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It’s all good. Sometimes it is painful, but most of the time it’s not so much so that it’s unendurable. And sometimes it sad, but always in the sadness there’s something to stir up rejoicing. Sometimes it is full of laughter, and all the time it’s full of potential. There may be tears, but there are also hugs. If you work at it a little it can always be happy, and when you are happy it’s all fun, too. Oh, there are days when it’s a drag, but those are more than compensated for when it’s utterly beautiful. Ah, and every moment is filled with Love that is endlessly given and usually received. That, of course, is the Love from God, and “it” of course is Life.
So many things can be said about Life and living. And just as much can be said about Death and dying. Thousands of books in hundreds of languages have been written, and there’s not much more that can be said that hasn’t already been said in many ways ranging from eloquent to barely intelligible. But we all know that when Life and Death become personal experiences, we are more acutely aware of how we receive or refuse, share or abandon the Love available in such vastness it is incomprehensible.
One series of such moments of awareness happened recently, and it affected a lot of people. On Sunday, Mothers’ Day, Kids all over the country called their Moms or took them out to dinner or made dinner at home, and lots and lots of Moms got presents. And at least one Mom died. Crucita’s sister, Emilia, died suddenly Sunday night after celebrating Mothers’ Day with her large extended family. The whole family, siblings and cousins, and children and grandchildren, spouses and friends all came together to honor this Mom. She had a hard life in many ways, and through it all she was – and is – much loved. Her life was always full, not always pleasant, but always full. That she had such a wonderful gathering to celebrate that fullness is testimony to the love she gave and received.
Many times we experience these clarifying moments and say, “I wish I had done more, said more, and helped more.” That’s life. We have all the intentions, but not always the follow-through. We have all the hope, but not always the realization of our hopes. We want the best for everyone but miss out on so many chances to give them our best. That’s life. And sometimes we really mess things up, or suddenly things go horribly wrong and that is totally out of our control. That’s life, too. So here’s a little story about a little kid and a big challenge. Thanks to Crucita’s friend G.A., for passing this on.
Pancakes
Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.
He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.
Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.
He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn’t know how the stove worked! Suddenly, he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically, he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky with flour and eggs.
And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon’s eyes. All he’d wanted to do was something good, but he’d made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.
Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!
That’s how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it sometimes turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can’t stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes there’s pain others cannot see, fear or worry we can’t set aside. Sometimes we just make a mess of everything and feel like we’re not worth cleaning.
Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.
But just because we might mess up, we can’t stop trying to ‘make pancakes’ for God or for others. Sooner or later we’ll get it right, and then they’ll be glad we tried…And so will we. God, too, of course.
I was thinking and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said. Sometimes, ‘I love you’ can heal & bless! Remind every one of your family and friends that you love them. Even if you think they don’t love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.
So I know you’ve heard this from me before, and maybe it seems kinda mushy, or maybe you think it’s like the “Have-a-good-day” kind of thing. I think you know, though, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it: I LOVE YA!!! Please pass some of this love on to others because the love we share was given to us from God and He expects us to make it fruitful, to multiply it and to cover the Earth. Suppose one morning you were called to God; do all your friends and everyone in your family know you love them? And do they know how much?
Take time to make a connection with everyone you love today (really, don’t put it off), and don’t worry if it sounds mushy. Brandon can tell you that mushy is just fine. And never stop ‘making pancakes.’
GIVE GOD WHAT IS RIGHT . . . . . . . .NOT WHAT IS LEFT
Happy Aloha Friday, and I do love you. I do.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.
chick
