Writers In The Storm

“Do you want me to throw you?” asked the thick-shouldered camp counselor.

Jacob shook his head no. “I don’t want my face in the water,” explained the five-year old.

The big man placed Jacob on his submerged knee and bounced the little boy up-and-down. A wide grin split Jacob’s face and giggles bubbled from the percolating pool water. Jacob tumbled backwards, but strong arms caught him before the water closed over his face. With the ruff and tumble play that kept the little boy safely above the water line, the counselor won Jacob’s trust.

The relationship between man and boy blossomed. When Jacob needed help cutting his chicken fried steak; When Jacob wanted to ask a question; When Jacob needed encouragement to jump from the tower–the man was there.

The last day of family camp, he gave Jacob one final hug.

Tears clogged my throat and threatened to drown me. He loved my boy. He knew, accepted and enjoyed my son.

When I embrace Jesus, does the Father’s heart swell with delight?

When I love His other children–the sales clerk at Michaels, the teen across the street, the grumpy bus driver–does God’s heart burst with gratitude?

Maria Sharapova played her sweaty best, but she misread her opponent and lost the match. This champion tennis player may also lose her number one ranking among today’s female competitors. As Sharapova gathered her stuff from the court, spectators jeered.

When asked about her feelings regarding the crowd’s response, she replied, “I can’t please everyone. That’s not in my ‘J.D.’ — not in my job description.”

Sharapova’s comment provides two components of every person’s job description:

1. We need to do our best whether we win or lose.

2. We need to aim to please God not people.

What else belongs in our job descriptions?

How about we spend the next couple of weeks discussing our jobs as moms, wives, neighbors, church members, and employees?

Last week, the calligraphy addressed invitations arrived in everyone’s mailboxes. Yesterday, she purchased shoes that match her dress. They sit in her closet waiting for the big day. The young lady reserved a ranch for the reception and a whole suite of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. On the girl’s finger a ring sparkles.

After months of preparation and planning, she walks the aisle in three more days.

When she extends her hand to receive her diploma, a chapter of her life will end while another unfolds. The paper certificate represents approximately 16,480 classroom hours; plus evenings studying, writing research papers, and attending extra-curricular activities.

Break out the fine china and warm up the band. An investment of this magnitude deserves celebrating.

But do we ever overlook day-to-day accomplishments that deserve recognition? When did you last celebrate completing a task? Accomplishing a goal? Meeting an objective?

Celebrating big and small victories helps us to Live Above Neutral. Next time you finish cleaning the bathrooms, updating your children’s scrapbooks or e-filing your income taxes, celebrate:

Buy a bouquet of flowers. Bake a treat and enjoy with a glass of milk. Take a vanilla-cream bubble bath.

What can you celebrate today?

What makes a person heroic?

In today’s world, Americans idolize actors, athletes and industry moguls. Anyone with brains, brawn or bucks can rise to superhero status.

In order to understand God’s measuring stick for determining who’s worthy of admiration, I turned to the Bible.

One story stood out from the rest. I found my attention captured by a man “highly esteemed by God.”

The word esteemed comes from the Latin for “one who cuts copper.” The concept refers to a person who mints money. The individual creating the coin assigns its value. So, esteem involves estimating value or appraising worth.

In so many words, God told this man, “I assign great value to your life. You’re gold bouillon, a signed-blank check from the IRS, ground floor stock in Microsoft.”

Quick, before I tell you the name of the man God admires, jot down characteristics you think God values.

What wins God’s esteem?

Visit www.sonjiabradshaw.com tomorrow to learn the name of the man God esteemed. Meanwhile, consider characteristics you expect to find in his life story.

Hiro’s cell phone rings…

Ando: Who is it?

Hiro: Destiny!

Ando: I wish Destiny would lose our number.

From the TV series, Heroes.

Today, I wandered through cyberspace researching various ideas about heroes. I came across three distinct perspectives:

· Heroes are famous, wealthy or notorious people including: actors, athletes, and debutantes.

· Heroes are everyday people doing everyday things: opening a door for an elderly woman, helping a stranded motorist, or teaching children with special needs.

· Heroes are people who accomplish extraordinary acts of service in extraordinary situations: Soldiers on the battlefield, firemen in a blaze, or a policeman in a shootout.

A famous person may be a hero. I have always admired Tom Landry, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 through 1988, because of his integrity. However, fame alone doesn’t equate heroism…

An everyday person may be a hero. Mrs. Terry Billups (my fourth grade math teacher) believed in me, inspired me and exemplified godly character for me. However, everydayness typified by mediocrity does not equate heroism…

A person caught in extraordinary circumstances may be a hero. This person answers the call when it comes just like Hiro in the television show. When Brian Clark heard cries for help on the eighty-first floor of the World Trade Center South Tower, he followed the sound until he found Stanley Praimnath trapped by debris. Clark spent several crucial minutes freeing Praimnath from his prison and together, the two men escaped only moments before the tower imploded. However, extraordinary circumstances alone doesn’t equate heroism…

A hero may perform in obscurity or on the five o’clock news. But either way, he lives above neutral.

As we celebrate Cinco de Mayo when a tiny band of Mexican soldiers defended their homeland against an overwhelming French army, let me ask:

Who are your heroes? Why do you admire them? Please take a moment to reply in the comments section.

May I take you on a tour of my garden?

Clematis vines twine around wrought-iron topiaries. Giant purple flowers with yellow centers bob against forest green leaves. Iridescent pink roses clothe a bush in the upper beds. A carpet of pink petals dusts the rock wall.

Hidden beneath the bush, a water-loving four leaf clover fills a birdbath where butterflies perch and drink.

Daisies sway in the breeze. Cascading crimson trumpet flowers beckon hummingbird moths to drink sweet sips of nectar. Life bursts from the ground, unfurls in the trees and flutters through the air.

Symmetry, harmony and beauty flow in the lines of a garden. Rest, shade and nourishment feed the body and soul.

“…You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11

I want to Live Above Neutral as a well-watered garden… ordered, life-giving, restorative…created by my Maker for His pleasure and usefulness.

In a couple of days, we’ll flip the page on our calendars and wave farewell to April 2008.

As May unfolds like daisies in a garden, Writers In The Storm will discuss May events: Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Graduation, Memorial Day and end-of-the-year milestones.

Visit back often for timely discussions that will challenge, encourage and stimulate your love for God, His word and His world.

“Doesn’t hearing your children call out, ‘Mom’ just make your heart swell?” said the grandmotherly buggy-pusher at Krogers.

I smiled politely.

A few moments later, I heard my daughter saying, “Moo-ooom.” Her voice climbed the scales to the whine pitch. The shrill squeal clawed at my nerves like squeaky rubber shoes on a gym floor.

No. My heart’s shrinking not swelling!

Demanding, whining requests seldom receive favorable responses from mommies, daddies or God. How do I keep my earnest entreaties to God from becoming whining demands?

I would love to hear your thoughts, comments and suggestions.

To Supplicate means to ask earnestly with humility. To beseech. To entreaty.

Join us for this week’s discussion on supplication.

On the tarmac, the plane turned toward the gate. A red and blue American Airlines emblem on the tail of another plane appeared in my portal window. The red and blue swam together as tears pooled in my eyes. I gulped, determined not to lose it right there on the plane.

The seat belt light chimed then turned off. I pulled down my carry-on bag, heavy with mementos from my year in Russia. A scratchy, I’m-trying-not-to-cry feeling, made my throat ache.

At the gate entrance, a marine stood next to an American flag. Too much. The dam broke and pent-up tears coursed down my cheeks.

The marine looked at my twisted face, “Been gone long Ma’am?”

I squeaked, “Yah,” and started sobbing in earnest.

He smiled, “Welcome home.”

Ten-years later, I can only sing “Oh, say can you see…” before my voice cracks and tears leak out. In fact, the kindergartners in my daughter’s class watch me during the pledge to see how far I get before the waterworks start.

One year away changed my life.

• I appreciate police, fire and ambulance workers.
•  I’m thankful for building codes, permits and zoning.
• I respect our IRS and the roads, law enforcement and playgrounds our taxes provide.

What everyday things do you appreciate?

Add your list to the comments so we can give thanks together.