It's all about compassion.
On May 18,2007, Army Spec. Ryan Collins, a Vernon young man, was killed in action in Iraq. The full details of his death will be months in coming. What is known is that he delayed his leave for another soldier so that soldier could come home to be with his newborn son.That's compassion. Ryan had gone on a mission to search for missing troops and was engaged in a small arms battle. Ryan loved serving his country and his compassion was part of his life. On the home front, Ryan was the son of a friend of mine and a member of the Wilbarger Church of Christ. He had a great love for his family and especially his brother.
As I have moved through this past week (after hearing of his death), trying to handle this situation, my job began to play on my mind. Everyday, I was becoming more upset about the lack of compassion shown by my place of employment. Their lack of care, lack of concern and /or lack of compassion has been evident for years but not to this extent. I had planned to write this blog giving examples of their lack of compassion. (The truth is that no one needs to be brought down by their shortcomings -- especially me.) Today, I must admit that has changed. Last night, I prayed for the leaders of my place of employment that they find just the tiniest bit of compassion in their hearts. The bottom line is this they are afraid they might lose one dollar if they close even long enough for the funeral, which will be Tuesday May 29, 2007 at 2:00 pm. (please pray for the family of Ryan Collins--- brother Eric Collins, Mother Danita Logsdon and her husband David Logsdon.)
The mayor wanted those not attending to stand along the street with flags to show their love and support to Ryan's family. My place of employment had no plans to close and was not even going to let personnel line the streets with the others. I prayed for their compassion. This morning I came to work knowing that I cound not do anything to change the direction of their compassion. I decided not to let their lack of human emotion influence my own compassion. I have decided to show my support for my friend and her family. Compassion is what comes from the heart and is directed toward others. As a Christian, this compassion is what has helped me to heal from this tradegy and will be what will help my friend and her family to heal as well. An in her time of need, she does not need to know about the lack of compassion.
I am proud to show my love and support for Army Spec. Ryan Collins. He died doing what he loved. Fighting for his country and for the freedom this country has. He fought for what he believed in. Perhaps in my own little way, I, too, am fighting for what I believe in. Yes! It is all about the compassion. Compassion for God. Compassion for others. Compassion for me (and my believes.)
J Jesus First
O Others Second
Y yourself (myself) last
As a final note: I am planning on attending the funeral on Tuesday. The compassion in my heart guides me to be there for my friend. Thanks for the prayers on the behalf of Ryan and his family.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Celebrating life . . .
Celebrating life is wonderful.
Let me tell you about a woman I work with. The last Friday (5-11) was her birthday. She turned 55. And DID she celebrate. A little information about her is needed for this story to make sense. She is alone in the world -- no husband, no kids. Just a bunch of friends that think alot about her. In the last year or so, she has battled several health problems. She has had open heart surgery and had a pace maker put in. (she also had to deal with problems and complications from the pace maker) She is diabetic. She still does not have her strength back to normal, yet. One would think that celebrating a birthday alone and in poor health would make a person depressed. Not her.
She told us that every year on her birthday, she stays up the night before so that at 12:01 am she can pray to God with thanksgiving for seeing her into another year. Then she toast herself with sparkling cider. Thus begins the celebrating. This year was no different for her. Her offered her thanksgiving and toast. But this year, her sparkling cider was a gift from a co-worker. When she arrived at work, her boss (a wonderful guy) jumped out of a decorated box. She had mentioned she always wanted to have a man jump out of a cake. We could not find a cake, but she loved it. She even was willing to recreate her reaction for the camera when it appeared. We laughed with her all day. Does the celebrating stop there? No. In the course of the day, she received a nice check from a bank customer. Someone paid for her to spend the night at the new Holiday Express. She went out and brought a new outfit and had room service deliver breakfast in bed Saturday morning. She was so up beat and happy all day on Friday. Her joy overflowed to the rest of us (with the exception of a couple of people who tried all day to dampen her spirit --- such sour and joyless people. We wont go there. Not today.I will mention that I pray for those people to discover some happiness.)
In a world (my world is my work) where there is no sunshine, no happiness, she was able to totally enjoy herself and bring a ray of sunshine to others. She gave without knowing she did especially on a day that was all about her.
I am trying to live my life with her outlook. I am looking for ways to add extra joy in my life as well as others. All I can say about this is "you rock, girl!!!!"
Let me tell you about a woman I work with. The last Friday (5-11) was her birthday. She turned 55. And DID she celebrate. A little information about her is needed for this story to make sense. She is alone in the world -- no husband, no kids. Just a bunch of friends that think alot about her. In the last year or so, she has battled several health problems. She has had open heart surgery and had a pace maker put in. (she also had to deal with problems and complications from the pace maker) She is diabetic. She still does not have her strength back to normal, yet. One would think that celebrating a birthday alone and in poor health would make a person depressed. Not her.
She told us that every year on her birthday, she stays up the night before so that at 12:01 am she can pray to God with thanksgiving for seeing her into another year. Then she toast herself with sparkling cider. Thus begins the celebrating. This year was no different for her. Her offered her thanksgiving and toast. But this year, her sparkling cider was a gift from a co-worker. When she arrived at work, her boss (a wonderful guy) jumped out of a decorated box. She had mentioned she always wanted to have a man jump out of a cake. We could not find a cake, but she loved it. She even was willing to recreate her reaction for the camera when it appeared. We laughed with her all day. Does the celebrating stop there? No. In the course of the day, she received a nice check from a bank customer. Someone paid for her to spend the night at the new Holiday Express. She went out and brought a new outfit and had room service deliver breakfast in bed Saturday morning. She was so up beat and happy all day on Friday. Her joy overflowed to the rest of us (with the exception of a couple of people who tried all day to dampen her spirit --- such sour and joyless people. We wont go there. Not today.I will mention that I pray for those people to discover some happiness.)
In a world (my world is my work) where there is no sunshine, no happiness, she was able to totally enjoy herself and bring a ray of sunshine to others. She gave without knowing she did especially on a day that was all about her.
I am trying to live my life with her outlook. I am looking for ways to add extra joy in my life as well as others. All I can say about this is "you rock, girl!!!!"
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Something New
I have started somethine new.
Let me start by saying that I have been in reflection for about three months (and in some areas for about three years.) This is mainly about things becoming old habit. My job, for instance, is something I totally deplore. Basically, I hate the job I do and the hours I do it. Try as I may, I have not been able to find another job, but I keep praying for something to come my way. I had a couple of days off in April where I did stuff around town, without even thinking about the job. Sunday night before I had to return to work on Monday, I cried myself through my prayers and then to sleep. For the entire next week, I was in a depressed state. Nothing seemed to be able to pull me out of the feelings I was having. I must also say that not all of it was from work. I had just closed a play production of The Elephant Man. I knew I would not see my theatre friends for several months and I was a little let down about that. Also, a real good friend of mine left to return to work in Australia for an undetermined stay. I had not gotten to see him the whole time he was back in Texas and now he was gone and there was an uncertainity about when I will ever get to see him again.
So a week pasted with me in this depressed state. This monday morning I had a few minutes before I had to be at work. I remebered several people saying they say their prayers in the morning as opposed to the evening, like I do. Why not, I thought. Monday was something different and new for me. I did not get another job but I was able to go through the day at the current job easier and without much grief. I felt God's arms around me giving me comfort and courage that day. Today is Wednesday and I have begun every day this week in prayer. Nothing major has occurred. Just a certain peace.
Let me start by saying that I have been in reflection for about three months (and in some areas for about three years.) This is mainly about things becoming old habit. My job, for instance, is something I totally deplore. Basically, I hate the job I do and the hours I do it. Try as I may, I have not been able to find another job, but I keep praying for something to come my way. I had a couple of days off in April where I did stuff around town, without even thinking about the job. Sunday night before I had to return to work on Monday, I cried myself through my prayers and then to sleep. For the entire next week, I was in a depressed state. Nothing seemed to be able to pull me out of the feelings I was having. I must also say that not all of it was from work. I had just closed a play production of The Elephant Man. I knew I would not see my theatre friends for several months and I was a little let down about that. Also, a real good friend of mine left to return to work in Australia for an undetermined stay. I had not gotten to see him the whole time he was back in Texas and now he was gone and there was an uncertainity about when I will ever get to see him again.
So a week pasted with me in this depressed state. This monday morning I had a few minutes before I had to be at work. I remebered several people saying they say their prayers in the morning as opposed to the evening, like I do. Why not, I thought. Monday was something different and new for me. I did not get another job but I was able to go through the day at the current job easier and without much grief. I felt God's arms around me giving me comfort and courage that day. Today is Wednesday and I have begun every day this week in prayer. Nothing major has occurred. Just a certain peace.
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