"Christian Voices" (1-22-04)

July 1, 2010

HUMOR

Truth is always funnier!!

During a patient's two week follow-up appointment with his cardiologist, he informed me, his doctor, that he was having trouble with one of his medications...

'Which one?’. I asked.

'The patch... The Nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'm running out of places to put it!'

I had him quickly undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body!

Now, the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one.

.....sent by a reader by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

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THOUGHT PROVOKING – INSPIRATIONAL

IS ANYONE LISTENING?

"How are you today?"

"I'm fine, how are you?"

"I'm not so good today."

Silence.

Most of the time we take conversations like this as simple chit-chat. Nice words spoken as a courtesy without real concern or obligation.

"How are you today?" he asks the next person.

"I'm doing great! How are you?"

"I've been better," he replied.

He rings up the sale, hands her the bag and she leaves.

The next person moves up, "How are you today?"

"I'm doing fine," she said. But she never asked him.

I could see this empty look on his face.

I was in a local discount dollar store. I was looking for wrapping paper which was located near the front register. Over and over I heard the same conversation as customers were leaving the store. No one took the next step. No one asked the clerk why he was having such a bad day.

In my presentations I often speak about the fact that in general we go through these niceties but we really don't want to know how someone is doing. Most times we don't really tell the truth anyway because we figure it's none of their business or no one really cares about our troubles. So, when I checked out I took it a step further. I always do.

"How are you today?" he asked me.

"Wonderful, thanks. How are you?"

"Not doing well today," he replied.

"Work getting to you?"

"No, well, I don't want to be here."

"The day's almost over. I hope it gets better," I told him.

"This won't get any better."

"I'll say a prayer for you."

"That won't help. I have someone who is dying."

I set the bag on the counter, leaned in and said, "I'm so very sorry. Is it a family member?" "My grandfather. He's filling up with fluid. His body is swollen and they say he only has a few days."

I went on to tell him that my Gramps was my favorite.

"I really loved that man." "He's my last grandparent," he added.

We talked a little more and looking at his name tag, I reached my hand out and said, "Clark, I am so very sorry. I promise to remember you and your grandfather in my prayers.

We shook hands and I left. I wondered how many other people didn't ask. How many times have you heard someone express sadness, frustration or disappointment and you didn't respond. Sure, the line might be long. Step aside and continue the conversation. Sure, you might be in a hurry. This will only take a few minutes. Sure, in essence you might not really care You'll need someone to care one day, too. But when someone is honest enough to tell you things aren't so good today, they are hoping that someone cares enough to ask why.

"Is anyone listening?"

.....Bob Perks (2believe@comcast.net) (http://www.IWishYouEnough.com) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

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SUNRISES AND WALKING STICKS

When I was a boy our church sent some of us on a youth retreat. I had a great time although I didn’t realize it then. Being a teenager I was far more interested in talking to the other teens and joking around than I was in the experiences our youth counselors had planned for us. It is only now many years later that I remember and cherish the lessons they taught.

I remember moaning and groaning when they got us up early to watch the sun rise over the mountains. Then I only wanted a few more hours of sleep instead of the breathtaking sight I was seeing. Now, however, I watch every sunrise and sunset that I can. It is the best way I know to share a joyous "Good morning" and "Good night" with the loving God who made me.

I remember too a counselor of somewhat generous proportions wearing out a group of us fit, young teens as he led us on a hike up the side of a mountain. He carried two walking sticks with him. One of them was in his hand and he used it to help himself up even the steepest parts of the path. The other was in his heart, soul, and mind and he used it to point out every beautiful thing there was to see along the walk from a single flower blooming in a bush, to a nest of robins living in a tree, to the wonderful view that awaited us at the end. Then I only wanted to head back down the hill and play basketball. Now, though, I try to see the beautiful in everything just as he did. He showed me that God gives us all a wonderful walking stick called our thoughts and that we all can use it to help us travel joyously through this journey called life. Either that or we can beat ourselves over the head with it. The choice is ours.

That retreat remains the most fun I ever had 30 years after the fact. I guess sometimes it just takes us a bit longer to get what people, life, and God are trying to teach us. I hope you use your walking stick well, live your life with love, and watch the sunrise every chance you get.

.....Joseph J. Mazzella (joemazzella@frontier.com) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

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