Intentional Dreamer

Today is Martin Luther King Day, a fitting day for being a dreamer that is intentional in the dream.  Many of us know a few words of that famous speech, “I have a dream.”  I encourage you each to go back and read that worthy text.  This is no miscellaneous thought, a wisp of a passing moment.  This was a dream that was thought through to an ending, pictured in what it would look like in completion.  There are other dreamers, worthy movers of thought that is contagious to the rest of us because we can grasp both the dream and what the end result’s impact could be.

• John F. Kennedy spoke the words and a dream shared by many became reality in the next decade in the exploration of space.
• Florence Nightingale dreamed of making a difference.  She changed the view of women in the medical profession and was viewed as a woman of mercy on the battlefield, where she tried to save wounded soldiers.
• Thomas Edison had the dreams of an inventory, and beyond the light bulb filaments, his impact on technology we use today was phenomenal.  You probably have heard of what some of the modern offspring of those inventions are – movies, music recordings, and of course electric lights.
• Helen Keller found the dream of communication with the world, reaching out of what was her solitary prison to share herself and show others that it could be done.
• John Bunyan, tinker turned author, spent time in English prisons in the 1600s for his preaching without a license.
• Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was queen of two countries, and had two of her sons to go on and be kings of England.  Her politics influenced Western Europe through generations. 
• Rosa Parks let her tired feet and hopeful heart dream of sitting in a seat on a bus without being forced to the back or off due to skin color.
• Jesus Christ shared a dream of peace, grace, and hope for the world.  His words still calm our soul, lift our hearts, and set our feet once again on truth and hope through his sacrifice.
• Malala Yousafzai, not even 20 years old, has a dream for the girls of her country of Pakistan and across the world to receive educations and have rights. 

My list could go on and on.  There are millions more who have had dreams.  They have had dreams of raising their children and breaking out of poverty, for beating a disease, for attaining the goal, for meeting their potential, for helping others meet their potential.  Dreams have been set for goals that seem widely unattainable at the time, and now are a normal part of life.  Today is a good day to be reminded that dreams are powerful and important.  Dream big, dream intentionally and put action with those dreams.  Share your dreams and let others capture the vision.  Take a seat, give yourself a moment to let your dreams take flight; who knows what else can be accomplished!

Heralding in the Season

The holiday season has started upon us, and has already been busy with wonderful visits, activities, and meals.  On this weekend of Thanksgiving, I have so enjoyed reading and hearing about the thankfulness of others.  Thanksgiving for me is a herald of the holiday season, an announcement of the anniversary celebrated in the days to come.  While this herald may conjure up images of turkeys and sweet potato casserole among many, I am actually quite content with a ham sandwich for my meal.  The food, though tasty, is not Thanksgiving.  This last Thanksgiving, just a few days past, is one where I paused and stood a moment; a split second to take in the sound of little feet running and trailing giggles, in-depth discussions over recipes, wonderfully tantalizing smells, and feel of many crowding into the heart of a home. 

Yes, I am thankful.  And, at this crazily busy time of year, I love to have this reminder and chance to participate as a society to pause and be thankful together.  Not to pretend our difficulties do not exist, but to at least momentarily be reminded to move through them holding the hopes that are bright, like the Christmas lights being put up.  Hope in the very faithfulness of God.  That gratitude refreshed on this long weekend, is not dependent upon a holiday.  But, I am thankful for the holidays as a sweet reminder of gratitude for God’s hope.

That gratitude was mixing yesterday with a sweet melancholy sentiment as I started to put up ornaments on the tree.  I love Christmas!  The lights, the music, my favorite smells of pine, and the very feeling of the clean chill air.  Carefully holding an ornament, choosing the perfect place on the tree, and placing it on the branch; it is placing little moments of memories of years’ past.  My heart, full of joy and thanksgiving is also slightly tugged on.  The memories of Christmas past, those who are loved and miles away, or have gone on to be with God, these dear people make up memories of layers of Christmas past.  Not as waves of sadness, but the delicate layers of sentiment and memory that leads my mind to jump from year to year and will be added to this year.

 This season has been officially brought in with praises, intentional thankfulness, and deep rooted memories that tug and bring up joy.  But, most of all the season has begun, the celebration of hope – eternal and human, a baby and a man, death and life – the season of the Nativity!

Disgruntled Mouth-box or Loving Messenger

I saw a poster for a band called Disgruntled Mouth-box law week.  I had to laugh.  I know nothing about the band or if they live up to their name.  But, the words in the name itself made me laugh, and caught my attention. 

Disgruntled:  to make ill-humored or discontented

Taking Advantage of Light Bulb Moments

                Synonym – alienate, estrange, and sour

Mouth-box: somebody who expresses someone’s views

                Synonym – mouthpiece

Sound like anyone you know?  Being human, I thought of others first…  (Hey, just being honest here).  For example, those who have been in positions of leadership that offer complaining and criticism; one negative after another without thought for offering a solution.  The classic complainers come to mind, the ones who are the constant grouch to be avoided at all cost lest they “infect” you with their sourness. 

Beyond someone having a bad day, this makes me think of words not being used wisely.  Eventually, I get around to thinking closer to home (a.k.a. me).  Though I wish I could claim that all of my words are paragons of wisdom and virtue that build up others with guidance and leadership, I know better.  Not every word that comes out of my mouth represents the best of me or my beliefs – I too can be a disgruntled mouth-box.  I don’t have to speak it, I may have disgruntled, grumbly, roll my eyes thoughts as well – acerbic mental tongue indeed.

But, is that what I want?  Are these the words and attitudes I want to present to those around me and to keep in my mind?  Of course not!  Probably few of us do.  Not a disgruntled person, or a mouth-box.  That makes me think of someone who eventually becomes of no consequence because they are avoided as they jump on their soapbox for the umpteenth time and rail out against others; someone speaking without purpose.

What is a better choice?  Is it not better to offer words of life, building, hope, encouragement, patience, teaching, instruction, and hope?  It’s not always fluffy words or thoughts, but those that are offered are from a different perspective.  The focus is not one that is soured and sours others.  It offers a perspective that reflects the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23).

I’ll challenge myself and I’ll challenge you.  Don’t be a disgruntled mouth-box, intentionally don’t!  Instead, let’s intentionally be a loving messenger.  

Praise from the Garage Floor

I was sitting in the garage floor yesterday, painting a small window a lovely blue color, and listening to Rend Collective Experiment from my computer.  Singing along to some of the songs, I started thinking about worship and praise, and how my definitions of what that means narrows my width of worship and praise opportunities. 

Let me back up – worship and praise of what?  Worshipping and praising God, taking time for an action of gratitude, a heart of thanks for all that my God is and was and will be.  It’s an act that is uplifting, refreshing, energizing, and at times draining. 

So with that part said….

I’m sitting in the floor, paint brush in hand, and thinking about how worship is more than one style or one type of art and how my very definition limits me.  There is a painter who paints to music and creates incredible paintings as an act of worship.  The gardener who tends the plants so carefully to create a living canvas of color is acting out worship.  A dancer, with every fine tuned motor skill practiced, can move in time to worship.  A musician, a writer, a sculptor, a teacher, a child playing in the sprinkler… the list goes on and on.  Worship can take so many forms; I don’t want my definition to be so limiting – especially when we were made with so many ways to express praise. 

I’m going to start looking for new ways to praise, intentional actions to thank God for his goodness.  I wonder what forms it will take.