Son-shine

Everyone has times in their life where things aren’t very clear.  Things get messy, foggy and cloudy.  Similarly, Mother Nature does the same thing and JUSTLIKETHAT, Mother Nature makes a clearing in the clouds with a ray of sunshine and even sometimes a rainbow.  Suddenly, everything is crystal clear – no more clouds, no more rain, just sunny skies.  Even if that moment goes away in an instant, the moment happened, the light is there and it shines.  Maybe it’s for a second, maybe it’s for an entire day.

The important thing is we recognize those moments when they do happen.  Perhaps even more importantly, we realize who we are with when the sun breaks through the clouds whether they are with us physically, in spirit or wish they were there in person with us.  I was blessed to have one of those moments recently where everything became transparent.

Being Catholic, First Communion is a major event because of what we believe as a community of faith.  I made my First Communion when I was in second grade and I’d be lying if I said I remembered a lot of it.  I knew it was important, probably because everyone said it was.  As an adult, I understand now what it means.

My ray of light came because I watched my oldest son take his First Communion and I was with some very important people in my life.  Long story short, seeing the process Emerson went through and realizing who I was with made everything come into focus.  

I couldn’t help but think of the scene in A Few Good Men when Jack Nicholson’s character asks Tom Cruise’s character “Am I clear?” and Cruise answers simple, yet poignantly – “Crystal.”  Emerson’s experience, and my experience through him, made everything crystal clear.  

Looking around, I was with family and friends, some Catholic and some not, but all a family in Christ.  Isn’t that what it’s all about though?  The celebration of love with loved ones gathered at His table?

I saw how meaningful it was to my son and I was reminded how meaningful it is for me.  I can’t help but think that’s what God’s plan is.  He wants us to see His Son in others and what better way to do it than having us see Him in our own everyday life, with our own family.

We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day but even if it was cloudy, His Son shines through the clouds every day.

We just have to look for that Son-shine and we’ll find His rainbow.

Bubbles

Have you ever tried to find the face of Jesus in others? I wish I could say that I do normally, but I'd be a liar if I did. It's something that I want to try and be more aware of doing, but many times it gets lost in the day to day activities of life. To put it plainly, it's really unfortunate. The funny thing is no matter what we do Jesus has a way of putting His face right in front of us. It happened to me today and it happened with bubbles.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country for my job. I've always tried to take in the beauty of our United States in nature, places and things. Although it's been a fantastic experience to meet other people, at times I've found myself wrapped up in where I've needed to go next instead of taking the time to really see what is passing me by. Has that ever happened to you?

I met an amazing young man today - his name is Trevor. He can't walk on his feet, but he goes from place to place on his own, knowing what he wants and where he needs to be. He can't talk using spoken words either.

Jesus talks through him though.

I introduced myself to him today and using and iPad, he said my name. He also told me he wanted to go outside and blow bubbles, so we did.

Trevor and I went out on his deck and we blew bubbles - big ones, small ones, funny shaped ones, you name it. We played together for maybe fifteen minutes. It was by far the best fifteen minutes of my day, not only because we had fun but because he was the teacher and I was the student. What you can learn is amazing if you listen, whether or not words are involved.

In those fifteen minutes, I saw Jesus not only in Trevor, but in his parents. I saw a calling to make the world a better place, not only today but tomorrow and the days looking ahead. There are some very good lessons to be learned here.

Life can get busy - very busy. But think about what's important. Take time to step back and see Him in others. Even more importantly, take a second to realize when He is talking through others. Sometimes - dare I say many times - it can be difficult to do. However, if we can remember to see His face, we might just be able to see Him in ourselves which brings color to our lives. Color that can radiate full circle to everyone around us.

Just like a bubble.

Security Blankets

Recently at an office luncheon, an interesting subject came up - security blankets.

I'm not quite sure how the subject came up, but as we were eating lunch I experienced one of those moments where what I was thinking in my head came out of my mouth. You know the kind that I'm talking about. After you say it, everyone else in the room sort of looks at you with an interesting smile and you see it all happen in slow motion - NOOOO, I DIDN'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD - all the while your internal voice plays in slow motion.

Well, after I admitted to my security blanket one of my colleagues suggested that I write a blog about it. And yes, I was referring to a blanket I received the day I was born, that is now full of rips and holes. As a matter of fact, I don't sleep well without it to this very day. So, here we are.

With that being said, I'll pose the question to you. What is your security blanket? Is it something that is full of holes that you still sleep with? Or is it something that is truly Holy?

Today is Earth Day, a day when we celebrate our planet and try to make it a cleaner place. Is your security blanket having the chance to enjoy a beautiful day and listen to birds sing?

We are also in the midst of Spring - a time where flowers bloom and things come back to life after the dead of winter. Is your security blanket being able to plant a garden, nurture it, see the fruits of your labor and enjoy them with others?

One of my favorite times of year is the beginning of baseball season. I have the chance to play outside with my children, teach them the game like my father did with me and my brother and pass on that knowledge from one generation to the next. Perhaps a certain sport is your security blanket.

With summer right around the corner, many are planning an upcoming vacation with family at the beach, lake or mountains. Vacations with family are times that conjure up nostalgia with the anticipation of making more family memories. Is family your security blanket?

Whatever your security blanket is - and I'm excited to hear about it - we have to remember what makes it all possible, especially on this day, Good Friday.

The Security Blanket where all security blankets come from gave us the Earth to enjoy the birds sing. He made the flowers bloom and came back from the dead. He lives with us every day, from one generation to the next. He is the one that gives us the ability to make more memories if we choose to remember Him. And He is the one that was nailed to a cross for us and was truly Holy.