Month: October 2017

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”  Luke 6:31

Years ago there was a popular acronym, WWJD, which stood for What Would Jesus Do.  People wore this on bracelets, wrist bands, and would quote it in situations.  It always made me stop and think when situations that required Christ like decisions would arise.

This past week, I was the victim of an email hacker.  This is probably a minor glitch for people who are techno savvy, but for me, it was a major issue.  “Just change your password” seems so simple, but in the midst of hysteria, it is really not!  The worst part was that I felt guilty for alarming folks with something that was really beyond my control.  The best part was that I got to hear from friends and family that I haven’t heard from in a while.

The email that was sent out in my name, told folks that I was in “urgent need of help and to kindly reach out to me as soon as possible”.  The many people who called, texted, or emailed exemplified to me the WWJD mentality that was so prevalent years ago.  They thought a friend might be in need or hurting, and they reached out to see if there was anything they could do.  I was overwhelmed at the caring folks with whom I corresponded.  Several times I heard or read, “Whatever you need, I am here to help.”  It showed me that that feeling is still alive and well in our culture.

These folks were thinking like Jesus and His followers would think when someone they knew and loved was hurting or in need.   I am so grateful for friends who care, and I pray that I would do the same if the situation arises.

WWJD?  I think He would want us to emulate Him in all of our conflict and moral dilemmas. “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.  By this we know that we are one in Him.”  I John 2:5

“A friend is what the heart needs all the time.”  Henry Van Dyke

“There is only one way to see things until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes.”  Pablo Picasso

Recently, I spoke with an instructor in my exercise class about a very interesting tatoo he has on the inside of his arm.  It is a huge eye with different colors.  As we talked about it, he told me about its origin.  It seems that his son has Asperger’s Syndrome, and he talked about how hard it is for others to see the world as his son sees it.

Asperger’s is a form of Autism, and although it has several characteristics, inability to interact socially, repetitive behavior, and limited interests are a few.  Usually a person with this condition is very high functioning with intelligence reaching a whole different spectrum. The movie, A Beautiful Mind  comes to my mind as an example of such a person.  This is the case with “Bob’s” son.

During my years in the classroom, several of us teachers had occasion to teach a few of these special children, but at that time, research had just begun to study the condition and its implications.  We loved them, but we couldn’t always see the world through their eyes, so I empathize with “Bob” and his struggle.

“Bob” talked about how difficult his son’s childhood years had been, and he admitted that it had taken years for him to deal with his son’s condition.  His son is now 22, living on his own, and successful with his life.  “Bob” lamented the fact that he had not known how to accept his son and see the world through his eyes.  The tattoo is his way of letting everyone know that just because someone acts or looks differently does not mean they are not worthy of your love and respect.  They can show you a whole new world if you take the time to listen.  He says he loves for people to notice his tattoo so he can tell his story and how he celebrates his son and the world through his eyes.

As I pondered this, I thought about the many times I wear a cross.  This symbol should be a sign to all who see it that Christ sees each of us and our value.  I pray that each of us can look at each other with different eyes as we incorporate compassion and love.

“For God sees not as man sees, for men looketh on the outside appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”                                             I Samuel 16:7

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:.105

“Even if our path in life is rocky, rough and uneven, it doesn’t take away the grandeur and beauty that awaits us at every step along the way.”  Judy Belmont

We recently returned from a trip to Sedona!  This place was on my bucketlist, and although I was skeptical that any place could be so beautiful, I was overwhelmed to actually see it!  The Red Rocks are a wonder, and the beauty is surpassed only by the peacefulness they generate in your mind and soul.

Although we were expecting to do a little walking- maybe a short hike, this kind of hiking was not in my agenda.  The trails are rocky, winding, and steep.  Each step must be carefully taken as the trails are also narrow, and the drop off is significant!!

A guide went before us on one of the hikes, and attacked the hike with confidence, familiarity, and gusto!  I, on the other hand, found myself concentrating on each step because I did not possess these same qualities.  He skillfully led us while pointing out steep places and critter point sightings as we slowly but purposely followed him up the mountain.  We didn’t know we were climbing to the top!  What a reward to see the grandeur below!

As I thought about this experience, I suddenly realized the wisdom of our guide.  He knew we would be hesitant to follow, he knew we would encounter some rough patches, he knew the way would be steep, but he also knew the grandeur and beauty which awaited us!  I think that’s the way God looks at our paths here on earth.  He knows the trials we will face, the problems that will arise, but if we follow Him, he also knows the crown which awaits when we reach the top!!

“Don’t confuse your path with your destination.  The path may be rocky now, but it is going to lead you to amazing places.”  Lessons Learned