"Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." -- Oswald Chambers
Read the full text here: http://ow.ly/NNxz
Most people think.....
10 years ago
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
NEW YEAR INSPIRATION
“What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” -- Vern McLellan
Preacher's Kid Film Starring LeToya Luckett Opens January 29
Be sure to start your New Year off in a great way. Be sure to see PREACHER’S KID, starring LeToya Luckett in her debut film. The Stan Foster written and directed feature opens in select cities on January 29. Visit http://www.preacherskidfilm.com for cities and theaters.
Reprise: Christmas, The Gospel and a Haircut by Gracie Rosenberger
Due to pain in my back and shoulders, washing and drying my hair can often be challenging and even more painful. So periodically, I give myself a break, and treat myself to a shampoo and a blow-dry at a local walk-in salon. Rick has worked there for several years, and is always gracious to work me in quickly. Rick is a kind man, with a quick smile, often concealing his own heartache. He recently underwent heart-by-pass surgery, and is still having some difficulties; I know without him saying a word; I can tell; yet, he's always eager to help me (and anyone else, for that matter).
While sitting under the dryer last week, I watched a couple come into the salon. The man used to be one of the most prominent surgeons in Nashville, but now Alzheimer's is ravaging his mind. His precious wife escorted him in to see Rick, and gentle as always, without a word, Rick went to work.
This disease brings on disorientation, causing this once very focused, dignified, and reserved man to cry out in distress. While bursting out of his chair, and walking around the salon waving his arms wildly in the air, and talking loudly, his wife (obviously familiar with this behavior) quickly stepped to his side, singing gently and sweetly into her distraught husband's ear. While he was slowly calming down, Rick followed him around, smoothly trimming a little more of his hair, while ending up standing in the middle of the salon. A few minutes later, the whole scenario repeated itself, and Rick quietly followed the man around, again, clipping the man's hair, while his wife's singing calmed her husband, once more.
This went on for about thirty minutes, leaving the surgeon with a great haircut - and a grateful wife. Without missing a step, and with no sense of frustration, impatience, or annoyance, Rick went back to managing my hair, and getting ready for another client. Seemingly, it was just a regular part of his day.
Rick was very busy, so I didn't discuss this with him, but knowing him, as well as I do, I know he would be embarrassed by my bringing it up; he'd shrug it off and say he was just doing his job. But I disagree. I know others who would act put-out, embarrassed, or even refuse to cut the man's hair. Rick lovingly cares for this man with dignity and respect, and in doing so, beautifully models the Gospel.
I've always thought of Christmas as an opportunity to serve others; to let them know that you are thinking of them to the exclusion of yourself. Christ did that for us in such a profound way. On Christmas Eve, Christians around the world pause in unison to remember that God Almighty humbled Himself and became a servant. He stepped into our dysfunctional and diseased world to redeem us. With patience, understanding, gentleness, and humility, He follows us through our outbursts and flailing around, and gently cleans us up.
It breaks my heart to know Rick is alone for Christmas this year. There are a lot of people who read these e-letters, including Rick. And so, Rick, as you read this, I hope you'll see that you not only care for a man with Alzheimer's, who can no longer thank you;but you also illustrate a love that invaded our world, so long ago, in a stable.
"And the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40
Merry Christmas,
www.standingwithhope.com
While sitting under the dryer last week, I watched a couple come into the salon. The man used to be one of the most prominent surgeons in Nashville, but now Alzheimer's is ravaging his mind. His precious wife escorted him in to see Rick, and gentle as always, without a word, Rick went to work.
This disease brings on disorientation, causing this once very focused, dignified, and reserved man to cry out in distress. While bursting out of his chair, and walking around the salon waving his arms wildly in the air, and talking loudly, his wife (obviously familiar with this behavior) quickly stepped to his side, singing gently and sweetly into her distraught husband's ear. While he was slowly calming down, Rick followed him around, smoothly trimming a little more of his hair, while ending up standing in the middle of the salon. A few minutes later, the whole scenario repeated itself, and Rick quietly followed the man around, again, clipping the man's hair, while his wife's singing calmed her husband, once more.
This went on for about thirty minutes, leaving the surgeon with a great haircut - and a grateful wife. Without missing a step, and with no sense of frustration, impatience, or annoyance, Rick went back to managing my hair, and getting ready for another client. Seemingly, it was just a regular part of his day.
Rick was very busy, so I didn't discuss this with him, but knowing him, as well as I do, I know he would be embarrassed by my bringing it up; he'd shrug it off and say he was just doing his job. But I disagree. I know others who would act put-out, embarrassed, or even refuse to cut the man's hair. Rick lovingly cares for this man with dignity and respect, and in doing so, beautifully models the Gospel.
I've always thought of Christmas as an opportunity to serve others; to let them know that you are thinking of them to the exclusion of yourself. Christ did that for us in such a profound way. On Christmas Eve, Christians around the world pause in unison to remember that God Almighty humbled Himself and became a servant. He stepped into our dysfunctional and diseased world to redeem us. With patience, understanding, gentleness, and humility, He follows us through our outbursts and flailing around, and gently cleans us up.
It breaks my heart to know Rick is alone for Christmas this year. There are a lot of people who read these e-letters, including Rick. And so, Rick, as you read this, I hope you'll see that you not only care for a man with Alzheimer's, who can no longer thank you;but you also illustrate a love that invaded our world, so long ago, in a stable.
"And the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40
Merry Christmas,
www.standingwithhope.com
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