A Visit
Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Another day,
Philadelphia was a nice place to visit. Enjoying a few days with Debbie away from our normal world. Experiencing a convention where disabilities are accepted and honored. Seeing a few drops of snow falling on a chilly Friday afternoon. Knowing that even when plane flights are postponed others flight might have room. Realizing when fire alarms wake us at midnight that good news might come through the speakers after all. Riding through a city and observing reminders of a nation's history and heritage. Hearing a young man sing with a wonderful voice as he kept rhythm with body movements unblocked by his wheelchair. Listening to stories from an athlete who chose to deal with his life changing experience.
Though we often think we are isolated, none of us are really alone. For Christmas this year, please remember that. Take time to notice the snow, hear the voices, appreciate the history. While wrapping and rushing and spending and eating, apply these two words: take time.
I know. I'm too busy; you're too busy; we're all too busy. But let us take time. Rather than letting time take us-control us, rule over us, force us, depress us-let us take time and make it what we want. While changing flights in Orlando, we had a choice to panic and protest or to relax and adjust. While seeing just a few drops of snow blow downward, we had a choice to fuss because it wasn't enough or because it was too cold or to smile and appreciate a glance at H2O much different from our normal Florida rains. As we seek to find a way to rush before closing time and sleep a little before wake up time and eat lunch before dinner time, I pray we hit pause.
Let us pray and calm our nerves. Let us laugh. Let us look into history and dream toward the future. Let us give. Let us choose to take time, and make December a nice month to visit.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: And look how God handed Paul that strength. God taught Paul to be content in every situation. That is a rare accomplishment. Whatever the circumstances, this leader of the early church did not say he escaped prison by God's power; instead he wrote, "I've learned to be content."
Read the word again: content. Read this one: contentment.
Think of your prison, your bondage, your thorns in the flesh, your unanswered prayers, your feelings of rejection, your poor vision, your unfulfilled dreams, your damaged brain, your chemotherapy, your medical expenses, your never-ending pain. Think. And ask: Am I content?
(Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy)
Thursday, December 8, 2005
Another day,
Philadelphia was a nice place to visit. Enjoying a few days with Debbie away from our normal world. Experiencing a convention where disabilities are accepted and honored. Seeing a few drops of snow falling on a chilly Friday afternoon. Knowing that even when plane flights are postponed others flight might have room. Realizing when fire alarms wake us at midnight that good news might come through the speakers after all. Riding through a city and observing reminders of a nation's history and heritage. Hearing a young man sing with a wonderful voice as he kept rhythm with body movements unblocked by his wheelchair. Listening to stories from an athlete who chose to deal with his life changing experience.
Though we often think we are isolated, none of us are really alone. For Christmas this year, please remember that. Take time to notice the snow, hear the voices, appreciate the history. While wrapping and rushing and spending and eating, apply these two words: take time.
I know. I'm too busy; you're too busy; we're all too busy. But let us take time. Rather than letting time take us-control us, rule over us, force us, depress us-let us take time and make it what we want. While changing flights in Orlando, we had a choice to panic and protest or to relax and adjust. While seeing just a few drops of snow blow downward, we had a choice to fuss because it wasn't enough or because it was too cold or to smile and appreciate a glance at H2O much different from our normal Florida rains. As we seek to find a way to rush before closing time and sleep a little before wake up time and eat lunch before dinner time, I pray we hit pause.
Let us pray and calm our nerves. Let us laugh. Let us look into history and dream toward the future. Let us give. Let us choose to take time, and make December a nice month to visit.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: And look how God handed Paul that strength. God taught Paul to be content in every situation. That is a rare accomplishment. Whatever the circumstances, this leader of the early church did not say he escaped prison by God's power; instead he wrote, "I've learned to be content."
Read the word again: content. Read this one: contentment.
Think of your prison, your bondage, your thorns in the flesh, your unanswered prayers, your feelings of rejection, your poor vision, your unfulfilled dreams, your damaged brain, your chemotherapy, your medical expenses, your never-ending pain. Think. And ask: Am I content?
(Chris Maxwell, Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment