Great Expectations

Previously, I wrote about the gift of the giant rubber duck that was docked along our river's shoreline and brought over a million people to a blissful state of being. The rubber duck has been appearing in various cities around the globe drawing thousands upon thousands of visitors.

Admittedly, I had no idea what to expect when I went to see the giant rubber duck, yet, the energy was a-buzz and everyone seemed so happy walking to the duck that I soon realized this would be most memorable.

I am sure the persons in Taiwan were expecting the same wonderful experience as they went to visit the giant rubber duck docked in their river. However, what they found one day last week was not a giant, yellow, rubber duck. Alas, what they found was a large, flat piece of yellow rubber stretched across the water's surface resembling, as some folks stated, "a flattened, fried egg."

An earthquake nearby created a power outage which caused the duck to deflate and when workers attempted to re-inflate the duck they did so too quickly and the duck....exploded....sigh.....

What to do when what you are expecting turns out to be something totally different?

The stores are starting to tell us that the Holiday season is starting (me....I'll follow the rhythm of nature and the calendar of the church) and children everywhere will be jacked-up with expectation and anticipation of the Big Holiday. What to do if one does not receive the X-Box and instead gets a package of underwear, a dvd, and a candy cane?

The person of your dreams asks you to dinner and it is a nightmare....

It's early November and the Steelers are already out of playoff contention....

The movie everyone raves about you can't stand (Seinfeld reference: Elaine and the "English Patient).....

What to do?

Deal with what is real;

Adjust your sails and find the new wind;

Look for the light that is there;

Be and become....

sj;

Journey Lights

Trick-or-Treat just concluded and it looks like another good haul for the kids of the neighborhood! Following the example of my mother, I pride myself in putting together a great treat bag affirmed by the kids’ responses of “Wow!” and “Whoa!” and “Mom, check this out!”

While sitting out on the porch watching for the kids, I noticed the row of lights up and down the street that directed the children on their journey for junk. Yes, a light on signals CANDY HERE! Yet the house lights also helped to light the path for the kids on their travels.

On this eve before All Saints Day, I thought that is a good metaphor for the saints who light our way as we journey to wholeness. We find ourselves looking for the light and are drawn to it for the goodness we will find there. The lights direct our steps.

I am a big fan of the belief that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses --- kind of like the family and friends who show up for your Little League game or your school play. They are there watching, cheering, beaming, supporting. For me, knowing that always made me play stronger and ham-it-up more, they gave me confidence and a sense of security.

Take a moment today and actively re-member the saints who lit your journey. Read one of their favorite passages; eat their favorite food; tell the stories where they shine the brightest!

We are not alone…..blessed be;
(by the way, how are you doing with the when and who and why of your blessings?)


sj;

Blessings

To begin an update on the "Plays the Thing" post where I ranted about school districts' banning the game of tag. I heard from several of you and appreciated your reflections and shared "are you kidding me?" responses. On the delightful CBS Sunday Morning show there was a wonderful segment on a group of childhood friends now grown who still play a game of tag. This is entertaining and full of good insights. Here's the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57609129/an-epic-game-of-tag/

As part of my daily reflection time, I am re-reading Kate Braestrup's book on prayer, BEGINNER'S GRACE. A good read, Braestrup begins by talking about blessings and namely the ones we offer before meal time. For many of us, around the table is the first lesson we have in prayer. You know...."God is great and God is good" fare. The blessing is a thank you: thanks for each hand that brought the food to this point; thanks for those gathered at table with us and the gift of fellowship. Table blessings are a good laboratory in which to teach prayer.

One of the grandest things about being ordained is being asked to offer blessings. I've blessed bread, houses, play-doh, foundations for houses-yet-to-be, sports contests, milk-and-cookies, teddy bears, potluck suppers, unions, marriages, dogs, cats, ants, the weather, baby's feet and the list goes on and on.

I like when someone reminds me "to have a blessed day." To me, it's to both be aware of the abundance of blessings surrounding and to be about the work of offering blessings. In that light (and I mean that in every way possible), one of the persons who is a part of my Health Committee for People with Disabilities stopped by one day this week to make a very generous donation to my organization. In my thanking her, she said, "I want to bless those who have been a blessing to me."

First, I was humbled by being referred to as being a blessings and second, I was inspired by living with active gratitude.

This week take an inventory on when and what and whom you bless and whom in turn does so to you. I mean everything and everyone you bless: sneezers, succotash and the Steelers. Let me know what you learn.

Blessed be....

sj;