The Chase

It was about noon and it was raining fairly hard that day.  I noticed the minivan in front of me had a dangerously low left rear tire.  There was a middle age blond-haired woman driving the vehicle.  I was on my way to an appointment but I decided that it was much more needful to warn the driver of the condition of her tire.  I sped up and pulled alongside of the driver's side so as to get her attention.  I blew my horn and she looked in my direction.  I began to point towards the rear of her vehicle.  She immediately sped up.  I decided that she must be mistaken as to my intentions so I followed her.  Up ahead was a red traffic light.  "Good," I thought. Now I'll get her attention.  I pulled along side her passenger side at the red light, rolled down my window and blew my horn to get her attention.  The young lady stared straight ahead as if in a trance.  I blew my horn again and finally she she turned her head slightly in my direction as if expecting a lewd remark from me.  I motioned for her to roll her window down which she did slightly.  "Miss, your left rear tire is very low and you really need to put some air in it", I said.  Immediately she let out a noticeable sigh and the terror left her face for the first time since I attempted to get her attention.  "Oh, thank you so much", she said.  I nodded and drove off to go to my appointment.
All the way down the road I wondered "Do I really look that intimidating?" 
Dennis 

It Depends On Where You Look

"A cheerful heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones". - Proverbs 17:22

And lo, another Friday has come full circle once again.  What did this week hold for you?  Can you say that it was filled with adventure, conflict resolution, successful accomplishment of the tasks that lay before you, good friendships, new victories, budding relationships, the breaking of a bad habit, good fellowship or perhaps an unexpected delight?  Would you believe me if I told you that my week was filled with all of the above?  These things I  mentioned beforehand encompass each of us every day and all day and whether you experience them in your life depends on where you look.  We are are familiar with the old adage "If you look for trouble you will find it".  Well, what if we looked for joy or laughter or smiles?  Will we find them, as well?  I have learned that there is good to be found in every situation.  We will not always know what that good is at the moment or maybe not in our lifetime but nonetheless; there is good.  We can see it much better if we would allow ourselves to slow down and take a break from the stress that is ever before us.  (Or are you one of those people who believes that your organization cannot afford for you to take a "time out" from the craziness)?  Well, good luck with that.  Believing you can always find good doesn't necessarily involve a great amount of faith; but it does call for you to trust in yourself to overcome more than you my have been doing.  How can one see the good in being laid off from a job or the death of a loved one or an illness which comes upon them or someone dear to them?  How can we cause a smile to surface in times such as these when overnight a Tsunami has run through Japan in a manner only depicted in a motion picture movie.  Libya is at war with itself, gasoline prices are rising as we speak, school bus drivers are being attacked by angry parents, meth labs are becoming commonplace and this is but a tip of the news.  So where exactly do we look to find solace?  In which direction can we see hope?  I admit, it is not easy; darn near impossible, at times.  But hope is there.  Joy is a reality.  laughter is commonplace.  I know this because I found it today.  I found it when I went to the VA hospital on a errand.  It did not fall into my lap as some mysterious offering from above.  I had to consciously seek it out.  And there it was in abundance.  It was in the smiles and hugs and laughter of so many people I consider "friend".  There company, however brief, was as a healing balm that coated my very soul.  It was then that I was able to say that in spite of all that is wrong in the world there is much that is right with it.  And I do love my life even more.  Never underestimate the power of true friendship. 
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Dennis  

In Humility I Speak

I believe in letting good deeds you do for others be known of only by that person and God.  Therefore I am very hesitant in telling my story today because this is one of those instances.  I have been testing the waters more than usual concerning the law of reciprocity and doing unto others as you would unto the Lord.  The incidents that I were involved in today are merely further proof that what you do for others will come back to you...multiplied.  Without going into the actual events let me just say that it is true.  As people we fight the urge to give and expect nothing in return.  When it comes to working for the government or some large institution we often encounter supervisors who are reluctant to give their employees the maximum bonus, even though it is well within their power to do so.  When we encounter this type of attitude we usually say something like "They act as if it's their money".   Now what we must recognize is that this stingy and selfish attitude displayed by that supervisor is not any different from our own attitudes when it comes to whether someone can be blessed, (helped, relieved, comforted), by our own hands.  After all, we have what little we do possess by the grace of God and it is His to do as He pleases.  When our fists become clenched tight around our money and possessions our blessings become nonexistent and do not materialize.   That is all I will say on the matter.  You can do as you like but as for me.....
Have a good day.
Dennis

Rain and Dreams

It has been raining quite a bit since last night. Normally I love the rain but last night I dreamed and it was an uncomfortable dream.  I often have dreams that I am still in the military.  It is such a great relief when I awaken to find myself in my own bed, at home in my own house, and my wife beside me.  I am so relieved that I audibly say "Thank you, Jesus". The feeling of being back in the Army or in war or training troops is so realistic that I am totally unaware that I am dreaming at the time.  I can see, hear and smell everything so vividly.  My last job at the Veterans Hospital was talking to my fellow Veterans on the phone concerning things such as this.  I loved that job and I felt that it was the most rewarding job I had ever held at the VA.  There are still several great Veteran employees who are doing that job (or they have a spouse who was a Veteran) and I can attest to the fact that they are a comfort to many Veterans, like myself, who still have dreams.  I remember that sometimes several Veterans were just glad to know that they were not the only one subjected to their dreams and that they were not going crazy.  It is always so good to have someone to hold your hands at times.  Sometimes my dreams cause me to consider certain things, sometimes they cause me to be still and observe my surroundings; as if I am waiting for some answer.  This morning's dream caused me to draw closer to my wife after I awoke.  I suddenly felt that I loved her more than I ever have and I did not want her out of my sight.  So much so that I drove her to work this morning just so I would know she arrived alright. 
 One month turns into two months and before you know it you're taking the Christmas tree out again.  Yes, life is short but love is everlasting.  Show much love today.
Thanks for listening.
Dennis

Old Scars

Alex called me the other night.  Alex is a friend from my childhood who got my current number from an associate who I had spoken to a little while ago.  I have not heard from Alex in quite some time.  I recognized his voice immediately when I heard it.  Alex was my closest friend when I was between the ages of 14 and 16 years old.  We had an interest in comic books and music.  I remember how I would go to his home and we would spend hours drawing comics from our imaginations.  We both were fairly good artists and our vivid imaginations helped us to create comics that were filled with action and the most powerful, yet compassionate, heroes.  We would get lost in our world for hours.  Those were fun times.  Alex's father was a large, burly military man.  Although his father always treated me with kindness and greeted me with a smile, it was different for Alex.  Alex was terrified of his father voice and at the time I could never understand why.  Alex's mother was a timid, sweet woman who always made sure that Alex and I had something to eat and drink while we we conquering the universe through our comic books.  I also remember that this was the time when I lost my virginity to a girl who was visiting her cousin during the summer.  I was sixteen and had never so much as ground on a girl through my pants.  However; this girl was fast.  She wanted me and before I knew what was happening I was having sex.  But enough about that. I will perhaps save that for a later date.  
It wasn't until years later that I had learned that Alex had experienced  a mental breakdown.  Since then, his father has died from prostrate cancer but Alex is not totally well. He is 53 years old and cannot drive.  Altough he teaches music to school age children, he is unfamiliar with the use of a computer, and although currently married, he is remains relegated to our past hobby of drawing comic books. He is not trusting of too manypeople, including me.  I need to go and see Alex.  I want to hug him and reaffirm our friendship.  I know what it is like to have wounds that are invisible to others.  Like many of you, I have lived through loss, ridicule, embarrassment and fear from years gone by.  I have learned to come to peace with many of my past demons; especially the ones I initiated, and I am better for it.  Hearing from Alex reminded me that it is necessary to keep in touch our old wounds.  Our old wounds keep us from forgetting where we came from.  They help us stay in touch with who we were before all of the success and money and cars and pantries filled with food. 
Love one another today and remember where you came from.
Dennis

Being Content

I try to be content in all things.  Whenever I look at what I am blessed to have, (both materialistically and spiritually), I come away from the thought with a smile.  This morning a friend called and somehow our idle chatter centered on where each of us were looking forward to being in terms of success.  My friend remarked "I just want to have a nice home, take care of my family, and enjoy what I am doing."  "That is good", I remarked, "but I want to go as high as I can go in whatever I choose to do."  I wonder if some think that such aspirations are futile, selfish, or unproductive?  In defense of myself I would say "certainly not".  But I am known, by some, as Gadget Man; the man who likes to have the latest new product.  In some ways, this is true and in more ways, not true. I just like good, neat things and have graduated to believing that one does not have to develop an anti-people attitude simply because he/she is a fan of nice things.  I do not subscribe to being "content" with poverty nor do I reason that it is "The lot that fate has dealt to me."  If I am professing to be the child of one who owns the very earth and the heavens, why must I be content with being destitute?  My Father is so rich!  Many years ago I was blessed to fulfill a certain position within the church.  It was perhaps the most demanding, rewarding and important position I had ever held.  I will not ramble but I will tell you that many great and miraculous things occurred during that time.  Our church actually learned that we did not need to burden God's people by demanding fund raisers like bake/dinner sales, yard sales, and repetitious offerings 3 times a week.  We trusted God for what was within the church; and we learned that we had plenty. 
Life is the same way.  Scripture literally tells us to "ask and it shall be given." I do believe that the purpose in which one asks is important, as well.  For example, do we ask in hopes of being able to do a good thing for Gods purpose and others as well as ourselves?  And more importantly, we must consider if it is ordained for us to do, or have, what we desire?  It is possible to do a good thing and it is the wrong thing to do.  (Ponder on that for a minute).  For every man/woman is dealt (given) a measure of faith (spiritual gifts).  In this "body" some are arms, some legs, some a pinkie toe.  But regardless as to what member we are, all are important to the proper functioning of the body.  So I do not condemn one for being content in their state (role).  It is for God to decide which part of the body we are to be.  All He asks is that whether we be an arm, leg, neck, hand or toe; be the best member you can.  I am content that I have the  yearning that I possess for my yearning often pairs me with other "parts of the body" and we are awesome when we get together.  Absolutely unstoppable!  My heart rate increases when I sit back and imagine the good I will be able to do for others when I increase.  For in my increasings, so shall the blessings of others through my hands.  
Tomorrow I have more to share.  Have a great day.
Be blessed.
Dennis    

Today Is Going To Be A Day

I was awakened by anticipation early this morning.  This happens quite often to me. Sometimes it is in anticipation of a particular event, other times it is simply because there is a new day dawning and I am eager to be a part of it.  I love my life more and more each day.  I have not always felt this way.  I have shadows in my mind of horrible events from the war, of a tragic first marriage, of loneliness as a teen, of losing my mother to death at age nine, of being raised in poverty, of having no Christmas to celebrate in my home as a child, of always being broke, of losing my children out of my life, and many, many more.  I used to dote on these dark times.  I used to relive them in my mind on a daily basis.  These thoughts caused me depression, angry thoughts and physical problems. I felt that death would be easier than life.  I was a wreck waiting to happen.  But it would surprise many who know me now to think I was ever in such a state because of my current demeanor.  And it is not a facade.  I am truly happier than I have ever been in my entire life.  I feel as if the veil of guilt and shame from my own past has been lifted, burned and buried.  It is great to have people in my life who love me unconditionally, in spite of my imperfections.  These people, you people, inspire me to be my best, to change my attitude for the better, to give as I receive.  Because of the sincere love that is given to me from my wife, my family and so many friends I truly look forward to life.  If you ever see someone who is in the dark do your best to shine light into their lives.  You just may save them as you helped saved me.
Love you all.
Dennis