s anything you need ..." she assured before melting back into the crowd.

Later Paula would think of her as a comforting, human presence in a sea of starched uniforms and salutes. The stranger was an "Arlington Lady" - one of a small band of volunteers, mainly spouses of retired military officers, who attend every funeral in Arlington National Cemetery.

Their mission is to ensure no soldier, sailor, airman, or coastie is ever buried alone. Paula recalled feeling as though an entire nation grieved with her.

The Gold Star wife later wrestled with how best to honor her late husband. She dug out the lady's card. “This is something I can do,” she thought. “Not just for him, but for every veteran.”

Today, she’s lost count of how many funerals she's attended over the past 30 years. “Eight to 10 Soldiers are buried here daily,” she said. “So, two of us attend 5 funerals a day, regardless of the weather conditions."

Begun in 1948, the group was created when General Hoyt Vandenberg, and his wife, Gladys, noticed that some services had only a military chaplain present. (Often older Soldiers who served in Vietnam, Korea, and World War II who’ve outlived family and friends). Gladys asked her friends to start attending services. Their efforts soon grew into a group of several dozen women.

They’re not to be seen as professional mourners, but rather as a support system for the families. Their role is to represent the service branch to offer condolence, support the family and honor the veteran or service member.

Because they’re all former or current military spouses, they help to put a family face on the funeral service. Their presence reminds us that a grateful nation shares in their loss.

Jesus showed the importance of paying tribute. He rejected His disciples' idea that a woman who anointed Him should have sold the expensive ointment instead, to make better use of the money. Rather, He has called her act a beautiful thing. (Mathew 26:13).

For the heroes who’ve given their lives in service to God and country, please honor them today. We’re the “land of the free” only so long as it remains home to the brave.

Heavenly Father, today we pray with grateful hearts, recognizing the sacrifices of those who serve our country - humbled by their courage, dedication, and selflessness. Thank You for those who’ve answered the call, putting their lives at risk to defend our freedoms and way of life. Amen

Empathy from Apathy

 “Love looks like sacrificial kindness and patience towards others." ~ Colossians 3:12-14

Christian (16) and Javier (9) wandered down a country road that bordered a strawberry field. They noticed a sweaty man toiling in the field, his wide-brimmed hat, long cotton sleeves, and dirt-infused jeans protecting him from the boiling sun.

His rubber boots had trampled many miles, some worn by countless workers before him. Fortunately, a newer pair of walking shoes sat beside a small knapsack under a shade tree nearby.

He averted the boys’ stare. Harsh Mexican street life back home had taught the dark-skinned man to remain as isolated as possible. Even a stray glance could mean trouble.

Javier looked at his older brother and said, “Let’s hide his good shoes so when he comes from the field, he won’t be able to find them. His expression will be awesome!” he sneered.

Christian shook his head. “The man is a seasonal worker, thousands of miles from home. He probably confronted dangers and experiences that will haunt him forever to find this backbreaking work - all for the love of his family and the hopes for his children’s future.”

“For a prank to be funny it needs to come as part of a culture where pranks are an accepted way to show acceptance and love. The key is to make sure it’s hilarious instead of harmful. It must show that the person is "one of us," rather than the opposite.”

“He looks poor,” Christian continued. “See his clothes? Let’s do this instead: Let’s hide some money in each shoe. Then we’ll hide in these bushes and watch for his reaction.”

Javier agreed and they placed some bills and loose change in each shoe. It wasn’t long before the worker came off the field, ragged and exhausted. He pulled on a shoe and immediately felt the cash under his foot. He emptied the shoe, staring at its content in disbelief.

Confused, he slid his foot into the other shoe and felt more money. Overwhelmed, he dropped to his knees and offered a short prayer of gratitude that the boys could easily hear from their hiding place. He spoke of his sick wife and two small hungry sons, praising God for this unforeseen bounty from unknown hands.

Soon the boys walked home, inspired by their generosity; an emotional warmth that would glow from within for some time.

Love and empathy are foundational elements of a functional society. And there is no person in history that set a better example than Jesus Christ. He didn’t form an army, build a headquarters, or even write a book. One of the most powerful ways of turning people’s loyalty to God is through the intensive fellowship of affection for others.

Loving Father, fill our hearts with the power of Your love so we can make a difference in this world and bring honor to You. Help us remember that the most significant thing we can do in this life is simply to love You and to love others. Amen

"Nearer My God to Thee"

 “Jesus comforts us when we suffer. In turn, we are called comfort others.” ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Frigid Arctic cold seeped into her car as she waited for her son while he attended his mandated Narcotics Anonymous meeting at the nearby church. Jenny worried that he might ditch the meeting if she didn’t hang around.

Anxious and restless, Jenny tried to read her book. These next 90 minutes could be the final trauma that broke Luke as he struggled with sobriety.

Parents are responsible for keeping their kids on the right path. Where had she failed? Jenny longed for someone to confide in and almost wished she could join Luke inside.

Through the frosted car windows, the church glowed like an invitation. Hoping they wouldn’t mind if she waited in the Sanctuary until the meeting ended, she opened the ornate wooden doors and slipped quietly into a back pew.

Celestial voices softened her anxieties as a choir sang “Nearer My God to Thee.” It expressed the aim of every Christian to draw closer to God. Powerful, yet soothing and reassuring.

When the practice ended, choir members gathered up front sharing testimonials of God’s work in their lives. Their everyday miracles moved Jenny to tears. A peace, that she hadn’t felt since Luke’s addiction surfaced, washed over her.

She wiped the tears and stood to leave. Time to face the cold reality awaiting outside. “What bought you here tonight?” one of them asked.

“I’m just waiting for my son downstairs,” she offered, not needing to explain what that meant.

“I’ll pray for his healing,” a woman said, resting her hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “You aren’t alone in this,” said another. Other members joined the circle, offering encouragement and empathy.

Suddenly Jenny realized that the glow she’d seen from her car hadn’t come from lights but from the radiant hearts of the strangers surrounding her.

She stepped back into the cold and spotted her son standing next to the car and hurried to him. Before she could speak, Luke hugged her. She saw in his eyes the same sense of hope and renewal that reflected from her own.

On the ride home, Luke explained how hard he’d been trying to heal, and how worried he was about being a new father. Jenny told him how much she loved him, and that she’d always be his Mom and grandmother to his baby.

They talked about the angels they’d both met that night and the inner peace they’d rendered; an affection reminding them they weren’t alone no matter how much healing remained.

Even when we can’t see or feel Him, the Lord never leaves our side. As we walk through each day, let’s remember to call upon Him and always give thanks.

Lord, nourish my spirit with Your presence and fill me with the treasures of Your wisdom and knowledge. Light up my heart with Your words of love and give me the strength to seek You daily. Show me the way to everlasting life. Amen