“I just go where life is, you know, I just go where I find life!

~ Bono ~ rocker phenom, influencer, Jesus freak. 

In how many ways can we, or should we, be thankful? The short answer would be, how many ways are there?

Where have I been? Currently, I am not at liberty to disclose my location or my assignment but I can that the wonder Pup is thrilled the nightly ice-cream bowls will magically reappear. My take-away, like most have discovered, spending too much time off the grid will lead you to believe that almost anything is true.

Accepting Death?

Eventually, our vivid imagination will squelch rational thought and present us only with the worst possible outcomes. Not every trip to the mailbox will end with a slip on the ice and a broken hip. It takes a level head listening wise advisors to reoirent our psyche prompting us to consider the likely and the plausible outcomes in addition to only the worst possible. Sure the sidewalk might be icy somewhere, but what are the chances they are here and now?

It takes more than words to be whole, to be a whole being. Just as words educate, embrace and edify, words can effectively denigrate, distort and destroy. It seems like yesterday that three simple sentences spoken in a rage radically changed my perspective on managerial etiquette. The last words I heard before this person stormed out my office were something to the effect, “I hate you, you m$#&$#-f¥£€^[8} a#$$%. Why won’t you let me work my magic? Go to h-e-double hockey-sticks”. Needless to say, this wasn’t a drunken sailor; no offense to drunks or sailors.

Stories Heal

Why do the last words we hear stick like Gorilla glue on ones thumb and index finger. We can only embrace words that we choose to hold tightly? How can a few expletive laced sentences, cause so much damage? Where they just words? Not exactly; It was this persons desire to crush and destroy.

Much of the credit, or blame depending on your ideology, rests with those who blocked our access and disconnections to so many. Communities of faith were commanded to heed the pseudo-science of a modern-day Oracle, as if their contribution to our emotional well being was on par with casinos, Hook-a-lounges and cigar bars. His message, although wildly inconsistent, was clear; “Do not meet, do not connect and do not touch.”

Exploring Truth

There is truth that is undeniable. I realize that the previous sentence is bound to offend some, even put me in the cross-hairs of the social media sensors for challenging the sanctity of their sacred cows, but its a risk I am willing to take. I believe we are the product of intelligent design and are exposed to the truth whether we like or are looking for it. It is all around us.

This truth extends from the farthest star in the deepest galaxy to the tiniest molecule in the smallest hands. There is a Creator that spoke the universe into existence. Second, the Word became flesh to live in a restorative relationship with us. Third, if I want to join him in restoring creation. I need to be where He is active.

Living Life

It is a beautiful day. It is not because someone said that it will be, It is because I believe that it can be. Why, because if we took out first step before our first breath, we were given a new day, to embrace and be embraced, to love and to be loved, to join a community that will speak the truth in cloaked in compassion. If you prefer solitude, I challenge you to stare at a sunset try to find words to describe color palettes that are indescribable. What we see and experience will remind us, whether it is in or strength or our weakness, we can and do have a place and purpose in His created order.

Our place in not to hide in a bunker and our purpose is not to live a life of self-pity or in de-nile. Our lives are meant to be lived in community, with a purpose, and in peace with ourselves and the One who freely gives life to all who ask.

Our perspectives may need to change. The mountains that we must conquer, that stand in our way, must be reshaped to become mole hills that they really are. As for the sacred cows, they will need to assume their rightful place, coincidentally, next to a baked potato smothered in butter and next to a side of green beens.

You are welcome to join me, I just need to know when to fire up the grill!

 _____

Thanks for reading and liking, sharing is nice too.

Sure, Ivy, you can call dibs on the hooves.

Al and his faithful, but carnivorous sidekick, Ivy the Wonder Pup.

Ivy, we can’t go back to living in de-nile. We got evicted.