10-3-10
Today I found a wonderful rest and I wanted to tell you a little about it. We slept in – can you imagine? I slept in, alongside Melissa, until 10:00!!! We woke to the alarm that signaled 30minutes to the end of the free breakfast downstairs (6:30-10:30 and I wonder who was up at 6:30?). We finished breakfast and, as the cappuccino began working, got ready to go to the beach. Most places are not open on Sundays in Sicily (what an idea!! – I am wondering if the founder of Chik-fil-A is from Sicily?) and so a drive in the country and then catching some rays and basking by the Mediterranean sounded relaxing on our first day.
So, we drove off into the countryside with Melissa jokingly navigating but mostly soaking it all in and taking pictures and videos. The lady in our hotel said that only about 10miles or so away is a beach called Arenella and so we headed off in that direction. We saw the signs and drove that way, trying to look less like tourists and more like Italians (which means lots of crazy driving). Well, somewhere along the way we must have missed the sign for Arenella and instead turned a wrong way. Sometimes this would bother me intensely, but today I did not care if we had some adventure along the way. So, as we went, we began to not care if we made it to Arenella at all, but mainly just that we got to sit by the water and chill out for a while. So, at one particularly steep one lane road Melissa said, “Hey, look bikini girls! I bet there’s some beach down there!” So, we drove a little further, turned around and then decided to try the one lane, steep hilled, road.
Now, Melissa does not drive stick shift vehicles at all and so she has not clue what it is like to drive down a road like that, much less to parallel park on it and not roll back (or front) into anything around you, so to her this excursion was wildly fun, to me a bit stressful, but we have good insurance on the rental (thank goodness!). After getting parked with no dings and no hit walls or cars, we walked down to the water to find that this was not a beach after all – it was actually just a whole lot of flat rocks by the Sea, where locals gather to sun themselves and relax away their Sunday afternoon.
There were very few people there and it looked nice and so we agreed it was worth a try. There, down the rocks from a bunch of Sicilians, we had one of the most peaceful and restful days ever. We read and talked, prayed and napped, had lunch and just had a fantastic day!
After we were done there, we decided to drive down to Arenella just to see what it was like. A few miles down the road we found a lovely little beach, with tons of people (and it was 4:30 PM) that had lunch stands and chairs and was bustling and busy, with kids and their paraphernalia coming at us as soon as we arrived. We hurried to get away from there and then headed back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. But here’s what I learned:
Sometimes the best place for you is not the place you were looking for.
We went looking for the beach…we found the rocks – the rocks would have been anticipated to be hard and pokey and unpleasant, but they were perfect! It was the ideal place, and if we would have forced our way to the beach, we would have never found the perfect place. The problem with finding the perfect place, though, is that often times it requires you to allow a different idea, something you never considered, to enter your mind.
So many times we Americans are so wrapped up in our routines and our ideas (and everyone else’s around us for that matter), that we forget to really notice that the best place for us, the best thing for us to be doing, the most wonderful, fulfilling and amazing thing may be something that we drive right by and miss, each and every day!
So, my advice to you (and me), is to try in this day to live life willing to notice life around you – open your mind – have conversations with God about where it would be best for you to be. Open up the possibilities and allow the schedule and agenda that you cling to so tightly to gently float away and allow your life to open up into brand new steep hills and cool sea waters.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
What do you SEE?
We talk a lot about noticing at More than more. We want to try to find something more to life than just the usual get more, achieve more, buy more, become more of American society. One of the ways we do that is to notice. We see the amazing things about life and make it a point to notice them.
But, the thing about noticing is that we have to see something to notice it...or feel it to notice it...or smell it to notice it... We have to stop long enough to notice - and we stink at this in America. Ever wonder why impoverished people in 3rd world countries seem to be so happy and we have all this money and we can't seem to stay happy with our food, our houses, our spouses, our TV, our entertainment, our family, our ... You see those folks have not choice but to notice - they see what is around them (partly because they don't have enough of anything to distract them) and because they see what is around them, they often times have joy in the most simple and amazing things in life - the things that we miss. Now don't get me wrong - the idea is not to introduce suffering and disease and poverty and poor health. The idea is to get us Americans to stop and notice...
The movie Avatar is relatively recent and is a fun visual-fest for movie watcher, if a bit cheesy when all is said and done. We watched a clip from the movie Thursday night as our jumping off point.
What, you may ask, could be so interesting about this movie that a bunch of people who are trying to find something More about life would find it worthy of the central theme of their time together? Well, I'm glad you asked!
The movie is about these people who live on another planet. They live relatively simple, but full of joy and peace (i know, i said it was cheesy, ok?) But the cool part that i love is the clip we watched - it's the way they greet each other. Now, before i tell you, think about the people yo have greeted today, maybe "Good morning" or "Mornin" or "Hello" or "Hi" - usually something short and not too involved - usually without even seeing the person you are talking to.
Well, these folks greet each other with, "I see you."
This, I love! What if every time we greeted someone we saw them - REALLY saw them?Looked into their eyes and saw who they were, what was troubling them, what they were celebrating, what they were hiding? How would our lives change?
The cool thing about More than more is that even though the group of people who come and hang out there every other week could not be more diverse in their education level, their financial standing, their social status, their age difference and on and on, they SEE each other - and they don't just see, they care - they look into each other's lives and see the hurts and the pains and the joys and the wonders and they care. And it's not just because they know each other well - they do the same thing for new people who come! You see, these people, they are choosing to notice! They are choosing to see.
Now, this has not made their lives easy, or problem free - in fact we struggle with many things, but it has begun to fill their minds and hearts with more hope and more joy and more meaning. They are finding More.
If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, we would love to have you join us!
Our next time together will be 10/8 (this is a major change as it is a Friday night instead of a Thursday)and we will be going to someone's home and helping them with some stuff they need some serious help with. This will be 6:45-about 8:00PM that night and we will be leaving McAllister Center (just off 20th and Schuyler AVE, Lafayette) at 6:50PM. If you want to join us, be there and we will take you to where you need to go! It will be a great time - it is always amazing to see the responses of those who we help and those who are helping!!
The time after this will be back to normal - 10/21 - 6:45-8:00PM at McAllister - as always, there will be free, wonderful, childcare!!
Here are the dates to the end of the year, as well:
October 28-Community Outreach (8AM-5PM roughly at McAllister - we will be giving out shoes/boots to those in our community who need them and giving free medical care and medicines)
November 4
November 18
December 2
December 16
December 30
Here's hoping that you'll SEE...
But, the thing about noticing is that we have to see something to notice it...or feel it to notice it...or smell it to notice it... We have to stop long enough to notice - and we stink at this in America. Ever wonder why impoverished people in 3rd world countries seem to be so happy and we have all this money and we can't seem to stay happy with our food, our houses, our spouses, our TV, our entertainment, our family, our ... You see those folks have not choice but to notice - they see what is around them (partly because they don't have enough of anything to distract them) and because they see what is around them, they often times have joy in the most simple and amazing things in life - the things that we miss. Now don't get me wrong - the idea is not to introduce suffering and disease and poverty and poor health. The idea is to get us Americans to stop and notice...
The movie Avatar is relatively recent and is a fun visual-fest for movie watcher, if a bit cheesy when all is said and done. We watched a clip from the movie Thursday night as our jumping off point.
What, you may ask, could be so interesting about this movie that a bunch of people who are trying to find something More about life would find it worthy of the central theme of their time together? Well, I'm glad you asked!
The movie is about these people who live on another planet. They live relatively simple, but full of joy and peace (i know, i said it was cheesy, ok?) But the cool part that i love is the clip we watched - it's the way they greet each other. Now, before i tell you, think about the people yo have greeted today, maybe "Good morning" or "Mornin" or "Hello" or "Hi" - usually something short and not too involved - usually without even seeing the person you are talking to.
Well, these folks greet each other with, "I see you."
This, I love! What if every time we greeted someone we saw them - REALLY saw them?Looked into their eyes and saw who they were, what was troubling them, what they were celebrating, what they were hiding? How would our lives change?
The cool thing about More than more is that even though the group of people who come and hang out there every other week could not be more diverse in their education level, their financial standing, their social status, their age difference and on and on, they SEE each other - and they don't just see, they care - they look into each other's lives and see the hurts and the pains and the joys and the wonders and they care. And it's not just because they know each other well - they do the same thing for new people who come! You see, these people, they are choosing to notice! They are choosing to see.
Now, this has not made their lives easy, or problem free - in fact we struggle with many things, but it has begun to fill their minds and hearts with more hope and more joy and more meaning. They are finding More.
If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, we would love to have you join us!
Our next time together will be 10/8 (this is a major change as it is a Friday night instead of a Thursday)and we will be going to someone's home and helping them with some stuff they need some serious help with. This will be 6:45-about 8:00PM that night and we will be leaving McAllister Center (just off 20th and Schuyler AVE, Lafayette) at 6:50PM. If you want to join us, be there and we will take you to where you need to go! It will be a great time - it is always amazing to see the responses of those who we help and those who are helping!!
The time after this will be back to normal - 10/21 - 6:45-8:00PM at McAllister - as always, there will be free, wonderful, childcare!!
Here are the dates to the end of the year, as well:
October 28-Community Outreach (8AM-5PM roughly at McAllister - we will be giving out shoes/boots to those in our community who need them and giving free medical care and medicines)
November 4
November 18
December 2
December 16
December 30
Here's hoping that you'll SEE...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
From Last Thursday
Hey! Do you ever get tired of the usual American way - always trying to get ahead, only to find that when you get "ahead" there's not much satisfaction there? Do you feel like there mustbe something More?
This is what we are all about at More than more. We are a group of simple people, no massive organization, no federal funding, just us, trying to find a better way to live this life.
Last time we had a great time talking about, of all things, amusement park rides. It turns out that there are a lot of us that really like them, and a few who don't at all.
Well, we talked most about the really fast rides, like roller coasters and we actually talked about this ride called Disaster Transport, at Cedar Point. This is not just your every day roller coaster, it is completely in the dark! Now, this is totally unacceptable to some of the people in the group, and I must say, it is a big more jerky than your usual roller coaster ride.
Now, here's a question for you: Why is it not something some of the people would want to ride, when they will ride coasters in the light and why is it more jerky than other roller coasters?
The answer is kinda obvious. Even though the roller coaster is going like 60 miles per hours, when we can see, we can anticipate what is coming next and our body naturally compensates for the movements that are coming without even realizing that we are doing it! Literally, our eyes see the upcoming drop, react by telling our brain and our brain tells each muscle group to contract in just the right way to adjust our position and weight so that we react perfectly!
This is amazing! How complex our reactions and yet perfect they are!! Some people would try to convince you that this is all an accident, but let's be real - this is amazing and wonderful and God made us this way!! The amzingness of Him is around us all the time.
So, the next time you go a the fair, or a carnival or to an amusement park, notice now amazing your body and reactions are. Stop in your head just for a second and invite God into the moment. Thank him for how amazing He made you and ask Him to part of your life and your day.
If you begin to live a lifetime of noticing, you can break out of the American trap of empty "get aheads" and on to something More.
If you are curious or want to know more, we would love for you to join us - we meet simply in a community center - the times we share are light and fun and people's lives are changed there!!
Next time will be next Thursday night, 9/23, 6:45-8:00PM, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. Hope to see you there!
This is what we are all about at More than more. We are a group of simple people, no massive organization, no federal funding, just us, trying to find a better way to live this life.
Last time we had a great time talking about, of all things, amusement park rides. It turns out that there are a lot of us that really like them, and a few who don't at all.
Well, we talked most about the really fast rides, like roller coasters and we actually talked about this ride called Disaster Transport, at Cedar Point. This is not just your every day roller coaster, it is completely in the dark! Now, this is totally unacceptable to some of the people in the group, and I must say, it is a big more jerky than your usual roller coaster ride.
Now, here's a question for you: Why is it not something some of the people would want to ride, when they will ride coasters in the light and why is it more jerky than other roller coasters?
The answer is kinda obvious. Even though the roller coaster is going like 60 miles per hours, when we can see, we can anticipate what is coming next and our body naturally compensates for the movements that are coming without even realizing that we are doing it! Literally, our eyes see the upcoming drop, react by telling our brain and our brain tells each muscle group to contract in just the right way to adjust our position and weight so that we react perfectly!
This is amazing! How complex our reactions and yet perfect they are!! Some people would try to convince you that this is all an accident, but let's be real - this is amazing and wonderful and God made us this way!! The amzingness of Him is around us all the time.
So, the next time you go a the fair, or a carnival or to an amusement park, notice now amazing your body and reactions are. Stop in your head just for a second and invite God into the moment. Thank him for how amazing He made you and ask Him to part of your life and your day.
If you begin to live a lifetime of noticing, you can break out of the American trap of empty "get aheads" and on to something More.
If you are curious or want to know more, we would love for you to join us - we meet simply in a community center - the times we share are light and fun and people's lives are changed there!!
Next time will be next Thursday night, 9/23, 6:45-8:00PM, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Summer Community Outreach 2010
I wanted to take a minute to tell you about our most recent Community Outreach day – it occurred 7/27 and was at CFRC Southside Community Center – 4th and Fountain St’s – Lafayette.
We truly had a fabulous time! We hung out the evening of the 26th and got all the shoes we had purchased ahead of time organized – it was fun to be together. We talked about a few songs – the first was “I’m letting go” by Francesca Battistelli. In this song, we are reminded that we must let go of what we had thought our life was supposed to be, if we want our lives to explode with life. Then we heard “Awake and Alive” by Skillet. In this song, we are reminded that we need to take a stand – it is time to know what we believe and not back down – it is our rallying cry – we will make a difference – even when it’s hard and means that we have to sacrifice. Then we heard “One Day too Late” which reminds us that we often may feel passion and know what we believe but then we figure it’s ok to just do it tomorrow. This is not the way – we need to act now – no waiting, live the way of giving life and noticing the amazingness of God today and inviting Him into the moments of our life now and noticing the amazingness of those around us and their pain and beginning to make a difference in our world.
We went home ready to charge at the Outreach day. We then spent the next day overwhelmed by the needs of our community. We finished the day having given out around 1000 pairs of shoes and 45 office visits and dozens of prescriptions. But, more than shoes and medical care, we gave out something more valuable: We gave unconditional love and real care to people – we let them know that they have value and that they matter, no matter their financial status, their situation, no matter what. To watch people who are hardened by life’s circumstances and living without for so long melt in the face of love and care for them when they realize that this is not some fancy governmentally sponsored organization caring for them but instead people from their own town who care about them enough to share their lives and their vacation time and their money to help them in their troubled times. It is wonderful and terrible – to see the pain that exists in our own town. It might be easier to never even see the pain in our town, but then we would never make any difference…
We had so many who were so thankful and some who wept at the giving and the love they were receiving. But it is also so painful to see those who have been betrayed and hurt for so long and have become part of that whole system and they complain at us for not having the brand of shoes that they want and hurt us when we are not fast enough for them – yet we realize that if anyone is ever going to break through this hardness and hurt, someone must love through this, there is no easy way around (I must tell you that I am so glad that someone dared to love through my manipulative and hurtful, angry past – for if they would not have, I would have been lost in my pain forever). Plus we also realize that we must open ourselves up to these people if we are to help those others who so badly need help who would not ask for help if we were not here. The More, of More than more that we realize makes life worthwhile and gives this love in our hearts – Jesus – this was how He lived – taking the abuse and the pain, absorbing the hurt and hardness of those who were products of the system in order to help those who needed His help. We choose to live this way – and we trust that as we keep living He will give His life into us, His strength when it seems the hardest.
At the end of the day we all met at Dog n Suds for dinner. It is amazing to share such a time together – it is hard, but wonderful, to see so many people’s needs met in one day – if there are 100 thousand people in Lafayette, we put shoes on 1% of the population of our town – can you believe there are that many who don’t have good shoes to wear?? Those people left knowing that they matter to real people and with comfy feet! What a great way to spend a day!!
This is what More than more is all about. We are tired of lip service commitments to those who are hurting – we are tired of expecting the hurting to come to us – we are going to them and are determined to show people that they matter.
You see, we are tired of the American dream of get more, buy more, achieve more, grapple and fight and claw your way to the top – more money, more job, more work, more success, more sex, more everything, and yet we are never satisfied, as individuals or as a society – broken marriages, betrayed friendships, hefty credit cards bills – they never make us happy or fulfilled in our hearts. We want More. We notice More in life and we share in this each time we hang out – every other Thursday night at McAllister Recreation Center just off 20th and Schuyler, in Lafayette. The next time will be this Thursday – 8/26 – 6:45-8:00PM. We hope to see you there!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Last night
Last night, we had a fabulous time together. We dared to take some time together to look at life differently - to notice something more than just the usual American way of more more more and it was a great time.
We started with some time to relax and little and let the stress of the day fall away a little. It was nice to hang out with some people who care about each other just because - not because of what we have to offer each other, or what we can produce or our social status, but just because.
We then spet some time noticing something ordinary, that is amazing. We talked about hips and shoulders - these 2 joints are both ball & socket joints, but they function very differently. The hip is important for power and support - it needs to be stable and it can move in a lot of directions, but not as many as the shoulder. The shoulder on the other "hand" (ha ha)is much more mobile, but has much less power to it. It does not need as much power, as it does not support our body weight, but needs to be mobile, so we can do stuff with our hands. We took a look at these joints and realized that the hip socket is very deep and the socket of the shoulder is very narrow. The deep socket of the hip makes it more powerful and almost impossible to dislocate. the narrow socket of the shoulder makes it very mobile and allows it to move in a gazillion ways so that we can use our hands and arms to do stuff, but is much less stable and, as you know, is much more prone to dislocate. Now, when I look at the amazingness of the shoulder and the hip and how they just happen to have the perfect design for the function we need, I am overwhelmed. The system works perfectly, the way it is supposed to. Now, some people would have you believe that this happened by accident - that all this happened just because it worked out that way - this seems like an assertion that takes much more of a leap than just believing that these joints were made this way by a wonderful creator who wanted us to have bodies that worked the way we needed them to.
So, the next time you bend down (using your knees to bend...)notice the power in your hips - when you hold your child and balance them on your pelvis - notice the power in your hip - and be thankful - invite God to join you in the midst of that moment and savor the fact that while life is hard and we struggle with so many things, there is a great God who cared enough about us to make our bodies work the way we needed them to. When you are working above your head, or reaching to scratch your back, have a chat with God about how cool it is that your shoulder can move like that and the His design is amazing. Invite Him into the moment and ask Him to be part of your life. You may just start noticing that there is more to life than the usual "more" of the American way!
We will be hanging out again in 2wks at McAllister Center - just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, 6:45-8:00PM, 8/26/10. Hope to see you there if you are sick of the everyday American way of more more more and looking to find something "More" than more.
We started with some time to relax and little and let the stress of the day fall away a little. It was nice to hang out with some people who care about each other just because - not because of what we have to offer each other, or what we can produce or our social status, but just because.
We then spet some time noticing something ordinary, that is amazing. We talked about hips and shoulders - these 2 joints are both ball & socket joints, but they function very differently. The hip is important for power and support - it needs to be stable and it can move in a lot of directions, but not as many as the shoulder. The shoulder on the other "hand" (ha ha)is much more mobile, but has much less power to it. It does not need as much power, as it does not support our body weight, but needs to be mobile, so we can do stuff with our hands. We took a look at these joints and realized that the hip socket is very deep and the socket of the shoulder is very narrow. The deep socket of the hip makes it more powerful and almost impossible to dislocate. the narrow socket of the shoulder makes it very mobile and allows it to move in a gazillion ways so that we can use our hands and arms to do stuff, but is much less stable and, as you know, is much more prone to dislocate. Now, when I look at the amazingness of the shoulder and the hip and how they just happen to have the perfect design for the function we need, I am overwhelmed. The system works perfectly, the way it is supposed to. Now, some people would have you believe that this happened by accident - that all this happened just because it worked out that way - this seems like an assertion that takes much more of a leap than just believing that these joints were made this way by a wonderful creator who wanted us to have bodies that worked the way we needed them to.
So, the next time you bend down (using your knees to bend...)notice the power in your hips - when you hold your child and balance them on your pelvis - notice the power in your hip - and be thankful - invite God to join you in the midst of that moment and savor the fact that while life is hard and we struggle with so many things, there is a great God who cared enough about us to make our bodies work the way we needed them to. When you are working above your head, or reaching to scratch your back, have a chat with God about how cool it is that your shoulder can move like that and the His design is amazing. Invite Him into the moment and ask Him to be part of your life. You may just start noticing that there is more to life than the usual "more" of the American way!
We will be hanging out again in 2wks at McAllister Center - just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, 6:45-8:00PM, 8/26/10. Hope to see you there if you are sick of the everyday American way of more more more and looking to find something "More" than more.
Monday, July 26, 2010
To Review
Hey all! More than more is a group of people, from all walks of life, who gather together every other Thursday night at McAllister Recreation Center - just off 20th and Schuyler Ave - in Lafayette, Indiana, from 6:45-8:00Pm. When we get together, we have a great time laughing, joking, and growing.
Every person who comes to More than more finds people who care about them for who they are, not for what they make or how they dress or how they act or what habits they have. We simply care.
We spend time each time we get together trying to break out of the usual American mindset of get more, become more, be more, buy more, achieve more, drive more, more fun, more sex, more money, more abuse, more, more, more - that so is destroying our country, our city, our neighborhoods, our lives. We believe that there is so much more to live for. The there is More than more.
We do this by noticing the really wonder filled things about life that we all agree are the reasons we actually love to live - like the love of our family and friends and the birth of children and the beauty of nature - and then taking time to celebrate how amazing life is, as it is occurring right under our noses. We give thanks to the God who made it all so wonderful and we ask Him to join us in our lives. Then, we take time to notice how amazing the people are around us, at More the more and in our homes and our workplaces, our neighborhoods and the places we spend our days. Plus we dare to try to notice their pains too. We Americans are a distracted and sad, broken people - we live in pursuit of the next conquest, the next purchase - our debt swallows us - as people and as a country. We do not savor life becuase we never break free to notice life. And, at More than more, when we begin to notice the people around us living this way, we dare to try to do something about it!
Tomorrow, we will be doing something about it! We will be at Community and Family Resource Center - 4th and Fountain St's - Lafayette - there we will be giving shoes to those who need them and medical care and medicines to those who cannot afford them. This is out attempt to let some people know that they are noticed - they matter - and to help someone else begin to break free from the trap of the "more" of American society into the freedom that can be found in the More of having God in life!
At More than more, we are not a church. We are simply a group of people noticing...
We are actually a group of people many of whom have had a hard time finding church appealing, many times because of bad experiences we have had at church or because of things we have felt would make us unacceptable at church - we are plain basic people who enjoy hanging out and having fun together!
We would love to have you join us next time we get together at McAllister - it will be 8/12/10, 6:45-8:00Pm. We always have free, wonderful childcare!
Every person who comes to More than more finds people who care about them for who they are, not for what they make or how they dress or how they act or what habits they have. We simply care.
We spend time each time we get together trying to break out of the usual American mindset of get more, become more, be more, buy more, achieve more, drive more, more fun, more sex, more money, more abuse, more, more, more - that so is destroying our country, our city, our neighborhoods, our lives. We believe that there is so much more to live for. The there is More than more.
We do this by noticing the really wonder filled things about life that we all agree are the reasons we actually love to live - like the love of our family and friends and the birth of children and the beauty of nature - and then taking time to celebrate how amazing life is, as it is occurring right under our noses. We give thanks to the God who made it all so wonderful and we ask Him to join us in our lives. Then, we take time to notice how amazing the people are around us, at More the more and in our homes and our workplaces, our neighborhoods and the places we spend our days. Plus we dare to try to notice their pains too. We Americans are a distracted and sad, broken people - we live in pursuit of the next conquest, the next purchase - our debt swallows us - as people and as a country. We do not savor life becuase we never break free to notice life. And, at More than more, when we begin to notice the people around us living this way, we dare to try to do something about it!
Tomorrow, we will be doing something about it! We will be at Community and Family Resource Center - 4th and Fountain St's - Lafayette - there we will be giving shoes to those who need them and medical care and medicines to those who cannot afford them. This is out attempt to let some people know that they are noticed - they matter - and to help someone else begin to break free from the trap of the "more" of American society into the freedom that can be found in the More of having God in life!
At More than more, we are not a church. We are simply a group of people noticing...
We are actually a group of people many of whom have had a hard time finding church appealing, many times because of bad experiences we have had at church or because of things we have felt would make us unacceptable at church - we are plain basic people who enjoy hanging out and having fun together!
We would love to have you join us next time we get together at McAllister - it will be 8/12/10, 6:45-8:00Pm. We always have free, wonderful childcare!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Being Held is better than not being Held
I am overwhelmed. I am sitting at the western end of Denver International Airport, sitting at a bar with my phone plugged in, listening to “Hold My Heart” by 10th Ave North and looking out at the Rockies (that’s how I know I’m facing west). You may be thinking, “What a sap. Overwhelmed by a song.”
But it is not the song, but the totality of my existence this morning that has me totally overwhelmed.
You see, I am not heading to Denver, but to Albuquerque. I am not going to the “Land of Enchantment” for a vacation or a conference. I am going to help bury Joanna; My cousin Tom’s wife. She died last week, her life on this earth ebbing away because of the breast cancer that grew uncontrollably in her body. 50 years old. The heartbreak is inescapable. In a few hours I will stand face to face with her husband and son and parents…
But, let me go on. Last Monday, my wife’s aunt Shirley, one of the most kind and gentle women I have ever met in my life – the very face of self-neglect and servanthood – went to an outpatient surgery center for a “minor procedure” on her ankle and shoulder. Before starting the surgery all the way, something went terribly wrong and Shirley’s heart stopped. By the time she was at the hospital across the street, she had been without oxygen for too long. Over the week of breathless moments and prayers, we have been given doses of the hopelessness that is Shirley’s existence here on Earth. I listened to my children remind me of God’s ability to do anything and in turn reminded them that our plans don’t always match God’s. Then came the news Tuesday night that Shirley’s brain suffered near complete destruction during those minutes last Monday…and a “minor procedure” became the last memory we will all have of our dear Aunt. We will head soon, as a family, to Atlanta, to bury our dear Shirley and ache for her children and husband so lost and lonely for one more of her “sugars” and hugs.
Not only this, but we have been journeying alongside a dear friend who buried her daddy last Winter and many more who are burying their broken hearts and dreams and addictions and lost selves. We have looked into their weepy eyes on so many occasions – sometimes I can’t sleep at night not because of worry, but because of the shared pain I feel. We want to scream to them that the path is not easy, but it is worth it – that God hears and cares and can show them to something new. We know – we have ached like they do and we have known the relief of knowing that God holds us. As my Uncle Roger (who lost his wife to breast cancer a few years back) said the other day, “I have never known God to be so close as He was during those times. I could sense in a very real way His presence strengthening and holding us up.”
Now understand, I am not one who is a foreigner to mourning – my family has a long track record of burying each other at young ages – as my cousin Andrea said the other day, “The Hendricks know death.” In fact, not only have I dealt repeatedly with death in my personal life, but my job places me face to face with those dying and left behind on a nearly daily basis. I sometimes struggle with all the different responses I have to this journey. Sometimes doctor and statistician, sometimes preacher and Christian leader, sometimes little boy, and sometimes husband and father – it can be quite a tornado of emotions and thoughts.
So, I process all this and then on comes the song – “Hold My Heart” and I can barely keep from weeping for Tom and Aaron and Shirley’s husband and daughters and for those whose struggle we are joining on a daily basis:
Hold My Heart Lyrics
How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will You run to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart.
Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.
Sometimes at night when my kids are afraid and they run into my room, or scream in fear from their rooms I search to find the right words to soothe their fears – to help them know that while the world is a scary and painful place, but that it will be ok. Most of the time I find the words lacking – instead realizing that what they want is to be held by me – instead of big speeches, I have taken to simply holding them close and saying, “Do you feel my arms? Do they feel strong? Will daddy protect you? I am here.” What I feel in those moments is my sweet child relax in my arms, allowing me to hold their heart.
I do not have an answer for Tom or for Shirley’s family, or for all those whose eyes I look into other than that, if you will cry out to Him, He will hear the sound of your breaking heart and hold you in His strong arms, comforting you and showing you the way. It will not be easy. Many times you will feel like you are simply one tear in the driving rain and one voice in a sea of pain and like you are just one life barely able to stand, but He will hear – in fact, you need not beg for Him to be there – He will join you in your journey if you simply groan to Him out of the pain in your heart – there will be a place for you to relax in His arms – they are strong…
For me, my course will continue to take me along life’s journey with those who suffer. But for them, I do not hold them, I am not strong enough, my arms are too weak – I point them, as I do you, to the One who has held my heart, who holds my heart, even on this clear skied and sunny and yet dark, dark Thursday morning. This journey of life embracing those in pain is so painful – so much moreso than the neglectful life of the usual middle class Americanism and it’s unending desire to consume – but it is so wonderful when even one scared and screaming child is snuggled up close to their father and I get to be there when they relax in His arms. You see, nothing is better than to be an emissary of the One, no matter the pain in the journey.
If you are struggling with the pain of life, cry out to Him – He will hold your heart, and please join us sometime at More than more – we meet every other Thursday, 6:45-8:00PM at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. We will be there this Thursday, 7/8/10. Choosing His way will not make all the pain go away, but He will help you through it.
If you are coming face to face with people with are hurting lately, I hope you will join me in daring to care for them – point them to the One who cares for them – it will be hard – but you will look back someday and cherish the point when you decided to take His course.
But it is not the song, but the totality of my existence this morning that has me totally overwhelmed.
You see, I am not heading to Denver, but to Albuquerque. I am not going to the “Land of Enchantment” for a vacation or a conference. I am going to help bury Joanna; My cousin Tom’s wife. She died last week, her life on this earth ebbing away because of the breast cancer that grew uncontrollably in her body. 50 years old. The heartbreak is inescapable. In a few hours I will stand face to face with her husband and son and parents…
But, let me go on. Last Monday, my wife’s aunt Shirley, one of the most kind and gentle women I have ever met in my life – the very face of self-neglect and servanthood – went to an outpatient surgery center for a “minor procedure” on her ankle and shoulder. Before starting the surgery all the way, something went terribly wrong and Shirley’s heart stopped. By the time she was at the hospital across the street, she had been without oxygen for too long. Over the week of breathless moments and prayers, we have been given doses of the hopelessness that is Shirley’s existence here on Earth. I listened to my children remind me of God’s ability to do anything and in turn reminded them that our plans don’t always match God’s. Then came the news Tuesday night that Shirley’s brain suffered near complete destruction during those minutes last Monday…and a “minor procedure” became the last memory we will all have of our dear Aunt. We will head soon, as a family, to Atlanta, to bury our dear Shirley and ache for her children and husband so lost and lonely for one more of her “sugars” and hugs.
Not only this, but we have been journeying alongside a dear friend who buried her daddy last Winter and many more who are burying their broken hearts and dreams and addictions and lost selves. We have looked into their weepy eyes on so many occasions – sometimes I can’t sleep at night not because of worry, but because of the shared pain I feel. We want to scream to them that the path is not easy, but it is worth it – that God hears and cares and can show them to something new. We know – we have ached like they do and we have known the relief of knowing that God holds us. As my Uncle Roger (who lost his wife to breast cancer a few years back) said the other day, “I have never known God to be so close as He was during those times. I could sense in a very real way His presence strengthening and holding us up.”
Now understand, I am not one who is a foreigner to mourning – my family has a long track record of burying each other at young ages – as my cousin Andrea said the other day, “The Hendricks know death.” In fact, not only have I dealt repeatedly with death in my personal life, but my job places me face to face with those dying and left behind on a nearly daily basis. I sometimes struggle with all the different responses I have to this journey. Sometimes doctor and statistician, sometimes preacher and Christian leader, sometimes little boy, and sometimes husband and father – it can be quite a tornado of emotions and thoughts.
So, I process all this and then on comes the song – “Hold My Heart” and I can barely keep from weeping for Tom and Aaron and Shirley’s husband and daughters and for those whose struggle we are joining on a daily basis:
Hold My Heart Lyrics
How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will You turn to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will You run to me?
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Would You come close and hold my heart.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't see but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name
One tear in the driving rain,
One voice in a sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One life, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart.
Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.
Sometimes at night when my kids are afraid and they run into my room, or scream in fear from their rooms I search to find the right words to soothe their fears – to help them know that while the world is a scary and painful place, but that it will be ok. Most of the time I find the words lacking – instead realizing that what they want is to be held by me – instead of big speeches, I have taken to simply holding them close and saying, “Do you feel my arms? Do they feel strong? Will daddy protect you? I am here.” What I feel in those moments is my sweet child relax in my arms, allowing me to hold their heart.
I do not have an answer for Tom or for Shirley’s family, or for all those whose eyes I look into other than that, if you will cry out to Him, He will hear the sound of your breaking heart and hold you in His strong arms, comforting you and showing you the way. It will not be easy. Many times you will feel like you are simply one tear in the driving rain and one voice in a sea of pain and like you are just one life barely able to stand, but He will hear – in fact, you need not beg for Him to be there – He will join you in your journey if you simply groan to Him out of the pain in your heart – there will be a place for you to relax in His arms – they are strong…
For me, my course will continue to take me along life’s journey with those who suffer. But for them, I do not hold them, I am not strong enough, my arms are too weak – I point them, as I do you, to the One who has held my heart, who holds my heart, even on this clear skied and sunny and yet dark, dark Thursday morning. This journey of life embracing those in pain is so painful – so much moreso than the neglectful life of the usual middle class Americanism and it’s unending desire to consume – but it is so wonderful when even one scared and screaming child is snuggled up close to their father and I get to be there when they relax in His arms. You see, nothing is better than to be an emissary of the One, no matter the pain in the journey.
If you are struggling with the pain of life, cry out to Him – He will hold your heart, and please join us sometime at More than more – we meet every other Thursday, 6:45-8:00PM at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. We will be there this Thursday, 7/8/10. Choosing His way will not make all the pain go away, but He will help you through it.
If you are coming face to face with people with are hurting lately, I hope you will join me in daring to care for them – point them to the One who cares for them – it will be hard – but you will look back someday and cherish the point when you decided to take His course.
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