Hope for the hopeless....

In every life there comes a moment when we want to give up, when life is too much for us, and we are overwhelmed by the burdens we are carrying. [I am fond of saying that if God really didn't give us more than we could handle, he wouldn't have given us psychologists and prozac. But I digress.] The breaking point is different for everyone, of course. The weight of my burden may seem as nothing to someone carrying a different load. We will never fully understand anyone else's life because we cannot walk their mile, even if we put on the same shoes.

Blind sight

On a recent Saturday evening, I found my mind wandering during the sermon as I sat in our chilly sanctuary. I pulled my sweater tighter around me, and glanced around the church, taking in the sights and sounds of the evening. I observed, without really paying attention, the blind woman sitting in front of me. Her granddaughter was sitting next to her, and the little girl leaned against her and closed her eyes. Without hesitation, the woman stretched out her hand and laid it gently on the girl, drawing her into a casual embrace, in a natural movement.

Musical living....

Music is a powerful tool. Used by advertisers, directors, or producers, it can cause our hearts to beat faster or our blood to run cold. It can heighten the tension, or bring resolution in a frightening scene. Therapists use music to heal, and musicians use their craft to tell a story. A note of music can evoke the past as readily as the smell of fresh bread or the scent of your mother's perfume.

Silence of the Lamb...

I have read that about 75% of human beings are extroverts, people who draw their energy from interacting with others. They are fueled by their contact with people, building up their internal power supply by drawing on the electricity in the air surrounding the group. These interactions energize and kindle the fire within them, motivating and recharging their lives.