Defining Moments

As yet another tragic incident (the Boston Marathon bombing) rocks our nation and takes the lives of our innocents we find ourselves regrouping by focusing on the actions of the heroic among us.  For us as a nation and each of us as individuals we hold down the pain by holding up examples of the brave and noble individuals who take potentially great risks in the aftermath of heinous crime or senseless insanity to help their fellow man who, moments before, suffered the greater injury.  

At times such as these, the immediate helping actions by these ‘first responders' almost seem to be reflexive responses.’  I do not think they are reflexive.  

Neither do I think that running away, as an immediate response, is cowardly; I just think that it is the more reflexive, the more natural, untrained, self-preservation tendency of man.  

But I think that those who run toward the trouble, instead of away from it, have wittingly or unwittingly conditioned themselves to be of help in times of need. An educated, trained and anticipatory mindset is cultivated step-by-step.  The Boy Scouts of America motto, ‘Be Prepared,’ is especially germane in times of tragedy. 

Being prepared means being proactive.  As part of the proper education of man, should we all not get trained to be helpers of one kind or another?  First-aid training, psychological—emotional counseling, spiritual support, having supplies on hand; could we not all become more proficient in becoming potentially useful in times of great stress or emergency?  

A lesson I tried to teach my children was to always endeavor to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  That usually takes some thought—and training. 

Our defining moment may just be defined by our preparing hours.

That's Life

Well, it’s finally happened.  It probably also happened some time ago but they finally let me know about it.  Somebody didn’t know who I was and so described me to another other person.  The somebody said, “That older guy, the one with the gray hair and glasses.” When I heard of myself being described that way I had to go into a restroom, where there was a mirror, and take a look for myself.  Yes, it was true, yet I couldn’t believe it. Is this who I am to others? Can’t they see who I really am?

Yet I have described another man, or other men—probably numerous times—as  “That older guy, the one with the gray hair and glasses,” and the picture in my mind’s eye certainly was someone about 30 years older than I happened to be at the time and focused on some superficial aspect of the person.  

Everybody has been described as ‘that nerdy guy,’ or ‘that fat woman,’ or ‘that boor,’ or ‘that ignorant…,’ or 'that old gray-haired guy.'  But who are they, really? I suppose it has happened or will happen to everybody. 

The important point is to have viewed ourselves as something better than the unflattering depiction that we will all someday have to face.   It is then, if not before, that I hope we will have such a firm picture of ourselves as we really, deeply are, that quick, surface or cosmetic evaluations or descriptions are dismissed with a smile and not a resentment.  

The old Frank Sinatra song, That’s Life,  captures the attitude we should all have when the time comes, as it surely will:

That's life, funny as it seems.
Some people get their kicks,
Steppin' on dreams
But I just can't let it get me down,
Cause this big old world keeps spinnin' around.

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
A poet, a pawn and a king.
I've been up and down and over and out
But I know one thing:
Each time I find myself flat on my face,
I pick myself up and get back in the race.

That's life . . . .

Breakfast of Champions

My wife and I recently went to a large antique store appropriately housed in an old barn.  Among the many interesting things that brought back memories of my past was an old Wheaties cereal box with the picture of Olympic champion pole vaulter Bob Richards. 

In my freshman year of college I was chosen as Christian athlete of the year for the school and was selected to attend a Fellowship of Christian Athletes conference in Ashland, Oregon.  Along with many other young men I had the privilege of meeting and listening to Bob Richards and other great Christian athletes speak of their faith and the qualities that lead to becoming a champion in athletics and in life. 

Bob Richards, who as a young boy was headed toward delinquency, was influenced by the casual remark of a Christian girl who said she would only date a good Christian boy. Bobby decided to give church a try.  He learned of Christ and he learned of repentance and of prayer and of self discipline.  

  

The man, Pastor Bob Richards,  spoke to us of the power of prayer and of relying on a power greater than ourselves in releasing the power within ourselves to achieve great things.  He told of a pole vaulter before his time, Dutch Warmerdam, who recognized the path of discipline, faith, and the power of prayer to become the first man to ever clear 15 feet, a feat many said would never be accomplished.  He did it 43 times in the years between 1940 and 1944—with a bamboo pole and the three principles mentioned.   Dutch Warmerdam was my track and field coach at the second college I attended, Fresno State, in Fresno, California.  Bob Richards later broke Coach Warmerdam’s records using the same three principles and an aluminum pole. 

Another sports hero both men spoke of in my presence was Glenn Cunningham.  As a boy Glenn was badly burned saving his brother from a schoolhouse fire.  His legs, especially, were so badly burned that they developed thick scar tissue and it was feared that he might not even be able to walk.  With time, patience, and faith in God he taught himself to walk again by walking behind a plow on the farm.  Utilizing the principles of discipline, faith, and the power of prayer he struggled to walk, then walked, then jogged slowly and then, over time could run until he became a world record holder and for some time one of the greatest milers who ever lived. 

 

I don’t know if these three men all ate Wheaties, but I do know that they were champions and that their example helped me with the direction I took in life at a young age.  They exemplified the motto of the Olympic Games—Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) to me.  Athletics, good examples, Christian faith and discipline have given me a good life that I continue to enjoy to this day. 

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Palliative Care

Palliate: to ease (as in a disease) without curing.  

The first things I would like you to consider in these thoughts today are the lyrics to this popular 1970’s song by Jackie DeShannon: 

Think of your fellow man

Lend him a helping hand

Put a little love in your heart.

You see it’s getting late

Oh, please don’t hesitate

Put a little love in your heart.

And the world will be a better place…for you, and me, you just wait and see…

Take a good look around

And if you’re looking down

Put a little love in your heart.

I hope when you decide

Kindness will be your guide

Put a little love in your heart.

And the world will be a better place…for you, and me, you just wait and see. [Just] put a little love in your heart . . . put a little love in your heart.   

I have often thought, and expressed, that if we just had something like the words of that song, or an inspirational proverb, or poem or prayer, or image of a good and kindly person who portrays those sentiments to fill our minds during its ‘down time’—like a screen-saver—how much more likely it would be for us to ‘go and do likewise.’   As Jesus gave us His example and enjoined us, “As I have loved you, love one another.” That is palliative care.
 
It was curative care when He performed His great Atonement for us. He did both.

I have recently become friends with a lovely lady named Cynthia who portrays those qualities.  She is a resident (and has been for a dozen years) of the nursing care facility where my mother resides and where I visit 4-5 times per week.  Cynthia has had many severe challenges over the years (now including virtual blindness) but has always rallied and is a veritable ray of sunshine to those who have had the privilege of meeting her.  She told me recently, but without complaint, that she has wondered why she has been preserved so long (yet she is still a young woman).  It is very clear to me why.  She can, and does, affect others and make them want to try to be more like her: welcoming, cheerful, uncomplaining, thoughtful, insightful, listening, positive.  She has much to give.  She does not put her candle under a basket, but rather gives light to all in the house.  

So, “take a good look around and if you’re looking down” put a little love in your heart and maybe you’ll see Cynthia, and your “world will be a better place.”  That is why she is still here. She came there to receive palliative care; she gives it to any who come into her presence, as does her roommate Ann.

Thanks, Cynthia--and Ann.