It's All About the Timing

A courageous friend struggles with her suffering that she would gladly give back to God. Many years ago, he legs grew tired for she suffers from multiple sclerosis. Daily, she prays for strength and she is not afraid to give God a piece of her mind about her suffering, Despite her disease, her mind and heart yearn to see the flowers in bloom and smell their sweet scents.

If you are sensitive to the seasons, you would note that all our flowers are three weeks ahead of schedule. Two weeks ago, I was scouting Highland Park at six in the morning for a sunrise and images of flowering magnolias. One has to be at the right place and know the right time to find the glory of God lurking in the trees and shrubs. Never disappointed, I discovered that the lilacs were beginning to bud out, but the surprise was a “weeping cherry” that was shining in the morning mist.

Our suffering soul would welcome the opportunity to see the lilacs so this weekend, mind you three weeks before the official Lilac Sunday, she found herself being wheeled through the gardens to witness the miracle of nature and smell the lilacs. She was like a little kid, simply glad to be outdoors and enjoy the beauty that was peaking in the morning sun. In one week, the budding lilacs were now ablaze in a glorious display of purple and crimson colors. If you are waiting for Lilac Sunday, you will be disappointed because the flowers will be past their peak. Go now my friends!

Many times I hear people say, “They don’t wish to be a bother.” They struggle with some suffering that is known only to us. At those moments, we have an opportunity to blossom and reflect the profound beauty of God’s care for his people. It might simply be a gesture that says we notice their struggle and take their garbage to the curb, or take away their loneliness by bringing a plant into their home, invite them to lunch, or if we are really mindful, pack them into our van and let them smell the lilacs.

The miracles of Jesus were simply being mindful that it was the right moment to make his friends more wine, bring them more fish, forgive them a poor judgment, or best of all, raise them to eternal life. God’s timing is perfect, but we can be just as mindful with a little extra attention to detail. God is watching us, not looking for our failures, but watching our timing so that we don’t miss the opportunities to bring his comfort and love to others. It might simply mean bringing our friends to the pansy bed to see all the smiling faces.

God prays for us as we reflect; “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves in heard in our land. “ (Song of Solomon 2:12).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel that the Spirit has given them more than their share of suffering. Imagine that you tie all your sufferings to your outdoor tree. May the Spirit give us a nudge to take one of those sufferings from our neighbor’s tree and help them feel and experience the power of God’s love for them.

The Shepherd Never Gives Up

This Shepherd never gives up on her sheep. I literally was walking into the hospital to visit a young couple that just gave birth to triplets. As I walked onto the third floor, I met the new dad pushing the wheelchair with his beloved spouse when he started to cry on my shoulder. We silently washed our hands and made our way into the unit. It was there that I met the Good Shepherd.

The Shepherd doesn’t give up on her sheep. She was the doctor who gently explained what was going on and that their tiny little son was in serious condition. She drew his heart and showed what was wrong. But, then she told the parents, “your boy’s a fighter” and I will not give up for I have a few tricks up my sleeve. In the next moment, this shepherd asked me to baptize the baby and with the parents blessing we prayed and asked that this “little one’s” angels come to guard over and protect him.

The next twenty-four hours proved to be difficult for his oxygen levels began to drop, but once again the shepherd stood guard over her sheep and administered new medicines to bring the sheep back to life. We are at day seven and at this moment, our little lamb continues to survive and thrive at a miraculous pace. I have never witnessed such faith and tenacity in a pediatric doctor but she truly imitates what Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me" (John 10:14).

Yes, there are many times in which we feel stretched and at the breaking point. These parents no doubt felt that Jesus is a million miles away. But we prayed as a family in these times of sickness and fear to guide us through some difficult decisions and believe these words: "My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-30).

As an artist, I love the theme of Jesus being pictured holding a lamb, or carrying a lamb across his shoulders, or watching over sheep. Jesus is the one who cares, the one who saves the lost, and rescues from trouble. He is the one who is intimately and individually concerned about each one of his sheep like our little infant. He provides his sheep with everything they need. The shepherd is the one whose staff and rod defend the sheep if any danger should come their way. Like the shepherd who doesn’t give up, our pediatric doctor refuses to give up and will not let anything harm her sheep in her care.

God prays for these parents and their baby boy as we reflect: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing else I need. I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23.)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and our triplets, their mom and dad and young babies who needs our prayers and a shepherd’s watchful care. Help us to be shepherds to one another for goodness and love will follow us all our lives and we will live in the house of the Lord forever.

On My Knees

Recently, I have been down on my knees praying for lots of good people. The professor in severe pain after his recent apartment fire. He faces a second skin graph and a long recovery. Then there’s the pregnant mom with triplets who would prefer her babies were not too anxious to arrive. We need them to stay put until July and grow stronger. Then there’s a young man whose leg was amputated and his spouse stands at the side of his bed to offer reassurance and comfort. Once again, a young innocent man waits in prison for his appeal so that he can return home to his parents and friends. And let's not forget all our furry creatures like Tucker who needs prayers that his lame leg will get better.

On my knees I pray that God would take good care of these people. But what happens when it seems that God does not answer our prayers?

I am glad that God does not answer all my prayers the way I pray. Not only does logic and faith enter in but the story I wish to share with you a story that will convince you of its truth.

Somewhere and many years ago, I read of a young girl by the name of Amy. It seems that she often prayed to God that her brown eyes would be blue. Well, the next morning she rushed to the mirror and found that her eyes were still brown. She was really crushed. In trying to console her daughter the mother said that God did answer her prayer. It was with a "no". Many years passed and God called Amy into missionary service. She responded to the call and became a missionary to the country of India.

In the course of her ministry she was grateful that God had not answered her prayer the way she prayed. Now, dressed in the garb of the natives, her skin tanned brown, she could pass among the people and be extremely effective in her ministry. There were several times when she actually rescued some children. In from the danger of the temples of India. You see blue eyes would have given her away.

God prays for us as we reflect: “We do not know what we ought to pray for…: (Romans 8:26)

It is so important to always add, "Not my will, but yours be done, Lord" to our prayers. So, the bottom line is to pray, yes pray without ceasing, and to know that God will answer your prayer. It will be either with a "yes", a "no" or a "wait".

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that You do all things right. Amid difficulties and disappointments and the prayers that seemingly are not answered, may my friends be encouraged that You are there with them.

Sweetness of the Spirit

The Parkside Neighborhood Watch is a volunteer group of residents paroling the streets to keep people safe. Their latest bulletin featured stories about a dozen cars being broken into because they were not locked. The message was simple, lock your doors, observe and report anything suspicious.

Well the disciples were acting a little suspicious. News comes to them that Jesus is alive and instead of everyone bolting with glee to the tomb we find our faithful paralyzed in their sandals. Locked behind closed doors. Why didn't they go looking for him?

Sometimes we tend to lock ourselves in. We refuse to go out because we're too ashamed, too blue, or too afraid we will run into someone and, frankly, we can't stand the thought. Sometimes we stay away from even church for the same reason.

Shame and fear are cousins. First cousins. If you are ashamed of something that is known already, you are afraid of being seen by people in whose eyes you will catch flickers of disapproval. If you are ashamed of something people do not yet know about, you are afraid that just by being out and about in public, someone will discover it, and it scares you half to death. For every last one of us, there are things we have done whose discovery we fear.

All of us have closets in our hearts, little chambers into which we toss the shameful things we've done and the shameful things we think we are that make us feel unworthy. We toss them all in the closet and lock the door so that what people can see is just the neat and tidy and orderly living rooms of our lives. But like the disciples, we fear that someone might inadvertently open the wrong door, and out our shame will tumble for all to see.

The disciples were ashamed of what they had done, they were ashamed of what their cowardice revealed about who they simply were as men. So they locked the door, telling them they were keeping the Jews out when really they were maybe keeping themselves locked in. But then Jesus did what he always does for anyone locked up in his own shame: he comes in anyway. He enters the room, he enters the heart, and he breaks into the shame.

Jesus says "Shalom." He speaks a word that is the opposite of fear and so squelches shame, puts away and banishes any thoughts the disciples may have had about Jesus' bearing a grudge. He was not out to settle any old scores but to create a whole new situation.

Jesus breathes the sweetness of the Holy Spirit upon us as we pray and reflect:

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (John 20:19).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are too afraid, too ashamed or too paralyzed by this or that feature of their life, the lock won't stop Jesus. He will appear right in the middle of our locked-up heart and before you even have the chance to say or do a blessed thing, he will say "Peace to you!"

Easter Begins in Nonsense

The disciples heard the women’s words and heard the angel’s words but found them all to be nonsense. No one was anticipating or even hoping for a resurrection. They knew, as we do, that things like that don’t happen in this world, that the world is more or less predictable: dead people stay dead, and death is where it ends for all of us. After all is said and done they all believed this: Easter begins in nonsense.

Wit is the title of a remarkable made for television movie. It’s about a woman, Vivian Bearing, who is an English professor, whose specialty is John Donne, the sixteenth-century poet and clergyman. Vivian is dying of cancer and she is virtually alone, dealing with doctors and nurses and hospitals and researchers who convince her to submit to a particularly powerful and painful experimental regimen of chemotherapy. She loses her hair, loses weight, is dreadfully sick, and the chemotherapy doesn’t work. Her tumor shrinks but the cancer spreads. She is going to die. Throughout the story, John Donne’s "Holy Sonnets," keeps coming up in memory, Donne wrote:

“Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so . . .

Why swell’st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.”

John Donne’s words keep emerging in her subconscious. But then, as death nears, someone finally speaks her name. Her professor and mentor, now an elderly woman, seeks her, finds her, alone in her hospital bed and says, "Vivian–is that you?”--and then does the most remarkable thing–removes her shoes and gets in bed and holds Vivian, cradling her head to her breast. She reads Vivian the book she has brought. It’s not John Donne; it’s a simple child’s book about love that will not let us go. It is about what John Donne wrote about. It is about love more powerful than death.

“Once there was a little bunny, who wanted to run away.

So he said to his mother, "I am running away."

"If you run away," said his mother, "I will run after you, for you are my little bunny."

"If you run after me," said the little bunny, "I will become a fish in a trout stream and I will swim away from you."

"If you become a fish in a trout stream," said his mother, "I will become a fisherman and I will fish for you."

"I will be come a rock,"

"If you become a rock, I will become a mountain climber and I will climb to where you are."

"I will become a bird and fly away from you."

"If you become a bird and fly away from me," said his mother, "I will be a tree that you come home to." (The Runaway Bunny, Margaret Wise Brown)

God prays for us as we reflect: “ “He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever and ever. (Psalm 21:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends on this Easter who celebrate your life giving words. In the quiet of your heart, imagine Jesus crawling into bed with you, holding you close to his chest and speaking the words of everlasting life. "And death shall be no more, Death, thou shalt die." Death no longer rules. Jesus Christ is risen today.

Best Moments in Biblical History

I’m driving along the thruway tuned to national public radio that has invited a radio sports announcer to share his thoughts about ‘the best moments in baseball history.” In his opinion, his colleague Vince Scully announced the greatest moment in baseball when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. Scully captured that historic moment in a way that was like writing a best selling novel.

Henry Aaron came to the plate for his second bat of the game. He walked in the second inning and now he took a ball on the first pitch. Downing was the pitcher and on the second pitch, you heard Vince announce: “Butler goes to the fence and… it is gone.” Pandemonium broke out and you just hear the sound of booming fireworks in the background on the radio. Vince stopped for a few moments for his radio listeners to listen and share in the joy of the fans as Henry rounded the bases.

Finally, he came back on the air and in the most profound statement you ever heard from a radio sports announcer described that magical moment in this way:

“What a marvelous moment for baseball. What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the State of Georgia. What a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking the record of the all time idol of baseball. This is a great moment for all of us and particularly Henry Aaron.”

Now I wonder how a radio sportscaster might announce the events of the Last Supper. Here are the players gathered in the upper room, their leader comes to the table ready to lead his team into the Passover meal. But before they begin their prayers, Jesus excuses himself from the table and returns with an apron wrapped around his waist with a basin of water. Curious, his teammates wonder what this gesture is all about.

This player gets down on his knees and starts to wash the feet of Paul. His fellow teammates are astounded that Jesus would perform such a menial task usually left for the servants. At this moment, there is awkward silence not a standing ovation. They sit uneasy in their seats and simply watch as he rounds the table performing this washing ritual for each member of the team.

One player puts up a stink; it is Peter who doesn’t understand the meaning of this moment. But Jesus quickly settles him down and says that it’s OK. Not to worry, nothing bad will happen to you and we all will be eating soon in the Kingdom of Heaven. For now, put aside your protest and feeling inadequate for I need to do this for you. Then the announcer says:

“What a marvelous moment for salvation history. What a marvelous moment for Galilee and the Nation of Israel. What a marvelous moment for the world and the universe. A Jew from a Roman occupied colony is getting the most profound admiration for breaking the rules of the Mosaic tradition. What a great moment for all of us and particularly for Jesus.” Is this not the best moment of Jesus in biblical history?

God prays for us as we reflect: “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13: 15).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends on Easter morning, waiting for our turn at the plate to swing our bat and hit a homerun. Help us to wrap ourselves in the towel of compassion for at that moment God and all the angels of heaven will give us a standing ovation. What a marvelous moment for heaven and for each of you.

Dancing With God

It is safe to love. Yes, it is safe to be vulnerable because we are in loving hands. It is safe to surrender because we fall into light, not darkness. It is safe to be weak because the strength we need is found when we give up on our own power. It is safe to give up the hurts we cling to because these lose their force when we are in love. It is safe to trust, to let our loved ones be free, because a power beyond us loves them more than we do and ultimately takes care of their safety. It is safe to give ourselves over without fear because, as faith teaches, in the end, all will be well.

But it’s not easy to believe that. Perhaps if we had all been loved perfectly, had perfect confidence, and had never been wounded, disappointed, betrayed, or made to cry tears of regret, we would find it easier to believe that it is safe, that we can trust, that we have no need to protect ourselves, and that we do not need to be forever anxious about how we are measuring up, how we are being perceived, how we are being understood, and whether we are worthy of love.

Most of the time we find it hard to trust because we find ourselves wounded, lacking confidence, anxious about many things, feeling the need to protect ourselves. It is hard to trust and especially it is hard to show weakness and to be vulnerable. In the air we breathe everywhere we inhale a distrust that makes us want to show a superior strength, attractiveness, talent, intelligence, self-reliance, and cool detachment. Distrust and self- protection are everywhere. It’s hard to let ourselves be vulnerable, to trust that it is safe to love.

And yet, deep down, vulnerability and surrender are what we most deeply want. At every level, we need and want surrender. Morally and religiously, the entire gospels can be put into one word: Surrender. Emotionally, psychologically, and sexually the deepest imperative inside of us is simply: Surrender. And, deeper than all of our anxieties and our need to protect ourselves, lies a truth we know at the core of our being, namely, that in the end we cannot take care of ourselves, we cannot make ourselves whole, and we cannot hide our weaknesses from each other. We need to surrender, to trust, to let ourselves fall into stronger and safer hands than our own.

How do we move towards trust? Let me share this story to help you learn to surrender. When, I meditate on the word Guidance, I see "dance" at the end of the word. I remember that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G" I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". "God," "u" and "i" dance." God, you and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

God prays for us as we reflect: “You changed my mourning into dancing…” (Psalm 30:12).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through this Spring and each season of your life.

The Best Version of Yourself

On a cold, damp Saturday morning I volunteered to take photos of a local indoor horse show. It is a challenge to take indoor photos of horses jumping across crossties. But the real challenge were these young ladies on their horses trying to maintain their balance and show the judge that they were in tune with their horse. To be the best version we can be takes practice, patience and an encouraging trainer. These young people had an abundance of love and encouragement in the stands and from their trainers.

Our young people were quite nervous while tacking their horses and getting their numbers tied around their waist. Once in the ring, they had to listen to the announcer as she re-laid the commands of the judge who was watching each rider walk, trot, cantor and jump in the ring. Sometimes, thankfully not often, a young lady would approach the jump and her horse would stop, hurling our rider through the air. A breathless moment as parents and trainer grasped, but the resilience of these young riders was evident as they would simply bounce up from the dirt and get back on their horse.

Sadly, our tendency in our life journey is to fall when we are unstable and this makes us afraid to try new things. The example of our young fearless riders is that you simply brush yourself off and get back in the saddle. They learn from their trainers that the best commands never come from a whip, but a gentle touch of the leg and a balance that tells the horse that "we are the best version that we can be." Gentleness, understanding, compassion are the commands these creatures best respond to in a rider. However, you also learn alot by the spills and how you rise to the surface. These children were awe inspiring to anymore who faces challenges in life like a broken relationship or broken promise and learn to find a way to mount the hills of life and get back into the journey.

Stunning horse show images capture the precise moment rider and horse approach a jump and prepare to go over the rail. It takes spilt second timing, a wide-open lens, fast ASA, a much better camera than I can afford and over a thousand photos were taken that day. Despite this challenge, I uncovered a surprise that occurred in the barn when no one was looking. It caught my eye and I want to share this moment of love. It seems as our young rider was waiting her turn in the ring, she took a stroll through the barn to pet one of the horses. This horse knew our young person was nervous so she tossed his nose in her direction for a pet to calm her nerves. What are you nervous about these days? Losing your job, your health not the best, someone misunderstood your intention and you were scolded and rejected by those who care only for themselves.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during this Joyful Season of Lent that when they need the comfort and understanding of a loving God. May they come to rest in your hands as you gently pick them up off the ground and put them back in the saddle. Enjoy the ride with a trainer who knows how to keep you in balance so that your spirit will reveal the best version of yourself.

The Road is Closed

It’s 4am and I am driving to the ocean to take photos of a morning sunrise at Merritt Island National Park. The GPS in this borrowed truck talks to the driver on the way to my final destination. What it failed to take into account are detours. Arriving in Titusville at 5:30am, the directions tell me to continue straight when in reality I was carefully maneuvering through construction caution lights and come upon a blockade that stated: “The Bridge is Closed.” It’s pitch dark, the GPS voice goes silent and I am turning around and going back into town. The local 7/11 is open so I ask the clerk for directions, but she has no clue. I decide to follow my gut and simply drive along the streets of Titusville when I notice a body of water along a shoreline with a sign that says: “Rotary Riverfront Park Brevard County.” Who would know what follows?

A few palm trees, a picnic shelter, and a rather menacing dock that extended out into the dark waters and across the bay. It is now 6am and the predawn light is making it way into the horizon. To my surprise, another person is standing on the dock with a tripod and a mini-camera. After a brief introduction, he shares that he is a local student taking pictures for his art class. When I ask him WHERE AM I? He kindly informs me that we are on the bay across from Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island. If the sky is clear without any clouds the sun should rise near the rocket tower.

Many times are journeys in life fall short or are interrupted by unexplained events. What appears to be a detour, a job lost, broken friendship, misguided information leads to other surprises that we would have never anticipated. I believe that our journey with God is to lead us to happiness. Yes, despite our worst fears, our panic, our imaginations goes wild, we are given another chance by God to follow His Way that many times takes us to new locations, meeting new people or putting us in new situations that we never dream. Being open to that spirit might launch us out of our boring jobs into a fulfilling vocation, a road closed might take us to a new location where we get to see life from a new perspective. Remember God does not want us to simply survive in this world with its fears, but to thrive in a way that we take God’s spirit of generosity and kindness to all people in need of a lift.

Sometimes things just don’t work out as we had hoped and planned. We become physically and emotionally worn out, and feel that we will not be able to go on like this in the dark. Then the dawn comes and new surprises come our way. This takes patience, perseverance and trust that God is watching over our shoulder protecting us from ill winds.

The image this morning was quite a surprise for this was not the location the GPS was programmed to me to that morning. I later discovered that my original destination was a two-hour detour due to a broken bridge and so I never arrived at the Visitor Center. We would have to return for another visit.

But take a moment to relax with this image that was a gift and a surprise! Does it not reflect the beauty of nature and the glory of God? On that day, you were in bed and a major snowstorm was dumping 27" on snow in Rochester. But in another far away place and only 32 degrees in Cape Canaveral, God rerouted my destination to remind you that are never lost or abandoned. God holds you each in the palm of his hands.

God prays for us as we reflect: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who feel lost and brokened in their journey of life. At times we are misunderstood, yet our friends provide a needed that we are never alone. Let your spirit nudge us in our hearts to realize that when we surrender to your will, all good things will follow.

Whenever There Is Silence

Whenever there is silence around me,

by day or night,

I am startled by a cry.


The first time I heard it,

I went out and searched

and found a man

in the throes of crucifixion.

I went to him and said,

“I will take you down.”


And I began to take the nails

out of his hands and his feet.


But he stopped me and said,

“You cannot take me down.

For I cannot come down

until every man, every woman,

and every child in the world

shall come together to take me down.”

“But, sir,” I said, “your cry – 
I cannot bear your cry.”

“This cry,” he told me,

“it is the anguish of those with no food,

of those who thirst,

the ones huddled naked against the cold,

the cry of those who are lonely and in prisons.


This is the cry of the homeless,

of the ones rejected and hated by society.


It is the cry of those whose lives are snuffed out

by anger, hate, or fear.


This is the cry of those living on the edge of war,

those made to wander from their homes in search of peace.”

“Then what am I to do?” I asked him.

“Go about the world,” he said.

“Tell everyone you meet:

We hang together on this cross.”

God prays for us as we reflect: “Let the person sit alone in silence, when it is laid upon them.” (Lamentations 3:28).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends during this joy-filled Season of Lent that our hearts will melt the fears, doubts and anyone who feels unworthy and in the silence hear your words of acceptance, forgiveness and loving embrace.

Valentine Sally

A little boy’s kitty named Salem died suddenly the day before New Year’s Eve of a heart attack. They found the tiny fur ball in the dining room late at night when the family’s other cat Cuddles started making an awful sound. This faithful companion was sitting next to Salem who was lying in a position as if she had been running. The family had a necropsy done and it showed Salem died of a heart attack.

Now mom and dad were in no hurry to get another cat right away, so several weeks passed before the mother of this family went to the vet to pick up Salem’s ashes. Our brave little boy accompanied his mom to lovingly pick up the ashes of his friend at the vets. The staff were extraordinary compassionate as mother and her son came to get the ashes. However, they told mom that she should take a peek at a new cat the staff had rescued that they found in a carrier on the steps that very morning. Now this vet office does not usually keep strays, they routinely send them off to another office. That morning, the staff was swamped with emergencies and they neglected to make the call to have the stray taken away. Mom hesitated for a moment because she was sure that the family was not ready for another cat but the staff insisted they go look at the orphan fur ball.

When the vet assistant opened the cage the cat ran to the little boy and immediately climbed up to his neck and started purring. Please note that this mother comes prepared and had her cell phone handy and snapped our Sonshine photo. You must agree that our little boy’s mom took a stunning picture of a “sacred moment.” Mom called her son’s dad and explained this might be the time to bring home another orphan. Without hesitation, dad welcomed the new family member with an open heart.

One wonders if that vet staff knew all along that this would happen when that little boy walked into the room. Then out of the blue our darling young man piped up to his mom that he is naming the kitty, Valentine Sally. When they got home and were looking at the kitten, the little boy said: “Did you see the heart shaped mark on Valentine's paw?” No one really noticed at the vet’s office for any special marks, but when the family looked closely they discovered a surprise under the kitty’s paw. Our little man was so proud of himself that he noticed this special sign and he felt the impulse from God to name her Valentine. Needless to say, the story continues that Valentine has bonded with her new friend. Valentine sleeps on his bed and our little love has filled a void left by Salam. Mom and dad believe that Salem must have sent Valentine to their family.

Many times we have to surrender our pets, our special furry friends who have faithfully kept us safe and warm for years. Then suddenly comes the impulse to go look again and in our search we bring home another stray who is simply waiting for an open heart. A few treats, a warm bed and lots of food never hurts either.

God prays for us as we reflect: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever PURR for joy. Spread your little arms over them, that those who are in your name may rejoice in you.” (Psalm 5:11).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have rescued many strays over a lifetime. For all the bird food you put out in winter, warm water in your garage for the stray cats, or the extra carrots you cut up for your horses, may God give you thanks for your open heart and may Chase be blessed with his Valentine Sally.

All Night Long and Nothing

Jesus came up with a strange idea. "Let's go fishing out into the deep water. I've got a hunch there's a catch out there." Simon, experienced fisherman that he was, tried to be polite in his answer to this landlubber. "You know, Master, we've been out the whole night, and caught nothing." He didn't add, but was probably thinking, "This guy doesn't realize that no one goes deep sea fishing in broad daylight around here". But Simon, having failed to accomplish much by his own tried and true methods, was in no position to question the Lord's strange suggestion. What he does say is the sentence that will change the entire course of his life. Perhaps he said it with a sigh of resignation. "If you say so...we'll do it." Well, you know what happened.

It all begins when Jesus comes to us in the middle of our lives, where we work, where we live, the seaside, the classroom, the hospital, the office, the kitchen, and asks us to trust him enough to do one strange little thing, like fishing in the deep water in broad daylight, like trusting in him after we have been laid off to start a new vocation. It's the kind of thing that's a little weird, quite a bit out of your comfort zone. It's the sort of request that demands trust because you wouldn't normally do it. It's like the student at church this weekend who shared that he wanted to join the Peace Corp after he graduates from college. Or, it's like the young woman who spent ten years huddled over a computer screen designing software and finds herself "rightsized." Out of work, she feels a calling to ministry and starts seminary studies not sure where she will end up. A little odd; not anticipated, unplanned. That's the way Jesus' call often comes. Christ invades our everyday lives with one of these little offbeat impulses, these strange biddings. We have the feeling they are coming from him, though we're not at all sure. And a lot hangs on what we do with them. What if Peter had ignored Jesus' strange suggestion?

The other thing about Jesus' strange request is that it came at a point of failure and vulnerability. "All night long, and nothing." I love that little phrase. For me it depicts how we often feel about our lives. Striving, working, struggling, but with meager results. It speaks of the feelings we often have of life futility, dissatisfaction, and boredom. "All night long and nothing."

But that's often where Jesus' call comes to us: where we least expect it. Where we've failed. Where we feel over our heads. Where we feel uncomfortable. Where we sense our own futility. Jesus does not typically walk into our lives where we feel in control, where we are flush with our own success. It's in our places of vulnerability and confusion, failure and sin. He likes to get us out there in the deep water in broad daylight where we feel a little silly and strange.

God prays for us in times of darkness: “Even though I walk through a dark valley, I will fear no harm for you are at my side: your rod and staff give me courage.” (Psalm 23:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are in deep waters over their heads. I think Jesus is constantly inviting us into the deep places. He's calling us to acts of trust and courage, while we want to play it safe. He's calling us to step out in faith and freedom while we cling to our safe and familiar fears and anxieties. He's calling us to think and live deeply, to face our doubts and fears, and abandon ourselves to the depths of God's abundant life.

Apple of Love

Like a relief pitcher in a baseball game, I am often called upon to help on weekends in various parishes. To my surprise and delight, I bump into “old friends” from Strong Hospital, the Mercy Motherhouse and Brockport. However, it only takes a few minutes to hear the stories about the struggles of the community. The exodus of parishioners, the cluster changes and the lost of identify describe a hurting faith. The remnant stays faithful and strong but look for a sign of hope. Despite the pain, here was an opportunity to bring the “good news” that God indeed loves and cares deeply for these good people.

So it is time for a story and by coincidence it was the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. At this Mass, the kids from the local Catholic School were going to read and bring up the gifts. But I had a better idea. So imagine yourself in the pew, there’s this visiting priest at your altar, kids in uniform whose heads are barely visible reading the Scripture at your lectern and you witness an invitation during the homily for “ALL” the kids in church to come up to the altar and hear this fairy tale about God’s love.

Once there lived a beautiful princess. Among the many young men who fell in love with her were three handsome brothers. Often she invited them to visit her and they sang her songs and told stories of magic. When it came time for her to marry, she knew she would choose none other but one of the handsome brothers. But which one? She loved them all. So she decided on a test. Whichever one brought her the most marvelous gift would have her hand in marriage.

The three brothers were best friends and agreed that before they presented their gifts to the princess they would meet back home to show each other their gifts they brought back from all parts of the world. One brother traveled to Asia where, after many searches, found a magic carpet. Another brother went to Egypt where a magician showed him a shiny mirror. You had only to think of a place you’d like to see and then look and there it was in the mirror. The youngest brother traveled to the lands of Arabia. There he met a farmer who took him to a corner of his farm where from a small and lovely tree hung a single apple. “This”, the farmer told him, “is an apple that once grew in the Garden of Eden. It will cure any illness and pain. But be careful when you use it, for its magic will work only a single time.” The youngest son gave his fortune for the apple.

The three brothers met back home and revealed their prizes. One of them suggested they use the magic mirror to find the princess. And when they looked they saw the princess had become very ill and she was dying. So quickly they mounted the magic carpet and arrived where the princess lay. The youngest brother took the magic apple from his bag and said, “Here, this will make you better.” She bit the apple and magically she was healed. The next day in the garden each brother told her how each had purchased his gift. Then they reminded her that without the mirror they would never have known the princess was dying. Without the carpet they would never have gotten to her bedside, without the apple she would have died. She agreed, Now whom would she choose as husband?

The princess loved them all but could only marry one. She then embraced the oldest brother and thanked him for saving her life with the magic mirror. Then she hugged the second brother and thanked him for the magic carpet that had also saved her life. Then she looked into the youngest brother’s eyes and said, “I have chosen you. For the magic mirror performs its magic as often as you need it for me or anyone, and the carpet also will help anyone fly. But the apple… the apple can be used only once.” You could have saved it for yourself, for the time when you would need it. But you didn’t. you gave it top me.”

Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing. Jesus on the cross was a decision of love. Despite the hurts in our faith community, we need to take our apple to those in need and show them the sweetness of our love.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.” (Psalm 6:4).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who give their apple away every day. In thanks for the people who come to bring us a breath of fresh air by their smile, their laughter and their encouragement we give you thanks. For this is the true meaning of God’s love.

Surprises from God

Would you like to open a Macy’s account today? “No, thank you,” I replied. The clerk went on to say that an additional 30% discount would be applied to my purchase. “Another time, perhaps.” Then she asked “Don’t I know you? Did you ever serve at Holy Redeemer?” No, I politely replied and noted it had been closed many years ago. “Did you serve at St. Theresa’s?” A beautiful urban-center church served by the Franciscan fathers. But again, I had not served there. Then she said: “Don’t worry, let me open the account father, it’ll only take a minute and you’ll save lots of money.”

“Did you serve at St. Stanislaus?” As she opened the new account, I shared that I had served in my home pariah. “Did you know Father Andy?” That brought back many memories for Fr. Andy came from Poland to serve in an American parish. He was the perfect match for St. Stan’s who later became their pastor and sadly died prematurely of cancer during his ministry.

Mindful of this stroll through memory lane, our sales lady is clicking my personal information into her computer to enroll me into “such-a-deal” Star Reward Program. I had only come to pick up my dress shoes that I buy on sale in January and wait till the beginning of a new school year to wear. I carry very little plastic and discount cards are not in my wallet, however, this persistent sales lady wants to surprise me with her amazing savings.

She continues to multi-task her way through her store’s discount program, then she says she knew my parents and my heart sank. Rarely, do I bump into a person who remembers mom and dad. It has been a long time since they went home to God. She knew about the old churches, the special priests, the old neighborhood and now my dear loved ones. It appeared I was getting more than a discount card, but a heart to remember in gratitude the people that God had placed in my path.

What was this lady thinking? It reflects the attitude of Jesus when his mom told him that the wedding party in Cana had run out of wine. Here, we get this homely little story about a wedding party gone bad where Jesus swoops in to save the day by providing a wine cellar’s worth of intoxicating beverages to wedding guests who already had a few under their belts.

The wedding guests enjoyed the new wine, and, in the end, they did not turn to thank the giver of this particular gift that was something Jesus as Creator had been long accustomed. From the dawn of time people had been eating the pears and sipping the cognac and swimming in the oceans and enjoying the vistas of mountain grandeur that Jesus’ creative work in the beginning made possible, but most never thanked God for those gifts. So if the people in Cana lapped up Jesus’ fine wine with nary a backward glance toward him who made the wine, Jesus probably did not notice and maybe did not care. He was used to it. But like any good host, Jesus’ joy came from knowing that others had enjoyed it.

To my surprise, the sales slip for the new shoes reflected a 50% discount! Suddenly, I realized this transaction was never about saving money, but rather, giving thanks to God for all the memories, all the people, all the choice wine and surprises that God provides and we take for granted. Needless to say, I thanked this kind lady for all her trouble despite my objections.

God prays for us as we reflect; ““From his fullness we have received one blessing after another”

(John 1:16)

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have been a blessing to me throughout my years of ministry. For the priests and sisters, the parishioners and neighbors, horse trainers and farmers, old friends and new “sales” people. Help us to see Your glory that shines through their generosity and make us mindful of Your surprise gifts.

Are You In Good Standing?

She was fearful about her brother coming to visit. He had asked her to be the godmother of his newborn child. You would think that would be a moment for a great party and celebration, Instead, there was a caveat to this invitation to stand up as the child’s godmother. The priest at her brother’s church asked if his sister was “in good standing.”

What was that all about? This comment made her nervous, uncomfortable and sad to say a tad ashamed. This was the same sister who took care of her elderly father in her home for over thirty years. This was the mom who opened her door to her adult daughters to come back and live in the old homestead after their broken relationships. This is the same lady who visits her 90 something-year-old aunt in hospice everyday. She would never think to leave her aunt’s side at this stage in her life. Yet, she was bewildered and perplexed with the question: “Are you in good standing?”

What makes a person "in good standing?" Did she attend Mass every Sunday or only on Christmas and Easter? Did she make her Easter duty? Did she have envelopes and contribute to the fuel fund? Most likely, she felt that she would have failed this litmus test. However, when it came to being an extravagant hostess, providing hospitality to family and friends, providing extraordinary customers service to strangers, practicing patience with friends, and offering her expertise in selecting flora and fauna she would have passed any test with flying colors.

Still, she struggled with the question and worse felt that she was somehow unworthy to serve as godparent for her brother’s child. She did not want to be a hypocrite. Yet, her ordinary life was filled with hands and heart offering life and comfort, forgiveness and tenderness to others in need. When I asked her what did she think about being “in good standing.” She went silent. So I reassured this meek and humble heart that her ordinary efforts at bringing comfort to the sick, acceptance to the abandoned, and love to the lonely count as extra points in this exam. Under the watchful eye of our Creator who sees all the good things we do for others, our extravagant God marks on a curve. This sister has nothing to fear for she is more than worthy to serve as a godparent. She lives in the spirit that graces others by her generosity and extravagance to care for others.

God prays for us as we reflect: “When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose ordinary lives perform some extraordinary feats of love. Let us be mindful and grateful to those folks who bring meal on wheels, donate clothing, visit the hospitals, nursing homes and prisons and send your Spirit of love to renew the face of the earth.

VOILA

A mother was driving her four-year son home after a funeral service for her younger sister. Her little one noticed that his mommy was sad when out of the blue he said.

“Mommy, families are like a puzzle.” What are you talking about replied his anxious mom. “Well, when someone dies, a piece of the puzzle is missing. But when that person falls asleep “VOILA” that person opens their eyes and all the parts of the puzzle come back together again.” This young mother was astounded by the profound message of hope that came from the lips of her son.

This woman shared that after the death of her sister, years later her mother died, then her father and another older sister all within the same year. This time her son was a teenager and again he shared the story of their family being like a puzzle. Each time she would step back from her grief and receive the grace of her little four year who explained the wonder of God and the birth of Christ that comes during this Christmas Season.

This mother worked in a group home as a residential caregiver for developmentally disabled adults. Joann, a resident, had died after battling many serious medical problems while living in the group home. The staff remarked that Joann had nine lives. She was the light of this community expressed by her simple kindness and gratitude. At times, Joann could be quite hard to handle and boisterous seeking to be the center of attention. Once a staff member taught her to fold her hands and say, “I’m sorry” when she hurt someone’s feelings. That memory of her folding her hands and humbly bowing her head to express her apology brought tears since each staff member knew that Joann trusted and loved them in her own special way.

During the Christmas Season, memories of family members and friends have become like missing puzzle parts make us tearful. We remember the light they brought to our hearts and miss their spirit and life force that filled our lives with wonder and grace. At that moment, let us remember the faith of a little four year old “WA LA” who inspired his grieving mother to surrender her grief and find joy again in the memory of those people God has blessed us on earth and have come back together in heaven.

God prays for us as we reflect: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” (Psalm 119:50).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends whose thoughts go back to loved ones who are now a part of the communion of saints. From their kindness, wisdom and love may we always be grateful and look forward to the day when we can take our piece of the puzzle and be joined again with them in heavenly peace.

Gospel by Starlight

The storyline to The Shack involves an extended conversation between the Holy Trinity and a man named Mack. Mack has many questions for God and, by the end of the book; he’s grown at ease with speaking his mind. But there’s one part that makes some people uncomfortable. It has to do with people who aren’t like us.

The opening words are from Jesus:

“Christian? Who said anything about being a Christian? I’m not a Christian.”

Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists or Mormons, Baptists or Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into sons and daughters of my Papa, into my brothers and sister, into my Beloved. Does that mean, asked Mack, that all roads lead to you? Jesus replies: ‘Not at all…What it means is that I will travel any road to find you.’”

Epiphany is more than feast about magicians or astrologers; rather it is the feastday for welcoming folks who were made to feel unacceptable and unworthy. Not all roads lead to heaven. But there’s not a means that God won’t pursue us to help you get there.

That’s as true for anyone who did not celebrate Christmas because they were bitter about the death of their child like Mack, or not finding work in 2009, or divorced, or scraping with their medical insurance carrier about a pre-existing condition or in jail.

God will pursue you. God’s love is relentless. And it’s God’s will that none should be lost, but all are to be saved. How? We don’t know how. When? We don’t know when.

Yet this we do know: Sometimes, we ourselves get in the way. We don’t mean to, but we do. This too we know: Sometimes institutions like the Church or our faith community get in the way. It doesn’t mean to, but sometimes it does.

On this Feast of the Epiphany, we pray that we get out of the way and let God accomplish the salvation for which the world so longs.

God prays for us as we reflect: “Star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright…guide us to they perfect light.” (We Three Kings of Orient Are).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends in this New Year that we pray for insight. We pray for wisdom. We pray for love to transforms the way we see things and hear things and do things. Most of all, we pray that all people might seek the face of God …as surely as God seeks us.