Thought for The Day - Like a Child

You don't have to teach children how to play and pretend. And when you spend time with them, you can teach them to be responsible. Children can play all day and when they pretend to be like us adults, they are better at being adults than we are.

I have found in my life that I turned my back on a great deal of innocence and as a result obedience to my God given talent. I have heard it said, being an artist is more about being a warrior than anything else. You have to fight against everything you know to take responsibility for exercising your creativity. The world, via parents and authority figures, teach us to be responsible and "stop playing." We are told nothing good can come from "spending all your time, playing." I learned the lesson well; too well. It's easy to wash dishes, load the washer, dryer, fold clothes, run errands and such. But when I hear that small voice saying "let's play" (translation, "let's paint") I can think of something else that needs to be done. Or worse, being an adult, I'm always tired. And how does an adult, who has worked all day, spend their time? They sit in front of the television, allowing fun to "happen."

I would like to believe all is not lost; their is a reassurance from God's word that, in this moment, gives me hope. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom." While it sounds like I'm doing the opposite of what he suggests, there is a hidden nugget here. "Become like..." admittedly, I'm living diametrically opposed to the command. But the reassurance is what is "impossible with man is possible with God." So, in this moment, I ask God to "make me" like a little child, when it comes to exercising this gift He has placed in me. This is an admission of my weakness and a request for help. Amen!

Thought for The Day - Do, Be

Many years ago, I reflected on the short wave of "success" my life seemed to reflect. Graduation from college, a potential fiancé, income from two jobs and i praised the source of my success, God. It was a moment of worship and inquiry. I thanked God for the blessings in my life and asked the question: "what can I do in response to your blessings?" His reply was simple but carried a great deal of responsibility. He said "accept my call." While I understood, I didn't want the responsibility and expectation. On the other hand, I knew the role of servant was as much a part of my life as the success I desired. The full story of the next few years is reserved for another time. For now, let's just say I heeded the command.

Society puts a great deal of weight on titles. The title doesn't necessarily infer the responsibility. For example the title and role: doctor. There are many people who have attended school, gone into debt, joined a hospital or group and hung out a shingle, but they aren't in healing. I mean, they will administer the prescriptions, make suggestions and make referrals to other professionals, but their focus is on the title and the respect to be gained from it. Consequently, clients, patients are seen, but not touched; their ailments persist because the doctor won't reach within themselves for compassion and a cure, and they rarely 'touch' the patient. Truthfully, a "cure" isn't always found in a pill...

There are people in this world who touch, care for, provide without a title. They connect with others without "networking" or being "social." Their concern is you, me, the next person who needs help. And they do this without regard for their life. We go to professionals, people who have studied because they are knowledgeable; but there are times when knowledge and titles are barriers to compassion. It is better to "do;" it is better to simply "be."

Many experiences and situations have exercised God's "call" on my life; writing this daily blog is one of them. No title or monetary return comes with it, but a desire to "do" and "be"guides my words.