Today I am Thankful, Oops, not Patient...

I was drafting a follow up to my last post. And, I will follow up on it. But, I need to take a break from the analytical and controversial. Yes, there's are about seven enormous white elephants in the country, but sometimes a part of being human is to ignore the Icks and enjoy life. We are the only earthly creatures that experience true happiness, especially happiness that can be separated from our surroundings. So, let's put that into practice.

God is good. He has given us so many things to enjoy and to love.
Gay Issues, Arab Craziness in the Middle East, ObamaCare, Birth Control, Elections, Money, Pain and Pestilence all aside, life, love and God will still continue. In fact, life, love and God will continue even if all those things turn out for the worst. So, let's take a moment and be thankful together for the gifts of heaven, as imperfect as they all are.

Here is my list of 10 things for which I thank my Lord. I'll add here that I am in a completely wretched mood. Being decidedly optimistic is taking so much energy. I would very much like to whine and complain all over your computer screen, but here goes...

 DEAR LORD, I AM THANKFUL FOR...

1. ONE

Love-- I have a husband. I am blissfully in love with the man of my dreams. He is soooooooo patient with me and balances me out in numerous ways. He is pursuing a place in Academia Land. I cannot wait until he's shining with the rest of the stars, like Scott Hahn and von Balthasar. Yes, I believe in him that much.

2. TWO

Babies -- I also have two beautiful daughters: One that fits anyone's description of the 'perfect child' (Cecilia) and one that is less 'perfect,' but almost more lovable (Lucy). You'd have to meet them to understand what I'm talking about. I am also thankful that they are finally beginning to interact without fireworks...

3. THREE 

Sunshine -- It's practically Fall where I am. So, I'd better take a moment and enjoy the sun. It is warm and bright and I may not see much of it this winter.

4. FOUR

Washclothes and Diapers -- I would be a wreck without them, for reasons that include many of the vilest substances, like melted crayon and poop. (Who knew that crayons melt?)

Cecilia in need of a washcloth

5.  FIVE

Cellphone -- The confounded thing has stopped believing in its power cord. AHEM. I am thankful for my cellphone because it allows me to contact friends and family when I am about to have a mental breakdown (provided that the phone decides to function). I am also thankful when it functions.

6.SIX

Bagels and Yogurt -- Because 'Just Eat This' would not be possible without them.

7. SEVEN

Pillows -- Because where else would a potty training child decide to suddenly lose it, thrice?

Lucy is not potty-training, but this was the best picture I had of a babe with pillows.

8. EIGHT

Leggings -- They are like sunshine that you can wear on your legs.

9. NINE

Music -- It blocks out the noise and keeps me potentially focused on what I should be doing...unless it's coming from a plastic lion that has way, way too much battery power.

10. TEN

I am thankful that I made it to ten. This project and my resolve have been slowly breaking down, but that's ok. You'll understand. I almost forgot #10... I thank God that I can still say this prayer and that He still listens even when the imperfection is as bad as this, that He still loves me when I get uglier than this.


What do you thank God for today?

Is he right?

“If someone accuses you, ask yourself first: Is he right? If he's right, go and apologize to him. If he's not right, then take that insult that you have received in both hands. Don't let it go but seize that opportunity and give it to Jesus as a sacrifice. Be glad that you have something valuable to give to Him.” 

-- Blessed Theresa of Calcutta

That is some of the best advice I've heard.  It's applicable to thousands of circumstances in my own life.  However, many Catholics and countless internet-theologians skip over Step 1: Ask yourself if he's right.  Many Catholics have developed martyr complexes. They blow trumpets to call attention to our brothers who are about to 'persecute' us.  Then, they whine and moan about their 'wounds'.  Not that the pain is fake, but the pain, in itself, is not the vocation of a Christian.

Of course Christ did not take the time to wonder if his persecutors were right. He was perfect, so He is not the best example of self-examination. But, He is the prime example of humility -- the virtue whereby one considers himself as he is, not less, not more. Together, we are the Body of Christ. But, even as the Body of Christ, we are not perfect.  I think we all need to remember that we are fallible creatures and ask ourselves: Is he right?

I do believe the question goes further in many cases.  Sometimes we need to stop and remember that people do not speak complete lies when it comes to their beliefs. It's not like they're trying to skip taking the garbage out. Convictions are held because each person sees the truth in that particular way. Another question is "How is this dude right?" Because, he's usually right about something. And, "Why does he believe that?"  Finally, there's a more important question even than those, in humility, "How am I wrong?"

Peter Kreeft told a story once that I cannot quote exactly, but it went something like this:  I was teaching an Ethics class in which there was a group of pro-choice university students. I asked them why they believed abortion was moral or, at least, permissible. After they stated their reasons, I commented that each of their reasons can be used to make the case for infanticide, or the killing of children. I asked them to take as much time as they needed to make a case for abortion that did not also condone infanticide. At the end of the semester, I approached them, as they had not yet answered me. They looked at each other and finally one said, "Professor, we're actually now in favor of infanticide."

Professor Kreeft was making the point that arguments, logic, and the mind do not matter as much as the heart in some cases. Avid warriors for 'women's rights' would rather out-rightly support infanticide than deny any right to a woman. That is their perspective and how they see it. We Christians need to understand that first, before we do anything else.

In a world where everyone stands on a soap box and especially during dum dum dummmmm... Election Year, many people are losing the humility to realize that we are all flawed. Only by taking a Franciscan approach, by understanding our brothers and sisters, can we truly evangelize... Because learning is about asking the right questions, not about parroting information.  And, teaching is about raising the right questions, not about fighting, outwitting, or manipulating our students. We cannot simply berate our brothers because they believe differently. We have to sit down and find where they are right.  Give them credit for that, and offer the rest to Christ. I mean, hey, you could be wrong too.

I'll going to go into detail on a juicy topic in another post. In the meantime, enjoy babes...    

I call this series "The Journey to the Perfect Picture"

 Take 1

 Take 2

 Take 3

 Take 4

 Take 5

 Take 6

 Take 7

 Take 8

            Finally!!