My True Friends

I've had my close circle of friends many years now, decades in some cases. We don't get a chance to spend the kind of time we used to, because of life's directions, our jobs, our family responsibilities, and the like. This past weekend, my best friend's son turned 4 years old, and a bunch of us got together, after what seemed like forever. And my friends echoed my sentiments as we had a chance to chat, catch up, and talk. "I miss you guys" was the sentence of the day. There is a calm comfort, and sense of being home, a feeling of trust you get from your close friends that is rare these days. I'm my own man, all the time, but when I'm with my close friends, I can let my guard down completely, knowing that whatever I see, whatever my condition is, whatever life takes me, my friends will love me and be there unconditionally. That's the way I have lived my life, with "Unconditional Love". We chatted for just a few hours, but it was priceless to me, and I miss my friends and the unlimited time we used to spend together greatly. I appreciate those days, and the friendships we've built over the years, more than I can imagine.

I pray for you, my friend reading this, that you may be blessed with the joy and privilege of true friendship, that people in and through your life can give you the compassion and kindness that we all yearn for. May God Bless you today and every day.

Are you okay?

Accidents happen, that why we have insurance. And with the mass of cars and vehicles out there, it's just a matter of time before you get into one. Thank God for the times when I've had accidents recently, it's just been the car with the damage, and everyone involved is okay.

Those were the thoughts that was running through my mind when my 3-month old brand-spanking new car got T-boned the other day, side curtain airbags going off. Oh my God, what if my kids were in the car? Oh my God, what if there was a kid in the street between the two cars? On my God, what if there was a baby in the other car, not wearing a seat belt?

After that initial shock and stress, of course, then it came it to my car, and all of the random thoughts associated with material possessions, hassle, etc. Through this all, a little boy walked out from the other vehicle, couldn't have been more than 10 years old, carrying a little notepad to write stuff down. And he says in the most quiet and caring voice, "Are you okay?"

I think he stunned me a bit, by saying that. Usually, people are cussing and swearing and pissed off, and I admit I had some feelings like that, especially not really understanding who was at fault. But, when the little guy said "Are you okay?" it sort of hit my reset button. I calmed down tremendously and said as humanely as possible, "I'm okay, are you okay?" And the little guy said, "Yes, I'm okay."

I think there's a lot to learn here from this, something profound in the simplicity of a child who's initial reaction should be commonplace, but so often isn't in this era of blame, guilt, and accountability. Finances, time, stress, and all don't really matter as much as the simple question, "Are you okay?"

Thank you, my little friend, for you patience, compassion, and kindness. I pray for you, that you find strength always as you did here. You taught me a little something about how to live life right, and how to be a better person with 3 simple and timely words.

Good Times and Bad

"When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
as well as the other."

Ecclesiastes 7:14

Blind - Halfway through Lent

Halfway through Lent, and the Gospel this week was about the blind man healed by Jesus. Father Thomas at Mass asked the congregation to close their eyes through the Gospel, to give us an appreciation and feeling for what the man went through, as he was blind from birth. I must say, it was an interesting experience. I could "hear" so many noises and sounds, people chattering, kids clambering, coughs abounding, pages shuffling, etc. I could "feel" my emotions well up when Jesus asked the man, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" and later replied "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Maybe in my hearing and I feeling, I could "see" what was happening better than if I had physical sight.

As Father Thomas read the Gospel, I couldn't help but think about the message and meaning, how blind I am, and have been in my life. Not like the man who was "physically" blind, for I have been blessed with the gift of sight, but like those who accused and tormented him. Sight is a blessing, and something I strive for and hope for long term. I pray that each of you can take something positive from these words, and from the blind man's experience as well. May God Bless You always.

Setbacks

Life isn't perfect. If it were so easy, there would be no need for much of anything, right? I'm beginning to wonder what makes life so complicated sometimes. Getting older, seeing what's happening around me, seeing my friends and family go through drama, it all reminds me how imperfect life is. So, it begs the questions, what do you do about it? What do you ask for? What do you want?

For me, it's been a long term struggle, dealing with setbacks. I'm inherently a very positive and upbeat person, but I have my moments, I have my struggles with setbacks, just like everyone else does. I think my biggest problem is that I over-think, hyper-analyze, over-do my setbacks. I let my mind race a million miles an hour over the reasons and justifications, the solutions that don't exist, and the problems that likewise, don't really exist.

I'm sure I'm not alone...

I did learn something the other day, when I was reading/listening to the Bible. We're in the middle of Lent, so it's a good time for this reflection. It was about King Solomon (Kings 3:5-14).

5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

In my prayers when I have setbacks, this is something to consider. Ask for wisdom and compassion and kindness, and a good discerning heart, instead of asking for my problems to simply vanish or be solved. In my humility, I am granted peace, which in the end, is all I am searching for.

Lent - Day 1

For the first time in 43 years, I'm going to observe and experience Lent. Not so much "go through it" like I have in the past, but really take the time to reflect and focus on something more meaningful personally.

Matthew 6:1-16 are the readings for today, Ash Wednesday, which mark the beginning of Lent. The readings are profound in that some advice is plainly laid out. Humility and Generosity, first and foremost, and their combination. When you give, do so without attention, do so quietly. When you pray, pray privately and quietly. When you fast, don't let everyone know you are doing so.

There's a quiet confidence and peace coming from those words, and as I write this "publicly" in my blog today, it's really meant for my personal reflection and not to broadcast to all, more like a diary I suppose. I am thankful for this time and these precious moments.

Luke 6:37-38

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Give, and it will be given to you.