Itching, Scratching, Coughing and Sneezing

         I am beginning to understand and appreciate Fr. Harold’s comment about “Sometimes life can be a slow martyrdom”.  This past month has been one incapacitating issue after another: hay fever, flu, a cold and now…shingles.  I realize none of these are fatal and that they don’t require habit forming pain medication.  But they are a “thorn in the side” and a vivid reminder that there is something else in this life besides being well and feeling good.  The worst part is trying to maintain a positive outlook.

        It looks like I have a choice.  I can carp, complain and moan or I can just offer it up.

        Offering up my miniscule amount of discomfort appears to have merit.  It allows me to understand, in some very small way, the suffering of the Cross.  It gives me a tiny insight into what Jesus went through for me…some understanding of the love He has for me.

        Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not removed, but he soldiered on...he suffered through it.

So, I’m good with the itching, scratching, coughing and sneezing…‘cause I know God will be enough to sustain me.

        Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this down time to refocus on you.

Amen.

Refinished And Reborn

 “Ready to be abused by the next generation” Jeff Jeansonne

In amazement I stared at the picture of my mother-in-law’s kitchen table and the comment posted by my son. At a very early age my wife sat at this very same table with her five brothers and four sisters.  For many years I have enjoyed sitting at this table…sitting and listening to my mother-in-law, “Big Red,” tell the most interesting and fascinating stories of the history and life on the Texas High Plains. After her passing at the age of 104 the well-worn and rickety old table was given to my son.  After months of laboring over the restoration he has brought it back to serve as a wonderful memory of his grandmother.

Thanks Jeff, you and your talent continually amaze me. I pray you and your family will continue the tradition of enjoying family time around this beautiful piece of furniture.

Love,

Dad

The Last Candle

Dear Jesus,

  Sunday we will light the forth and last Advent candle, then only two days will remain until your birthday. I have done absolutely nothing to prepare for your big day. I've hung no lights, put up no tree, sent out no cards and purchased no gifts. But I've been thinking about you and me...well...mostly me. So I'm writing this note to let you know that if you want a birthday gift you should pick it out yourself.  I will gladly charge it to my VISA card, as I've never been any good at picking out gifts.

  By the way, I just want you to know that your arrival in this world has been a Godsend. You have changed my life by your example, thanks for being You and have a Happy Birthday.

Yours truly,

Me

P.S. Be careful out there the stores are very crowded and the traffic is terrible.

The Shuffle

     I caught myself doing the shuffle…no…not the dance. I was awakened by a full bladder and found myself shuffling to the bathroom like some old codger in a nursing home.  It was a painful realization but I’m afraid it has come to precisely that.  I never envisioned myself being this old.  I don’t know what I was thinking or if I was even thinking but when I was young it seemed like being young was going to last forever…in spite of the statistics that 100 % of people get old and die.  Well…maybe 100 % don’t get old…but the latter situation is a proven statistic.  I never considered getting old and never anticipated what being old was like.

     Now it’s time to plan for eternal life, living forever. It appears that there are two very different options…commonly referred to as "Heaven" or "Hell". 

     I can only imagine that heaven is like being young and living forever. And the other option…hell…is being old and living forever, with the wisdom that there could have been a better choice.

     Dear Lord Jesus, please give this old codger the endurance, strength and fortitude to survive being old in this life and the mercy to be young in eternity.

Amen

The Third Day

  On the third day I emerged from the prison walls and let the heavy iron gate slam shut behind me.  My head was swimming in an emotional sea of conflicting and confusing feelings.  I had just spent three days living with those who were labeled the worst of the worst, the saddest of the sad and the ‘baddest’ of the bad.  Yet...I felt a connection with them as if they were all my brothers. 

  For the most part they did not have all the blessings of a stable environment, a disciplined up-bringing or good parenting.  They had to deal with drugs, violence and abuse…dysfunctional families or no family at all.  

  But we shared common ground in the fact that we all led a selfish and rebellious youth.  We all were looking for love in all the wrong places. 

  Three days of listening to narratives, stories and testimonies was a gut- wrenching process…but it had a worthwhile outcome.  It strengthened my faith to see the hope, happiness, peace and joy that came to those who let God into their life. 

  It was amazing to see the profound change in them, and encouraging to seeing the fervor and passion with which they prayed.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Forgive us our selfishness and lowly pride

Before the earth and stars collide.

It has filled the prisons to overflowing

Because our love has not been growing.

It has emptied the churches beyond belief

Causing nothing but sorrow, anguish and grief.

I pray that You be at my side

It’s in my heart You must reside.

Amen

Circling The Drain

  As I slowly start to circle the drain my thoughts and my focus become more intent on the tightening spiral in which I am caught.  I have discovered that Judgment Day is a two-part event: the particular judgment and the last or general judgment. 

  The first…at the time of your death…you are given the verdict.  You get a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down”.  This is done discreetly in the private confines of the judge’s chambers.  While the second part, the general or final judgment is held at an IMAX with the whole world present.  The entire movie of your life is shown for everyone to see.  Your each and every action… good and bad…is detailed in “High Def Technicolor” and how the domino effect impacts every person on the planet.

  The verdict…first and second time…is the same but I can see that the second time is going to be very embarrassing.  I get a bit flushed when I think about it.

  Dear Lord Jesus

This is the day my eyes open wide

As to the ways of my foolish pride

Direct my actions today I plea

To make a movie that pleases Thee.

Amen