The Lonely Step Child

No other animal besides man feels so trapped by the body and is so willing to go to such extreme measures to escape from the shackels of it. Drug abuse, alcoholism, mysticism, meditation, yoga, horror films, even rollercoasters- all designed to take us out from where we are and place us somewhere else. It seems as if we'll do anything to get to something more than what we are. If I were a tree, and I could think, I somehow doubt it would ever cross my mind that I should fly. Dogs and cats have no need of drugs or paranormal experiences, and a monkey is perfectly happy in the trees and eating bananas. The problem is we are not of this world. We were made for something better, something deeper, something so much . . . grander. We are visitors in a foreign land, having been here so long that we've forgotten that we belong elsewhere. Like a boy raised in poverty but secretly descended from the king, we can't fathom our own fascination with castles and royalty and war- nor can we understand why we are so different from our step brothers and step sisters, who have no need of such things.

Unlimited Returns

We were always told, “Judge not, lest ye be judged, and with the same manner that you judge others, you shall be judged also”. This may have more meaning to our own lives than we could have ever possibly imagined. When we stand in judgment of others, when we criticize, condemn, embarrass, back-bite, or continually knit pick our neighbor, we are subsequently cursing ourselves to the same fate. As human beings (and spirits) we tend to imagine that people are using the same scale to evaluate us as the one we have put in place toward others. It’s similar to the thief who is convinced that everyone around him is surely stealing. If you condemn, you will feel condemned, if you ridicule- you will later feel ridiculed. If you have been two-faced or a gossip about your friends, then it is logical that in your mind others are surely gossiping about you. Whether these things are actually happening to you or not is uncertain, but you will certainly believe that they are. On the other hand, if you hold others with respect, try to help rather than to criticize, see the good in others rather than the bad, forgive rather than judge, you will surely be in a better mind set. You will feel comforted when you might have been neglected, you will feel supported when you might just as well have been ridiculed or scorned. The love you have planted once shall come back to you, possibly with unlimited returns.

Dawn of the Spirits

Watching the third-graders in the classroom today, I was amazed at what an interesting and eclectic age it really is. It may be the closest to being pure "spirits" that humans will ever come to in this life- intelligent, free, playful, creative, open-minded, seemingly lasting forever. I saw boys playing football one minute and writing stories and doing art the next-girls with their own ideas about what it was to "dress up", but still able to be a kid and clown around, drawing, coloring, soaking up knowledge- even researching topics on bats and being mesmerized by everything they found. It came to me sitting there watching them that this short span of time- this third grade year- may be our own prophecy foretold. I may be kidding myself, but there was just the tiniest voice inside me, you know the one- whispering "this very childhood that you see, with all of the wonderful quirks and discoveries and limitless possibilities, so temporary here in this world, will finally be yours in eternity- only better".

Late Beginnings

Oh, the time I could have saved by simply listening to His voice- the wrong turns, the short cuts that took twice as long, the guessing and the second-guessing, years of the worst possible choices that finally led to nowhere. It's something of a shame starting so far behind where you might have been had you only been willing to do it His way. I may not make it as far down the road as I could have years ago, but the important thing is to keep moving. No matter where you begin, He is there on the road beside you.

Cap and Gown

We should not fear death, any more than a child should fear puberty- but we do, and we will. It is the unknown, and the unknown (even if you are a believer) is a frightening thing. Growing up is something all children want to do, but the teenage years can be awkward, scary and "final" feeling. It is almost like a death- the death of childhood, of youth, of perceived innocence - but is also like rebirth. We go through a very strange time and begin to come out the other side an adult- more complex, more mature, more real. The changing time was necessary to get to something else, what we'd always wanted and longed for as children. Perhaps it is better we should see it as the great "graduation", of walking across the field- a ceremony that may be tearfully sad, but one that must take place in order for real life to begin.

The New Symphony

Always remember, none of us are islands- we are all on the same path back to Him. Currently we are in the shadowlands- everything we see are reflections of something else, something more, something grander, something we can't currently put into words. There are notes that can't be played on any piano made in this world- and yet, we still recognize the notes. All of the people around you, particularly the positive ones who want the best for you- friends- are the clearest shadows we have of Him in our lives. They are not the exact notes, but they may come closest to any we have ever heard with human ears. Treasure your friendships, both near and far, for together they make a symphony fit for another world.

A Right Path

If I find myself on a path that is constantly pointing out the sins, the weaknesses, or the failure of others, then I should think that I am on the wrong road and one not traveled by Him. It is a path of judgment, rather than Love. If, however, the path I take makes me begin to see with unholy horror the things I myself do daily without thinking: the sins, the weaknesses and flaws, the failures that need to be corrected- I suspect that I have found the right road at last. Only by seeing my own shortcomings and daily strengthening my own character, can I ever hope to help others- or to love. Let them see the change in you that they then might change also. The Great Surgeon will do the operation, if any must be done at all. None of us are the surgeons, nor are we qualified to make any final diagnosis- we simply don’t have all the facts. We are, however, charged with being the light to lead the way. He will handle all the rest.