Great word...better prayer

As I actively answered my call to ordained ministry, I spent a summer as a pastoral intern and was assigned to Saegertown UMC, which is on the outskirts of Meadville. My time there was positive, affirming, and I met wonderful people who taught me lessons in the very best way --- by how they lived their faith in their lives.

One of my favorite people was an older gentleman named Lou. He was short and delightfully stout, had a buzz cut, wore black, square-framed glasses and had lost his right arm in an accident. He loved to garden and to paint. He and his wife Peg were committed and constant members of the congregation; the kind of people who do the work when needed and support the ministry by all the ways one should: by time, talents, and treasure.

Lou was also a baseball fan and I would go there to watch games on the t.v. with Lou and Peg, who provided ice cold lemonade and incredible home-made cookies.

They attended the weekly Bible studies and the prayer groups and each time the group gathered in a circle of shared prayer, Lou always said the same one word prayer, "Thanks."

I doubt that Lou knew the quote from the German mystic, Meister Eckhart who said, "If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thanks, that would be sufficient;" yet, I'm certain he lived the spirit of that quote.

A Thanksgiving assignment for you --- between cooking and eating and cleaning up and putting away and time for play (see yesterday's post) take some time and write a list of 25 things for which you are thankful. For extra credit, write another list of 50 things you savor.

Thanks --- may we live this prayer.

sj;

The new inductees

In the midst of my angst and sadness over the twilight years for Twinkees, another article caught my attention. First, did you know we have a National Toy Hall of Fame??!!?? 'Tis true and it's located in Rochester, New York. Field trip anyone?

The National Toy Museum was started in 1998 and the first toys inducted into this most prestigious hall were some of the biggies in toy-dom including: Crayola Crayons, Frisbee, Etch-a-Sketch (insert 2012 Presidential Campaign memory here), Marbles, Barbie (clearly, I was not on the selection committee), the Teddy Bear, and Play-Doh to name a few.

Anyone can nominate a toy (that has gone on my to-do list) and then a committee of educators, play experts, creative types, etc. select the toys to be nominated for the given year.

This year's inductees are Star Wars figures and Dominoes. The article stated that they beat out the plastic little green army men (a favorite of my childhood), Twister and Lite-Brite (loved that!) among others.

What is fascinating are the toys that are included in the National Toy Museum. Along with Mr. Potato Head, Checkers, Bicycle, Kite, and LEGOS there is also the cardboard box and the stick.

I totally love the fact that some group of folks realized the importance to have a National Toy Musuem! As any childhood expert will tell you, play is essential to childhood! Play is essential to a healthy, whole, energized life!

This Thanksgiving, as you are gathered at table ask folks, "What was your favorite toy?" This will be a great conversation and provide some insight into the family tree. Do make note of what crazy uncle answers "the stick."

After the pie has settled, it may be a good idea to gather the crew together and play....play a board game....throw a ball around...play cards....

I am thankful to be part of family who knows that the "family who plays together, stays together."

sj;

Why I Vote

Once again we are at another "biggest election of our lifetime." While I do believe this one may indeed determine the direction we take as a nation, be it
a primary or a general, the most important thing is that you vote.

Why do you vote?

Me? I vote because it was what I learned and saw practiced in my family. My maternal grandmother was married and raising a family before women had the right to vote in this country. I watched my parents and older siblings vote in each election. I accompanied my mother and sister to go vote. It was what one did on election day ---- you voted. Then, you watched the results and discussed what happened. Truly --- all politics are local...try kitchen table local.

For my oldest nephew, this will be the first time he will vote for a candidate for the presidency. I talked with him yesterday and this is a big deal for him and he does want to choose wisely. It is and he will.

I remember the first time I was old enough to vote happened to be the year of a presidential election. It was quite a rush to cast my first vote for president. The year was 1984 and I voted for the Mondale/Ferraro ticket. It was the whole having a woman on the ticket appeal. In case you've forgotten your history, Mondale won only one state that election. Considering that, I'm pretty sure he was thankful for my vote.

I vote because it has only been 92 years since women were given the right to vote in this country and the fantastic film, IRON-JAWED ANGELS reminds me of the commitment, the labor, the struggle, the jails, the force-feedings, the sacrifice women made to give me that right. For Alice Paul and Lucy Burns I vote.

I vote because it's a right we must not take for granted. Remember the Iragui
women proudly displaying their purple-inked stained fingers? Voting is how we do democracy. It is always disappointing when having 60% of the electorate vote is considered a good turn-out....sigh...

Before you head to the polls, answer the question of why. Then...vote.

sj;