"http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Spirituality-From-A-Wheelchair/123019554388130?ref=ts"
Sitting outside on a beautiful summer evening,
The family gathered together around the table on the deck,
Eating by candlelight while surrounded by apple trees.
Hearing the crickets singing ever so lightly
As cards are played after dinner,
With lots of laughter and chatter.
Everyone so happy,
Knowing God is behind these splendid, relaxing moments.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Spirituality From A Wheelchair - WISPS
Blue skies with just wisps of a cloud or two,
a picnic blanket on the mountain grass,
a river below us,
boys with stick fishing poles,
laughing as they wade through the water,
and us playing 'keep away,' our border collie happily being in the middle,
leaping up to grab the twig thrown between my husband and I,
as I sat in my wheelchair.
Thank you, God,
for a perfect day,
while we remember those who have passed on.
a picnic blanket on the mountain grass,
a river below us,
boys with stick fishing poles,
laughing as they wade through the water,
and us playing 'keep away,' our border collie happily being in the middle,
leaping up to grab the twig thrown between my husband and I,
as I sat in my wheelchair.
Thank you, God,
for a perfect day,
while we remember those who have passed on.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Spirituality From a Wheelchair Daily Thought
HOPE...a four letter word we need to spread, every hour and day of the year!
Friday, May 28, 2010
THE SHOEBOX
Sitting among friends the other day, I thought of a story to share. I began to tell about the shoebox.
It rested on the floor underneath a dining room chair, one we rarely used. It sat in a corner, to the right of the china closet. We only used the dining room for special occasions, perhaps on a holiday or maybe having a celebration among family and friends. As we gathered at the table, those close to the chair in the corner would usually ask what was in the faded orange shoebox. We said someone must have left some shoes here, that one day the owner would claim the box. One diner would comment about looking into the box after we ate, but as the conversation moved onto other topics, the shoebox was soon forgotten.
That faded orange shoebox stayed there a couple of years. We would dust around it, sweep around it and mop around it, but never moved the box. The plan was always there, to toss it after a chore was completed or a meal was over, but life does get busy, running from one thing to the next. A shoebox under the chair did not seem to be of major concern.
As I passed by our dining room one day, the box caught my eye. I was not running to get anywhere. It was time, I said to myself, to get rid of it. I would save the box for a school project and give the shoes to a thrift store.
I opened the lid, letting out a small cry of surprise. Inside was the deceased parakeet of my daughter, still displaying all of its bright green and yellow feathers, looking as if it only passed away only yesterday, no aroma seeping out of the cardboard. I proceeded to laugh until my stomach hurt.
That evening, I brought the box out to say I finally removed it from under the dining room chair. They were most anxious to see whose shoes were inside. There were screams of laughter as I removed the lid and they peered into the box.
I am sure at the time this little bird, named Woody, passed away, my daughter asked for a shoebox so we could give him a proper burial. After placing him in the box, none of us could remember why Woody ended up on the floor in the dining room rather than in the garden.
Other parakeets have come and gone since Woody. They all have joined him in a final resting place in the garden. Now, we never fail to have the ceremony on the day each of them has passed away.
It rested on the floor underneath a dining room chair, one we rarely used. It sat in a corner, to the right of the china closet. We only used the dining room for special occasions, perhaps on a holiday or maybe having a celebration among family and friends. As we gathered at the table, those close to the chair in the corner would usually ask what was in the faded orange shoebox. We said someone must have left some shoes here, that one day the owner would claim the box. One diner would comment about looking into the box after we ate, but as the conversation moved onto other topics, the shoebox was soon forgotten.
That faded orange shoebox stayed there a couple of years. We would dust around it, sweep around it and mop around it, but never moved the box. The plan was always there, to toss it after a chore was completed or a meal was over, but life does get busy, running from one thing to the next. A shoebox under the chair did not seem to be of major concern.
As I passed by our dining room one day, the box caught my eye. I was not running to get anywhere. It was time, I said to myself, to get rid of it. I would save the box for a school project and give the shoes to a thrift store.
I opened the lid, letting out a small cry of surprise. Inside was the deceased parakeet of my daughter, still displaying all of its bright green and yellow feathers, looking as if it only passed away only yesterday, no aroma seeping out of the cardboard. I proceeded to laugh until my stomach hurt.
That evening, I brought the box out to say I finally removed it from under the dining room chair. They were most anxious to see whose shoes were inside. There were screams of laughter as I removed the lid and they peered into the box.
I am sure at the time this little bird, named Woody, passed away, my daughter asked for a shoebox so we could give him a proper burial. After placing him in the box, none of us could remember why Woody ended up on the floor in the dining room rather than in the garden.
Other parakeets have come and gone since Woody. They all have joined him in a final resting place in the garden. Now, we never fail to have the ceremony on the day each of them has passed away.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
THE WRONG NUMBER
Not long ago, I answered the phone, with caller asking if a Sandra was there. I immediately recognized the voice on the other end. She and her husband were on the same educational tour I took of Europe, nearly 30 years ago. After the tour, we stayed in touch through handwritten letters, as there was no e-mail back then. In time, our lives got busy, losing touch with one another. I always wondered how she and her husband were doing; now she was on the other end of the phone!
I told her this was not Sandra’s number, a neighbor of hers in Texas, but Marie, a person from the tour so long ago. She is in her eighties now. It took awhile for her to recall who I was, but after a minute or so, all the memories of our three weeks together returned.
Neither one of us know how she called me, as it wasn’t close to the number she was dialing, much less being in the same state! It was a joy to visit, though bittersweet, as she told me of her husband’s passing three years ago. The love story she told me that day, of the two of them, brought tears to my eyes. She was with him until his last breath, speaking of their love for one another until he shut his eyes for the last time.
I promised her I would send her a photo of my family. She got a giggle in her voice, saying that only ten days before, she had pulled out my letters from the past and photos I had sent. She, too, was wondering how I was doing, as she read the letters from long ago. Now, here I was on the phone, by her dialing a wrong number! Both of us said God had to have a part in this.
She did not get to reach Sandra through her phone call that afternoon. Rather, we both received an unanticipated joy, flooding us with beautiful memories. Tears and laughter shared reminded us just how precious and dear life is.
I told her this was not Sandra’s number, a neighbor of hers in Texas, but Marie, a person from the tour so long ago. She is in her eighties now. It took awhile for her to recall who I was, but after a minute or so, all the memories of our three weeks together returned.
Neither one of us know how she called me, as it wasn’t close to the number she was dialing, much less being in the same state! It was a joy to visit, though bittersweet, as she told me of her husband’s passing three years ago. The love story she told me that day, of the two of them, brought tears to my eyes. She was with him until his last breath, speaking of their love for one another until he shut his eyes for the last time.
I promised her I would send her a photo of my family. She got a giggle in her voice, saying that only ten days before, she had pulled out my letters from the past and photos I had sent. She, too, was wondering how I was doing, as she read the letters from long ago. Now, here I was on the phone, by her dialing a wrong number! Both of us said God had to have a part in this.
She did not get to reach Sandra through her phone call that afternoon. Rather, we both received an unanticipated joy, flooding us with beautiful memories. Tears and laughter shared reminded us just how precious and dear life is.
Monday, May 24, 2010
THE NICEST
Isn’t a fun to receive something from someone at the least expecting moment? It happened to me not once, but twice, this weekend.
It happened on Saturday morning, as I settled into my place to sit at a Confirmation ceremony, held at our Church. After the sweet man beside me helped to position my wheelchair at the end of the row of chairs, I noticed the couple behind me.
I had just met the couple’s 16-year-old daughter the week before, her aunt being a friend of mine. She and her mother told me she was to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation the following weekend, choosing Saint Rita as her patron saint. I replied by saying I would make her a necklace holding a medal of the saint. I saw her beautiful green braces as she smiled to this idea. I asked her if this was one of her favorite colors; it was, with pink being another favorite color. Already, I began an image in my mind what design I would create.
Finishing it on Thursday, I called up her aunt, to say I had it ready. She came by for it, saying her niece would love the tiny, faceted, pastel green and pink Czech glass beads, with the tiniest of sterling silver beads mixed in. The Saint Rita medal was at its center. She planned to present it to her Friday night, the eve of her Confirmation.
I turned to this couple, asking them if she was pleased with the necklace. I first must tell you that the Church is large, holding 1,000 people. To pick the place I had to sit was an amazing coincidence that they were right there behind me. However, as we all know, it really is not a coincidence; it’s God being busy having these little things happen. Their daughter was not with them, as she was being part of the procession into the Church. The mother responded that her daughter loved it, crying that though I had only met her once, for three minutes, I would make the necklace for her. The mom handed me a bouquet of flowers and a thank you card, saying they were from her daughter. It was my turn to cry; I had no idea I would receive such beautiful gifts. I feel blessed to have this teen in my heart!
On Sunday, while in Church for Mass, a woman stopped me as a rolled by her seat. She wanted to visit a few minutes before the ceremony was to begin. I had her daughter as a religious education student for several years, always staying in touch as she and her brother, another student of mine, grew up into lovely teens. Her husband reached over and handed me this beautiful long stemmed rose, fashioned from a material looking like glass. Again, I was taken aback, not anticipating a gift. The woman said they saw the rose and said it immediately made them think of me. I felt blessed again, God surrounding me with wonderful people.
It was the nicest treat, others showing gestures that still have me smiling. They will never know how much they mean to me.
It happened on Saturday morning, as I settled into my place to sit at a Confirmation ceremony, held at our Church. After the sweet man beside me helped to position my wheelchair at the end of the row of chairs, I noticed the couple behind me.
I had just met the couple’s 16-year-old daughter the week before, her aunt being a friend of mine. She and her mother told me she was to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation the following weekend, choosing Saint Rita as her patron saint. I replied by saying I would make her a necklace holding a medal of the saint. I saw her beautiful green braces as she smiled to this idea. I asked her if this was one of her favorite colors; it was, with pink being another favorite color. Already, I began an image in my mind what design I would create.
Finishing it on Thursday, I called up her aunt, to say I had it ready. She came by for it, saying her niece would love the tiny, faceted, pastel green and pink Czech glass beads, with the tiniest of sterling silver beads mixed in. The Saint Rita medal was at its center. She planned to present it to her Friday night, the eve of her Confirmation.
I turned to this couple, asking them if she was pleased with the necklace. I first must tell you that the Church is large, holding 1,000 people. To pick the place I had to sit was an amazing coincidence that they were right there behind me. However, as we all know, it really is not a coincidence; it’s God being busy having these little things happen. Their daughter was not with them, as she was being part of the procession into the Church. The mother responded that her daughter loved it, crying that though I had only met her once, for three minutes, I would make the necklace for her. The mom handed me a bouquet of flowers and a thank you card, saying they were from her daughter. It was my turn to cry; I had no idea I would receive such beautiful gifts. I feel blessed to have this teen in my heart!
On Sunday, while in Church for Mass, a woman stopped me as a rolled by her seat. She wanted to visit a few minutes before the ceremony was to begin. I had her daughter as a religious education student for several years, always staying in touch as she and her brother, another student of mine, grew up into lovely teens. Her husband reached over and handed me this beautiful long stemmed rose, fashioned from a material looking like glass. Again, I was taken aback, not anticipating a gift. The woman said they saw the rose and said it immediately made them think of me. I felt blessed again, God surrounding me with wonderful people.
It was the nicest treat, others showing gestures that still have me smiling. They will never know how much they mean to me.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Window
Today, there was an ad in my e-mail for replacement windows. Granted, I do not like ads to show up in my box, but this time, it made me instantly think of what I see outside my windows. If I look out one direction, I see the street and the not-so-pleasant looking roof of the neighbor’s house across from ours. Another direction, I can catch glimpses of a New Mexico beautiful sunset nearly every evening. Yet, from another direction, I look out upon my own sanctuary, a yard filled with trees just growing new foliage, green grass and several gardens of flowers. There are the bird feeders, delighting me with a large array of two-winged creatures stopping by for a bite to eat or for a splash of water. This particular window view is my favorite, as you can well imagine. I feel quite blessed to have this vista right beyond the glass, as I sit on the couch or am at the kitchen sink.
Though I have been gifted with this awe-inspiring scene, I do tend to daydream of other window views. It is nice to shut my eyes and imagine a vast and magnificent ocean, casting shades of green and blue as the sun sparkles upon it. If I listen hard enough, I can hear the sound of the breaking waves as they reach the shore. The sand is so very soft as it seeps between my toes.
In another whimsical moment, I picture a rushing river flowing by, creating a splendid, splashing, noise as it hits rocks of all sizes in its path. The water feels so very cold as I fantasize, giving me a sense of how fresh and pure it is.
I love to envision a meadow outside my window of daydreams. It is a beautiful meadow, dandelions admired as wild flowers instead of weeds. There is a small stream rippling through the grass, with a deer or two walking gracefully over for a drink. Beyond the meadow are the mountains with stunning peaks, holding many secrets as they silently share their beauty.
No, I do not believe I want my windows replaced. I am quite content with the ones God has given me!
Though I have been gifted with this awe-inspiring scene, I do tend to daydream of other window views. It is nice to shut my eyes and imagine a vast and magnificent ocean, casting shades of green and blue as the sun sparkles upon it. If I listen hard enough, I can hear the sound of the breaking waves as they reach the shore. The sand is so very soft as it seeps between my toes.
In another whimsical moment, I picture a rushing river flowing by, creating a splendid, splashing, noise as it hits rocks of all sizes in its path. The water feels so very cold as I fantasize, giving me a sense of how fresh and pure it is.
I love to envision a meadow outside my window of daydreams. It is a beautiful meadow, dandelions admired as wild flowers instead of weeds. There is a small stream rippling through the grass, with a deer or two walking gracefully over for a drink. Beyond the meadow are the mountains with stunning peaks, holding many secrets as they silently share their beauty.
No, I do not believe I want my windows replaced. I am quite content with the ones God has given me!
Monday, May 17, 2010
SIGH....
As I sigh, in a moment of tiredness or tenseness, I feel the breath of the Holy Spirit entering my soul. I’m breathing in His love and warmth, exhaling all the negative feelings from within my body.
I am mostly aware of my sighing while I am in the car. Driving in silence, my thoughts turn to prayer. I can feel my body becoming relaxed. A sigh quickly follows. It is a God speaking to me.
All of us must 'inhale' what the Lord is saying to us. He is in every breath we take, no matter where we are, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
There may be a sigh of relief as we feel the contentment of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to smile, as we once again feel God holding onto us, never letting us go.
I am mostly aware of my sighing while I am in the car. Driving in silence, my thoughts turn to prayer. I can feel my body becoming relaxed. A sigh quickly follows. It is a God speaking to me.
All of us must 'inhale' what the Lord is saying to us. He is in every breath we take, no matter where we are, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
There may be a sigh of relief as we feel the contentment of the Holy Spirit. It is a time to smile, as we once again feel God holding onto us, never letting us go.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
UNEXPECTED
In the musical performed by my daughter's theater class this weekend, there was a humorous line which has stayed with me. One cast member said it was an 'unexpected' surprise, the other cast member asked if there was really any other kind of surprise. It set all of us laughing. In Stephen King's book “On Writing,” these are the things we need to learn about. If it is a surprise, it is of course unexpected!
There is much in life which is unexpected. There can be an untimely death, an undiagnosed illness, or coming across a friend from long ago, sitting right across you at the cafe. The unexpected can also bring about new friends, within the workplace, at a Church committee meeting, or the sitting across from someone at that same cafe.
We should never turn our head when the unexpected happens. Rather, we should accept it with God's redeeming grace. I remember sitting across from a stranger at cafe, many years ago. She was alone, with a little one, about the same size as our little one, both us having the baby carrier sitting upon the tables We asked her to join us. Exchanging a discourse on what each of us did for a living, it came out that someone at her husband's work, the putting together of a major film, was looking for a private tutor during the works of putting together the film. Phone numbers were exchanged, and within days, I was tutoring two children during the duration of the filming of this film. It was a fun experience, though I kept wishing it would be Robert Redford picking up the children at my door, rather than their nanny.
I had hoped, it would lead to more tutoring, but it did not happen. I had not gone out to assert myself to gather new clients. How would anyone know about me if I didn't let them know I was here, expressing my beliefs in how I, as a teacher could educate their child while they were on set!
It is the same today; how is anyone going to know about the good Lord's Grace and His Spirit, to be shared among others, if we keep silent? We need to live our lives in a way where we are never too distant, now saying what we truly believe in. We must feel the power of Christ as we go out to reach others. We are not to ignore the filthy guy asleep on the sidewalk, the person asking for help with his car, nor the person attending to every day needs. These people can be the ones to turn our lives around, just as Abraham did in the Old Testament, saying there is only one God, and this is the God to be worshiped. God is the one sending others to be part of us, recalling our own rule under Him; to always kneel, washing of the feet of our brethren, not looking at the conditions of our brother or sister.
Just as I had hoped for other movie clientèle to come visit me, we hope others will go find God. In either instance, it does not happen by itself. I needed to bring myself to the film office, to say I was there, ready to serve. In the same way, we need to bring ourselves and others to God, ready to serve Him at all costs. At times, we may feel this is impossible. It is then we must remember the Scripture of Matthew 20:17, where we read our re you God saying, 'I assure you that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can see to this hill, “Go from here to there!” and it will go. DO have the faith. It is what keeps each of us moving!
Reflect upon your love for God. Pray, meditate. Ask Him how you can you do everything, serving Him at all possible times. May you become closer to our dear Lord as you open the shuttered windows, inviting Him in, telling Him you will do all possible to have a better life, blessed with His Grace!
There is much in life which is unexpected. There can be an untimely death, an undiagnosed illness, or coming across a friend from long ago, sitting right across you at the cafe. The unexpected can also bring about new friends, within the workplace, at a Church committee meeting, or the sitting across from someone at that same cafe.
We should never turn our head when the unexpected happens. Rather, we should accept it with God's redeeming grace. I remember sitting across from a stranger at cafe, many years ago. She was alone, with a little one, about the same size as our little one, both us having the baby carrier sitting upon the tables We asked her to join us. Exchanging a discourse on what each of us did for a living, it came out that someone at her husband's work, the putting together of a major film, was looking for a private tutor during the works of putting together the film. Phone numbers were exchanged, and within days, I was tutoring two children during the duration of the filming of this film. It was a fun experience, though I kept wishing it would be Robert Redford picking up the children at my door, rather than their nanny.
I had hoped, it would lead to more tutoring, but it did not happen. I had not gone out to assert myself to gather new clients. How would anyone know about me if I didn't let them know I was here, expressing my beliefs in how I, as a teacher could educate their child while they were on set!
It is the same today; how is anyone going to know about the good Lord's Grace and His Spirit, to be shared among others, if we keep silent? We need to live our lives in a way where we are never too distant, now saying what we truly believe in. We must feel the power of Christ as we go out to reach others. We are not to ignore the filthy guy asleep on the sidewalk, the person asking for help with his car, nor the person attending to every day needs. These people can be the ones to turn our lives around, just as Abraham did in the Old Testament, saying there is only one God, and this is the God to be worshiped. God is the one sending others to be part of us, recalling our own rule under Him; to always kneel, washing of the feet of our brethren, not looking at the conditions of our brother or sister.
Just as I had hoped for other movie clientèle to come visit me, we hope others will go find God. In either instance, it does not happen by itself. I needed to bring myself to the film office, to say I was there, ready to serve. In the same way, we need to bring ourselves and others to God, ready to serve Him at all costs. At times, we may feel this is impossible. It is then we must remember the Scripture of Matthew 20:17, where we read our re you God saying, 'I assure you that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can see to this hill, “Go from here to there!” and it will go. DO have the faith. It is what keeps each of us moving!
Reflect upon your love for God. Pray, meditate. Ask Him how you can you do everything, serving Him at all possible times. May you become closer to our dear Lord as you open the shuttered windows, inviting Him in, telling Him you will do all possible to have a better life, blessed with His Grace!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
WHAT I WITNESSED TODAY-edited
Here it is, nearly 2:30 AM. Yes, I often have insomnia! I cannot get out of my mind what I witnessed within the last 12 hours. To start, I could not find a parking spot close to the place I had an appointment. I did see a truck in the handicapped place, with a man behind the wheel, no handicapped card in view. I was ready to ask him, in a polite voice, if he needed the place, or if he was waiting for someone. When I called out hello,he turned to my voice;it was someone I knew, who indeed needed the handicapped place. I parked further on. My thought was that even though it was a downhill ride in my wheelchair to my destination, I would have quite a trip on the uphill grade afterwards.
Of course, just as I rolled past the driver in the place across from where I had to visit, and had hoped to park, he drove away. I saw him only text messaging when I had arrived; it looked like he had finished the conversation. I laughed to myself, saying this is how it always went for me.
After my appointment, it was then time to return to my car. I was ready for my uphill journey, knowing I had a challenge in front of me. I smiled, telling God I knew I could do it, my arm muscles had become strong.
Beside where I had parked, I witnessed a woman trying to gather her fifteen plus bags of groceries, trying to figure out a way she could carry them. As I pushed my chair upwards, I saw her try all sorts of ways to carry all of these bags.
My frame of mind changed. I was no longer thinking of how I was going to make it to the car, to how is she planning to carry all of those groceries. There was no way she could do this by herself.
As I got closer, I called out to her, asking if she was attempting to carry all of those groceries by herself; she said yes, she was trying. I admired her, for getting as far as she did, about a block from the grocery. I had no idea where she was going, but I knew she could not do this alone. I said I would drive her to her home.
What a sweet woman she was. She immediately introduced herself to me. To think she did this often, yet I thought a challenge was to make it to the car in an uphill parking lot.
God put my mind in the proper prospective right then and there. If I wanted to know what a challenge was, let me see what was really a hardship. I thank Him for that!
God had one more idea in store. In my trunk, I had a box of clothes I had washed and folded, to deliver to Goodwill. As this sweet woman was taking the last of her groceries from my trunk to her front door, I told her she could take this box if she wished. She did take it, telling me "God Bless You!" as she walked away.
I called out "And may God Bless You!" as she left me. I was the one who was truly blessed. God was showing me that though I have challenges, others have ones that are somewhat tougher than mine. I thank our dear Lord for this message. This one woman has blessed me more than she will ever know.
Of course, just as I rolled past the driver in the place across from where I had to visit, and had hoped to park, he drove away. I saw him only text messaging when I had arrived; it looked like he had finished the conversation. I laughed to myself, saying this is how it always went for me.
After my appointment, it was then time to return to my car. I was ready for my uphill journey, knowing I had a challenge in front of me. I smiled, telling God I knew I could do it, my arm muscles had become strong.
Beside where I had parked, I witnessed a woman trying to gather her fifteen plus bags of groceries, trying to figure out a way she could carry them. As I pushed my chair upwards, I saw her try all sorts of ways to carry all of these bags.
My frame of mind changed. I was no longer thinking of how I was going to make it to the car, to how is she planning to carry all of those groceries. There was no way she could do this by herself.
As I got closer, I called out to her, asking if she was attempting to carry all of those groceries by herself; she said yes, she was trying. I admired her, for getting as far as she did, about a block from the grocery. I had no idea where she was going, but I knew she could not do this alone. I said I would drive her to her home.
What a sweet woman she was. She immediately introduced herself to me. To think she did this often, yet I thought a challenge was to make it to the car in an uphill parking lot.
God put my mind in the proper prospective right then and there. If I wanted to know what a challenge was, let me see what was really a hardship. I thank Him for that!
God had one more idea in store. In my trunk, I had a box of clothes I had washed and folded, to deliver to Goodwill. As this sweet woman was taking the last of her groceries from my trunk to her front door, I told her she could take this box if she wished. She did take it, telling me "God Bless You!" as she walked away.
I called out "And may God Bless You!" as she left me. I was the one who was truly blessed. God was showing me that though I have challenges, others have ones that are somewhat tougher than mine. I thank our dear Lord for this message. This one woman has blessed me more than she will ever know.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A LOSS IN OUR DAILY LIVES
Somehow, through the years, the giving of respect and dignity for one another has dissipated. There was courtesy shared between all. Now, it seems it is only given to those within our own cast of people. A group of adults who have their children in a private school would not associate with those who receive a public education and vice versa. Criticisms are stated if one is not within a social group. Even the simple ‘hello’ shouted out to one another on the street has disappeared, keeping eyes straight ahead, as one passes by.
We have all heard about the woman collapsing in the emergency room, with no one going over to assist her, passing away right there. No one bothered to tend to her even then. Everyone seems to be lost in his or her own little worlds.
Now, not everyone is like this, but is happening more often. When I was in college, people popped by to meet one another at the table in the dining hall or calling out a greeting as all were rushing to classes. In the classroom itself, there were more friendly greetings. Within minutes, names were exchanged and new friendships formed. My daughter, in her third year of school, said this does not happen anymore. At the beginning of her freshman year, she was assigned to a suite of four bedrooms, with a common kitchen and living space. I imagined all kinds of fun going on through the school year, as they shared stories over popcorn and hot chocolate. Instead, no one would speak to one another! My daughter tried, but they were not interested. One night, at the end of school, she called excitedly, to say one of them asked her to join her and her friends for a movie and popcorn. To think it took nine months for this to happen! A friend told me a similar story of her own daughter, at another university. Tears have been shed, saying no one wants to get together to ‘hang out, all wanting to stay with friends previously known. Her daughter is a precious young woman; I would be running up to say hi, eager to have her as a friend.
The homeless are also ignored. I told my teens the story of a homeless man leaning against the wall near the entrance of our Church. He was seated, his back against the wall, on this cold evening. His head was down, as if he was asleep. He had on a dirty hat, filthy pants and hands, an orange and a dollar bill near his feet. My children were quite young, gasping to see him, eyes having a look of fear in them. I quietly told them not to stare and to say a prayer for a safety as we hurried by. During the priest’s homily that evening, this man began to walk down the aisle, using a tree branch for a walking stick. You could hear the shuffle of everyone in their seats and little gasps of surprise, as he continued to walk down the aisle, head down. Not one of us reached out to help him. He stopped in front of the priest.
Father told us this man was actually not homeless, that it was an experiment to see how the congregation would respond to him. He asked how many of us had seen him, with all hands going up in the air. He then asked how many stopped to see if he was okay. Now, the hands went down. Father said only one person had stopped, to give him his coat, taking it off his own warm body to place over him. All of us felt rightfully ashamed. How could we treat another of God’s creatures as we did? Father asked the owner of the coat to come retrieve it; a 15-year-old young man walked down the aisle! Think that a teenager did respect him with dignity, but the rest of us hurriedly walked by! Yes, I told my children not to stare and to say a prayer, but I did not open my purse to hand over a few bills!
I asked my current group of teens if they see a certain homeless man walking the streets of our town. One of them asked if I was describing the man who wore a dirty coat. I affirmed that was the one. He said all the kids call him “Smilin’ Joe,” as he was always smiling as he walked. I thought that was a great name, but his real name is George. My husband saw him standing outside the store one day, asking him if he could buy him a cup of coffee. He readily accepted. As he spoke, my husband said what a beautiful, deep voice he had. At one time, he had a terrific job with a great salary, but those days are now gone. He chose to walk everywhere and anywhere each day, no mission in mind. He was not an evil character, an alcoholic, or involved in drugs. He survived by people handing him a dollar for a burrito, sandwiches given to him or enjoying that cup of coffee. If my husband had not stopped to share a moment with him, we would have never known this special someone, practicing a life of endurance, character and hope, just as God would have each of us experience. He was more of an example of living in the image of God than many of us. We need to adopt that smile he gives everyone, not carrying a bad thought in his mind. This is what dignity is actually about.
Of course, I did have a friend who walked over to someone in a restaurant who looked homeless, handing him a cup of coffee. The man was puzzled why she would do such a thing. She responded to not worry about it, just enjoy the coffee. She continued to watch the man from her table. Soon, a cashier came over with several sacks of food, saying his phone order was ready! The man asked why that woman gave him the coffee; he was not even sure if he should drink it, unsure of its contents. The cashier smiled to say the coffee was okay, a nice customer wanted to help someone out! As she told the story to several of us, we could not stop laughing. We said maybe that he wanted to dress up a little more before he went to pick up ‘carry out!’ However, she did reach out, again not caring about one’s background!
God created each of us in His image. We carry His Spirit within our hearts; people have forgotten this. We are blessed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, those of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Yet, we do not always practice the gentleness of God as we go through our days. Our minds tend to overflow with matters in our own lives, rather than realizing everyone needs to have that human touch. It does not matter whether one is rich or poor, dirty or clean, ill or well, of one ethnicity and not another, a busybody or a quiet person. What matters is how God wants us to be in our daily lives, to do for others what you want them to do for you, God’s Golden Rule.
It is hard to get rid of old habits, but pray to God to help us make needed changes, giving everyone to have a life filled with dignity, kindness, love and respect.
We have all heard about the woman collapsing in the emergency room, with no one going over to assist her, passing away right there. No one bothered to tend to her even then. Everyone seems to be lost in his or her own little worlds.
Now, not everyone is like this, but is happening more often. When I was in college, people popped by to meet one another at the table in the dining hall or calling out a greeting as all were rushing to classes. In the classroom itself, there were more friendly greetings. Within minutes, names were exchanged and new friendships formed. My daughter, in her third year of school, said this does not happen anymore. At the beginning of her freshman year, she was assigned to a suite of four bedrooms, with a common kitchen and living space. I imagined all kinds of fun going on through the school year, as they shared stories over popcorn and hot chocolate. Instead, no one would speak to one another! My daughter tried, but they were not interested. One night, at the end of school, she called excitedly, to say one of them asked her to join her and her friends for a movie and popcorn. To think it took nine months for this to happen! A friend told me a similar story of her own daughter, at another university. Tears have been shed, saying no one wants to get together to ‘hang out, all wanting to stay with friends previously known. Her daughter is a precious young woman; I would be running up to say hi, eager to have her as a friend.
The homeless are also ignored. I told my teens the story of a homeless man leaning against the wall near the entrance of our Church. He was seated, his back against the wall, on this cold evening. His head was down, as if he was asleep. He had on a dirty hat, filthy pants and hands, an orange and a dollar bill near his feet. My children were quite young, gasping to see him, eyes having a look of fear in them. I quietly told them not to stare and to say a prayer for a safety as we hurried by. During the priest’s homily that evening, this man began to walk down the aisle, using a tree branch for a walking stick. You could hear the shuffle of everyone in their seats and little gasps of surprise, as he continued to walk down the aisle, head down. Not one of us reached out to help him. He stopped in front of the priest.
Father told us this man was actually not homeless, that it was an experiment to see how the congregation would respond to him. He asked how many of us had seen him, with all hands going up in the air. He then asked how many stopped to see if he was okay. Now, the hands went down. Father said only one person had stopped, to give him his coat, taking it off his own warm body to place over him. All of us felt rightfully ashamed. How could we treat another of God’s creatures as we did? Father asked the owner of the coat to come retrieve it; a 15-year-old young man walked down the aisle! Think that a teenager did respect him with dignity, but the rest of us hurriedly walked by! Yes, I told my children not to stare and to say a prayer, but I did not open my purse to hand over a few bills!
I asked my current group of teens if they see a certain homeless man walking the streets of our town. One of them asked if I was describing the man who wore a dirty coat. I affirmed that was the one. He said all the kids call him “Smilin’ Joe,” as he was always smiling as he walked. I thought that was a great name, but his real name is George. My husband saw him standing outside the store one day, asking him if he could buy him a cup of coffee. He readily accepted. As he spoke, my husband said what a beautiful, deep voice he had. At one time, he had a terrific job with a great salary, but those days are now gone. He chose to walk everywhere and anywhere each day, no mission in mind. He was not an evil character, an alcoholic, or involved in drugs. He survived by people handing him a dollar for a burrito, sandwiches given to him or enjoying that cup of coffee. If my husband had not stopped to share a moment with him, we would have never known this special someone, practicing a life of endurance, character and hope, just as God would have each of us experience. He was more of an example of living in the image of God than many of us. We need to adopt that smile he gives everyone, not carrying a bad thought in his mind. This is what dignity is actually about.
Of course, I did have a friend who walked over to someone in a restaurant who looked homeless, handing him a cup of coffee. The man was puzzled why she would do such a thing. She responded to not worry about it, just enjoy the coffee. She continued to watch the man from her table. Soon, a cashier came over with several sacks of food, saying his phone order was ready! The man asked why that woman gave him the coffee; he was not even sure if he should drink it, unsure of its contents. The cashier smiled to say the coffee was okay, a nice customer wanted to help someone out! As she told the story to several of us, we could not stop laughing. We said maybe that he wanted to dress up a little more before he went to pick up ‘carry out!’ However, she did reach out, again not caring about one’s background!
God created each of us in His image. We carry His Spirit within our hearts; people have forgotten this. We are blessed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, those of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Yet, we do not always practice the gentleness of God as we go through our days. Our minds tend to overflow with matters in our own lives, rather than realizing everyone needs to have that human touch. It does not matter whether one is rich or poor, dirty or clean, ill or well, of one ethnicity and not another, a busybody or a quiet person. What matters is how God wants us to be in our daily lives, to do for others what you want them to do for you, God’s Golden Rule.
It is hard to get rid of old habits, but pray to God to help us make needed changes, giving everyone to have a life filled with dignity, kindness, love and respect.
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