Archive for March, 2008
03-09-2008
Intentionally Shepherding the Heart
Intentionally Shepherding the Heart
I often hear concerns raised about what the future holds for our youth. Fears relating to society’s saturated media influence give cause for such solicitude, in particular the aspects of violence and perverse sexuality. Some extrapolate that consumerism will ensnare youthful hearts into a mosh pit of materialism. It makes sense to want to shield our young from such societal influences. In response, we strive to create a ‘safe’ place for children. We go to great lengths by enlisting our young in a litany of activities. We sign them up for scouts, sports, music, dance, and so on. We pay for private schools, private lessons, and private tutors. We try to teach our children the values we hope they will absorb, and yet, with all our intentional shepherding- have we missed something? I recently read an article from a little girl who wrote about her experience volunteering with special needs children. She attends a private school and had never been around individuals with disabilities. She shared how much this opportunity impacted her in a positive way. Her insight caused me to exam my own family and what possibilities my children might be missing. During our family dinner that night I opened up the discussion by asking our kids who in our community might need help. There was no hesitation. Joshua, the oldest, asked permission to get up from the table and ran to get a pen and paper. Together, we began listing ways our family might be able to contribute: feeding the homeless (“We can make bags full of food and hand them out, mom!”), playing games at the nursing home, serving at a soup kitchen, donating to people who don’t have things, visiting people in the hospital, and so went the list. The conversation ignited an energy that mirrored purpose and passion. It is so easy to become ‘busy’ packing our kids schedules with activities that we can easily miss opportunities to shepherd their heart. We not only demonstrate stewardship when the basket is passed at Church, but we live stewardship when we stop and engage the homeless person, rather than looking away when passing by.I realize in order for my kids to learn to be compassionate and generous of heart, it is my responsibility as a parent, I am the arbiter called to intentionally create opportunities for them to live out those characteristics. We can both admire Mother Teresa and emulate her when we visit the sick or suffering. We can adore Jesus and we can imitate Him by loving our neighbors on the street corners, in the nursing homes, and in our jails. Shepherding the hearts of our young has to become intentional practice. If we are going to be ‘busy’, let’s be busy about building up the
ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, currently has no cure. Kirk and Angie (story below) are a great testimony of faith. Together, let’s seek a cure! To hear Kirk’s story you can click on his and Angie’s picture and link on the page belowhttp://olathebible.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=1251
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03-05-2008
Spiritually Fit Freaks
Dear Spiritually Fit Freaks,
Can anyone relate? I don’t mean to offend, sincerely!
Recently, I facilitated a seminar where a girl shared that before she had joined the group she was addressing, she had referred to the members as ‘freaks’! Laughter erupted as she told the story. She concluded her remarks with; “I still think you are freaks, but now… you are ‘MY FREAKS!’~ “
Isn’t it so true how easy it is to judge something we don’t understand. We are all members of groups, whether it be a church, religious affiliation, political party, social structure, an organization, committee, board, corporation, or various associations; we all belong to something. We also, all seek belonging. Thus, we often find ourselves affiliated with a bunch of “FREAKS!”
I loved her depiction and suggested that they get t-shirts made; “My Freaks!” There is great beauty that exists in the concept of belonging. When we allow ourselves to fathom the mystery of being part of something so much bigger than ourselves, we see how we are all valuable beyond measure. As Church, we belong to a larger community of believers than in our pews. As members of this earth, we are co-inhabitants who belong to a greater eco-system than we can ever begin to conceive! As humans, we are woven together in a universal relationship connected by eternal life! The reality being, we are intimately interconnected-all of us!
It is easy to feel small, and even lonely at times, and yet it is our membership into something so much greater than ourselves that connects us to the everlasting, that which weaves us together in the seen and unseen~ a freakishly radical concept! Jesus tells of His love for the birds in the air, and the lilies of the field, and yet, His love for us is so much more! Jesus is the epitome of LOVE, thus through His love for us, we too are the indwelling of LOVE! Once we truly believe that, we will act in accordance, thereby truly reflecting the LOVE of Christ in ALL our circumstances, in all our affiliations, in all our freakishness, and with all the freaks are associated with.
I am so grateful I belong to such a loving, amazing, community of freaks! “My Freaks” … who for me symbolize:
Fellowship
Radical Love
Energy
Acceptance
Kindness
Service
Not a bad thing to belong to!
Namaste with love,
Tammy
“Open our eyes to you Lord” A short clip about Autism and accepting others who might be different.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2008/02/26/lkl.autism.solving.the.puzzle.cnn
click on Autism: Solving the Puzzle
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