How can we imitate Mary's obedience?

Consider how Mary did not attempt to take up her son's cross. She let him carry it. Perhaps this was her hardest obedience to God, even harder than her "yes" when the angel told her she would bear a son. But just think if she would've tried to eliminate her son's suffering. Jesus wouldn't have died and rose again to redeem the world! Instead, she stayed by him and endured his pain in her helplessness.

We often must do what is hardest and let our children experience the consequences of their actions. We do not do it coldly, but with compassion. We can give them medicine when sick, but sometimes there is no cure for their pain or they need to feel hurt when they have done wrong. No matter what the circumstance, we can always do as Mary did and bear their pain with them, supporting and loving them.

The TV god

The TV is an easy god to serve. If you don't like something, just switch the channel. If you feel bad about yourself, you can always find someone worse to compare yourself to. If you're feeling too peaceful, you can always find a violent cop show to take care of that. If you just don't want to think, turn on one of the myriad mindless reality shows and watch people race to make cakes as if their life depended upon it. Now that's entertainment! But most of all, it's distraction.

So serve your god by spending at least 6 hours a day worshiping it or just sitting there. It doesn't require you to actually go out and do anything. The TV god never forces you to change, look at yourself or think about your life or how you contribute to society. Of course there are religious programs and thoughtful historical specials, but you can simply turn them off when they make you uncomfortable. Switch on a soap opera instead.

Yep, the TV is an easy god to serve. And if you leave it on all day you can block out all thought, creative processes and desire to live. You may feel an urge to buy a lot of fast food or expensive jewelry items, but those are the only major side effects (if you don't count avoiding life, helping others or keeping your priorities, morals and values straight). So watch away and serve your god...50-60 hours a week should do it and you wouldn't want to steal one of those hours to go to church--no your TV god might get jealous at that and you might find yourself actually thinking spiritual and moral thoughts! Best not to risk it...

A Thanksgiving Like No Other

The table was set, the turkey in the oven, the TV tuned to the football game but where was everyone? They were in the nursery, looking at the newborn baby who wasn't expected to live. The one they said would die surely.

The mother had an ultrasound and was told the baby had serious problems and the heart was not developing properly. She wondered at this and said, "no" when advised to have an abortion.

Now her little girl lay asleep, her blond hair parted to the side, her rosy cheeks glowing. No one had said she'd be beautiful. They'd only spoke of her defects.

Lila didn't care, she had her perfect little girl and to celebrate the family was invited over for Thanksgiving. Her sister Beth insisted on cooking and Lila knew she must obey so soon after giving birth. But no one cared as the timer sounded and the rolls burned in the oven. The turkey got crunchier and the potatoes dissolved in boiling water. Everyone lingered over the crib as little Angie slept on her tummy, swaddled in a pink receiving blanket.

Beth sighed and said, "Better check the dinner." But still she lingered until the smoke alarm beckoned her to the kitchen. Expletives sounded from that direction and Maggie, eldest of the three sisters, tore her gaze from the babe and ran to the kitchen.

Potatoes runny, rolls well done, turkey dry but no one cared. Everyone talked of Angie who slept on through the raucus of the loud football game and clattering of dishes in the kitchen sink.

The women hastily cleaned the kitchen and return to the crib. Angie stirred and cried.

Prayers

I am powerless to change the way others think. Lord, grant me power to correct my thinking when it's stinking.

Help me to stop trying to fool others and myself.

Lord, help me to stop trying to control life.

Lord, you have great promises for me--I need only love you.

Kip-peeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Some dogs are leg-lifters and some are squatters. My dog, Kipper, is a squatter. He runs outside full-force, hunches down and unleashes the contents of his bladder. He isn't dainty about it, yet he feels the need to squat instead of lift his leg. Maybe it's because he pees a gallon at a time and his leg would get tired out.

When Kipper was young, he would sometimes get excited when company came over. I swear to God he had just gone outside, but when my sister and husband came over for my son's birthday, Kipper forgot himself and left a lake in the kitchen. Thank God for ceramic tile.

Luckily, Kipper is cute, otherwise...

New Experiences

My life is suddenly full of new experiences and opportunities. It's up to me to embrace these challenges and enjoy them! As I head into my new adventures, I know I will come out transformed. It is great to let go of the fear that used to accompany change and see every event as a necessary part of life and growth. I want to be always growing. That's where the excitement and spice of life lie.

A Class Act

Class. The aftermath of a simple baseball game this past week demonstrated to us this virtue which encompasses grace, patience, acceptance, humility and kindness. Armando Galarraga, Detroit Tiger starting pitcher, was denied a Perfect Game Wednesday night when the call was missed by first base umpire, Jim Joyce. Galarraga smiled upon learning Joyce called the runner safe at first. The pitcher made the play himself, and knew the runner was out -- the last out of a perfect game. Armando let up no walks, no errors and of course, no hits. But he didn't throw down his glove, stomp his feet, yell or curse. Armando gracefully accepted Joyce's ruling. Furthermore, what class the pitcher showed after the game, not accusing the umpire but telling the media he knew himself he'd thrown a perfect game. The exhilaration shined in his eyes for the accomplishment he achieved. Galarraga didn't throw a perfect game for kudos, money or history. He simply went out and pitched his best.

Jim Joyce did his best, too. For some reason, he was distracted and looking at Cabrera, who fielded the ball, instead of watching first base. He's human, but he showed class too. First, in letting Cabrera jaw at him after the call and before what would come to be known as the 28th out of the game. Then, in a class act after the game, Joyce privately apologized to Galarraga.

The first thing Galarraga mentioned in the locker room interview was the umpire's apology. The pitcher could've whined and everyone would've nodded and offered condolences, but instead, he emphasized the apology.

The commissioner of baseball decided not to change the call and the debate around that could go on for days. But we cannot debate that 1) Galarraga threw a perfect tame, and 2) everyone demonstrated tremendous class. Tiger's manager, Jim Leyland, did not even complain after the game.

Joyce had the choice of not working the plate at the very next Tiger's home game, Thursday afternoon, but he chose to do it. Before that game, Armando chose to bring him the Tiger's scorecard. The Tiger's honored Galarraga with pre-game festivities. While clearly frustrated, the Tiger's fans and organization never became ugly. We in Detroit can be proud of our city--no matter what anyone else says--Detroit was the location of the biggest class act surrounding professional sports in as long as anyone can remember. While we may be disappointed in the outcome and ask why Armando was denied a perfect game, let's remember the example that was set for the country about how to treat one another, no matter what the stakes.

P.S. They may be talking about naming the replay in baseball the "Galarraga", but I think his name should forever be used when one is talking about sportsmanship. For that was his greatest achievement Wednesday night.