Initially, I was drawn to what the earliest Christians writers said about Jesus and the way he interacted with those around him.  He showed us what loving one another looked like, how to take care of those most in need, and how to break socioeconomic barriers.

The New Testament authors relayed their understanding of what it meant to follow The Way.  In Mark, the earliest of the four Gospels, Jesus began his ministry with “come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” intent on leading and investing in his first followers (Mark 1:17, also see earlier post Jesus’ call to be leaders).  And in a similar way, I felt that I was being called to learn more about the Christian faith.  What followed for me might have been predicted by wiser souls, but was just part of my unfolding journey.

I studied the historical context of early Christianity.  I looked more critically at the Bible and quickly learned that I couldn’t take it literally–and I don’t believe it was meant to be taken that way.  It’s a wonderfully ancient collection of literature that gives readers the opportunity to learn about people who were trying to make sense of their family, community, and a loving way of life.

The thing is,  the more I’ve traveled on this journey, the more appreciative I have become of learning from people with different cultural and religious backgrounds.  I once again picked up my copy of Tao Te Ching to read and learn from the wisdom of Lao Tzu.  I found myself reading and searching out articles about His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  Just last night I began rereading “Memories, Dreams, Reflections” by Carl G. Jung.

And so, I continue on my journey reading and exploring how I can live my life in a way that brings belief systems together rather than emphasizing separateness.

My favorite character is the “very small animal”.  This is might be because I find it difficult to reach most of the cupboards in my kitchen without standing on a nearby chair or climbing on the counter.   Or it could be because I’m referred to as “Little Mommy” by my daughters.

And then there’s Pooh.  He seems pretty comfortable wandering here and there just enjoying where he is regardless of where Pooh finds himself.  Along the journey, Winnie-the-Pooh is also pretty content with who he is–whether he gets stuck in someone’s doorway or imagining he’s a little black rain cloud.

The thing is that Pooh, Piglet and they’re colorful friends give us an opportunity to join them on their grand adventures and in doing so, help us to learn more about who we are.

Sounds like a good plan for a journey

One allowed our family to begin;
the other completed us.

They have showed me
that love
is higher than the sky
and deeper than the ocean.

They have revealed
a world
of unimaginable
beauty, color and light.

And taught me
how to sing,  dance,
and view the world as a symphony.

I can’t imagine who I would be,
or how I would see
if not for my daughters.

So where am I?  I’m still trying to figure that out.  I don’t feel like I fit in with what I’ve come to understand as “institutional Christianity”.   For me, institutional Christianity is where the preservation of the institution seems to outweigh the importance of following The Way of Jesus.

A couple of things.  I have worked in the church, and I have very close friends that are leaders in churches.  I have the utmost respect for them and their chosen vocation.  I know that the church and its people aren’t perfect and I love many of the congregants.

However, when I walk in a church service I have found that I lose the connection with my faith that I so long to establish and strengthen.   It feels foreign and alienating.  It’s not the church building that feels empty.  It’s the institutional church programs and processes that create the distance…programs that stop short of walking out the door to serve communities.

Additionally, the message of love and compassion should surpass any denominations’ program or process, doctrine or even tradition.  What brings us together as a faith community should overpower and transcend any differences that can tear us apart.

I’m on this journey—and have been for most of my life— to find some sense of peace in this world.  What I am learning is that the most important things in my life are beyond my self and are carefully placed in the hearts and hands of those I share my life with.

And today, I’m wondering where this is all taking me.

distraction |disˈtrak sh ən| noun
1 a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else; a diversion or recreation.  2 extreme agitation of the mind or emotion.

So, distractions not only vie for our attention, but can also throw us off of our game.  But, the question we should ask is what do we consider distractions?

For example, if I’m in the middle of a project for work and my daughter comes in to my office to ask me a question about what she should wear to go out on a date, what should I consider as the distraction, my daughter or my work?  For me, the distraction will always be work…not the people around me.

I’ve come to realize that the most beautiful moments, and the most meaningful encounters, often happen in what we might consider, the distractions of life.  It’s in the distractions that a daughter seeks out a mom, or a son looks for advice from a dad.

So for me, I will chose to give my full attention to a daughter, neighbor or a friend, and consider any task I had been previously engaged in as the distraction.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill (image courtesy of www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com)

The oil spill in the Gulf is still increasing daily.  This is a complete travesty considering the impact to the wild life in the immediate area of the oil spill.  Here’s a link to an article written by Frank Gill, PhD., interim president of Audubon, “Gulf Coast Birds in Danger” giving insight into the birds effected.

Then there’s the fish, dolphins, protected wetland areas, crustaceans, and more.  And then there’s the impact to all of the people that make their living in this area in the fishing, wildlife and tourism industries to name a few.

How could this have happened?  Weren’t those who drill at these depths prepared?  According to an article posted today on CNN, when a BP chairman, McKay, was confronted with the reality of their ability to respond to the current situation in the Gulf,

McKay responded that the spill uncorked by the late April sinking of the drill rig Deepwater Horizon was “a very unique situation” and that the company’s response on the surface was “very robust.”

“I think they were enacted within two hours of the explosion, and that has proved to be impactful and I think effective,” he said. But he said the plans didn’t take into account the failure of the rig’s blowout preventer, a massive piece of equipment designed to slam shut in case of an emergency, or the failure of the well’s pipe riser stack to disconnect.

McKay said the plan was being adjusted “based on the characteristics of this oil and where the oil’s going,” and that a siphon inserted into the larger of the two leak points over the weekend was now capturing about 2,000 barrels per day – about 40 percent of the spill.

What about the other 60 percent of the spill that’s still causing unprecedented damage—on a daily basis?

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.  
For it is in giving that we receive; 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
 and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

If I speak in the tongues of people and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a adult, I put childish ways behind me.   Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Comes home early from work to help Mom take care of a crying baby.

Picks up his daughters and holds them upside down just to hear them laugh.

Plays silly games like “get your toes.”

Reads “On the Night Before Christmas” all year long, just because it’s his daughter’s favorite book.

Sits at the foot of his child’s bed until sleep comes.

Runs along the kids’ bikes after the training wheels have been removed.

Plays “Hide and Seek” in the house on rainy days.

Makes freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for everyone.

Attends all of the school meetings.

Tries to teach his daughter how to drive.

Drives his daughters to art exhibits, plays, performances, auditions, and then off to college.

Takes the puppies for long walks just to tire them out—and just because his daughter asked.

Laughs when the kids call him “Stodgy Man.”

Is there to listen, advise, and encourage as the babe that was once in his arms, has become a wonderfully loving adult.

Happy Father’s Day