KEEP LOOKING

 

One of the favorite games of childhood is to search and find. Be it HIDE-N-GO SEEK, SARDINES, HOT OR COLD, scavenger hunts these plays are timeless, seemingly universal in their appeal.

Three of the best known stories told by Jesus involve losing and finding. In LUKE 15 we listen to the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost person --- the prodigal child.

We can relate to the frustration and, depending on exactly what or who is lost, the fear. We get increasingly frantic in our search, we leaf through piles of paper, turn over books, crawthrough clutter, ask, "have you seen ____," and receive the familiar advice, "Well, where's the lst place you saw it or had it?"

Recently, the majority of articles I've read and conversations shared have further highlighted our current shared bleakness and brokenness. The effect on one's mental health and wellbeing and the status of one's spiritual outlook have really "taken it on the chin."

So, here's a challenge! (I hear you groaning your disapproval) It came to me during today's quiet time. In each conversation and encounter FIND THE GOODNESS.

When my sister bemoans her state and all that is wrong, listing many travails and troubles, I listen (for as long as I can...) and then I say, "OK, now tell me five good things, give me five positives."

This is a good exercie for all of us. 

Here's the challenge. Begining now, in each meeting with another as you listen and observe....FIND THE GOODNESS. Enter the encounter with a set intention to FIND THE GOODNESS.

Keep looking and continue listening until you find it. 

When found point it out, tell others about it.

Happy searching!

EVERYBODY IN!

 

Nearly 30 years ordained and I am still energized when officiating a baptism! 

To me, the sacrament of baptism is the very visible and tangible sign that proclaims EVERYBODY'S IN! As with the other United Methodist sacrament of communion, we re-member and we celebrate the gift of God's grace, free, always, for all.

The early baptisms I officiated left me scared and nervous. With the yards of lace and silk most infants wear for their big day, I was worried there would be slippage and droppage.  I literally placed my arms in the "holding baby position" and the parent placed said babe in my arms.  I tell you days prior, I would practice with a stuffed animal holding and reaching for water and pouring... going for a little muscle memory to kick in.

Each baptism is a total rush.  

I remember the baptism held on the Sunday folloiwng 9/11 --- a needed re-minder of hope and joy and possibilities for peace.  

I recall following one baptism being asked by the dad if I would bless the baby's teddy bear.  Of course!  I'm real big on blessings and, other than maybe someone's pet snake (although I probably would) will offer blessing upon blessing upon all and any situation and moment. By the way, this action is not only designated for the ordained.....we all can and should bless and bless and bless again;

I always use a seashell to perform the baptism, the shell is one I picked up on the beach (don't fret, I bleach and clean it) and following the baptim there is the required lap around the sanctuary so all the congreagants can "ooh and ahh" and the baby can be mesmorized by the lights. This tour also solidifies the promise made to the child by every one in attendance --- to care for, support, guard, defend; that's a promise each child claims that day and every day onward.  It's why I write out my baptism liturgy to include the name of the child so when the congregation makes their promise, the name of the child is spoken.  Heavy stuff not to be taken lightly.

The labor of a new year

 

At a recent family reunion, it was determined that my maternal grandmother was pregnant off-and-on for 25 years!!  Seriously.... Her first child was born in 1901 and her last in 1926; eleven kids total of which 9 lived into adulthood. Personally, as the yongest grandchild and having benefited from this quarter century of birthings, I think that at around circa 1910 I would've strongly encouraged that Ira find a nice room in the barn.

I never saw myself as having children, never had a desire to and never, no not once, played with baby dolls imagining myself a mom.  (Side note, the baby doll that would wet itself was a most bizarre conecept. Please tell me that was soon realized by the manufacturer and said doll has ceased to be made.) My father's sister, dear Aunt Eleanor, would visit each Christmas season and while my brothers were gifted footballs and baseball gloves and cool board games that involved sports, I received .... a baby doll. Sigh. These were serious dolls, too, I'm not talking the not-even-close-to-being-anatomically-accurate Barbies, I mean dolls that were two-feet high, dressed in finery baby dolls.  Did nothing for me. I was polite, said thank you and set the boxed baby doll aside and went to find my brothers to toss around the football.

It seems when one admits having no urge to be a mother, one must offer a defense which confesses one's love for children. I really like kids. I enjoy their energy, their real-ness, their imagination.  I get aong splendidly with children and they with me in large part because I am like an over-sized Muppet, I have an expressive face, am loud and energetic.  

Though never having personal experience, I have been around enough, talked to enough and listened to enough stories from pregnant women. From these conversations, I understand there is some degree of discomfort througfhout the entire process and the penultimate experience of birth pangs.

Now why all this talk about babies and birthing? No, this piece is not lead-in to some miracle announcement.  It is a reflection of a moment of which we are each in the middle. I agree with Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, that the entire world is in a state of re-birth.  Something new is being born in large part because it must; the destruction of the planet, the total upheaval and stark reveal wrought by the pandemic, and the world's oldest democracy on the brink....indeed, "a change is gonna' come."

In the United Methodist liturgy of the sacrament of baptism, it is an all play, every person in attendance makes a vow to support, raise-up, guide and surround the child presented to them with love and care.

In this new year when the world is in labor for all that is about to birthed, what will be our response? Over what and for whom will we agonize and bring through to birth and into life?  What rights and opportunities will we push throguh and which possibilities and promises will we breathe into being?