September 16 – I did not pass go

I did not pass go
my morning routine all off
don’t want my next throw

Right out of bed, a problem was brought to my attention at one of our TV stations.

I knew if I started working on the problem my morning routine of shower, coffee, come to life, would be interrupted and I would be out of sorts the rest of the day.

I guess everything about my routine can change up to the time I am out the door.

If I am late, then on my commute I am dealing with school buses.

Stop, start, wait, wait, wait and then I am late onto my start on I85 or the big wait.

I managed the problem but then I was slurping coffee, cutting corners on the rest of my ‘come to life’ time.

I got out of the house on time and even to work with an acceptable trip time.

But I have yet to come to life.

I did not pass go.

I did not get $200

I did NOT go to jail, but I feel that there is a game board of developed properties with nothing but Hotels waiting for me today.

I do not want to make my next throw.

I really do not even want to play.

My routine is off.

Please wake up you doofus.

Yawn, yawn, yawning.

Need a nap.

Is it 5PM yet?

September 15 – journey continues

journey continues
highs, lows, both unexpected
Jackie bought doughnuts

Reportedly, the share of American young adults living with their parents is the highest in 75 years.

33% of those aged 25-29 or 3 times as many as in the 1970’s.

Our son, Jackie, known as Jay, lives at home.

I guess I should say he stays at home as he live online in the gaming world when he is here.

Last night he came home with a dozen chocolate covered, cream filled, Dunkin Doughnuts.

How can so many highs and lows be tied into a food item at the same time.

Start with a deep fried cake, fill it with creme, coat it with a sugar glaze and cover the top with chocolate icing.

But the calories.

Oh the sweetness.

Deep frying?

Fluffy cake.

How fast it disappears.

The sugar high.

Bliss of kinda doing something wrong.

The ‘thunk’ when it lands in my stomach.

Do I need this?

Do I want this?

I shut off the discussion, tabled the question and called for an end to the debate.

Then, ate a doughnut with a clear conscience.

September 14 – in spirit, same mind

in spirit, same mind
tenderness and compassion
having the same love

based on:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)

What happened to compassion today?

Where did it go?

Once my brothers and sisters came home from Crestview Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and we told our Mom that there was a family of kids with no winter coats.

It was fall and starting to turn cold and these 3 or 4 kids arrived at school and went out for recess without warm coats.

Our Mom, without telling us, called the Principal, Mrs. Adams (as I said at my Mom’s funeral, Mom knew Mrs. Adams really well, for some reason, I sure didn’t know why).

And Mom made arrangements to get these kids winter coats right away.

Mom did not want the kids or us to know about it but Mrs. Adams had the kids write thank you notes which we found later.

Compassion.

September 11 – man on a rooftop

man on a rooftop
neon orange shirt, red shoes
visible, hidden

The building across the driveway is getting a new roof.

I have been watching the work from my office all summer.

The work seems to be in its final stages and the entire roof has been coated in a bright white paint or plastic coating of some sort.

This morning, one of the workers was walking across the vast white expanse.

The worker was wearing a neon orange t-shirt, blue jeans and red shoes.

Dots of color in motion over a blank canvas.

Calderesque.

A two dimensional mobile.

The worker had no place to hide.

Completely exposed.

Visible.

At least to me as my office window is on higher than the roof the worker walked on.

From the ground, the worker was hidden.

Unseen by most of the world.

September 10 – reveal or withhold

reveal or withhold
opportunities, dangers
inherent, each thought

Primum non nocere, or, ‘first, do no harm‘.

Says the Hippocratic Oath repeated by graduates of Medical Schools on their way to becoming Doctors and healers.

My wife and I did a verbal yellow pad list the other night.

We tried to list all the things on ‘our radar’ and possible actions and reactions.

Each item seemed to have several options.

Each option had its own list of negative results.

Rather than ‘do no harm’, options seemed to come down to what would ‘do less harm’.

This is the path the going nuts or at least depression.

Depression?

GOOD GRIEF, who wouldn’t be depressed.

It is like playing checkers and the other side gets to make 4 moves a turn.

No matter what move is made, its the wrong move.

We gave it up and reminded each other of the verse in the Bible that says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow.”

Not for one second am I saying I will ignore the problems presented.

I look to face the problems, to the reveal the issues, in each day, with confidence.

Accept the dangers and embrace the opportunities.

In some way, covering my eyes with my hands.

But, peeking through my fingers all the same.

So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’ People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them. But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all those things will also be given to you. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIRV)