Ode to Friendship

It's been one of those weeks, have you ever had one? From conflict resolution to ensuring our bills get out on time; from finishing up our taxes to mowing the lawn before the next down-pour...yea, it's been one of those weeks!  For the most part, though, it all has been manageable, just the normal stuff -- until I received two heart wrenching messages...one on Facebook, the other via text. 

My facebook private message informed me one of our old pals from the church we were blessed to serve down south was deathly ill, fighting Wegener's Granulomatosis disease.  Thankfully, this one in ten in ten million patient nicknamed Mac is going to make a long, arduous recovery.  So great to hear his voice and pray with he and his wife Pam on the phone -- technology: in my car on the strand in Morro Bay, Mac & Pam in intensive care at Loma Linda VA...talking like we were right next to each other!  Some highlights from Mac:

• Mac's a plumber by trade, an avid golfer by hobby.  Mac loves talk golf and most important, play a round or two every weekend.
• Mac and his family came to our church with an open mind to learn the truths of scripture; often, they would sit in the crowd and listen to a bald guy share about Jesus with that inquisitive, teach me look.
• Mac was a second to none servant.  Don't tell him this part, but when we built our church on Wolf Store Road, Mac literally did all the plumbing as a gift...lots and lots of money was saved.  I asked Mac if I could take him on a round of golf to say thanks, he said, "...nope, this is my gift to the Lord!"  pretty cool!

The other message, by text, informed me to, "...please pray, John isn't doing well!"  I immediately talked with Cindy, John's wife (again on the phone), and she informed me John was fading.  You see, John first became ill when we were buddies, some 20 years ago.  John came down with a Brain Tumor in 1992, a mass of blood vessels that literally threatened his life at any moment.  Additionally, John was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the Liver resulting from Hepatitis C.  Just recently, John's legs and belly began to swell to the size of a nine month pregnant woman...needless to say, the past 19 or so years have been difficult for John, Cindy, their children and extended family.  Some highlights from John's life:

• John and I had breakfast and coffee every Thursday for over 5 years in Temecula.  We met at Richies Diner and discussed family, friends, theology and yes, his darned Yankees (John's an implant from Queens, New York!)...
• John and I served together loving, equipping, challenging and encouraging teens.  One on occasion, John (though a typical New Yorker face to face, was rather shy in front of a crowd...) shared in front of over 300 teens his passion to love God in spite of his illnesses...
• John and I would hang out at his house, make fun of life and goof off, you know, guy stuff - the kinds of things our wives thought was, oh so childish and immature...
• On one occasion, John and I were at youth night & were informed that one of our teens had just committed suicide.  We immediately left and went out to help the family in crisis.  Upon arrival, John literally jogged over to Jason's parents and hugged, cried, touched & consoled them for what seemed like hours (...ever see a compassionate friend love on the downcast?  It's a sight to behold...); I was so touched with his loving like Jesus that to this day, some 14 years later, I can still vividly see that picture in my mind!

• John gave me a devotional years ago from one of my heroes of the faith: Charles H. Spurgeon.  On the inside cover, John wrote one the most precious notes I've ever received from a friend; a note that I will read, re-read and internalize for a long, long time.  Thanks John!

Well, the purpose of this blurb, if you will, is to highlight some of the great things I've experienced with my old buddies in hopes of igniting a passion in all of us to value and cherish life & friendship.  In Mac's case, his time on earth looks promising; for John, his entrance into heaven may be days away. 

Point: invest your life into your friends, time is that precious commodity that simply passes us by unless we're intentional and proactive in the management thereof.  Last, from Chuck Misler, "...don't allow the urgent to preempt the important!"

A Ladybug In Need!

I don't know about you, but I've always loved Ladybugs; there's just something about them that grabs my heart.  Even as a young guy, many moons ago, I would protect, champion and admire the Ladybugs that called our house in Huntington Beach their home.

The other day, Tami and I were on one of our evening beach walks here in Morro Bay - Tami intently looking at the sand in search of sea glass...and me, well, I was roaming around causing my usual ruckus and distractions to the focused collector (you know...throwing little shells, pieces of sand dollars, drift wood, etc., in her path of discovery!).  As I cruised around, I came up on a pool of salt water that the previous high-tide left in a pocket of sand and rocks.  As I took a closer look, I noticed this single ladybug struggling in the middle of the salt water, trying with all its might to simply survive (...now, granted - I have no idea if ladybugs can survive in fresh water, let alone salt water; one thing for sure though, this ladybug was clearly in trouble).  I stepped into the water and with my hand made a cup and rescued the beautiful ladybug.  Okay, I know you think I'm weird, I grant you that...but stay with me for a moment (...I won't even kill the ants that surround my backpacking trips in the High Sierra's...), there's a story brewing in my heart. 

The little ladybug began to crawl up my hand, down my index finger, up my arm to eventually take off and fly to who knows where - part of me felt really good...hey, I saved a ladybug...again!  Now, as I began to reflect on this seemingly insignificant event, my mind took me to a place that I am passionate about; namely, coming alongside the broken, those who struggle in this life simply to stay alive.  Here's what I'm working with: all of us have those in our life who are broken, addicted to alcohol, drugs, negativity, depression, self-absorption, poor self images...you name it, its there.  They are likened unto this ladybug a few nights ago that needed a helping hand.  Notice: I didn't tell the ladybug it was stupid for putting itself in that predicament; I didn't lecture to the ladybug on its cycle of poor choices; I didn't preach out of the ladybug bible and chastise the little critter; nor did I try to fix it.  Rather, I simply allowed the ladybug the opportunity to win by simply being there.  Now, yes, I did pick up the cutie, however, once I came alongside it, the insect did the rest.  In other words, the ladybug saw an opportunity to win and it took it.

Likewise, we as people, as followers of the Way, have a distinct privilege to not preach at, to stay away from protesting too and trying to fix 'em - but rather, simply being there and showing acts of love, care and compassion bathed in belief that those in crises can and will win.  I'm reminded of the former fisherman turned follower who wrote some 2,000 years ago, "...let us love not in word or tongue, but in deed and truth!"  Or, in our language, "...let your life and actions for others speak the language of Love!" 

All to say, I learned a great lesson the other day from a ladybug!  And, the next time you see a ladybug hurting, remember: there's folks around you that need you and you may be the very one put in their path to help them win!

Police Work and Love -- It Works!

On Fridays, I hang out with my buddy Richard and we travel together roaming the streets of Morro Bay.  Officer Hannibal's role: provide safety, ensure peace and remove the bad elements from our city.  My role: laugh, enjoy and when asked, provide Chaplain assistance.  When I began this journey called Chaplaincy a year & a half ago, I had no idea that Friday's would become one of my most cherished days of the week; not only do I get to converse with a deep thinking mind like Richards, I am involved first hand with hurting, broken and struggling people.  Just these past three Fridays were so touching --

• A few weeks ago, Officer Hannibal diligently spotted a guy that walked, looked and acted suspicious (to a guy like me, he seemed normal; however, with 30 plus years of Police work, Richard has this knack for knowing what's up...).  Well, this guy was a PAL (Parolee at Large) and needed to be arrested.  His girl friend was in their home called an old car and was weeping.  My compassionate partner called me over and asked me to assist.  Long story short: my church was able to provide a tank of gas, my secretary (Tami - my wife...) met with her at the fellowship to bless her with two bags of food & we sent her to a great homeless shelter in San Luis Obispo to provide shelter.  Now, the cool part was her comment as we left the scene, "...you know, maybe this is good because I've known for a long time that I need to get back to church..."  Now, Richard didn't have to call me over to help the hurting; however, he did and MBPD once again shines as a department that cares!
• Last Friday, we were involved in a situation that needed Police intervention: a person under the influence with young children.  Well, this call was started with a citizen complaint regarding stolen property which led to an arrest.  As the police were working and gathering material, CPS was requested, pictures were taken of property, etc., Richard asked me to speak with the broken person.  Long story short: we talked and the person in question shared that church was in order and a clean life needed to follow.  I was able to encourage the person, say a quick prayer and say, "...I believe in you; you must believe in the God who loves you and have enough love to respect yourself to health..."  Again, MBPD's Hannibal represented the department's underlining motto oh so well: provide safety for the community and, provide care & resources for those who need it.
• Yesterday...wow, I met a lady who is very, very ill - a friend of Richard's and of Morro Bay.  We got out of the squad car and walked up to her home.  Richard knocked on the door and the sweet lady came out and literally, and I'm not exaggerating, melted in his arms for a hug of desperation, friendship and, an embrace that seemed to last for minutes.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she shared that her life was in jeopardy due her cancer.  She stated her protein intake and food consumption was really low due to finances.  Well, Richard introduced me to her - and long story short: Rock Harbor will be providing the much needed food and nutrician to my new friend, and...she was touched with a tangible display of love, all initiated by a Police Officer!

Well, I know this note is long - but I assure you, when Police Work and Love work together, this community is not only safe, the City of Morro Bay is truly a great place to live.  Oh, by the way, Richard was recently honored as Morro Bay's Citizen of the Year!  Kind of makes sense, hah?