Dancing in the Rain

On my cardiac care unit, many of our patients are older. some of them are dealing with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease or caring for a loved one who has those dreaded conditions. I saw this story posted by Kansas Bob this morning and thought I would re-post it here. It shows a great perspective for anyone going through hardships and trials.

It was a busy morning, about 8:30 , when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

The nurse took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled ... As he patted my hand and said,

'She doesn't know me ... but ... I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

Life isn't about learning to survive the storm but learning to dance in the rain.

Politics As Religion

Mr. Dawn Treader posted these very appropriate quotes from noted author and pastor Tim Keller.

"When love of one's people becomes an absolute, it turns into racism. When love of equality turns into a supreme thing, it can result in hatred and violence toward anyone who has a privileged life. It is the settled tendency of human societies to turn good political causes into counterfeit gods."

~ Pastor and Author, Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

"We can look upon our political leaders as "messiahs," our political policies as saving doctrine, and turn our political activism into a kind of religion."

~ Pastor and Author, Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods

I don't think Keller believes that we should not be involved in the political process. I do think that we, as Democrats, Republicans, Independents, etc. should check our attitudes and priorities about politics. Idolizing politics has led nations and individuals down some very dangerous paths.

Check out The Dawn Treader blog for more thoughts on this

Free Sony Reader

Jon Acuff over at Stuff Christians Like is giving away a Sony Reader 505. To find out how to enter the contest click here.

Faith and Doubt

C. Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind has great post about trusting in God. He contrast two kinds of people facing "Goliath" situations. There are those like David facing Goliath who express faith that God will lead them victoriously through the situation. Then there are those that express faith in the way the three Hebrew men from Daniel 3:13-15 faced the king of Babylon who threatened them with a fiery death if the did not worship his idol. They believed God was able to deliver them but even if He chose not to, they would still follow Him.

Patton concludes with this thought:

I don’t want to be unduly pessimistic about any issue knowing that God can and does intervene and deliver people from their “Goliaths.” But I also want to be realistic and trust God no matter what the prospects are for the outcome of any “Goliath” situation. I believe that this attitude expresses just as much faith, even if it lacks certainty.

Remember, God has made a lot of promises, but there are also a lot of promises that he has not made. Don’t read promises into Scripture. Try saying this next time Goliath is at your door, “If it be so, God can deliver me, but even if you strike me dead, I will not abandon my faith because I will not place my faith in something God has not promised." You may raise some eyebrows, but you will be representing truth much more faithfully.

In the end, I don’t trust God for promises he has not made.