Yearly Archives: 2012

My wife has been experiencing heart problems recently.

Not unusual.  She was born with heart holes and problems.  Surgeries and hospital stays have been part of her life.

Sunday a young child in our church family started praying for Mrs. Jill.  She had no idea of what was going on – she probably doesn’t even understand the history.  She prayed that Jill would be protected and kept safe.   

Right at around the time we have been trying to figure out what was going on.  Some days you have to wonder if God has these direct lines to children that we as adults seem to miss!

Today’s opportunity was helping with a grief and loss session.  One of the participants was too raw to the death of a loved one.  An hour or so of time together was about all she could take.

Another came with issues related more to the aftermath of family relationships than the direct personal impact on the participant.  Another is working on emotions that rage in out of control at some times.

The thing that reigns supreme in these sessions – what often we think is abnormal is really quite normal.  As we completed the day, I was reminded. 

My own grief and loss – parents, sibling – doesn’t have to capture my life.  The thing that provides hope in the midst of all this is that God is in control.  Faith grabs a hold and won’t let go.  And soon God’s love captures our hearts.

Grief and loss can be a stepping stone to something greater.  We don’t have to medicate – we can go through and come out on the other side brighter, stronger and a better person.

The other day I heard someone proclaim that the cynic is one who throws the towel in.  Life is never as good as we might want, people disappoint, and clouds overshadow the sun.  No wonder the cynic throws the towel in!

Then I got to thinking.

A servant also throws the towel in.  Jesus, in the last hours of his life threw the towel in.  Into the lives of those he was working with.  Washing their feet.  Serving them.  Caring for them.

I guess I would like to be known as one who throws the towel in.

I’ve run across a number of people lately who talk about religion being a dusty set of rules and spirituality being freeing.  Christians talk about knowing Christ and leaving dead religion behind. 

I can understand those thoughts that do turn following Christ into a matter of mere rules – following the letter of the law and not the Spirit.

At the same time our society has looked favourably on the term spirituality – as though this were the cure all.  Unfortunately this has meant a whole approach which sounds good but seems less than expected.  Here are a few thoughts/quotes I’ve also been hearing lately:

Spirituality lacks discipline.

Spirituality is merely living for one’s self in such a way that God becomes me, and life is lived on my set of rules.  Ruled based religion in reverse??