Be More Like James

Each morning as I walk to work, I pass several people who are camped out on benches whom I assume are homeless.  One of these men has always seemed different than the others.  He has never asked for a handout, always has a smile on his face, and greets me each morning he sees me with a smile and a wave.  His name is James.

It has taken me a while to actually stop and talk with James.  What do you say to a complete stranger who is obviously struggling?  You don't want to put anyone down or unintentionally hurt their pride or self-esteem.  As I was walking this morning, it started raining.  Actually it was more of a mist, but you could tell that wet weather was going to settle in for the day.  As I came to James' bench, he smiled and waved as usual.  I wished him a good morning and asked how he was.  James just shrugged his shoulders and looked to the sky as to say, "It's raining, I don't have a shelter, but I'm going to be OK."  I stopped and introduced myself for the first time.  I was wearing a rain jacket, but had an umbrella in my backpack.  I asked James if he could use an umbrella.  Truthfully, I rarely use it and usually just wear a rain jacket and a ball cap.  James smiled and said that he thought it might come in handy today.  I just asked him to remove it from my pack and wished him peace.

For me, small inconveniences each day can negatively impact my attitude if I'm not careful.  It's easy for a really good day to turn into a crappy day if I focus on the things that go wrong in my day or seem unfair.  It's during these times, that I need to be like James.  Suck it up.  Think of the good things that I do have.  Be thankful.  Praise God for the beauty around me.  Grow my endurance.

In the book of James (sorry, but I couldn't resist!), we are told that "when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1: 2-4 NLT)  In short, be more like James.

"Focus on the Positives"

A dear friend at church prayed this prayer last Sunday.  It really struck a chord with me.

Heavenly Father,

You are amazing, powerful and loving.  You created each one of us unique; the proof of which is in our fingerprints.  Distinct, one-of-a-kind us.  You've loved us while we were in the womb and continue to guide us each day.  Lord, in this fallen world we sometimes lose hope, lose faith, are lost or taken down the wrong path.  Failure, Death, Pain, Worry, Fear; all are present in this world.  We sometimes ask you "why" and are upset when there is no answer.  Lord, in those times we ask you for strength, for courage, and to keep on keeping on despite not knowing why.

Lord, we ask you to comfort us in times when we are weak, to be our support.  Lord we also thank you for acting through those around us.  For your light shines brightly through the people in this place by acts of kindness and compassion.

Lord, we pray that we treat others the way we would like to be treated, and above all love and trust in  you.  As Jesus knows, this world - this life is not easy and in this life we will have trouble.  But we know that you have overcome the world and we put our faith in you.

Lord we thank you for the good around us, for new beginnings, the simple joys in life..... hot coffee or cocoa on a cold morning, a smile on a child's face, a hug from a friend, laughter in the park.

Lord, I pray that you help us focus on the positives in life, for that is where you live.  Not in the underbelly of pain and darkness, but in the light.  Help us overcome the dark with bright sunshine.  You are amazing and all powerful.  Thank you for your unfailing love.

Amen.

Doing G.O.O.D.

I was surfing news sites yesterday like I typically do during lunch and stumbled across a Charlotte-based project called "Project Get Off Our Donkey."  Besides having a witty name (taken from Luke 10 and the parable of the Good Samaritan), Project GOOD is hoping to make a meaningful impact in our city by pointing out areas where people are in need of God's grace and unconditional love and then giving actionable suggestions for volunteering and helping meet those needs.  The seven areas that Project Good is focusing on are:

• Human Trafficking
• High School Dropouts
• Homeless
• Abortion
• Prisoners
• Refugee
• Elderly

After watching several of the short videos, I felt a need to act.  I'm not really sure how much of a difference one middle-aged man can make, but I'll do what I can.  I also urge you to visit the Project Good website and, if nothing else, become better informed about the every day struggles people are facing in our city.

Get Off Our Donkey

Grace

Before traveling to Costa Rica this summer, we were asked to think about why we are Christians.  If someone stopped us on the street and asked, how would we share our faith.  For me, it was easy.  It comes down to two words...Grace and Love.  U2 does a great job of describing "Grace."

LYRICS

Grace, she takes the blame

She covers the shame

Removes the stain

It could be her name

Grace, it's the name for a girl

It's also a thought that changed the world

And when she walks on the street

You can hear the strings

Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk

Not on a ramp or on chalk

She's got the time to talk

She travels outside of karma

She travels outside of karma

When she goes to work

You can hear her strings

Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips

No champagne flute for her lips

No twirls or skips between her fingertips

She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt

What once was friction

What left a mark

No longer stings

Because Grace makes beauty

Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

Video -U2 "Grace"

The Government Shutdown

Headlines in newspapers across the country today are once again announcing the shutdown of the government of what is arguably the most powerful nation on Earth.  USA Today takes it one step further by asking, "Can the government be saved?".

I'm not going to get into a political discussion, because there are ideological differences between parties and individuals.  That's fine.  What's not OK is when these adults who accepted the responsibility of guiding our country start to act like 5-year old children.  Our lawmakers (as well as a good portion of our society) have lost the ability to converse in a civil manner, respect each other's differences, and work towards a solution that benefits our nation.

I posted a scripture verse this morning on Facebook that one would think was written for today.  Titus 3:14 (NLT) says, "Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive."  'Nuff said.

"Cool shoes!"

I've always been one who talks to strangers.  I'm sure it scared my mother to death when I was young and my wife is constantly amused by this behavior.

As I got off the train this morning at Stonewall Station and was walking down the stairs, I noticed the shoes of the woman in front of me.  This young professional was dressed in shades of grey but her shoes had bright yellow cap toes and a yellow stripe on the back.  Since I had to look down at the steps to prevent myself from falling, the bright yellow in front of me kept flashing into my vision.

I finally caught up to this woman at the corner as we were waiting for the light to change and simply said, "Cool shoes."  She immediately got a big smile on her face and told everyone on the corner how unsure she was about buying them, but that my comment made her day.

Each of you will come across at least one situation during your day where you interact with someone you don't know.  My challenge to you is to find something pleasant to say to a stranger.  Bring a smile to their face.  Trust me, it will make you both feel less cynical.  Doing this daily opens your eyes to God's beauty in others.

Being Mindful

My daily walk today was more like a "sit."  The Wellness Committee at Moore & Van Allen had an information session and Introduction to Mindfullness Meditation.  I could really dig this.  Mindfullness doesn't really seem to be much different than the quiet time that I try to find each day; time to be enveloped by stillness.  For me, it is during this time where I get a sense of comfort and of peace.  It's during this time that I listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance.  Call it what you will, but peace and quiet are items much needed in today's world.

+Moore&VanAllen #mindfullness

Hidden Beauty

I was taking my "normal" lunchtime walk around Center City Charlotte today.  By "normal," I mean that I step out the front door of our building and then see which way I'm led.  I rarely have a destination in mind, but spend at least 30 minutes each day walking for both exercise and mental therapy.

Why am I "led"?  Why don't I just walk?  I learned an important lesson this summer while on a mission trip to San Ramon, Costa Rica.  That lesson was just be quiet, be absorbed by the silence, and listen for God.  I use my walks each day as my TAG time (Time Alone with God).

When I left my office today, I was led across Tryon Street heading towards Stonewall.  As I was walking, I noticed the people on the sidewalk ahead of me slowing down and taking pictures.  Ahead of them was a beautiful woman who was obviously down on her luck.  The woman was wearing a large hat to block the sun, sunglasses, and a flowing dress.  So why were people gawking?  This woman obviously had not bathed in a while, was missing her left leg, and had to use braces on her arms to help her walk.  This woman was accompanied by her dog who was not on a leash, but looked lovingly at the woman and never ventured from her side.  This woman had also made a type of carrier to put on her dog's back so that the dog could help carry groceries, etc.

As I approached, this woman looked at me and almost ashamedly asked if I had any spare change.  This is where I struggle.  Does the person really need help or are they just looking for an easy handout for cigarettes or their next fix?  

Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT) tells us "35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[a]you were doing it to me!’"

Thus, my dilemma.  As you can probably tell by now, I saw the woman's beauty and potential instead of her challenges.  When she asked if I had any spare change I cheerfully replied, "Of course" and gave her a $5 bill.  Was I a fool?  Maybe.  But for the price of a good latte, I made both myself and someone else smile.  For me, this is a good day.