Tuesday, April 26, 2016

What is Real Strength?

I watched a movie the other night that was based on a true story. It's called "The Cross and the Switch Blade" with Pat Boone in the title role. Although the cinema is very dated (from the 70s), it tells the story of David Wilkerson, a young pastor from the hills in Pennsylvania, who came to the gang neighborhoods of New York in hopes of bringing the message of love to those who needed to hear it most.

Of course, there was the bravado of the gang leaders, who didn't want to appear weak before others, and rebelled against the message. Winning over one of the leaders became the pastor's focus because he knew others would follow. If the meanest, toughest guy could admit he needed God's love, who beneath him could argue that they don't?

While some of the story line and acting seemed a bit too "staged," there was an ah-ha moment for me - one that I easily recognized: Real strength often comes from weakness. Knowing that you don't have to be weak, but allowing it for what is good, takes an effort from the divine.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV), the Bible says: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." That is pretty awesome! But showing weakness is often something under-rated and unappreciated in our society.

It takes true strength not to retaliate when we are attacked either verbally or physically. To clarify, I'm not talking about situations where we should fight back such as when someone wants to do us or another bodily harm. I'm talking more about situations where someone tries to provoke us and maybe others are watching. It would be easy to answer in the same manner, but it takes real strength not to do so. At other times, it may simply be accepting help (even when you don't need it) because it will make the giver feel good.

The best example of strength in allowing weakness is Jesus on the cross. He could have commanded the angels to save himself, or to put an end to all the taunting and abuse he received from others. Instead, he gave the bravest demonstration of strength that the world has ever seen.

I can only pray that God makes me strong by giving me the courage to be weak.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Return to the Blog for Hayden

Some of you may have noticed that I've been dormant for a while, both in writing for The Examiner and my blog. It's simply due to a busy schedule and a wonderful memoir I am editing for a friend which I'll discuss at a later time. Suffice it to say, his story is pretty amazing to read for Christians as well as anyone who wishes to be inspired.

Now as to what caused my return to this venue - a story that aired last week about Hayden, a 12 year old boy, living in Basehor, KS. In 2014, he was diagnosed with a somewhat rare, but aggressive brain cancer that was later in remission. In February of this year, he and his mother learned that the tumors had returned and he was given less than 6 months to live. The story, which aired on WOW Channel 6 in Lawrence, KS, chronicled his diagnosis and his determination to live the remainder of his life to the fullest. His classmates have been supportive with a maturity well beyond their years, and his family shows a remarkable spirit in coping with this "every parent's nightmare" situation.

Now why am I most interested in this particular youth, aside from the fact that he is obviously courageous? He touches people and gives an exemplary response to something most of us find difficult - dealing with our mortality.

Dying is inevitable for all humans, but we most often choose to ignore that fact. We face it only when we are given a little more awareness of when that might be. How we accept our demise depends upon many things, but from my own experience in losing people close to me, I suspect that those who have faith may find it a little easier (at least eventually) than those without belief in something more. In fact, that is why I am still working on the book about dying and faith in the afterlife.

Included in my book are individuals who have, or are facing, the end of life. They chose to share their journey in coping toward acceptance as a means of helping others achieve that goal, and as a legacy of peace and comfort to those left behind. I am indebted for their honesty and willingness to disclose their thoughts during a most turbulent and personal time.

So what can the rest of us learn from this preteen and others who have faced death with dignity and courage? We can learn that life is fragile, and that the impact of having lived can never be fully known. Certainly, anyone who watched the news story, his family, classmates, teachers, medical staff, and all others with whom he has become acquainted will always remember Hayden. But his legacy to all of us is to live in the present for tomorrow may never come - live life to the fullest, beginning with this moment.

Please share this blog with others and post to your Facebook page. We are given the opportunity to make a difference for Hayden and his mom, and to give some relief for the material needs they experience so that they can instead concentrate now on what matters most - precious time together. To donate to Hayden: https://www.gofundme.com/haydensheroes.