He Visited Us to Put His Beauty On Us

Have you ever noticed that all of the shopping, decorating, Christmas parties, traveling, yes, even entertaining family and friends never seem to meet our soul’s deepest longing at Christmas?  Usually, we end up feeling varying levels of dissatisfaction. For a holiday that was meant to remind us of the most joyous announcement ever made; news of the greatest gift ever given to mankind, somehow we still miss it and end up longing for more.

So what is it about Christmas that we miss year after year? While it is a happy and joyful time for most, why do some find it the most depressing, lonely time of the year? Can we make it so that happiness and joyfulness last longer than a few weeks and perhaps even bubble out throughout the following year?

Perhaps the key is within the story of Christmas itself.  The birth of Jesus was the advent of a whole new way of life for mankind...peace with God. Let’s take a moment to ask one thing… exactly why were those angels so happy when they announced His birth?  What was the temporal and eternal meaning of that event for us? In a word: reconciliation.  Reconciliation between God and man, and mankind to one another.  A very basic definition of reconciliation is to bring into harmony or make compatible, things which were once opposed.

God visited us to put His beauty on us.

Isaiah 1:6 tells us that, since the fall of man in Adam, the heart of natural man in the eyes of God looks like this:

“From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified [soothed] with ointment [oil].” 

Fallen man has become an object of abhorrence to God and needed to be reconciled by the death of His Son.

Think of the headlines these days.  You can’t open a newspaper, watch television, surf the internet or watch television without hearing about one of the top three headliners:  Coach Bernie Fine, who served as the assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University for 35 years, and was fired in November over allegations that he sexually abused boys; or Jerry Sandusky, Penn State Defensive Line Coach charged with sexually abusing young men; and in Colorado’s own backyard, Arapahoe County Sheriff Patrick Sullivan, who was once known for his no-nonsense style and a concern about teenage drug use, now stands accused of using meth to solicit sexual favors from men, along with getting former drug users back onto drugs for the same.

Ugly. Dark. Disgusting. Repulsive. “What an abhorrence!” we declare, and rightly so.  It is terrible what we are seeing being played out in the media of late. Atrocious acts against innocents, and what is even more disheartening is the caliber of people who once were “decent folk”, visited their own darkness and somehow got stuck there. 

Yet, according to scripture, that’s how God viewed ALL of mankind without Jesus.  Face it.  Everyone has had moments of darkness in their lives.  Even if you have never acted on it, you have thought it.  Everyone is guilty because anything that is contrary to the perfect will, purity and holiness of God, is sin. Whether in thought or deed. 

God knows this.  He knew it from the beginning.  And His answer was Jesus.

That is why the song of heaven the night of Jesus’ birth was the song of RECONCILIATION:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 
(Luke 2: 13-14)

The angels declared that God visited us to put His beauty upon us.

God’s response to the darkness of mankind born through sin was this:

Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked - I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (Revelation 3:17-18).

The greatest need we have is reconciliation to God (God’s good will toward man) and to one another (peace on earth).  Peace with God and peace with each other.  Only when we attain that are our souls truly content. Since the fall of Adam, we have been broken and damaged in relationship to God and one another.

God sent Jesus to heal that breach and to bind up our spiritual wounds. 

He visited us to put His beauty on us.

So, what is the greatest gift we can ask for and expect to receive this Christmas that will satisfy the longing of our souls and bring temporal and eternal contentment in our lives?  Reconciliation.  Being reconciled to God through Jesus and reconciled to each other. The great exchange. The ongoing process of exchanging our darkness for His light and our sin for His righteousness. 

God sent Jesus to satisfy the legal penalty for the sin of mankind, past, present, future; big or small; yours and mine, and yes, even Sullivan’s, Fine’s and Sandusky’s.

That is the message of Christmas.

Dear readers, the best gift I can offer you this holy/holiday season is not an eloquent writing, or clever anecdotes on timely topics... but simply... Jesus.  The business of life is messy.  So, I challenge you to do that little exercise of considering the worst thing you ever did and the worst thing you ever thought of doing... and one step further... the worst thing that has ever been done to you; then invite the beauty of God, which is peace, reconciliation and forgiveness wrapped up and offered freely in the person of Jesus, to visit and rest upon you this Christmas and always!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A HUMBLE THANKSGIVING PRAYER

 
"Thank you, dear God
For all You have given me,
For all You have taken away from me,
For all You have left me."
(unknown)

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!

Many thanks for your service to our country and many thanks to the families of our veterans and soldiers!

Legacy

A good reminder....

 

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Wedding Day!

I Love You Michael!

Exercise Your Middle-Age Memory Back In Shape!

Well, I know it's been a while since I've posted anything new, dear readers. I thank you for your patience.  I have been doing some personal research on the middle-age memory issue.  Would you like to know what I've discovered?

Well, I discovered that planning your parents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration, along with your own wedding both of which take place within a month of each other; starting back to work part-time after three years of being off, all the while navigating general life issues in between such as your washer breaking and having to lug laundry around town for a month, death in the family and other various and sundry matters, does not help the middle memory issue at all!  

My research has lead me to conclude that the primary cause of middle-age memory issues has more to do with this being the most diversely busiest time of life ever!  EVER!

While everything so far has been a success, there are small details along the way that simply get forgotten.  But all in all, it is an exciting and challenging time of life!

Seriously though, I was pleased to discover that, while memory loss is certainly part of the aging process, it is manageable and even possibly reversable according to a recent study at Columbia University.

How do we help ourselves?

Exercise.  Plain and simple.

Exercise boosts brain power.

According to the article:

  

Tests on mice have shown them to grow new brain cells in a brain region called the dentate gyrus, a part known to be affected in the age-related memory decline that begins around age 30 for most humans.

 The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging scans to help document the process in mice - and then used MRIs to look at the brains of people before and after exercise.

They found the same patterns, which suggests that people also grow new brain cells when they exercise.

Now we have a new motivation for exercising these middle age bodies!  Reduce or reverse memory loss!

According to the study, the more fit people got, the more blood flow was sent to the dentate gyrus and the more their memory improved! 

What's next in the study?

"Our next step is to identify the exercise regimen that is most beneficial to improve cognition and reduce normal memory loss, so that physicians may be able to prescribe specific types of exercise to improve memory," Small said.

So, if you find yourself walking into a room forgetting what you went in there for, putting milk in the cupboard instead of the fridge, forgetting who you just dialed on the phone...then dust off those dumbbells, stop using your treadmill for storage, oil up that bicycle and pump up the tires, and start exercising and growing new brain cells!

Oh, and maybe slow down a little too on the busy-ness.  I'm hoping after my wedding next week to see some significant improvement in my memory. 

Gee...I hope I remember to show up to the church on the right day and time.... 

I'll let ya know how it comes out!

We Remember...

I Remember Not

I previously did a series on Reinventing Middle Age that was fun and yet emphasized the positive aspects of navigating through mid-life issues; health, REALationships, psychology and other issues. Not only was it fun to write and research, but it helped some of you as well as myself make positive, more healthy decisions in this season of life.

A new development has occurred in my middle-aged journey though, and I'd like to share with you. It is a topic that I'm sure is on every middle-aged person's mind...when they can remember it. 

It is the dreaded middle-aged memory issue.

The idea to include middle-aged memory in my Reinventing Middle Age series came to me one particular morning when preparing breakfast (I can't remember how long ago...possibly a couple of months). I reached into the cupboard to get the cooking oil, and instead, I found a half-gallon of milk.

My first reaction was extreme annoyance that one of the other family members had been absent-minded when putting the milk in the cupboard instead of the refrigerator. "Great," I said, "Someone just wasted a half-gallon of milk!" I huffed it over to the sink and promptly dumped it down the drain. Far too annoyed to speak, I continued on with the breakfast preparation, and tried to think of how long it must have been in there and who used it last. My strategy was to interrogate each of the two primary suspects in this mindless household crime to see which one had a late-night bowl of cereal or other snack involving milk.

Unfortunately, my stealth interrogation yielded no confession. The other family members appeared just as perplexed as I was at this mystery crime. In fact, they even found it comical which annoyed me even more. But, before breaking out the CSI Crime Scene Junior Investigating Kit to dust for fingerprints, or the Spy Gear Lie Detector Kit, I thought I would take another approach. I was determined to get a confession and scold accordingly.

However, the investigation took a surprising turn when, before I could finish cooking breakfast, my middle-aged memory kicked in and I remembered that I had used the milk to make mashed potatoes the night before for dinner. If the others had truly not used the milk after that - it could only mean one thing...

I WAS THE CRIMINAL WHO PUT THE MILK IN THE CUPBOARD INSTEAD OF THE THE REFRIGERATOR!!!

I truly did not remember doing that!

Thus was born the idea to address the issue of middle-aged memory as part of my Reinventing Middle Age series.

On a lighter note, being the youngest one in the household has its advantages.  A couple days later someone found the dry cereal in the refrigerator rather than the cupboard and I did not do that one, so apparently I am not the only one who suffers memory lapses around here.

So, I will be addressing the issue of memory in middle age in upcoming posts.  Stay tuned for more fun and frivolity as we take both a comical and realistic look at memory issues for middle-agers and what we can do to help ourselves navigate through this challenge while travleing through this season of life!

Hey. If you don't see a post from me for a while, please send me an email and remind me to continue...

More Than Words

In March, I read a very touching article about a British man who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND), better known in the United States as Lou Gehrig's disease.  As a result of this neuromuscular degenerative disease, he would eventually lose his voice, and ultimately because there is no cure, he would lose his life. 

While the disease is tragic in and of itself, to make matters even more heartbreaking, at the time the article was written he had a 13-month old son.

Knowing the rapid progression of the disease and that there was a good possibility that his son may never hear his natural voice, this man decided to record 1,600 sentences for a computer program that would break them up into individual sounds and then piece them back together again to form words under his control when he would be forced to speak through a synthesizer.  He wanted his son to hear his authentic voice complete with his regional accent.

He said, "He [his son] is the key motivation for me to record my voice so that if my voice is lost, he can still hear what his dad sounds like. I might be able to read him bedtime stories; your voice is part of your identity. He can maybe also hear what I sound like when I am no longer here."

 The voice.  It is a powerful instrument.

It is an amazing thing, a parents desire to be able to communicate to their children throughout life.  To be able to comfort and guide and teach, and to have their child know their voice distinct from all the rest so  that their child will be able to say unequivocally,  "That is the voice of the one who loves me!"

What a touching story of this man with MND. As followers of Jesus and thus children of God, it is our story as well.

Jesus, referring to all who would follow Him as sheep and Himself as the Good Shepherd responded to His critics saying,

“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.  A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”  John 10:3-5

You know, the child in the news story mentioned above will hear many voices throughout his life; aunts, uncles, teachers, professors, friends, bosses, politicians, movies, music, television, news reporters, etc.  The gift his father is giving to him will afford him the privilege of being able to distinguish his father's voice from all others. What an invaluable gift!

As deeply as the father in the story desires to be able to communicate love and fatherly instruction to his child – whether present or absent -  so much more does God desire to communicate His love with those who follow after Him.  

YOU are the main motivation that God sent Jesus to be a living testament to God’s love. YOU are the main motivation that God sent His Holy Spirit to continue to communicate His love after Jesus left.  YOU are the main motivation that God caused men to write the #1 bestselling book of all time – the Bible – so that YOU would have a handbook, a written reminder of the identity, nature, character, instruction and desire of your Father in Heaven.

God speaks to His children in three primary ways:

1.    Through the written/spoken word/scripture (the Bible);

2.  Through Providence (God’s care and guidance manifested in the physical realm, e.g.   nature, events, people); and

3.    Through His Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God communicates directly to our spirit).

Do we take His promise of communication for granted? Or do we regard it as a special privilege?

It is true you know... listening is an act of love!

In this life, in this day and age, particularly with the technological advances, we are bombarded with many voices.  It is easy to lose our way.  But the promise we have is this: that if we are His sheep, we will KNOW his voice.

What station in life are you currently in dear reader?

As a believer, you have a promise that you will know His voice.  Whether it be through the written word of scripture, His Spirit, or through providence, God’s desire to communicate with you has never diminished. 

Are you listening?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Wishing dads everywhere a special day! 

From someone who is blessed with one of the best...


Happy Father's Day!

Ultimate Dog Tease Video

United States of America Memorial Day

We Remember...

Ciao World!?!

I have to admit.  

My mother just came home from the hospital on Tuesday, so I have not been as diligent about watching the news and keeping up with Twitter and Alexa Top Stories for a couple of weeks. My distraction is also evidenced by my lack of posts to this blog. My apologies.

Gees.  

Miss a week or two of CNN and you find out that you have less than a day to live before the world is going to end. So much to do and I am just too tired.  Oh well, at least I got the house cleaned today.

I wondered why The History Channel was running survival programming all day!

In retrospect, I was given clues all day - I just didn't pay attention.  

Finally, at about 7:00pm this evening, it all clicked.  Someone said Jesus was coming back tomorrow to rapture the church, and there would a global earthquake, and if you weren't fortunate enough be taken in the rapture, you would spend the next 5 months suffering unimaginable happenings here on earth until the end of the world as we know it comes on October 21, 2011.

Ouch.

 

Well, I personally do not believe the rapture will happen tomorrow, but I do  believe it will happen someday.  I doubt we'll have time to sell I Survived the Rapture t-shirts, put up Save the Date billboards or bank cash from other rapture paraphernalia. 

I could be wrong though.  

(In which case, may I thank you all now for your faithful reading, following and comments on my blog.)

I dunno.  Jesus wasn't really a Hollywood glam, billboard, showcase kinda guy.  Extraordinarily large angels, trumpets, thunder, earth-shaking, blink-of-an-eye stuff...now THAT'S how God does it!

So, what's the lesson learned for the day? 

Personally, I can only hope that I stay more tuned in to God on a daily basis, than I have been to CNN and Twitter! How about you?

"Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is."

- Mark 13:33

CIAO, OSAMA!

So, last night while I was trying my best to escape reality by watching one of my favorite un-"reality" shows, Celebrity Apprentice, the NeNe vs. Star Jones smackdown was interrupted with the announcement that Osama bin Laden had been captured and killed in a military operation carried out by American Troops in Pakistan.

Admittedly, I fell asleep while waiting for President Obama to make his appearance and announcement, so I am just catching up on the details this morning. 

First, let me say that my heart goes out to every individual and family whose lives have been adversely affected by the unfathomable mass murder and destruction initiated by Osama bin Laden over the years.  In places such as Kenya, Tanzania, Yemen, Somalia, Saudi Arabia and, of course, the 9/11 attack here in the United States, my prayer is that there will be some sense of justice, closure and healing for those who have been tragically impacted by Osama's murderous career. 

A most humble thanks to the U.S. and Allied forces who have fought tirelessly, particularly this past decade, to bring an end to Osama bin Laden's segment of  the perpetuation of hatred and terrorism.  To the countless men and women who have served their countries and the common cause of peace bravely, I say thank you.

While I still have some catching up to do on the details of this historical news, I pray the world does not get lulled into a false sense of peace as a result of bin Laden's death.  The ideology of hatred is alive and well, with many faces, and the battle against his type of extremism must continue. May we continue to work and pray diligently for peace among every nation and every people, and for the well-being of the military and civilians who give their lives in service to the common cause of peace and liberation worldwide. 

'Nuff said for now.  Back to unreality as I Hulu last night's episode of Celebrity Smackdown.

May the news of the demise of Osama bin Laden be embraced in whatever manner seems appropriate to each of you individually, as families, and as nations as we humbly give pause to this momentary victory over extremism, hatred and prejudice.

An historical moment indeed...

Shadow of the Cross Part V: He Is Risen!

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightening, and his clothing was white as snow. 

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

(Matthew 28: 1-6)

Yes, the same angel who on the hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ's birth, now rolls away the huge stone from the tomb of Jesus as though it were a mere pebble and the guards hear him proclaim: 

Son of God, come forth;  Thy Father calls Thee. 

They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim, 

"I am the resurrection and the life."

Christ came forth from the tomb glorified and the Roman guards saw it.  Their eyes were riveted on the glorified face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and severely beaten.   This was the One for whom they had made a crown of thorns.  This was the One who had been nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction, had wagged their heads saying, 

"He saved others; Himself He cannot save."   

Oh, how wrong they were!

The decree of heaven had loosed the captive.  Mountains piled upon mountains over His tomb could not have prevented Him from coming forth.

Rejoice! Here is our hope...He is risen! 

This series was based on the Gospels and the Desire of Ages by E. White.

The Shadow of the Cross: Part IV

I Know A Place...

Jesus, having walked in the shadow of the cross, was about to present Himself as the sacrificial lamb, the sin offering for the world - for you and for me. This final offering would bring an end to the need for the Passover Feast and the many other ceremonies that for 4,000 years had pointed to His death. In its place, Jesus instituted a new service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. This was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages.

The ordinance of the Lord's Supper. 

Communion.

The breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine.

"My body which is broken for you.

My blood which is spilled for you.

Do this in remembrance of me…"

In the shadow of the cross, Jesus remained a servant of servants. He came to minister to others, not be ministered to. He taught by example the humble attitude in service we are to give to one another by  washing the feet of His disciples - even His betrayer -  on the very night of His betrayal.  He demonstrated ultimate selflessness on the cross where He gave His life for the redemption, forgiveness and freedom of humanity from the power of hell.

So now, we may come to the table to meet with Christ.

We remember how great His love is for us - so great that He gave His life.

We remember His sacrifice and death - and they become the center of our hope and faith.

We remember.

And we no longer stand in the shadow of the cross - instead we stand in its saving light! 

Hey! I know a place... a wonderful place!  

Will you come with me today?

The Shadow of the Cross - Part III

If You Had Known...

As the celebratory procession approached the city of Jerusalem, the gospels say that Jesus looked upon Jerusalem and wept.  The Jewish nation was a symbol of the people of all ages who scorn the pleadings of God’s infinite love.  The tears of Christ as He wept over Jerusalem were for the sins of all time. His words, through tears, rang true for Jerusalem as much as they ring true today for those who reject God’s gift of love:

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!"  

...

"... you did not know the time of your visitation”  (Luke 19:42 & 44)
 

The multitude of people gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover Feast believed that Jesus would soon sit on the throne as King of Israel.  However,  the shadow of the cross was looming larger - though none could see it but Jesus. In that shadow, He saw not just the agony He would suffer, but more joyously, the completed work of human redemption and the love of God manifested to the universe.  

This was to be accomplished by the voluntary sacrifice of His own life, in order to impart abundant life to humanity.

As Jesus walked in the shadow of the cross the week before His crucifixion, He did what He had always done: He expounded on the scriptures, taught living lessons with parables, gave words of instruction and warning, and spent personal time with his disciples.  He cleansed the temple again, as well as rebuked the priests and scholars who were as pretentious and barren in their ministries as the barren fig tree which He cursed on the way. 

Jesus' whole life example and lesson could be summed up as this: 

the law of self-sacrifice is, ironically, the law of self-preservation; and 

the message of the cross would simply be:

TO GIVE - IS TO LIVE!

The Shadow of the Cross - Part II

Palm Sunday - The Triumphal Entry of Jesus

Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration of admiration as He did during His entry into Jerusalem for the Passover. Until now, Jesus had always traveled on foot, and His disciples probably wondered why He now chose to ride. But they were full of hope that he was about to enter the capital, proclaim Himself King and assert His royal power.

Jesus followed the Jewish custom for royal entry.  The animal on which He rode was ridden by kings of Israel and prophecy had foretold that the Messiah should come to His kingdom. No sooner was he seated upon the colt than a loud shout of triumph filled the air. The multitude hailed Him as their Messiah and King.

"Hosanna! Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" 

They didn't have costly gifts to present Him during His entry,  so they laid their outer garments along with olive and palm branches on the path.

The multitude rejoiced that their hour of emancipation from Roman oppression was at hand.

Jesus knew what they did not -

His royal entry into Jerusalem would bring Him to the cross...

The Shadow of the Cross - Part I

What happened during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion on the Cross? 

Have you ever pondered that question? His own disciples had no idea at the time.  They were excited when Jesus entered Jerusalem because they were certain he was there to assert His power and take His position on the throne of David.  Their King was entering the city to release them from the oppressive Roman rule, and restore Israel to its former glory!

However, Jesus knew when He entered Jerusalem on what we now celebrate as Palm Sunday, He was there to fulfill his paschal duties – He was about to become the sacrificial lamb of Passover, as the sin offering for the world.

He knew he was about to suffer the most egregious, undignified, painful torture and death – the humiliating death of a common criminal.  Adding insult to injury – the legal proceeding which would condemn him to that terrible death would be one of the most ill-legal, botched trials in history. The voluntary execution of God by design.

The shadow of the cross.  

What a tragic triumph it would be.

Let's begin our contemplation toward Resurrection/Easter Sunday together, and perhaps...well perhaps we just might arrive there with a little different perspective than the usual...

THREE NAILS
An Original Poem and Picture by... Me!
~~~~~

The nails that caused God’s blood to flow

From Jesus’ hands and feet,

That poured atoning power for us -

REDEMPTIVE LOVE COMPLETE!

 (I wonder, how those nails did look,

So big and thick and strong?

They must have been to hold the King

Upon the cross so long!)

Did He know even as a child

The nails He used to build,

Would some day pin Him to a tree –

REDEMPTIVE LOVE FULFILLED!
  
(I wonder, how those nails did look,

So big and thick and strong?

They must have been to hold the King

Upon the cross so long!)

And to this day His hands still bear

The scars caused by those nails,

And yet He holds them out to us-

REDEMPTIVE LOVE PREVAILS!

New Gas Pricing

Until the unrest in the Middle East settles and the economy corrects itself, gas stations will be posting newer, more appropriate gas pricing options...

Remember...

Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.  

~Henri Bergson

CELEBRATE EVERYTHING!

THE GIFT OF LIFE

Do you have any special anniversaries or occasions you celebrate that fall outside of the standard birthday/holiday categories?  

Perhaps it's an ethnic thing, but my extended family saw every occasion as a reason to gather and celebrate - usually with food  - then make it an annual event!  While I was growing up, there was always a barbecue, party or gathering at some one's house for something.  Perhaps no reason was needed at all, but for certain, we never went too long before finding a reason to gather, celebrate life and eat! Johnny lost his first tooth! First Holy Communion, as well as every other Catholic sacrament! Come meet our new dog! New furniture! Uncle so-and-so is in town! Cousin-so-and-so is leaving town!

It didn't matter! Any subtle change in the 'daily' was an event and a gathering or some sort of celebration was in order!

Mom's Special Anniversary

While we scaled back considerably over the years,  yesterday marked a very special anniversary for our immediate family.  March 22nd is the anniversary date of when we brought my mother home to recover in 2007, after she spent 6 weeks in a coma, nine months in five different hospitals, and one transitional care facility.  She is a Level 5 ruptured brain aneurysm survivor. There are not many of them.  (See video below sharing her recovery)

When she first came home, we would celebrate monthly on the 22nd with a special dinner  of her choice, and Dairy Queen banana splits which are her favorite. However, the months turned into a year, and we all rather quickly started looking like little round bananas ourselves, so we decided to make it an annual celebration.

Catastrophic events, whether personal or global (such as earthquakes, tsunami's) tend to change the landscape of life as we know it.  The event mercilessly launches the person experiencing it as well as those around them into the abyss of the unknown and, depending on the event, life is forever changed from that moment forward.  

As author Cathy Crimmons so brilliantly expressed in her book, Where Is The Mango Princess: A Journey Back from Brain Injury:

Here's how I see it:  One day, you and your family are hiking across a long, solid plain, when out of the sky comes a blazing meteor that just happens to hit one family member in the head. The meteor creates a huge rift in the landscape, dragging the unlucky one down to the bottom of the crevice it has made. You spend the next year on a  rescue mission helping her climb to the top, but when she gets up there, you realize she has been greatly changed by the hardship.  She doesn't know that a meteor has hit her. She will never know really.  She only knows she spent a lot of time in a dark, confusing place.  She left a lot of stuff behind, the stuff she was carrying with her, down in that big hole and it's impossible to get it all back.

How do you even get her out? Well, you and your family have to jump across the crevice first and pull her up on the other side of your life.  Or you have to stay on the side you were, drag her out, and then all leap together to the other edge of the crater.

It's not easy. The chasm between the old life and the new is wider than you think.  You could fall in the darkness yourself, trying to jump across... *

I have to say, in the four years since mom has been home, she has taught us so much through her brain injury experience.  I thought I would share a few lessons I have learned from the whole experience thus far.  I say 'thusfar' because I am certain we have so much more to learn.

• You do not need to be able to walk or talk in order to be a brilliant expression of God’s grace and love.

• A portion of the brain may be removed and other parts injured, and you can still be an intelligent, witty, brilliant person.

• Real heroes are those people who fight and live when their physical, mental, emotional life is permanently altered after a catastrophic event.

•  A brain may be injured, but the essence/spirit of a person remains fully unchanged.

•  You never have to lose your dignity even when the most undignified happens to you.

• Life is truly a gift given to us only one day at a time. Daily bread is the request and humble gratitude is the response.

• Strength, poise and power have little to do with the physical,  and everything to do with the spiritual and quality of character.

•  Trust - amplified!

•  Patience and perseverance - amplified!

If I can ever achieve even half the integrity, courage, beauty, grace and faith that my mother has achieved in her lifetime, especially in the face of her adversity, I will consider myself to be a blessed woman. 

Above all, I have learned that adversity can be either a stumbling block or a building block to  faith.  God will not choose for us - we must choose. 

Whatever your "meteor" may be right now, choose wisely.  That deep, dark crater has a slippery slope! If you do happen to slip a little, just hold on to Grace!

May God grant us all the faith to choose adversity to be a building block of faith rather than a stumbling block; 

and help us to remember that in both the good and the difficult times... 

we can always find a reason to celebrate the GIFT of life!

You Are My Stronghold by Watermark from the Album titled:  All Things New
~~~~~

*Author Cathy Crimmins' husband suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) when he was run over by a speed boat.  I changed the gender of the quoted text from "he" to "she" for purposes of this post.  I highly recommend the book for anyone dealing with TBI.  It helped my family and myself and some of our friends to understand the process of brain injury recovery.