the intersection of life and grace

Lately I’ve had reason to wonder if most people ever even notice the vast number of people they encounter, or if the majority really do treat most others like a non-descript armchair ready to do its specific function whenever needed, but barely recognized.

I have a special place in my heart for people who get easily taken for granted like that. I think, at least in part, that’s because I grew up in a public service family. My dad is a retired firefighter, my brother followed him onto the job, my hubby is a police officer, my mom was a paramedic, likewise most of my extended family worked for the city or state… public service. Me? I’m in public service too, of a different sort. I “work” for Jesus, and a local church pays me a bit to do that… its just a variation on the theme. Or, is it the origination of the theme? There’s something to think about. But, I know it isn’t always a person’s job that renders them unnoticed – it can also be an outward characteristic, an illness or handicap, their style of clothing… the list could go on and on.

But anyway, I often find myself noticing the unnoticed people. Lots of people tease me about my daily NY State thruway commute without the “faster” payment device called Easy Pass. I prefer to use the booths with humans in them, so I can say hello, thank you and in some small way connect with the toll collectors. After six years of commuting the same way I’ve made “friends” with a couple of the collectors – one even teases me about whatever time I’m passing by saying “You’re late!”

I direct a children’s outreach that, among other things, serves breakfast to inner city kids on Saturday mornings. That often requires early morning trips to the grocery. I’ve been going to the same cashier pretty much every week for 6 years. She’s older, petite, and the other cashiers seem to dislike her. But, she knows my routine, and we’ve talked enough over time that she knows what the mass quantities of pancake mix and apple juice are for. Today, she told me that she won’t see me next Saturday morning because she’s taking care of her grandchildren, but she’ll see me in 2 weeks.

There are lots of examples of people we don’t really “see” – toll collectors, grocery clerks, waiters & waitresses, garbage men, mail carriers, takeout delivery folks, receptionists, repairmen, police, firefighters, janitorial staff… not to mention, people in wheelchairs, older people, homeless people, poor people… and sometimes even me and you. It is so easy to take people for granted. To fail to see that, though they do a particular job or have a particular characteristic, they are fellow humans created in the image of God with dignity and deserving of acknowledgement and (gasp) appreciation for their part in the big plan of humanity.

We humans need to be seen, we need to connect with others. But my theory is that we can only be truly seen if we are willing to truly see others.

What do you think??

When you click the link at the end of this paragraph, you’ll see a color enhanced IR satellite image… Wilma south of the Gulf… look east toward the leewards and see a forming storm (potentially Alpha)… look further into the Atlantic and see another tropical wave… historical, yes, but geeeeeez!

We left a chunk of our hearts in the Ft. Myer’s area last summer as we helped some folks recover from their horrible 2004 hurricane season. On my heart tonight as the forcasters point out the storms’ track goes in their direction are Ricky and Crystal and all the homeless we encountered in Fort Myers Beach; pray for the residents of Independence House and St. James Place, homes in the Coral Springs area that care for young adults with Downs Symdrome; pray for Ann and John and their neighbors who lost their homes to Charley in 2004 and needed to pretty much completely rebuild; pray for the Christian community in the greater Ft. Myers area and where ever Wilma hits. Still praying for it to be gone, too!

The amount of time it took to intensify from a tropical storm to a category 5 of historic proportions is incredible. Here she is, in all her catastrophic glory.

Praying that the Lord will intervene however aligns with His will. Praying for safety for those who are in Wilma’s path, for smooth evacuations for people of all means and circumstances, for protection of life and property; Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

From Psalm 107, NIV
24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

Sometimes there are moments where grace finds me, and I realize that I haven’t been watching the way I’d hope to. I want to share a couple of them with you.

From M., an 8th grader with real challenges in school and life due to autism, to me during hang out time at our youth ministry…

I feel normal here.

From N., the 6-year-old son of a friend and volunteer, written on a poster (in his own spelling) he made to tell people about God…

Dear kids or adallts if you do not now abowt Jesus then I will tell you abowt him! he is the best! hear is som stkrs of him [stickers depicting Jesus all across the bottom of the construction paper page]

From A., an 18-year-old who has struggled with emotional disorders (culminating in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder) for longer than the 6 years I’ve been in the picture, to me over instant messenger…

A: i’m walking proof that it can get better, if u want it to…

me: I know you are!

A: I would not have made it without support from my parents and you, and Jesus

me: I’m just glad that you’re doing so well, that you are moving forward with life and setting goals… there was a time when it wasn’t clear that you’d be able to do that.

A: I know, I had people telling me at one point that that was how life was gonna be for me, i was just gonna be alone for the rest of my life and have no job or anything cause that was who i was and that’s what was wrong with me

me: good job proving that wrong!

A: thanx, i was so sad when i heard that, i thought well, this is me and this is how life is always gonna be and this sux. but everyone kept telling me they were wrong and stuff, and well, i guess they were.

me: what they didn’t count on was the power of God in your life, the fact that your family and friends wouldn’t give up on you

A: yeah i think God had crazy cool plans for me that i didn’t know about and still has awesome plans for me in the future

A: I think I need to remember that no matter what people come and go because they are humans like [name and name] and others but no matter what i have said and done Jesus has not left he has not said i’ll get back to u when you lose 20 pounds i would love u more if u looked like her, stop crying you’re annoying me, NO! He weeps when I weep and he loves me for me!

me: you’re making me cry with joy

A: awwww, sorry, but it’s the truth!

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

The Bishop of Albany, the Rt. Rev. Daniel W. Herzog, issued a pastoral letter which he asked the clergy of the diocese to read at Sunday services Oct. 9, 2005. In the letter he addressed two matters: the election of a bishop coadjutor and a diocesan fund drive.

At the annual convention of the diocese in June, Bishop Herzog informed the diocese that he was considering calling for the election of a bishop coadjutor. In his comments to the convention he noted that an election in the spring of 2006 would mean that the confirmation of the bishop-elect would take place at the next General Convention. While he did not issue a formal call for an election at that time, he did ask the diocesan convention to adopt some changes in its rules to streamline the election process. As a result of those changes, the diocese will not be required to undergo the extensive self-study most dioceses engage in when electing a bishop.

The pastoral letter announced that the process of obtaining the consents of the diocesan bishops and standing committees of the Episcopal Church was already moving forward. When those consents are secured, he plans to set the date of the election on March 25, 2006, within 90 days of the beginning of General Convention.

Bishop Herzog, 64, has been Bishop of Albany since 1998.

Read the whole article from The Living Church here.

Please stand with us in prayer for the Diocese of Albany:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pray also for those whose task it is to undertake the election logistics, including those on the Standing Committee:

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.