"Christmas and Easter can be subjects for poetry, but Good Friday, like Auschwitz, cannot. The reality is so horrible it is not surprising that people should have found it a stumbling block to faith."~ W.H. Auden"
The Wisdom of Tigger
"Tiggers never go on being Sad," explained Rabbit.” ~ A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
I have always been a Tigger person. His bounce and exuberance can be both wonderful and annoying. But more than anything, Tigger continually revels in his uniqueness. “The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I’m the only one!” He thoroughly knows his character assets (cuddly, awfully sweet, a wonderful chap, loaded with vim and vigor and of course…fun).He constantly explores the things that others do well and always fails in his attempts to emulate or duplicate. Then, Tigger does the most wonderful thing, he accepts and then embraces who he is. Finally, he continues to celebrate.There is a happy philosopher and mystic in our Tigger. The Persian poet Hafez tells us that God only knows four words; “Come dance with me.” Tigger only knows four words; “Come bounce with me.” He embodies the wisdom of ‘thisness’ as described by Duns Scotus who said the absolute freedom of God allows God to create, or not to create, each creature.Its existence means God has positively chosen that creature, precisely as it is. In other words, each and every one of God’s creation is unique, one of a kind and specifically chosen to exist. The mold was broken at your birth as demonstrated by your DNA. There has never been and will never be another one who is just like you…and me…and Tigger.As Holy Week comes, pointing our way to Easter perhaps we might hope, dance and bounce our way along. I believe that God has a dream for us to live life fully with an ever-expanding joy. God loves for us to be wonderful (wonder-filled) things…Tiggers one and all.“Human beings are most fully human when they realize that they are creatures and give joyful response to the Creator. All that we are and all that we have comes from God; we are part of God's dream for a good creation using our freedom to do God's will.” ~ Verna Dozier
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Photo by Dimitar Belchev on Unsplash
The Coming of Spring
Though some cold, snow and ice may show up in the next few days and weeks, the end of their reign is done. Only a few months ago we welcomed the first falling flakes in anticipation of holidays with gatherings of friends and family. Then, after being homebound, scooping too many driveways, being stuck at the side of the road, we moaned at the thought of more winter. When would it ever end!? Well, now is the time.
Enjoy The Ride
“Life can be great…but not when you can't see it. So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that God gave us as a precious gift to His children, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to make it count. Say yes to your life.” ~ Nancy Reagan
I propose that the best option we have is to enjoy life with every fiber of our being. The alternatives are bleak really, but the choice is ours to make. My personal credo for the past decade has been this; Life is a celebration. You just have to decide whether you are coming to the party or not.
There is nothing in the past that can sneak back into the present and drag you into its’ distant murky caves. There is nothing in the future that can lift you to its’ sunny shores either. Say ‘Yes’ to this morning. Say ‘Yes’ to this afternoon. Say ‘Yes’ to this evening. Say ‘Yes’ to Life. Then loosen your tight grip and let go. It’s your chance to embrace the moment. What are you waiting for?
“Live! Live! Live! Life is a banquet and most of you suckers are starving to death” ~ From the movie Aunie Mame
This is how I learned about loosening my grip on life. Several years ago I was asked to go with my best friend Steve and his nephew Greg to an old, rather run down amusement park in the Smokey Mountains. It was not what I had in mind, but the kid really wanted to ride the rides. One of them was an ancient wooden roller-coaster. It reeked of danger. But, like a good sport, I got in the seat and was buckled in. I was holding on to the safety bar with all my might before the thing ever took flight. When Greg saw my grip he asked why I was so freaked out while just sitting there. I was embarrassed and let go. He said that his Uncle Steve always told him to hold his hands up in the air during the ride and that I should try it. Not wanting to appear a chicken, I took his suggestion. It turned out to be the best roller coaster experience of my life.
So let’s all hop in…let go…and enjoy the ride! Why not? Life is Good.
How Blessed Are The Peacemakers
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love,Where there is injury, pardonWhere there is doubt, faith,Where there is despair, hope.”~ Prayer of St. FrancisI was at the Vietnam Wall in our nation’s capital for a lighted monument tour not long ago. Experiencing the memorial at night is even more somber than during the day.The monument was dimly lit to maintain its dignity and in an effort to project the mission of remembrance. Whenever I visit this place I make it a point to stand and reflect beneath the name of Ron Hoffman, my Danville, Illinois childhood friend who was killed in the conflict at age twenty. My sixty-plus-year-old eyes were not doing so well locating his name and place on the wall and I was struggling. Suddenly I was surrounded by a small group of eighth-grade kids who were from Ohio on a school field trip. They asked what I was doing. The vision of my old bent over body with squinting eyes (using an i-phone flashlight for guidance) must have inspired some concern. These good and selfless youngsters spent quite a bit of time helping me look for Ron’s name. They touched my shoulder, asked for my story and listened intently. A boy found him for me and began to shout; “Here he is. I found Specialist Hoffman!” One of them hugged me. Tears were rolling down my cheeks in gratitude and love. They became peacemakers at a war memorial and restored my faith in their generation. They inspired me to set aside my anger and resentment about the conflict which took (and continues to take) so many from my own generation. They helped me escape my fifty-year ‘kingdom of the night’ in about twenty minutes.“No one is as capable of gratitude as one who has emerged from the kingdom of the night." ~ Elie WieselNow come the children of Parkland, Florida who are emerging from their own kingdom of the night. Rather than living in resentment while tending their wounds, these young people have raised their voices in protest. They will not tolerate any more cruelty and violence. They are taking action and challenging the adults who make rules and laws. They have an incredible amount of hope and faith. They seem to fully comprehend that becoming instruments of peace can change everything.What does it mean to be an instrument of peace? The challenge and petition of St. Francis is compelling. It is not a sweet sentiment but rather a course setting directive. It is action oriented. If I am to become an instrument of peace, I must be willing to set aside prejudice, judgment, misgivings and long-held beliefs that my way is the right way. I have to become open to conversation and dialogue in uncomfortable situations. I offer myself as a listener and a co-operator. I will refuse to compromise what is right, good and just for what is popular, accepted or convenient. I will stand my ground with compassionate caring rather than with aggressive threats.Today, like these young people, I will have the courage be a peacemaker.Note: Ron’s name appears near the top of the picture in this post. He is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville.
Hard Times
Violence and Restoration
by Robert Kenneth Jones
Broken relationships, active hostility in families, among former friends and associates, open wounds from mistreatment, and plain old misunderstandings leave a heavy burden for our hearts to carry.
They crush our spirits.
The tendency to hold on to resentments, plan revenge and lash out aggressively seem to be our human default mode. We cry out; ‘I’ll get them back some day…I’ll show them.’ The trouble is that this eye-for-an-eye way of reacting can only result in more trouble, more viciousness, more wounds and more anguish.
An entire lifetime can be controlled by a single incident which sets up the dominoes of recurrent violence. The weight of it is too much to bear and is an unnecessary encumbrance.
The way to a good relationship with God, self and others is to actively engage in healing and redemptive actions which offer reconciliation and forgiveness.
God wants a humanity that is characterized by fearless love. This Love neutralizes the power of evil and transforms it to good. It calls us to change the way we treat each other for the sake of God and community. It calls us to dedicate ourselves to each other.
Let’s take up that standard of inspiring children by teaching and modeling a non-violent, loving alternative.
Jesus teaches us to offer good for bad. He asks for us to pray for those who persecute us. He directs us to walk the extra mile, turn the other cheek and to love our enemy.
Kindness, mercy and compassion are the tools of recovery from woundedness.
When practiced and used with good intentions, they create restoration of a happy heart, healing of a crushed spirit and harmony in all of our relationships. Something new will spring out of what seemed to be spoiled or ruined situations.
Something new will be kindled in our souls. It all starts with simple action…with a kind heart, a touch, a smile, understanding eye contact or even a good joke. The crosses we carry will then become light.
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About the Author
In a career spanning over four decades, Robert Kenneth Jones has been an innovator in the treatment of addiction and childhood abuse. His blog, An Elephant for Breakfast, testifies to the power of the human spirit to overcome the worst of life’s difficulties. We encourage you to visit and share this rich source of healing, inspiration and meditation.
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Bob Jones’ blog An Elephant for Breakfast