Running the Race

   Recently it has been a little cold for me to do my normal walk. I am looking forward to warmer weather. I have been frequenting the treadmill more and more though I prefer to walk outside. Simeon, however, does not seem particularly interested in the treadmill; well actually he leaves the room and goes upstairs when I fire it up.
   So lately I have just loaded him up and taken him out north of town in the pickup and let him run. I love to watch him run and he thoroughly enjoys it. He has a very pretty run about him. I imagine him in slow motion as I watch his muscles and his loose skin ripple with each stride he takes. He just loves to run. Oh, he gets distracted pretty easy with his keen eyesight. A bird or a rabbit caught in the corner of his eye, sometimes almost out of my eyesight. I can see him zero in as he shifts into a higher gear and away he goes.
   I was watching him today as he ran, he got that wrinkled look on his brow as he darted into the snow-filled ditch and cornered something, I can only imagine what it was, perhaps a mouse, but I never did see it, but he had seen whatever it was from the road and was determined to catch it.
   I did finally coax him away so we could finish his exercise and head back to town. I had to laugh at his distraction, it reminded me of the movie “Up” and “Squirrel!” for those who have seen it. But as I drove back I wondered if perhaps it was less than distraction and more an attentiveness or mindfulness in his full-out run. He is running full-bore down a county road and has the presence of mind, the sharpness of vision, to see a mouse in the road ditch. Pretty remarkable I suppose.
   Perhaps I can learn another lesson from my companion today. I am called by our sacred texts to run the race with perseverance, keeping my eye on Christ. Sometimes I think I run the race so well, or at least think I am running it well, and I miss a lot in the process. Sometimes I wonder if I run the race so well I can even miss Christ in the process.
   So my prayer this day is, “God in whom we live and move and have our being, stay close as I run the race, as I live in grace, but keep me mindful of those around me, lest in my journey I miss the little things, or even worse, the important things … You in all whom I meet.”

I Am An Idealist

   I am an idealist. I fully and readily accept that about myself. I wear rose colored glasses; I see the glass half full, I try to always assume the best of folks until they prove me wrong, I believe we are good people at heart, all of us.
I love my family, I love family of faith, I love my country, and do as best I can to make my corner of the world a little better. I hope in some way, when my journey of life ends, someone might say in some small way I left my piece of this good green earth a little better than when I found it.
   I have been interested in politics for some time. As I look back on my life I think it is a sprouted seed planted by a history and government teacher I had in high school. When I first started back to school after I reached the age of thirty I had some sense of aspiration to a political life of some kind; public service, elected office, or assisting someone who held office or was running.
   I did not ever pursue a career in politics other than a five year stint on the local school board in the community where I served the United Methodist Church as their pastor. I am still committed to public service and making this world a better place to live, I just think I was better suited to the ministry than to politics, which is why I write this now.
   I listen to the news stations, though I confess I do not listen as much as I used to because it is hard to stay idealistic listening to any of them. It seems to me they have all bought into a culture of fear and dread. Each of them telling us who, what, when, where, how, we should be afraid. Some of the commentators say we should be afraid of the Republicans, some say we should be afraid of the Democrats. Some commentators say we should be afraid of the terrorists, Muslims, Christians, and the lists go on and on. A sad commentary, I believe, on what our sensationalist news has become.
   I listen to the rhetoric of the politicians, each of them, regardless of their party affiliation, claiming to speak for the American people, claiming to know what the American people want, and why they are or are not frustrated. And I have yet to hear a politician express why I, and many I speak with, are frustrated save one.
   Last night in his State of the Union Address President Obama made the statement, “What frustrates the American people is a Washington where every day is Election Day.” This is exactly what frustrates me! In fact just a few months ago I was visiting with a friend who said, “Unless he [President Obama] changes his policies he will be a one term president.” From my point of view that would be unfortunate, and at the same time, that should not be the reason one does what they do in political office.
   We elect our officials to do what is best for our country. We do not elect our official so they can get be a more than “one term” official. I expect my elected officials to make the difficult decisions that need to be made to make our lives, our country, safe, equitable, just, and free. I do not expect my elected officials to worry about whether or not they are going to be re-elected or not.
   I see it when I watch the votes on bills and the vote is divided precisely on the party line. You can’t tell me that no democrat sees any good in a republican bill or that no republican sees any good in a democratic bill. When I see that, I presume that those voting are more worried about appearances than they are about doing the right thing.
   Sometimes politicians look like a group of third graders on the playground arguing about who gets to pick first in the dodge ball game. Finger pointing, he did this, she said that. Rather than sitting down at the table and getting the work done to make our country great it seems politicians are more committed to making the other look bad than they are in doing what is right for our country and all of us. There are times when I just want to sit them all down and say, “Grow up!”
   I am a democrat, I was raised by parents who were democrats, I identify my party here because I want to acknowledge my biases. However, I have never voted party line. I have always voted for who I thought had the best interest of our country at heart regardless of their party affiliation. My frustration knows no boundary when it comes to party. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike are equally guilty of the pettiness of this game.
   All this being said I still refuse to relinquish my rose colored glasses or my idealism. I believe in our country, I believe in the human spirit, I believe that justice, mercy, and humility will prevail, I believe in a hope that drives us all. Just because it seems to have been derailed for a time, paused, detoured, these values will one day bring us back. I pray one day those who we elect will return to these values, will regain the priority of serving the country they love rather than themselves. Until then, I will pray, I will continue to persevere in making my corner of the country, the world, a little better place. I hope you will pray for these things too.

You Are What You Eat

   Simeon seems to have developed a new dietary preference of late. Oh, he still eats his dog food, a very good brand we purchase from his doc, though I must admit he eats it rather slowly and sometimes can take as long as two days just to eat one bowl full.
   Here lately we have come home and found him expanding on his normal fare and broadening his horizons when it comes to food. The main ingredients have been pretty much the same though he has chosen a variety of presentations; a book, one paperback and one hard back, a cardboard boarder on a cat scratcher, a couple of boxes of Kleenex … ate the box but not the Kleenex, a cardboard box, a gift box complete with gift, though he did not harm the gift, just ate the box. He got a hold of a bag of candy Valentine hearts and evidently the bag nor the hearts had that delectable cardboard flavor so he just scattered the hearts and left the bag.
   I am not sure if he has a fiber defenciancy or just enjoys the taste of cardboard? Whatever it is, we have had to start looking for cardboard items and making sure they are out of reach. Sometimes I wish I knew what was going on inside his head and sometimes I am thankful I don’t have a clue, it is probably scary in there.
   I consume a lot of stuff on my journey of life and faith, whether it be food for body, food for mind, or food for soul. Some of it nourishes me and contributes to my health and wholeness, some of it would have been better left alone and simply served a detriment to my overall health, and some of it … well, I am still wondering why I consumed it in the first place.
   I suppose whether we are reading a book, listening to the news, surfing the web, or pulling our chair up to the table, we would do well to consider what we are putting in our minds, our souls, and our mouths. Something to ponder this week as you journey along, watch out for that junk food, those empty calories, and that mind numbing fluff, and seek out the things of the Kindom, the grace, that leads to health and love.
   Well, enough pondering for today, I better go check and see what flavor box Simeon has had today.

Home is Where the Heart Is

   When we leave town for a time we usually board Simeon. He seems to like it, we wonder if he thinks of it like a big slumber party. Every now and then though, we just take him with us if we are visiting family and if we are not going to be gone very long.
He travels really well, watches out the windows when we are venturing through a town, but while we are on the highway he is usually curled up asleep. It is when we get to our destination that I am a little cautious about him. When in someone else’s home I keep a vigilant watch on him so he doesn’t get in any mischief.
   The last couple of times we have done that we took his crate with us. It folds up so it fits in our vehicle and when we are in a new place we set it up and Simeon seems to do fine with it. I suppose in some respect it brings him comfort in a strange place we have brought a little bit of his home with us. He sleeps in his crate at night when we are home and I think his crate and the pillow are a bit of security for him. In an unfamiliar place he has his familiar place to retreat to when he needs it, a bit of home away from home, if you will.
It is a good lesson for all of us, to carry a bit of home with us when we find ourselves in unfamiliar surroundings. It brings us comfort, assurance, and a touch of security when we feel a bit like a stranger in a strange land.
   There are many stories in our sacred texts about those whom God called to journey into a foreign land and God’s encouragement was to be at home where ever they found themselves. For some of them they discovered where ever God is, there is a part of home; there is comfort, challenge, assurance, and a touch of security when we are on the outside looking in. Perhaps … home “is” where the heart is, where God is, right here, right now.

Everything is Going to be All Right

   Sometimes I think Simeon just knows. I have heard that about animals, that they can sense what you are feeling, sense what you mood is, your joy, sadness, comfort, and anxiety.
   Today I had; well, let’s just say a less than stellar day. It seemed every time I turned around something else went wrong. I suppose we have all had those kinds of days, I had a week of them this morning. It has caused me to take pause and think of the New Year we have ventured two weeks into. There is a lot of stuff to ponder as I watch the news.
   I do not usually ponder out loud here in my writings much about politics and such but it seems to continue to be in the air. So I have decided to say just a piece, quote a friend, and look to the wisdom of Simeon in this week’s writing.
   Sometimes I get frustrated with all the wrangling, name calling, finger-pointing, and mess of our political system. The words, “Can’t we all just get along,” come to mind often. And then this afternoon I thought to myself … you know it is the same “stuff” that goes on regardless of which party is in control. When the right side of the aisle has the Whitehouse and the Votes the left thinks the world is surely going to end. When the left side of the aisle has the Whitehouse and the Votes the right thinks the world is surely going to end. The “stuff” is the same it just changes sides depending on who happens to feel slighted and powerless.
   A friend of mine said the other day that he had gotten to the age and spiritual maturity that he looks at the world around him and all that is going on and simply says, “You know, everything is going to be all right.” As a matter of faith and grace I believe he is right, regardless of what side one is on, everything is going to be all right. Not to say one should not be vigilant and active for the cause of justice, freedom, and understanding for all, but at the same time the world and this country was here a long time before I showed up on the scene, and I believe it will be here a long time after I am gone.
   I heard the lesson from Simeon today after lunch as I sat down in my recliner to catch a nap before returning to the church. He jumped up in my lap, all sixty-five pounds of him and lay down. He doesn’t do that very often, just every once in awhile and when he does he doesn’t stay long.  He didn’t this time either, maybe 30 minutes or so. But perhaps just long enough to lay his head on my leg as if to say, “This has been a rough day … but you know, everything is going to be all right.” I like that, I believe that, and it gives me hope in a time when we could all use a little more hope.

That Bites

   We visited a pet store the other day to pick up some things for our “furry kids.” The store had several varieties of small animals available for purchase; large turtles, birds, gerbils, hamsters, and snakes. It is fun to look around at all the critters some folks have as pets, we are pretty content with our cats and dog.
   TruDee said something to me and I turned around to see what she wanted. She had a perplexed look on her face and was holding up her index finger as she said, “I was petting the hamster and he bit me!” I chuckled and then I realized not only had the little varmint bit her, it had drawn blood! She was petting it when it rolled over on its back like it wanted a tummy rub and as she began it bit her! Ouch! All that is cute and cuddly may not have the disposition to go along with its outward appearance.
    I suppose there are a great number of lessons to be learned from such an encounter. You can’t judge a book by its cover. Looks can be deceiving. Don’t stick your finger in someone else’s cage. Perhaps there is the lesson of contentment, satisfaction, and respect.
   Sometimes life runs smooth and all is well. Sometimes life sneaks up on you and bites you! It is all part of life. There are days when the sun shines and everything is filled with joy and laughter and there are days when the clouds roll in and everything seems filled with grief and despair. It can feel like a rollercoaster ride, ups and downs, and ins and outs.
   Whenever, wherever, life has us in any given moment it is most important that we know we are not alone. God is with us and is with us most profoundly in those around us. We are meant to be together, in relationship, connected to one another with cords of love which cannot be broken. It is important when we are singing and dancing, it is important when life bites us unexpectedly.
   I pray in this Holiday Season you find and re-find that connection with friends and family and know you are not alone … ever! And in that find some peace and contentment as you journey along this road of life and faith.

Rolling In It

     Simeon and I took off on our four mile trek again Friday afternoon. It had been some time since we had walked the north route; with harvest and hunting I had kept in town so as to avoid the trucks and the shotguns. We got to the dirt road just north of town and I turned him loose. It had been awhile since he was able to just run no longer tethered to his walking companion.
     He ran and ran and ran and ran! We were on the way back south when I noticed him noticing something along the two rut path that entered the field just on the north side of the old tail water pit. I whistled at him wondering what it was he had discovered and just about then I saw him start to lie down. I whistled again and yelled his name! It was to no avail though, down he went rolling in whatever it was he had found.
     He came out of the encounter without too much damage. I really did not see any remnants of whatever treasure he had stumbled upon, at least not until that evening. He had acquired an aroma that had not been present when we left earlier that day, though not extremely bad, he did smell more like a dog than he normally does. There is a bath in his near future.
     Simeon though I suppose is not unlike many of us. Sometimes we just have to roll in it, sometimes ignorant of the consequences, sometimes knowing full well that once we are in it is going to cause a stink, either among those around us, or for ourselves in general.
In one of Paul’s letters he speaks of knowing what he should do and not doing it and knowing what not to do and doing it anyway. I suppose it is a bit of the human struggle, sometimes it seems we just cannot help ourselves. I pray in the coming days you do not have too many of those situations that would cause a stink, and if and when you do, I pray for grace in and about for all of us.

Remembering

   TruDee had an appointment in Meade late one afternoon a week ago so I decided to go with her. I thought while she was there I could get my walk in. I had not walked the streets of Meade since I was a kid, probably at the age of thirteen or so, because after my driver’s license I don’t remember doing much “walking” the streets.
   My journey was enjoyable; I walked by the house where we lived, stopped by the church, and out to the fairgrounds where the baseball field dedicated to my brother Chris is located. I walked on around and out past the bowling alley where I spent some time with friends, and headed south past several houses that held many memories, and then down to the Kohart house where I probably spent as much time as I did in my own house. I walked down main street and reminisced Wolfe Motors, the Lakeway, Gates Drug and their fountain, Bisbee’s, and Marrs and Twist.
   We only lived in Meade four years as dad served the United Methodist Church. They were formative years though, in some respect it seems a lifetime ago, and in another way it seems like just yesterday. I did not graduate from Meade but shared with a friend some time back that there has always been and will always be a little Meade Buffalo in my blood. When we moved we left a little bit of who we were, who we are behind. It holds a special place in my heart and soul.
   As I walked I remember thinking how small things had gotten. The blocks were shorter now than they were when I was thirteen, the front porch on our house was not near as high, the church had shrunk; everything was smaller than my memory recalled. I suppose that has something to do with my size, I suppose that has something to do with memory which tends to grow things and people as time distances us from them.
   Memories are so important. In fact, in our faith tradition “remembering” holds a special place, a sacred place. Remembering holds loved ones close even though they are gone, remembering brings us back to happy times when things are hard, and remembering can nurture, nourish, and heal our souls. “Remember me” Jesus told us … “remember me” the thief told Jesus. It is what binds us to those we love whether they are still with us in body or gone on and with us in spirit.
   We finished our evening with a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke at Bob’s Drive-In, “THE” place to be when I was there. At fifty years old now I know that such meals are not so good for the heart … but it was food for my soul. Take some time this week to remember, and give Thanks.

A Peaceable Kindom?

   Simeon and Hobbes I think are best of buddies. Simeon being my dog of course, some sixty-five pounds of Labrador and Shar Pei, and Hobbes is our Bengal cat, all of maybe six or seven pounds. We have another cat Frodo, he is a Munchkin cat some smaller than Hobbes, he and Simeon are perhaps less than best of buds, Frodo just kind of tolerates Simeon for the most part but will warm up to him if he is asleep.
   Simeon and Hobbes wrestle and play together. It is not uncommon to find Simeon with Hobbes’ head in his mouth with a less than innocent look on his face. He obviously would never hurt Hobbes; if he would Hobbes would have been lunch a long time ago. Of course it is not just Simeon; it is also not uncommon to see Hobbes hanging off of Simeon’s jowls by his front claws, all the while Simeon seemingly impervious to any pain that might have been incurred.
   Hobbes is known to give Simeon a “cat scan” as we call it, sniffing Simeon from head to two, we are sure if he is making sure his dog friend is okay or sizing him up for an afternoon snack. And we see them sitting diligently in the front window keeping watch over the yard with Hobbes snuggling up under Simeon’s chin.
   They are an entertaining odd couple of friends to say the least. And of course there is surely a lesson in this complicated relationship. If a sixty-five pound dog and a six pound cat can find a way to live in peace, albeit sometimes a rambunctious peace, within the four walls of our home … I wonder if there isn’t hope for the rest of us. I continue to pray for such a peace and live in the hope of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All.

Fear Not

   Silly dog, I guess I should be thankful as he gives me a wealth of things to talk about. Last week he was concerned with his “safe place” in his crate to sleep at night. I knew the next thing quite well, several months ago a CRACK of thunder jolted him from his sleep and ever since he has been more than a little skittish and whiney when the thunder rolls.
   The other day I had gone home for lunch and as per my normal routine after I had eaten I took a short power nap. I was lying on the couch deep into my twenty minute snooze when I heard it. The deep and low rumble of thunder, I love that sound as it rolls across the sky. But not two seconds after it began, OOOFFF … Simeon jumped up on the couch right in the middle of me! Now for one of the cats or a small lap dog that usually is only a minor discomfort and startling, but for a sixty-five pound “lap” dog it can provide a goodly amount of pain! “Scaredy Dog,” I called him, the big knucklehead, what was he thinkin’!
   Fear not, I read over and over again in our sacred texts. Fear not, we are told God says, we are told angels say, we are told Jesus said, again and again … Fear Not. Now, granted there are things we should be afraid of, or at least offer a good deal of respect to for our own safety. And yet, in the midst of this crazy world I believe we do well to heed the words, “Fear Not.” Fear can lead to all kinds of things.
   Fear of those who are different than us either in looks, belief, though, or practice can lead to all kinds of injustice, bigotry, prejudice, and abuse. An unreasonable fear of nature, events, policies, political ideologies, etc. can lead to paranoia and ill health.
   Take some time this week to ponder your fears. Are they justified or are they reflections of our own paranoia’s, prejudices, and distrust. We would all do well to ponder that for a time and listen for the words of our faith … “Fear Not”
   In the mean time I will nap cautiously when it is storming.