This could be so easy

I'm stuck...  
I'm stuck...

But I've probably known the answer for a long time.

Growing alone

As a child, Jesus sat with the church leaders and found acceptance.  As he got older and moved toward his life’s goal, he was alone more and more.  Am I willing to pay that price?    

A Real Illness

I wish I had a real illness...

An illness that would

cause those who love me

to visit, bringing flowers.

An illness that would

insist that I treasure

the moments I have

left on this earth.

I wish I had a real illness...

An illness where people

helped me with

the quotidian hardships.

An illness that would

cause me to dote

on each beautiful

occurrence in life.

I wish I had a real illness...

An illness where those around me

would cheer me for each step I make

As I try to walk this life.

An illness that would allow

me to turn the other cheek

when I feel yet another blow

to my pummeled heart.

A real illness...

Instead of this common, secret illness

that incapacitates

masses of people.

Instead of an illness

we’d all rather ignore,

an illness we try to wish away,

because we think it possible.

No.  I really just wish that

my illness – along with any other – 

would be met with compassion, dignity

and hearts full of healing.

“Real” or not...

What does flourishing look like?

I had a very rough Sunday at church. A woman who has started attending our church so recently that most people don't know her was given an opportunity to get up and make an announcement about what she plans to speak on for the next 4 Wednesday nights -- and the Sunday School class she is starting. It shouldn't have hit me so hard because I'm glad when I see women being "allowed" to do these sorts of things. But I sooo wished it had been me.

I ended up slipping out of choir and going down to our fellowship hall. "Needy" people watch our a video stream of our service while waiting to be served lunch.  The pastor's sermon was "What Child is This" -- and related how when we ignore "the least of these", we're figuratively ignoring Jesus. (More tears, feeling quite "ignored"...)

But I've had a thought. Maybe after the choir sings, I may make it my habit to slip out and be with these people.   Maybe they are meant to help me flourish -- and maybe I am meant to help them do the same.  We can "be Jesus" to one another...

Thoughts on One Word 365

Before the New Year began, I was impressed by Psalm 52:8 

"I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever."

This will be my verse for 2014
and "flourish" will be my word.

I am not sure olive trees are supposed to be planted in God's house, but I'm going to find out the how, why, when...

Maybe I'll find out why I feel like such an oddball in my local church...