Easy Off

I was cleaning my "old fashion" 1960 Hotpoint oven with "Easy Off Grill and Oven Cleaner." I think this label is an illusion because believe me there’s nothing "EASY" cleaning a dirty old clunker oven. The directions say crank up the heat to 475, wait a half hour and then spray. For best results, let stand 24 hours and there you have it-- a shiny, clean oven. Don’t believe the directions! I got out an old dish rag and started scrubbing. Sure some grease came OFF easily but then there were those darn stubborn, burnt on grease spots. That old dish rag took a beating, then I thought how God is like that old dish rag. I come to God when things are "greasy" in my life and I think there’s an easy solution to the problem so just grab the can of "EASY OFF." However, it’s not enough to get the job done. God, like that old dish rag, takes a beating in my messes. I rinse out the black grease and the oven is getting cleaner but that poor old rag is also getting ragged and stained. Yet, as I scrub the walls of the oven–my soul--the rag in my hand is the spirit that says we’ll work on this together. No, your old oven may not shine like new as the label promised, but let me help you with this awful chore. Of course, if you own a self-cleaning oven you don’t have a clue what I’m going through. After the job, that dish rag was in bad shape, soiled and dirty but the fabric was strong and it worked with me on a messy job until we both looked and said–good enough! EASY OFF does say if you have stubborn stains, like your obsessive, negative attitudes or behaviors–ranting, raving, gossip, jealousy, resentment-- that’s a whole like a grease-- you might want to give the oven a second dose of cleaner to wipe out those stubborn stains. Well, isn’t that just like God to say you can grab me anytime when you find yourself in another greasy mess and I will help you scrub and wipe clean those sins. It’s hard work trying to be perfect, but God, our old dish rag, is waiting for our hand to take a hold and together wipe down those stains until we feel and look better and reflect the shine of God’s grace. So next time you grab a hold of that old dish rag, think of God working with you on your cleaning problems-- your lifestyle messes. Notice how the rag is stained, like God who took on our stains and weaknesses. We toss the rag into the washer, yet you know it will never look the same–just check out today’s photo. Our oven is a lot cleaner, perfect "heck no" but thank God he marks us on a curve so we don’t have to fear when the EASY OFF doesn’t quite do the job. Simply grab your dish rag again and again and know that God hears your cries for help to wipe up those greasy parts of your life with plenty of LOVE and MERCY.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends when things get greasy let us never fear to take your hand to clean off some of the stains that keep us from being a light of goodness to others. Through our stubborn stains may you be our cleanser of hope.

Faithfulness & Mercy

When we think of special friends, we often think of words that describe their particular personality or some aspect of their association with us. "He is so generous"–I’m thinking of you Stan always helping your friends and neighbors. "She’s a good friend." I’m thinking of you Penny praying for your friends and parishioners. "He is so faithful." I’m thinking of you right now Scott caring for your dying old dog.
When we think of God, two words that come to mind are faithfulness and mercy. In the scriptures these are the "windows" through which we catch a glimpse of who God is and how God acts.
Many people are truly afraid. There are many people who have many fears - - and I might add, rightly so. There are circumstances in life which promote one to fear. We call them storms. The story I share with you now is very old - in fact, you might have heard it. But everytime I think of it, my heart is encouraged about the window in which I see our God.
The ship was on a cruise. It was hit by a terrible storm. All on board were obviously quite afraid. One of the passengers noticed a small boy who apparently was not moved by the storm at all. The confidence of the boy was really noted. "Don't you think we will be lost and all drowned?" "Oh, no," the boy replied. "I've been out on deck and my dad is at the helm. My daddy is at the wheel."
When we have a strong sense of God being at the controls - there is a sense of peace that floods the heart. There is a security received. Even as I write these lines I think about the people I counsel daily who are going through various storms. We might say to ourselves that we are about to drown, but we need to look out the window that sees God as faithful and merciful and ready to help us in our storms for "our Heavenly Father is at the helm."
Today we need to pray for the grace to hear the psalm spoken to us: "My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with you." Psalm 89:25.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that during a time of storm they can have their fear calmed by being mindful of your presence and your power. Through it all may their situation be put in the lifeboat of trust. Let this photo center you for a moment in your storm and allow God to bathe you with peace of mind and soul.

The Artist

One bright, sunny day, two pieces of paper were sunbathing in the midday warmth. One piece of paper was called Snow-White. She was pure white, and very proud of her pristine purity. Her companion was called Pure-as-the-Dawn. In the distance, a figure appeared upon the horizon. He caught their attention. He came closer and closer, until he was only a few yards away from the two paper-friends. In his arms, he carried a palette and paintbrushes. In his eyes, there was a curious, dream-like light. A love-light, but gentle. And in his heart he carried a dream. What do you think he wants? Snow-White asked Pure-as-the-Dawn. You don’t think he is going to paint on us, do you? Pure-as-the-Dawn flinched, as the words sank in. I think that is exactly what he wants to do. There’s no way that I will allow him to paint on me, railed Snow-White. No painter is going to spoil my purity. But what if he is a master-painter. Pure-as-the Dawn reflected. He might create a masterpiece on our pure white emptiness. He might make us into masterpieces. But then again, said Snow-White, he might make a complete mess of us. No, I’m not going to take any risks like that. I’m going to stay pure until the day I die. And so the artist approached both pieces of paper and asked permission to paint his dream upon their pure whiteness. Snow-White said, no way! And she remained pure and empty, until the day the wind and the weather finally turned her back into pulp. Pure-as-the-Dawn said, "Do as you will with me. I will trust you. I will entrust my life into your hands." And the artist turned her into a masterpiece-a unique and beautiful representation that he was carrying in his heart, so that in all the years to come, many people would look at the artist’s picture, and in its depths and beauty, they would discover their own lost dreams.

Lord, I pray for my Sonshine Friends that we humbly open hearts to Your will so that You can paint your dreams upon our hearts and bring peace and joy into our lives. My photo reminds me of a painting from Monet. It is the sand and rock craved out at the end of a glacier in Palmer, Alaska. Enjoy bending the bamboo in your life back in place.

It Must Be For Shirley

Shirley was upset because she just learned that she would have to give up her private room in the nursing home and move into a semi-private. She was now on Medicaid, and the government does not pay for private rooms. So at 70 something, Shirley started asking other residents at the nursing home if they would like to move in with her. No one wanted to share their space. So Shirley lay in her bed sobbing when her guardian angel walked into her room. Actually, it was a another resident's family member who was having her own miserable day after telling her mother that she had to give up her private room. This guardian angel was feeling guilty moving her mother out of her private room. In walking in on Shirley to offer some comfort, little did our angel know that her mom and Shirley were soon going to be new roommates. After the move, our angel’s mom and Shirley slowly became new friends. Christmas Eve our angel was still feeling sad and guilty moving her mother out of her private room to live with a stranger. In quiet prayer, the angel waited to hear God’s voice when like a gentle breeze the words came to her hear: "It must be for Shirley." You see our angel’s mom has a big family who visit everyday in the nursing home while Shirley was all alone. Now everyday when family came to visit mom, Shirley would share in the visit. Shirley would never be alone again. "Things do have a way of working out" that is what God says in Romans 8.

Lord, I pray for my Sonshine Friends that they trust in You more this year. May we have the confidence that the events in our future are going to have a way of working for the good. Our angel was worried when it came time to break the news to her mom when the funds ran out, but as a result something good happened to both her mom and her new friend. My photo is a moment when I found two friends walking together in the park. Imagine yourself and God walking this morning in the park and sharing all your worries and gently God whispers back: "Things will work out."

Time Limited Offer

On the first day of the New Year, old Matt woke up to watch the snowflakes fall outside his home. Matt hadn’t partake in any New Year’s celebration for 30 years. The last parish New Year’s Eve party was at St. John’s in Spencerport that he could remember. Matt hated the cold and winter. He swore that he had not seen the sun since before Thanksgiving. Rochester winters were interminently long with ice and cold lasting from Thanksgiving to Easter. This morning he thought about old times. There were the polka parties he use to dance at St. Stanislaus Parish and the time he dressed as Raggedy Andy and polka danced 6 miles along Highland Avenue to raise money for St. James School. Now life at times seemed so ethereal. What had he learned with all his years? An old buddy told Matt that he no longer buys green bananas because he doesn’t know how much time he has left. He believes at his age, one must go for the rich flavor of life or miss it all together. What have I learned so far... God’s love involve great risks and when you lose, don’t lose the lesson. I found that not getting what you want is a gift. Spend some time alone every morning and pray or write some Sonshine. In prayer, remember to thank God each morning. Always be gentle with one another and your kitty and horse. In my practice, I have learned in difficult times with loved ones, don’t dig up the past. In my ministry, there is only one important time, and that is "now." God gives us one opportunity at a time. Loving neighbor means the person I am sending this email is the most important person at this very moment and caring for you is my most important task. Be good to yourself, once a year go someplace you never been before. (I like to visit Ireland.) And live a good, kind life in the ways of the Lord and when you get older and think back, you will be able to enjoy it a second time. Afterall, life is a TIME LIMITED OFFER.

Lord, I pray for my Sonshine Friends that in this New Year you will lead us to your peace. Let your grace be stronger than our weakness and lead us to the joy you have prepared for us. My photo is an image of Spring to come for all my Sonshine Friends.

Terrible Day At Work

Lorraine had had another miserable day at work. The deadlines and job expectations were overwhelming. She drove to the day care center to pick up her two kids, and it turned real sour due to the bickering that continued on the way home, at the supper table, and right up to bedtime. As she got her kids tucked into bed, she was really frazzled and still in her work clothes.

She gave out a huge sigh behind the kids’ bedroom door--being a solo mom was no picnic. She proceeded to change into her old slacks and sweatshirt and decided to wash her hair.

The kids, unfortunately, were still wired and scrapping and bickering in their bedroom. Their noise level increased until her patience finally grew thin, and the storm within began to explode. She wrapped a towel around her damp hair, walked into their room, raised her voice a few decibels to make her point that this was bedtime. When she left the boys’ bedroom, she overheard her 4 year old say to his brother: "Who was that?"

Lent is a time to learn how to stop planning, to stop being certain, to stop telling others, to set aside distractions of media, mail and cell phone, even to stop reading and to just sit quietly and scrutinize our heart’s choices. In such a circumstance the first thing that we need to do is to set aside a whirlwind of conflicting demands, memories, responsibilities, and unfinished tasks.

As you work at sorting and setting aside, only then can you begin to hear the still small voice of God’s desire-–the meaning of love in our daily life that gives direction and clarity to choices, that serves as water to our thirst for meaning and joy. It is a discipline to shut off, turn away, and seek the stillness, but it is only when that discipline of dwelling briefly in the desert is inserted into our day that we can make sense of our lives and allow God’s will to lead us to the "green pastures" of right decision and peace.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who suffer from caregiver fatigue. It’s no picnic caring for our noisy kids, cranky parents, stubborn in-laws, or demanding authorities. Give all my friends MORE patience and the wisdom to know when to "step back" and say "enough for today!"

My photo for today is an "oldie" but hopefully inspires thoughts of Spring!

A Mother's Nature

A young mother shared that she recently moved to Rochester because her husband accepted a position at Strong Hospital in research. However, she wanted to focus her energy back to her vision to serve as an Episcopalian priest. She had taken a "time-out" to nurture an adopted son and allow her mate to complete his medical training.

Now she felt that it was time for her spiritual seed to bloom and flourish in her vocation. For Lent, she shared that after years of "sleep deprivation" caring for her baby, she would need time to get extra rest each day to build up her energy as she prepared to re-enter the ministry.

I would like to offer this walking reflection as a Lenten practice for all of you who suffer from a little "sleep deprivation. It is entitled "Nature’s Energy" and was written by Kate Clifford.

Silence, yes silence is needed, rest. Breathing in the energies that are needed. Wondering why the body demands quiet. Sitting, breathing, resting, energizing, Noticing the beauty of the gray sky outside.

Walking, breathing in the cold freezing air. Enjoying the white crystal fog’s designs. Stopping, seeing the details of the frost. Feeling the beauty that now surrounds me. Drinking it in, loving it, becoming part of it.

I see a wall of ice fog in the evening glow. Grayness envelops me from all sides.

If I were to die tonight, seeing this sight, I would say I am the luckiest person alive. Frozen beauty touches me inside and out.

I breath, energized from what I have seen. Rainbow colors crystallized before me. Sounds of life quieted by this winter blanket. Tired, yes, I have been tired in this rat race, but nature calls me and energizes my spirit.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends who are "worn out" and exhausted by the demands of their jobs, family and life. Bring them your Light to revive their spirits so that their energy will grow strong again to blossom with your love and care. As you meditate, enjoy your walk gazing upon the morning light reflecting off the creek formed by the sunrise in Ellison Park.

--Fr. Matt

Introductory Post

This blog is the home for frequent conversation and photography by Dr. Matt Kawiak of Rochester, New York. Long-time blogger and family friend, Jeneane Sessum (who's posting this initial welcome), talked Dr. Matt into getting started with a blog because if anyone should be blogging, it's Dr. Matt.

He has been publishing a regular newsletter-devotional-inspirational called Sonshine & Reflections for his friends and parishioners for years. And he is also a well known professional photographer who is just itching to get into the world of digital photography.

SO, Father Matt, Here's Your Blog--Start Your Engines!

You take it from here.

Weee!