“If you support _____ immediately delete me.”

That was posted on Facebook, tweeted and repeated passionately in the last few weeks leading up to our national election.

It’s interesting how much anger and vitriol arises during election years.

I see it everywhere.

Even among comic book readers.

At the risk of alienating fans of other fans I’m only going to refer to two set of loyalists, the Batman and the Superman fans.

Recently I read a graphic novel called Trinity by Matt Wagner featuring Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. In the Trinity there is a conversation between Wonder Woman and Superman about Batman.

It’s been a busier than normal week.  As I’ve waged war with my schedule I have thought quite a bit about this insightful quote by John Powell.

“All of us are willing to admit pangs of hunger and feelings of emptiness inside us.  We experience half-formed dreams and vague drives for something more than human resources can promise or produce.  There is in each of us a dynamic, a mystique or drive that, unless detoured by humans selfishness, leads to search for God, whether we know it or not.“

I am searching for God.  Today and every day I’m praying, “Please God help me…”

Wait, Why Am I Talking?

As I wrote yesterday the acronym W.A.I.T. is a great reminder — as they say — it’s right on the button.

It’s a big red pause button to stop my panic and prevent me from causing additional pain to myself or others.

I’m talking. Am I trying to coach and counsel? Or, am I trying to control?

Wait, Why Am I Talking?

I think Wait, Why Am I Talking? is a wonderful self-check as I pray as well.

Sometimes people — myself included — complicate life needlessly.

Yesterday my friend Steve Wiens reminded me of an Anne Lamott’s acronym W.A.I.T.  I’ll explain what it means in a moment, but you’ll — pardon the pun — have to wait.

Wait

Lamott’s most recent book “Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son’s First Son” describes the challenge she faced, especially in the beginning, as she tried to find a balance between helping and hampering her teenage son who was suddenly faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

I work hard.
I play hard.
But. sometimes I wonder if I’m neglecting to see something right in front of me.

Henri Nouwen wrote:

“In Abraham Heschel’s A Passion for Truth I read today the words of the Kotzker (Rabbi Menahem Mendl of Kotzk): “he who thinks that he is finished is finished.” How true.

Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way.
Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it.
Those who think they are saints, are demons.

In Curtis Eichelberger’s new book Men of Sunday he recounts coaches Tony Dungy, Marvin Lewis, and Brad Childress talking about the importance of having men of faith on their rosters.

“These players understand there is something bigger than themselves and realize that someday they’ll have to answer for their actions. The result is oftentimes a greater sense of humility, a willingness to think about the team over themselves, and the realization that their talent isn’t their due, but rather a gift from God to be used for His purpose.

Faith

Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. 1

Sharon Williams is sixty-six years old.  She is a mother of five children, and a grandmother of several grandchildren.  Sharon spent her professional career trying to make the world a better place.

Several years ago she chose to hear God’s call to “remember me.”

Sharon was a good person, but with God’s help she became a life-transforming person. 

In the years since Sharon retired from public service she continues to serve the community helping organizations raise money from the comfort of her living room.

On our 10th Anniversary we renewed our wedding vows.

In 1997 we renewed our wedding vows — not that we were a mess and needed a restart, but — because ten years into our marriage, we were adults, “grown ups”, who had a better idea what we were doing and we wanted to be positive role models.

During our wedding we repeated vows I don’t recall and hope that we kept.  At our 10th we wrote these vows, planning the keep them.  And, aside from moments of selfishness, my inclinations to be a workaholic, and an occasional crabby day, we’re still keeping them.  These vows help us keep on track toward our goal of a lifelong happy marriage.

Did you have a busy Memorial Day weekend?
Did you have a hard time cranking it back up yesterday at work or school?
Me too.
I was late to my first two meetings as I tried to resume my weekday timeliness.

So what can you do when stress levels rise?

STOP

A few years ago Elisha Goldstein on psychcentral.com offered four simple, helpful stress relieving tips.

Next time you find your mind racing with stress, try the acronym S.T.O.P.

S – Stop what you are doing, put things down for a minute.

When we feel alone we look for relationships.
When we build relationships we look for connection.
When we recognize connection we hope for intimacy.
When we embrace intimacy…

… sometimes our hopes are dashed.

Our girlfriend is too manic.
Our boyfriend is too needy.
Our wife is too wounded.
Our husband is too self-centered.

And, it all comes crumbling down.

You can’t make her happy!
You can’t make him happy!
You feel so alone.

Left unchecked angry and loneliness are the ingredients for rage.

I hate this! Nothing makes sense.
I know I’m not good enough! And…
I know I will never be!