flannel board stories

So, I decided to look back through my old blogs and re-post a previous note I had written on MySpace. (Yes, that tells you how old it is!) I was encouraged by it today and I hope you are too.

12/23/06
you know those bible stories some of us learned about when we were a kid-- the ones about Jesus raising Lazarus, or healing the woman with the issue of blood, or putting mud on the blind guy's eyes to restore his sight? well, i used to think they were great stories and all, but i had a hard time relating. i mean, i had never had leoprosy (and wasn't planning on contracting it), never been blind or lame (well, it depends on what definition you use for that one), and never had to have my friends carry me around on a mat (unless it was for recreational use). so, needless to say, i didn't quite grasp the stories for all they are worth. after all, things have changed over the past couple thousand years. now, we don't lay around at the healing pool to get well and we don't go seeking out local prophets to touch us. however, does that mean that i cannot relate to these stories? do they not pertain just as much to me now as they did to those people 2 thousand years ago? how am i any different than the blind, mute, lame, and deaf that were healed by the touch of Christ? for you see, i have my own infirmities in my life, as we all do....we are all bound by things at one point or another. there are times when we are blind--when our perspective is skewed, or we just can't see things clearly. other times, we are mute--we have lost our voice, or can't find the words to speak. we are lame--bound to our mat, paralyzed by fear, shame, or guilt that keeps us immobile. we are deaf--seemingly unable to hear the voice of God or others despite our efforts to listen. so, no matter how circumstances are different, no matter how much time has passed since then and now...i am that person--the man with the shriveled hand--his disability keeping him from doing all the things he would like to do, the woman with the issue of blood--desperately reaching out to the only One she knows has the ability to heal her, the paralzyed man on the mat--relying upon his friends to bring Him to Jesus when he can't carry himself. i can find myself in the midst of these people, their issues, their circumstances, and yes, even their infirmities. and just as Christ looked at them with compassion, reached down and spoke to them, so He does to each of us: "get up, take your mat and go home." (matt. 8:6)..."take heart daughter, your faith has healed you"(matt 8:22)..."I am willing. be clean!"( matt. 8: 3)..."be opened!" (mark 7: 34)..."according to your faith, will it be done to you" (matt 9:29)

so i guess those flannel board stories will never be quite the same again.

chastened

In a recent trip to the library, I ran across this book called "Chastened." Immediately struck by its title, I decided to pick it up. (It probably also doesn't help that I work at a crisis pregnancy center and am thereby automatically interested in the topic.)

Well, come to find out, this is a very interesting story. The author, disenfranchised with casual sex, decided to remain abstinent for a year. As the subtitle explains, this book is the "story of (her) year without sex."

Anderson, a young non-Christian Englishwoman, began to realize that her relationships were unfulfilling. She was nearing her 30th birthday and the last man who told her that he loved her was her college sweetheart, who was her "first." Since then, her relationships have left her feeling as if something was lacking. So, in an effort to reclaim intimacy, she took out what some may feel is the most intimate act of all--sex.

I haven't gotten very far in the book, but so far it has been a good read. I have enjoyed reflecting upon the observations of someone whose decision is far removed from faith or upbringing. She simply was dissatisfied and wanted to make a change. Could it be that our culture would get to a point where more and more people become just as fed up?

Coming from a faith perspective myself, I have always been taught in church that you should save sex for marriage, that it was meant to be between a husband and a wife. I was also taught that the reason for this wasn't just because God didn't want you to experience all the good things life has to offer, but rather that He has a better way for us. His rules are meant to protect and offer us the best way of living. I believe that Anderson may just be proving His point. And maybe, just maybe, others will join her.

all in a year's work

Wow. Who can believe 2010 is actually over? This has been one whirlwind of a year. As I look back on 2010 I can walk away with several observations. Although there have definitely been some positive changes that have taken place in my life over the past 12 months, there have also been some negative ones. I could just brush past them and attribute them to my human nature, or instead I could reflect on them and learn from my mistakes. This blog will be a part of my reflection/learning process...

One of the observations I have made about myself this year is that I have slowly lost some of my compassion. Generally speaking, I am a compassionate person. I enjoy helping people. I mean, I have a degree in counseling. I want to see others excel, grow, and change. However, this year I have noticed that I have lost some of that spark. Instead of looking on the situations of friends or clients with empathy, I sometimes wrestle with an urge to say "Suck it up and deal with it." (No, I am not going to turn into Dr. Phil...let's hope not at least!) Somewhere along the way, little bits of empathy, compassion, and tenderness have vanished. What happened to them? How can I get back my sense of compassion?

Today I was reading "Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning and a few excerpts stood out to me.

"In order to free us for compassion towards others, Jesus calls us to accept
His compassion in our own lives; to become gentle, caring, compassionate, and
forgiving toward ourselves in failure and need.

Compassion for others is not a simple virtue because it avoids snap judgments
of right or wrong, good or bad, hero or villain: It seeks truth in all its
complexity. Genuine compassion means that in empathizing with the failed
plans and uncertain loves of the other person, we send out the vibration, 'Yes,
regamuffin, I understand. I've been there too...'

In a catch-22 situation, the way of gentleness brings healing to ourselves
and gentleness toward ourselves brings healing to others. Solidarity with
ragamuffins frees the one who receives compassion and liberates the one who
gives it in the conscious awareness, 'I am the other.'"

So, as I read this, I can't help but see the paradox Manning is speaking of--"the way of gentleness brings healing to ourselves and gentleness towards ourselves brings healing to others." In order to bestow compassion on others, you must be willing to give it to yourself. You must see yourself for the ragamuffin you truly are--with your propensity towards sin, selfishness, and darkness. When that understanding is gained then you are capable of extending true compassion to others because you understand that you are no better.

I used to say that no matter what horrible situations people were facing or what awful circumstances they found themselves in, I was only a couple of steps away from being exactly where they were. It's only by the grace of God that I am where I am today. And who knows what tomorrow holds...

Therefore, in 2011 I hope to get back to that same mindset. May the Holy Spirit again soften my heart to see the sin and darkness of my own heart so that I may in turn, extend compassion and grace to those around me.