We all need a rest

“Come quietly to the end of this week. Come quietly to a moment of rest. Lay aside your anxious cares, put down your shouldered burden. Stretch your arms and legs, feel their tightness release. I know you have had a busy week; I know there is more to come tomorrow. But before you rush past me, hear my invitation. Come rest a moment. Come sit quietly by my side. Enter this small space of peace, this meditation embodied. All the busy world will wait, wait while we sit together, silent beneath a breeze that whispers: you were not made a machine but born to be a dreamer.”

~Steven Charleston

Breakfast at McDonald’s

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss," because that was all they could afford (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.  ~Author unknown.

Exodus 33:14
“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Psalm 62:1-2 
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Rise up and walk today!

“Rise up and walk today, even if the path before you is one you dread. Rise up and feel renewed in your mind and body, even if you are confined to bed. Rise up and feel the cool wind of the Spirit lifting you over struggle and sorrow. Rise up and see your land of promise just beyond the river. Rise up and claim the justice that is yours by sacred right. Rise up and sing the praises of the One who set you free. Rise up and in your rising bring a thousand more to their feet. Rise up and shout joy into the Earth, hope and peace, love and love again. Rise up and walk today.”

~Steven Charleston

I woke up this morning thinking ‘what news will I get today’ about my ailing mother who is now on Hospice, about my niece who is in the hospital, or what might break down today. In the whole scheme of things I am truly blessed. Yet, the past month has been a series of bigger than usual bumps in the road. I am feeling a weight on my shoulders. Yes, I must rise up and walk today, even if the path before me is one I dread. My friend Bishop Steven Charleston writes a daily bit of wisdom.  He has even written a book that is full of these original sayings from his Native American background and his 40+ years in the Episcopal Church. But, I know that he released this one today for me, in order to give me a reminder of the strength that I have available to me from above. As selfish as it sounds, I want to claim this message… alas it really isn’t just for me. There are thousands, or even more, out there today who woke up the same way I did. The message you see is for all of us. It is a message that says we are not alone in our battle, God love us all.

So, I invite every one, especially those who have or have had this feeling of dread to rise up and feel renewed in you mind and body. We are in this together, you and me and all the others. What a visual image I get from hearing the words rise up and feel the cool wind of the Spirit lifting me over struggle and sorrow. It is so comforting to know that I can still have the legitimate feelings of sadness, compassion, concern for those that I love; and, still be lifted up by the Spirit and soar above them. I can look down on them and know there is a power mightier than mine who is at work on my dreads.

We all have a dream, a heart’s desire, a promised land. Today may be our day to rise up and see our land of promise just beyond that river. Walk with me, rise up and claim the justice that is ours, our sacred right, that gift given to us all. In doing so, give credit where credit is due. Rise up and sing praises of the One who set us free. We can begin the journey on a path of making our dreams come true. “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

The really neat thing about all this is that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whether at work, driving in your car, doing something with your children or grandchildren your freedom and joy is contagious. Steven Charleston says; rise up and in your rising bring a thousand more to their feet. That quickness in your step, smile on your face, that look as if you are soaring above your problems will catch the attention of those around you, even many that you don’t even know are watching.

Rise up and shout joy into the Earth, hope and peace, love and love again. Rise up and walk today.

I generally don’t use my own story when I share a quote. And, maybe today it is more of a homily than a story. It is something that did touch me deeply and I felt as though it needed to be shared. My prayer is that in my rising up and in your rising up thousands more will come to their feet. Blessings and joy to you!

I.N.J.

Eleven years later...

"There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." 

~Washington Irving

In memorial of September 11, 2001    

Let us take a few minutes to remember the tragic incidents of September 11, 2001. On that morning four commercial airliners filled with passengers bound for destinations across the USA were high jacked by foreign terrorists. Those terrorists flew these high jacked airplanes over the next hour into Tower 1 and Tower 2 at the World Trade Center, New York City, New York, into the United States Military Headquarters at the Pentagon building in Washington DC, and after a courageous struggle put up by the passengers of Flight 93 the fourth plane was crashed into a Pennsylvania field. These acts resulted in all of the passengers and crews died, and thousands of innocent people on the ground were killed. Millions of Americans were affected by this act of terrorism; eleven years later we are suffering from and grieving these losses. The purpose of the terrorist attack was to break the spirit of our Nation and for our people to live in fear.

God had other plans and hearing the prayers from around the world determined to have good come out of this evil act. Through God’s help this tragedy brought out the best in New Yorkers as they worked together and cared for each other in ways never seen before. It brought out the best in the people of our Nation who worked together and cared for others in solidarity. It moved Americans to be aware of and support the military and first responders with an enthusiasm not seen – probably since WWII.  It moved us to think of each other and what’s best for our homeland. It was a wake up call that made us more appreciative of the freedom and safety we enjoy in this great country. It exposed the evil that exists in the world and opened our eyes to the dangers of ignoring that evil. It countered American apathy and replaced it with patriotism and a resolve to preserve the God-given freedom we enjoy as a Nation.  The memory of 9/11 serves to keep us vigilant to other threats against our homeland, culture, and peace. The memory prompts faithful people to continue praying and working for justice and peace.

Let us always remember the loved ones that we lost which include first responders – Fire, Rescue, EMS, Police, public service and government workers who without hesitation came to the aid of those in distress and lost their lives, and the pride that was bruised.

Please at this time observe a minute of silence in their memory which will be followed by a prayer.

60 seconds of Silence

Almighty God, we commend to gracious care and keeping all the men and women in our armed forces at home and abroad, all Police, Fire, EMS, and other first responders.  Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them;

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

God bless America!  Thank you.

I.N.J.

Happy Labor Day 2012

"Find a job you love and you'll never work another day in your life."

~unknown

I am here in my office on the Labor Day Holiday. I am not here because I have to be here. I could have taken the day off. The reason I didn’t take the day off is because I wanted to be here today. I love my job! I love the people I serve with. Together we are people caring about people, we are a service industry. Blessed are the peacemakers, the firefighters, EMS personnel, emergency room nurses and doctors, acute care nurses and doctors, and all who support them in saving and preserving lives.

Today I pray for those who are unemployed, under-employed, or still working at a job they don’t love. I give thanks and praise for those who are employed and loving what they do. I am wishing all a very blessed and Happy Labor Day!!

Almighty God, you so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work that we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen ~The Book of Common Prayer 261

Bill Brown's Test

All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known until the test how many have this particular kind, -- Bill Brown's kind.  What happened was this:  Engine 29, pumping and pounding her prettiest, stood at the northwest corner of Greenwich and Warren streets, so close to the blazing drug-house that Driver Marks thought it wasn't safe there for the three horses and led them away. That was fortunate, but it left Brown alone, right against the cheek of the fire, watching his boiler, stoking in coal, keeping his steam-gauge at 75. As the fire gained, chunks of red-hot sandstone began to smash down on the engine. Brown ran his pressure up to 80 and watched the door anxiously where the boys had gone in.  Then the explosion came, and a blue flame, wide as a house, curled its tongues halfway across the street, enwrapping engine and man, setting fire to the elevated railway station overhead, or such wreck of it as the shock had left.  Bill Brown stood by his engine with a wall of fire before him and a sheet of fire above him. He heard quick footsteps on the pavements, and voices, that grew fainter and fainter, crying, "Run for your lives!" He heard the hose-wagon horses somewhere back in the smoke go plunging away, mad with fright and their burns. He was alone with the fire and the skin was hanging in shreds on his hands, face, and neck. Only a fireman knows how one blast of flame can shrivel up a man, and the pain over the bared surfaces was, — well, there is no pain worse than that of fire scorching in upon the quick flesh seared by fire.  Here, I think, was a crisis to make a very brave man quail. Bill Brown knew perfectly well why every one was running; there was going to be another explosion in a couple of minutes, maybe sooner, out of this inferno in front of him. And the order had come for every man to save himself, and every man had done it except the lads inside. And the question was, Should he run or should he stay and die? It was tolerably certain that he would die if he stayed. On the other hand, the boys of old 29 were in there. Devanny, McArthur, Gillon, and Merron, his friends, his chums. He'd seen them drag the hose in through that door, — there it was now, a long, throbbing snake of it, — and they hadn't come out. Perhaps they were dead. Yes, but perhaps they weren't. If they were alive, they needed water now more than they ever needed anything before and they couldn't get water if he quit his engine. Bill Brown pondered this a long time, perhaps four seconds; then he fell to stoking in coal, and he screwed her up another notch, and he eased her running parts with the oiler. Explosion or not, pain or not, alone or not, he was going to stay and make that engine hum. He had done the greatest thing a man can do, — had offered his life for his friends.  It is pleasant to know that this sacrifice was averted. A quarter of a minute or so before the second and terrible explosion, Devanny and his men came staggering from the building. Then it was that Merron fell and McArthur checked his flight to save him. Then it was, but not until then, that Bill Brown left Engine 29 to her fate [she was crushed by the falling walls], and ran for his life with his comrades. He had waited for them; he had stood the great test.

 “… remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord… “~ 1Thessalonians 1:3 NRSA

I.N.J.