So What Now?

 

At the beginning of 2024 I designed to blog at least once a week. This will be the final post for the year. Yah! I made it. So what is next? Well, since I have gotten this far it seems a shame to stop now. As I reflect over the year, I can see that I have written some (at least in my reading) memorable posts. Some were entertaining; others were insightful and encouraging. I’m sure there were a few that were mostly ramblings and better off left to be read only once. Since I eventually desire to put these into a collection called “The Musings of a Left Hand Man”, I will leave that decision to some more deserving editor. I think my most visited post was one about my wife. She is most definitely more interesting than myself. The second most visited was a fishing story. (Hey this one was true!) 

I have found it insightful, cathartic, and relaxing to spend time writing. It has also caused me to read a little more. My last post spurred me to reread The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. If for no other reason, this alone would keep me blogging. But I also want to leave something to inspire my children and grandchildren in future years.

With this in mind, I think 2025 will be more of a weekly devotional vibe. When I was growing up, my mom would read a little booklet called “The Daily Bread” to us at the breakfast table. It wasn’t heavy table fair, but it did leave a “good taste in your mouth” and gave you something to think about for the day, much like a morning homemade Saturday cinnamon roll would do. I think I will aim it toward my grandchildren, since they have become one of the major focuses of our life at present. As we bring 2024 to a close, I pray that the New Year will be filled with blessing, not just for you, but also so that you will be able to share the goodness of God with your fellow man. Find someone to help, someone in need, someone who has nothing to give back, and share the blessing. In the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one!”

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

                                                                An Irish Blessing

Why Just Christmas?

 

I cannot say that Dickens is my favorite author. I’m really not sure I can decide on just one. But I do love many of his writings, must notably A Christmas Carol.  One of the many themes found in the book is the idea of keeping Christmas all year long. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, alludes to this as he visits his uncle on the day of Christmas Eve. To him, Christmas is…the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"

(Scrooge’s Nephew, A Christmas Carol)

 I do notice that most people tend to be a kinder, more tolerant, and helpful at this time of the year. It also helps that in the Northern Hemisphere that it is our winter. That alone seems to bring out some compassion for those struggling in the cold. But the weeks around Christmas seem to be special, magical. People tend to think of others above themselves, well most of the time. They give gifts to strangers. They visit the elderly. They sing Christmas carols. For some, it’s the only time they go to church all year. Sure, you can still run into a few Scrooges and those that want to get in line first to fight for new toys or gadgets coming out. But for the most part, it’s peace and Joy, Smiles & hot chocolate all around.

If Christmas is such a magical season, why can’t we keep this idea forefront all year round? I suppose it is a change that must happen from inside. It can’t come from advertisements, from events, or programs. It’s a change of heart. It is seeing our fellow man as they are, and caring for others like we care for ourselves. It’s loving people as God loved us. Imaging if we could make it last?

 So it stands to reason that one of my favorite Christmas movies is the Muppet Christmas Carol. I like it because, well, I’ve always liked the Muppets, and that there are many quotes directly from the book. But the songs have a message to. I will leave you with the chorus of one called, It Feels Like Christmas.

 “It is the season of the heart

A special time of caring

The ways of love made clear

It is the season of the spirit

The message if we hear it

Is make it last all year!”

I wish you a wonderful Christmas Season full of love, compassion, and caring for others –

For the whole year through!

The __________________ Survivor’s Group

 

Lately I have come across several friends, past colleagues, or students who have either formed or joined Facebook or other online “survivor’s clubs. Now these are not the kind of groups like surviving cancer. a traumatic attack or other unwanted events. These are saying they survived the “trauma” of a specific Christian School, some religious College, a religious denomination, a job, or even being raised by their parents. Please understand that I recognize that there have been some legitimate traumas associated with some families, social or religious organizations. But what I am seeing are complaints about strict rules, regulations, and or practices at these places. I remember talking to a person about their schooling experience under a good friend and mentor I once worked with. Their whole beef was that that person had told them that they were a rebellious and undisciplined child, and it hurt their feelings. After I hear how they had acted at the school, I tended to agree with my colleague. It wasn’t a matter of abuse (verbal or physical); it was a matter of being brutally honest in order to help the student see where they were heading. I have heard the same arguments used against parents. “I have trauma because my parents disciplined me”. Again, I am not talking about real physical abuse. I’m talking about making a child do what is required/expected. In my view, all this complaining about good discipline can also make it harder to sort out cases of real abuse.

So before I trigger anyone who might misunderstand, let me give some examples. I have heard people complain about the rules of the Bible College from which I received my undergraduate degree. We had specific dating hours. (We even had to have chaperones.) We had to wear ties in the main building. We had restrictions on where we could go alone. They did room checks for cleanliness. They made you attend Chapel daily. The men wore suitcoats to evening meals. Ladies had to wear dresses. At that time the ladies could not wear jeans. The key was, all these rules were know about ahead of time. So if someone was traumatized by the “excessive rules”, they were warned ahead of time. Every Christian school I have worked at had a student handbook that enumerated the rules. The students and the parents both signed them Unfortunately, that didn’t mean they read them.

I’ve heard others complain about how they were “mistreated” at work, church or organization. They made them follow the group/corporate rules. They dinged them for being late. They pointed out laziness and substandard work. They make you do your job! They expected you to show up and join in.

The real key here is that, at least in America, you normally have the choice to leave a school, a job, a club, or organization at any time. Yes, it may be a bit scary, but why stay and suffer? Here are some ideas that may help.

1. Know the rules and what is expected. Read the fine print, or have someone review it for you.

2. Don’t blame others for your goof ups of failures. Take responsibility for your own actions.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

4. Be clear about your own values and stick to your convictions.

5. Don’t be afraid to say no and move on if you need to.

6. Be honest and give a full day’s work.

7. Don’t get complaisant; Don’t settle. There are many ways to get training if you need to change occupations.

8. Don’t repay evil with evil. Do Good, Always. 

9. Learn from life experience. I’ve always like the quote: When I started college I thought my dad was the dumbest man in the world. At the end of my first year, I couldn’t believe how much he’d learned”.

10. Lastly, don’t hang on to the past. Even though you may have experienced some horrors in your past, you can and need to go on. There are many avenues of help, but ultimately, it will be up to you.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Good Enough For Government Work...

When I was in high school (back with the dinosaurs according to my students) a favorite phrase of my friends and mine was, “Good enough for government work.” It expressed a common sentiment of many of the people who were dissatisfied at the work (or lack thereof) of our government workers, especially those repairing the various roadways. It was meant to convey that the work that had just been done was barely adequate, not exceptional or exciting. Over the years I have met and worked with many government employees both state and local, public and private contractors, and private individuals. I am happy to say that any stereotypes that are put out there are just that. Stereotypes. I have met hard working, job conscientious workers in all categories who excelled at their jobs and continually put out a superior product. I have met and worked with people who only did the bare minimum, with a mundane product to match.

There will be days where everything you touch turns to gold. You are spot on and producing 100% quality work. Then there are times where no matter what you try, it’s just not good enough. But that’s ok as long as you do your best. And that is the key – Do Your Best! Grow, get better, and learn to be sure, but don’t punish yourself over it. If you have honestly done your best, you have done your job. Always strive to do your best, and them be happy with that. Even though you may think your work goes unnoticed, do it anyway. Even if you don’t feel they deserve it (whoever “they” are) push for excellence. God has a way of taking care of the rest. People see more than you think. A habit of excellence will always be rewarded in the end. Remember, we aren’t really working for people anyway. As a Christian, I answer to a higher authority. God sees what I do; He knows why I do it. Forget Santa Clause ( no offence intended). Work as unto the Lord. He is the real rewarder!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance. Colossians 3:23-24