A Slower Pace

Like I said in my previous post, life has been happening to the detriment of blog postings. However, I experienced a metaphor today I would like to share.

If you are a regular reader, you know about my mission to be a “disciple of example” and my intent to follow the greatest commandments.

Matthew 22:37-40 — Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

My job as a disciple is to “go out and be fishers of men”. I should share the good news of Christ dieing for our sins with others that I know and those I don’t know. And while I do that somewhere between occasionally and often, I do not do it enough — especially since it is so important. We’re talking eternal life here. The metaphor today made the point that I — #1) do not do it often enough and miss some people and #2) time is of the essence in some cases. (See a previous post on you may be the only Bible some people read.)

On the way to church today, we had an enjoyable drive through the country. The weather forecast was rain but most of it came through last night and it looked like we had half a chance of a decent day in front of us. We were on time and had no reason to rush (unlike some Sunday mornings). We were meandering through one of the familiar country two lane roads in an area that is more heavily wooded with shade and moisture. As I drove the truck along the tight road, I noticed a bump in the middle of the road — in fact, right on the double yellow stripe. I jogged the truck to the right to make sure I wouldn’t hit whatever it was with the left side tires. As we passed it, I noticed that it was a small box turtle trying to make his was across the road (playing a slow game of “Frogger”). By the time I felt the impulse to pull over to pick him up and usher him to safety, we were farther up the hill and I justified the inaction on my part.

We turned a corner and lo and behold there was another shelled creature in the road, but this one was in a much more hazardous position right in the middle of my lane. I had looked behind me after I passed the other turtle (hoping there was another car behind me to add to my inaction justification) but there wasn’t a vehicle to be seen. So I quickly stopped my wife’s truck, hopped out, picked the little guy up and set him on the side of the road pointed away so he could continue his journey.

I felt good about at least getting that one to safety if at least I couldn’t get them all. Again, more justification.

Fast forward to a really nice service where 10 young confirmands were publicly affirming their baptism and joining the congregation as young adult members. I sponsored one of them (please say a prayer for Collin) and my oldest daughter sponsored another. We are a part of the church’s mentor program for the confirmation students to give them additional resources in their spiritual journey.

I wasn’t thinking about turtles on the way home until I turned that corner and wondered if he had made it across — hopefully not needing my help like the other one did. I was very disappointed and sad to see that half his little shell had been crushed and there was a splattering of blood.

Now while some of you might just say that “it is just a little turtle” or “you can’t save all of the creatures”, I agree with you and you are right (although, go read my “Starfish” post). The metaphor is that a living thing needed my help and I chose not to act. And because time was working against the matter, that living thing did not survive. How often does that happen to things on a bigger scale? To people we see every day? To those who matter around us? On a physical or emotional level? On a spiritual level? All I can say is that I am determined to try harder…..for turtles and people around me.

Forgive me Lord, for passing by opportunities you have given me to share your good news and blessings.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

This morning I decided to grab a light breakfast prior to my departure for the airport. Going against the southern California grain, I walked — not drove — over to the nearby Jamba Juice (another California fix I fit into my travel menu like In ‘N’ Out and Baja Fresh).

On the way there, I said hello to an apparently homeless guy standing outside the Vons grocery store. He sparked up a conversation and I asked him if he wanted to join me for a Jamba Juice. He agreed and grabbed his rolling luggage cart of stuff.

His name is Aaron and he was more verbose than Tom who I met earlier in the week. He proceeded to tell me his current affairs. He has been out this way for 2 months. He came out from New York. He has family along the east coast but is out here to take care of personal affairs and clean up an identify theft issue. He is working to start up an internet business. He was an out of work bookkeeper looking for a break.

Aaron ordered a strawberry nirvana and I followed with my standard strawberries wild with an immunity boost. He continued on with his current affairs and I began to wonder a few things. Were these all real? Was he trying a scam? Did he truly believe all of this or was he trying to convince himself?

Interruption —— hey, while I am posting this and getting ready to leave, they are having Eli Estrada on Fox News live. I posted about him two days ago! And Fox News is just now picking up the story.
End of interruption ——

Aaron was a nice guy and did speak well (even if it was interspersed with slang “and what not”s). However, I got a different feeling throughout our interaction that reminded me of a cross post from a reader’s blog — Nicole from SAHM Ramblings. She posted yesterday an experience she had the other day where a homeless guy stepped away from his panhandling location so he could answer his cell phone. I got a similar feeling from Aaron who, after a time into our conversation, petitioned me if I “knew anyone” who could provide funds for a ticket to travel back east. I analyzed the request and politely sidestepped the answer, a little disappointed that this had now become like your standard panhandling interaction. He insisted he give me his email address and phone number in case I knew someone who could help him get back to the east coast. Next to his name and email address, he put “youth counselor” for some reason. Another weird piece to this nebulous story. Was he trying to convince me of something…..or himself?

We conversed for about 5 minutes while waiting for our Jamba Juices and then wrapped it up as we walked back to his spot in front of Vons. I thanked him for the conversation and he thanked me for the drink and wished me a safe trip back home. As I walked away and rounded the corner, he chased after me and petitioned me for a contribution so he could get his phone card reloaded. This was the final fact I needed to put him into the “opportunist/schemer” homeless group (as opposed to the “truly needy” homeless group). Both are folks that need assistance so they can get on their feet. But each group needs to be handled differently. Again, I don’t have all the answers, but I sure can be a small part of the solution.

On a different note, go check out Nicole’s website SAHM Ramblings. Her family moved from Iowa to Los Angeles and back to the slower pace of Iowa.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot com

I am out in CA for business…..again. It was supposed to be a quick trip but will now take me all the way through the week. Hopefully that will be it for a while so I am looking forward to getting it behind me and getting back to the Spring that is in Kentucky.

Tonight I figured I would grab some Baja Fresh — it’s kinda like Mexican In ‘N’ Out in that we don’t have them out in Kentucky so I have to get my fix while I’m out here. As I entered the strip mall I noticed a homeless guy sitting out front with a sign asking for help and handouts. I’m ashamed to say that I have seen him here before and never done anything about it. I pulled into the parking lot and felt a tug at my heart. I had a feeling that I must do something, even if it was small. However, I learned a long time ago to not just throw and give money. It means more to provide a meal and human interaction. It is also a lot harder to do. I said a small prayer as I turned around the car to go inquire as to whether he wanted to join me for dinner. I pulled up and he responded doubly surprised — one that someone had stopped to pay him some attention and two that someone was asking him to dinner.

He jumped in the car. I introduced myself and found out his name was Tom. We headed over to Baja Fresh and proceeded to order our grub — Tom a Baja Ensalada with chicken and me a Baja Steak burrito. I made sure he understood he was my guest as I held the door open, grabbed our drinks and plastic cutlery, and served our meal to the table. In my limited experience in these situations, I have learned that it is important to treat folks in this situation with dignity, concern, and consideration. Sometimes that is more important than money. That someone cares and doesn’t look right through them.

We said a meal prayer and proceeded to chat over dinner. He has lived in the area for over 40 years. In fact, he was here before I had moved here back in 1977. We discussed all the changes that have occurred here in Thousand Oaks throughout the years and fondly looked back at some of the old times. The conversation flowed and ebbed with some quiet times between discussions but they weren’t awkward. I’ve had other meals before with folks I have taken out that were much more awkward; luckily this meal and conversation were more enjoyable.

After a while we finished up, cleaned the table and headed out the door. I thanked Tom for the conversation and his time as we headed to the car. I offered him a ride back to his spot which he declined. Even more interesting, he declined my additional request if he needed anything else. We said goodbye and I got in the car with a contradictory feeling — I felt good helping out someone in need however, I really didn’t do that much and I should be doing much more. I should be getting him a heavier jacket for the chilly fog, cloud cover moving in. I should be setting him up with food for tomorrow. I should be taking him to a church or a homeless shelter so he can get on the path to recovery from whatever put him on the street. However, it isn’t always that simple as I have found out in the past. I don’t necessarily have the answer either. All I know is that I don’t have to have the answer to be able to be a small part of the solution.

During our meal, I told Tom that I travel out here often and that I would stop by to see if he was occupying his spot and if he was, we could have dinner together. He thought that was a good idea and we called it a future dinner reservation. We’ll see how that unfolds. All I know is that I am ashamed — #1 because I had seen Tom at that spot before and done nothing. And #2 that I haven’t done anything like this since last June when I met Mike.

Please say a prayer for Tom and Mike.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I began the weekend off in a good way by getting my butt out of bed and to the weekly men’s breakfast and Bible study. Because of travel and chores, I hadn’t been in a couple of weeks and it was good to see the guys there.

We dove into the scripture of 1 Kings, Galatians, and Luke. The readings that hit me were Galatians and Luke. Galatians 5:1-5 talks about being free in the Holy Spirit and leading a Spirit filled life. Luke 9:51-62 talks about committing your whole heart and life to Christ. Together with the discussion they had some impact on me. We need to be guided by the Holy Spirit, serving Christ, loving our neighbor, and being pushed out of our comfort zone. It was enough of an impact that, as I got in my car and left down the street, I distinctly noticed a wandering man at the foot of the freeway offramp. My first instinct was to offer help. However, several things justified or distracted me to inaction. He was on the other side of a busy street and there was traffic behind me. My personal safety wouldn’t be ensured. Maybe he was an adventurer and he wanted to be there.

As I got on the freeway headed away from him and towards home, I struggled with the thought of my nice Bible study, my comfortable car, my (fairly) orderly life, the safe cocoon I live in — it seemed too hypocritical for me to just go on about my business. I was very uncomfortable turning around but I prayed for God to guide me, use me, and protect me.

By the time I returned to the road, the stranger had crossed the busy road and now, again, was on the other side. However, he was headed towards church which was only a block or two away. I thought that was perfect because I knew there was leftover breakfast we could share with him. I had to turn around anyway so I went into the church parking lot and ran inside to make sure they didn’t put away the food.

As I pulled up to the traveler, I got out and approached him, asking him if I could help him with anything — specifically if he was hungry and needed a meal. He said he had just finished a candy bar and asked if there was a gas station he could get a Pepsi at. It seemed like a strange request and I secondly asked if he would like a nice breakfast seeing as how we had one already set up at the church down the street. He denied it and was prepared to keep walking. I asked him where he was headed which came with a response of Lexington (which is about 70 miles east). I told him that I couldn’t take him that far but would he like a ride to Shelbyville (about 17 miles east). He asked how far that was and when I told him he was very happy.

I swung by the church to let them know we wouldn’t be needing breakfast and told them I’d call them after I dropped off my friend in Shelbyville. As we left the church, I introduced myself. The man said his name was Mike. He was about 60 or 65 years old, had short grey hair, some grey stubble, and very few teeth on his lower jaw. He mumbled his answers and I had to carry quite a bit of the conversation. He said he was heading towards Lexington so he could catch the I-75 to head up to Dayton, Ohio. I asked if he had family there. “No, sir” was his reply. I followed up with “Is there a job up there?”. “No, sir” again. It turns out there is a laser show up there he was going to.

“Okay?” I thought. This along with the original candy bar answer when I met him began to give me the picture that Mike wasn’t all there. I found out later in the drive that he was from the Atlanta area, used to work for Eastern airlines, had at least two sons and an older sister down in the Atlanta area. He hadn’t spoken to them in years. I asked if he knew their numbers or wanted to call them on my cell phone and he declined. I asked him other questions about where he’s been, what he’s done, etc. He likes winters in Florida (who doesn’t?) and enjoys being farther north during the summer.

Taking a cue from Bible study too, I asked Mike if he believed in God. He did. I asked him if he believed in Jesus, knew that Jesus loved him, and forgives us of our sins. He did. I asked him if he carried a Bible, ready to give him the one I carried to the men’s breakfast. He said he didn’t but that he couldn’t read since he injured his left eye. I asked if he had a favorite verse or wanted me to read something and he declined. I told him that even more important than the ride I was giving him was sharing the good news of Christ with him. Again, that was a stretch for me because I usually don’t discuss matters of faith with strangers but rather that I be a disciple of example and let my actions speak.

As we approached Shelbyville, he asked to be dropped off by the interstate. I told him that at that exit there were no facilities, gas stations, or fast food joints. He didn’t care and I pulled off to the side when we got there. I asked him if I could say a prayer. We bowed and I put an arm around him. I thanked God for the beautiful day. I prayed for safe travels for Mike. I prayed that He continue to provide for us. And I thanked Him for His Son, Jesus.

With that Mike unpiled all his stuff out of my car. I asked him if he needed any money and if I could pay for his next meal. He politely declined and said “No, thank you, sir”. I gave him a few more direction updates and headed away. I expected him to hitch a ride there at the onramp or begin heading towards Lexington. Imagine my surprise when, after my 30 minute trip to Lowes to get paint with my wife, I saw him headed back down the street the way we came. I pointed him out to my wife and gave her some of the story.

I sure hope Mike is ok. Please say a prayer for him. And don’t be afraid to help him or any other Mike’s out there. It’s not as scary as you think.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Below are a few pictures from our mission trip. I will continue to weed through the ones we all took and post those that tell a story.

Before

After
Here is a final picture of the house we worked on. While most of the work occurred inside, you can see the improvement just from the front. No more huge weeds and dumpster. In fact, it actually looks like someone lives there. On Thursday, the meter reader guy was driving by and passed it up, but then had to back up and actually went to check the meter cuz he thought someone had started living there. That’s a good sign we did something right!

Here’s the wall art we left at the camp. They have a hallway that has become signature hall because almost every group has left artwork, inspirational messages and signatures.

We took a tour of the shoreline in Biloxi and here is an example of some of the damage one year later. This strip mall was, er…. stripped.

This is all that is left of Redeemer Episcopal church. It was a beautiful facility prior to Aug 29. All that’s left are the supporting iron, the hurricane Camile memorial and the bent flag pole.

And finally, while hurricane Katrina wrought the most damage of any natural disaster the US has seen, the resilient spirit prevails. Here is proof. It says “I love the coast. Here to stay.”

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I continue to be amazed at the timing of impactful messages on my life. Some messages are repeats that reinforce the direction of my spiritual compass. Others are meant to change my heart and challenge me.

Below is a story from today’s sermon. It talked about happiness and serving others. Very appropriate given the mission trip we just all returned from.

It was great seeing my fellow teammates at church today too. I really bonded with them and even though it was very hard work, we enjoyed ourselves. I would go back with each of them in a heartbeat. If they are reading this, thank you to each of you for the person you are and the person you shared with me during that experience.

Sermon story —–

Marion Preminger stumbled upon it and wrote about where lasting happiness is to be found in her autobiography ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING. Born in Hungary in 1913, Marion was raised in a castle, surrounded by wealth, servants and the notoriety of an aristocratic upbringing.

At a Viennese ball, she met a handsome young man, the son of an Italian doctor. They rushed into a marriage that lasted only a year.

She returned to Vienna to embark on a career of acting. There she fell in love with the German director Otto Preminger. They married and she followed him to America where he began a promising career as a Hollywood movie director. But her new Hollywood lifestyle could not sustain her marriage and Preminger eventually divorced her.

Marion returned to Europe to live the life of a Parisian socialite until 1948. Then everything changed when she read that Dr. Albert Schweitzer was visiting Europe from his home in Africa. She determined to meet with the notable missionary doctor.

She first encountered Schweitzer doing one of the things he loved to do best while visiting Europe — playing a church organ for his own enjoyment. He invited her to dine with him. After the meal, Marion knew she had finally found what she’d been looking for. She accompanied Schweitzer every day during the remainder of his European visit. He invited to come back to Africa with him and work as an untrained staff member in the Lamberene hospital.

She left her life of status and ease and moved to Africa. There…the girl who was raised like a princess became a servant. She changed bandages, bathed bodies and fed lepers. She gave her life away to the poor, and because of it, found the happiness she’d craved for so long.

It was Albert Schweitzer who asserted, “One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

However, wherever and whomever you choose to help is unimportant. There are those in need everywhere. But when you figure out how to help other people, you’ll have also learned how to be happy for lifetime.

How true! In looking up this story, I also ran across this :

Someone said this about happiness:

To be happy for an hour — take a nap.
To be happy for a day — go shopping.
To be happy for a week — take a vacation.
To be happy for a month — get married.
To be happy for a year — inherit a fortune.
To be happy for a lifetime — help others.

Go be happy! I’ll let you pick how long you want to be happy.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I need to take this time to acknowledge those who were pivotal in my mission down at the Mississippi gulf coast.

First, thanks to God for the abilities and resources that allowed me to get involved. Thank you for moving my heart to get involved. The sacrafices and experiences will build me into a better person.

Secondly, thank you to my wife who “held down the fort”. Without the support of the other half of my home team, I would not have been able to take vacation time (away from the family) to help out down there. For anyone going on a venture like this, it is vital to have the full support and commitment of your better half. Their job is, in a way, harder than yours. At least you have the distraction of a new experience and work to get you through. They are doing the normal everyday routine — minus a resource. Kudos to my wife.

A huge thank you to my Dad who taught me the skills I used heavily while down there. Who woulda thought many years ago that at age seven, hauling brick in the Texas heat would give me the work ethic to work through the Mississippi heat and humidity. And from there every skill — carpentry, masonry, tiling, flooring, mechanical, problem solving to name a few — has been used extensively. I thank my Dad for sharing these skills with me throughout my life so I could leverage them for a positive impact last week.

And finally, thank you for those who prayed and thought about me and my team last week. I truly believe that we were kept safe and used to God’s glory to help those who needed it. I also very much appreciate those who financially support me and the team going down there. Without your generous contributions, we would not have been as effective.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Well, I made it safely home late last night. And just in time too. An hour or two later, we got hit by some of this year’s nastiest storms. The Louisville metro area is cleaning up floodwaters in areas. Both major freeways — the 64 (east/west) and the 65 (north/south) — were or are closed. And I was on the 65 just hours before. In fact, one person was swept away in their vehicle and drowned on the 65 last night. And there was tornadic activity from northern ‘Bama through Kentuckiana. It is amazing to me that we just went through all that hours before. We were certainly blessed.

So between the numerous lightning strikes, thunder, tornado warnings, heavy rains and winds, it seemed like I was getting a thunderous welcome home. I’m glad I was here for it though to make it easier on my wife. This morning there is some cleanup to do. We got about an inch of water in the basement. And more storms are expected tonight so preparations are a must. And even though I got longer and more unbroken sleep at Camp Victor, it was just so good to be in my own bed.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Lots to post about. But we are hitting the road early to make it back to Kentucky. I hope to use this weekend to catch up with the family, relax and get my ideas, stories and experiences shared and journaled.

If you are on highway 65 through AL, TN or KY, honk and we’ll wave.

Thanks again to all who supported us in any capacity. Your contributions and prayers allowed us to be tools for good down here where they are still much needed.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

This morning’s devotions had a nice story in it. The pastor giving it was from a volunteer church, here to do a mission just like our group.

There once was a well-to-do woman who hailed a taxi from the airport to return home. On the way home the taxi driver took the woman on a shortcut through the more run down part of town. As she looked out the window, she saw a little girl playing outside. She was ragged, looked disheveled and had on dirty clothes. She had bare feet and was playing in the dirt. The lady asked the driver to stop.

He continued, “The mother doesn’t mind the dirt, but she loves the child”.

That is what God calls us to do. Love the child…..and each other.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net