Hope from Turning the Calendar.

All of us will be inundated in the days to come with year end lists of the best of 2015 as the clock ticks towards midnight January 1.  The top ten of this, that and the other thing will be dominant items in the media, online, and in coffee house conversations.  They will be immediately followed by prognosticators who will provide their best guess about what will happen in this particular area or that one in 2016.

This writer will not do that and especially not for that critical subject of whether the Cubs will win the World Series.

It seems to me a lot of people have interest in predictions because so many of us worry or fear the unknown.  It is natural.  But unless it is addressed it can also be crippling.  Worry robs us of our strength and focus.  Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. 

But they don't have to.   When I work with teens once a week who are having a tough go of it, I sometimes say I am about to pull out the "J" card...so they know what direction I am heading.  Now you know as well.

I have worried most of my life about how this might pan out or that will work out.  And I have learned all of that worry is for naught. Because in the end, 999 times out of 1,000, everything worked out just fine.  The potential confrontation at the office never materialized, a project turned out great, my financial situation met my needs and sometimes above and beyond them.  It has lead me to believe what Jesus said, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's troubles are enough for today." (Matt.  6:24 NLT). And earlier in the passage, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life...whether you have enough food or drink or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than just food and your body more than clothing. (v. 25)

Despite the circumstances in a particular situation, just remember the bases are already covered.  I have found knowing that makes life a lot more tolerable and enjoyable.   And I don't worry about the prognosticators.

Have a great Christmas and may abundant blessings come your way in the coming year.

One other thing.  Cubs win, Cubs win!

 (Unless of course my Pirates are in the playoffs and then it's "Raise the Jolly Roger!")

Lessons from Adversity

I was tempted this past weekend to re-read Dr. Spencer Johnson’s best seller, “Who Moved My Cheese” which I have on a bookshelf somewhere in the house. It’s all about adapting to change.  I read it initially when I moved from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines in 2001 and it came to mind almost immediately as the events of the past week began to unfold.

My wife had knee replacement surgery December 7 and the anticipation (or worry) about the event quickly gave way to a major case of being scatter brained because the office was 10 minutes from the hospital.  While my thoughts, wishes and concerns for her were of course number 1 on the priority list, there are those responsibilities in the office that require at least passing attention when it comes to situations such as those from last week.

I probably should read the book again.

 I was in what felt like no man’s land.  I couldn’t concentrate at the office and when I was at the hospital I couldn’t stop checking my office email. 

Judy came home Wednesday afternoon.  By Sunday we had the routine down and she has been improving on a daily basis.  I even got a bell for her to ring if she needed something. (She hasn’t used it)  But the period between Wednesday and Sunday got dicey at times because routines were disrupted, new requests surfaced and concerns over recovery remained.

I probably should read the book again.

While the changes of the past week were challenging there was also the opportunity for growth.  Because throughout the past week and hopefully going forward, the role of caretaker actually helped us grow a little closer to each other.  And unless I am mistaken, growing closer and relying on each other is what is supposed to happen in a marriage.  There will be ripples in the water in the future but if the focus is on learning from them and growing from them, bring on the ripples.

Maybe, to be safe, I should read the book again.

I Need to Help Someone

There was a study released last month that was timed to coincide with the beginning of the Holiday season. The John Templeton Foundation did the work to find out how much people knew about a day set aside to help others. It's called Giving Tuesday and the survey indicates how sometimes its seems we have our priorities all messed up. 18 percent of those questioned knew about Giving Tuesday. 93 percent were aware of Black Friday. Something seems really wrong about those percentages. 

I understand Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.  And I would raise my hand if asked if I didn't at least check out some websites over the past few days to see who was discounting what.  Especially since the media, and I am a part of it, hammers home for weeks before Thanksgiving weekend, what a big deal the three days are in the grand scheme of things.  But maybe, just maybe, we should devote just as much attention to the other day, Giving Tuesday.

It's a day set aside to help someone else. If we pause for just a moment I am certain each one of us can think of a way to lend a hand so that we will have a positive impact on a person's life. I'll wait.....................................................................................................................  Now, take that thought and turn it into action.  Contact the organization you thought of and find out how to get involved.  If there is no structure around the area you want to help in maybe you are being called to start one with like minded people.

We can all agree, I think, that the world is a pretty dark place these days.   Your action to help in some area that will be a benefit to someone else will bring a little more light into the darkness.  And just imagine how much brighter life would be if every one spent as much time on Giving Tuesday as they do with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

Today is Giving Tuesday. It's time to make a difference and bring a little more light into your surroundings.