This is a day like many other special days that only come once a year. Mother’s Day is that special day where we get to honor our mothers. The typical activities may include going to church, going out to eat, and just spending time with the person that gave birth to us. For Catholics we often think of Mary the mother of Jesus and how she was chosen to give birth to the son of God. We may also think of our mothers as those special people to which we share a close connection. My own mother often reminds me that it was just me and her in the delivery room after she had given birth. I don’t always get along with her (neither do we always see eye to eye) but I can appreciate all the good things that she has done for me. And those times when we argue over the pettiest of things, I try to remember that she means well and wants the best for me.

It’s not about getting our mothers the best and biggest gift, it is really about showing them that we care. I know that spending dear time may be most appreciated. Especially for those who are far away a phone call would be great to hear each others voices. There is no other bond quite like the bond between a mother and child. For those who either do not know their mother or just aren’t very close there may still be a certain connection there. Mother’s Day is a great way to honor and remember our mothers. It is also a special day to remember those women who were like mothers to us. I called a few of my other “mothers” today just to recollect and share joy with them. So on this day cherish the time with the woman that gave birth to you! Let us also keep those in our prayers who have lost their own mother. I had someone tell me a few years ago that you only have one mother and when she’s gone, she’s gone. I need to enjoy the time before she is indeed gone.

This past week in my community nutrition class I had the opportunity to volunteer at a regional food bank here. I expected to learn more about their policies, procedures, and then take a tour of the facility. What I did not expect was how hard we actually had to work at volunteering. First, we had to transfer bread off the shelves and put them into boxes. We also had to make sure that the bread packages weren’t open and the bread wasn’t spoiled. It was almost as though we were against the clock. There were very few if any breaks in between our workloads. Next were the potatoes. It was a very trying process because we had to remove all the spoiled spuds and make sure the others were in fairly decent condition. In all reality at times it was even a little grotesque.

We also worked on a community garden as well this past week. There was also plenty of work to be done there too. We had to harvest vegetables, plant new ones, and dig up the dirt from some of the beds. This was done to remove cardboard from the bottom of the bed and replace it was a better material for the plants. I had to remember through all of this work we still doing it for a good cause. Hunger afflicts so many people worldwide and even many in the United States. Doing even the little things at the food bank and also the community garden we were able to feed thousands of people.

I would encourage anyone to volunteer at least once at a local food bank. The experience will not only make you more appreciative but also more understanding for our fellow human beings who are forced to turn to other means to feel themselves. We must remember that they are still human beings who will greatly benefit from a little help. Hunger is a horrible thing for anyone to experience but most people only require a minimal amount of help. I know that harvesting one plant always makes room for another. Well, I also believe that opening our hearts to help one person, we can always find room for another.

A few weeks ago my mother called me in distress. Her car had stopped on her and she needed to call a tow truck to help her get home. Without hesitation I gladly called her a tow truck so that she could feel better about her car and also to give her a peace of mind. It’s not everyday that I personally get to help someone but it is important that I do it every chance I get. Working in the medical field gives me plenty of opportunities to do just that. It not only makes me feel good but passing along good feelings to others is essential to our lives.

Driving home I notice individuals standing near street lights with signs displaying their tragic events. There was one man in particular that I will never forget. I don’t remember his sign but I remember his expression and the way he shook as though he was inflicted with some neurological disease. As bad as I felt for him, I realized I had no change and had to shamefully look away.

Did he need a helping hand?

Yes.

Can we help all people like him?

No.

Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone and we will not always have change in our pockets to give away. But what can be done is prayers and thoughts for him. Helping others such as volunteering or generous donations can always be done and is very appreciative. The little things we can do often go a long ways. We may feel like we want to help all the people in the world but that can only start with one person at a time. No one will know when we could use a helping hand ourselves.

There is a local pastor here who will occasionally tell an inspiring story on the radio. He often speaks about courage or someone who had to overcome an obstacle. Most of the time the people he speaks about are famous and other times they are not so famous. But the common trend in all of his stories is overcoming adversity, reaching out to others, and even finding the courage to do the right thing. At the end of each segment he ends with the sentence, “now that’s something to think about.”

It isn’t all the time when I read a story and tell myself, well that’s something to think about. There was one particular story that I did read a while back that I would like to share. A social worker out one night was being robbed by a teenager with a knife. He gave the teen his wallet but as the teen proceeded to walk away he offered the young boy his coat. Puzzled, the boy took the coat. The social worker then offered to buy him dinner. So the young boy obliged. They interacted at the local eatery and just simply talked. The teen was so amazed because everyone in the restaurant knew the social worker. He explained to the teen that that was the way he treated everyone; with kindness.

Isn’t it amazing that a man being robbed literally decided to also give him the coat off of his back? I know that most people in this situation would have given the robber anything he or she asked for without asking any questions. The social worker decided to bestow true kindness upon his robber in hopes that may one day he would change his ways. As people of faith we often forget to show kindness. But it is important to know that as long as we have faith in our hearts we can also show that faith to others. Now, that is something to think about.

http://www.npr.org/2008/03/28/89164759/a-victim-treats-his-mugger-right

Last Thursday night while I was laying down and I heard the familiar sound of the rain beating on my window and the roaring thunder. There had been several forecasts of severe storms across the area. Eventually the thunder became only faint noise in the distance. I began to think about the people who had suffered damage from the storms and a few tornadoes that had rampaged through. For people of faith I think it’s very important to keep those who have endured loss in our thoughts and in our prayers. There are always going to be times where we all will have to weather our own storms. And these storms may not be the same ones to where we lose our homes but other storms as well.

Life is never nor was it intended to be easy. And if it was I certainly (and I know I am not alone) did not get that message. But often times that is fine because the mishaps, failures, or obstacles in our lives make us stronger people and that’s how we ultimately learn life lessons. I watched a part of a documentary today and the documentary showed different stories of why people around the world are happy. One story was particularly touching. A woman who was involved in a horrible vehicle accident that left her face disfigured to the point where she was unrecognizable. After multiple surgeries and the pain of divorce over time she became as what she stated the happiest she had ever been in her life. She stated she felt more grounded in her life and although her face wasn’t quite restored to what it originally was she was still beaming and energetically full of life.

Although a storm may seem like a tragedy it eventually fades away in the distance. No one can prevent the tragedies in life but as people of faith we can always choose a more positive way to handle those issues. We just need to realize that our own storms always turn into sunshine.

Being a student and having a full-time job is often pretty hectic. It feels especially hectic when being a student feels like having a second job (especially being a graduate student). This past week has been slightly stressful but I am happy to say that I made it through! When I was thinking about all the tasks and work I had to do, I started making a checklist. I knew that I had to get my priorities in order before I felt too overwhelmed. It is very similar to looking at a situation that seems impossible but after carefully picking apart that situation it does not seem menacing at all. With two papers due, two presentations to give, and my anxiety level going through the roof I had to step back from my situation and carefully pick it apart.

After praying and realizing the world was not ending my mind began to think more clearly. One presentation that I had to give was over a delightful little book by John Kotter titled Our Iceberg is Melting. While this book talks about change it also indirectly talks about priorities. In the book a colony of penguins must find a new home after realizing their current iceberg was melting and thus would not be around much longer. I failed to think of this before but often we feel as though our lives are on a melting iceberg filled with uncertainty and anxiety on where the next move shall be. As people of faith, we will never be stranded. Someone always knows our next move and is always willing to help us. Even though all of my work and school related issues made me feel like I was drowning the higher power I serve is forever here to lift me up. And that alone should probably be my top priority.

When I was younger Easter with my family was very eventful. I loved wearing a colorful new dress that my mom had bought me for Easter Sunday. She was often so proud of the dresses that she would buy. She would always make us Easter baskets as well and stock them full of candy. It didn’t matter how old I got (as I am a little older now) because she still made baskets even through my college years. We would also have a wonderful dinner and stuff ourselves to no end. But I realize there is more to Easter than just candy and colored eggs. It is about Christ and how He is risen! I am so thankful to pray and thank Him for all of his wonderful and many blessings.

After the struggles and sacrifices of Lent that we make, we get to enjoy the celebration of Easter and remember that Christ died for us. It is so important that His blood was shed so that we may be saved. I know that often times I forget to realize this. With my hectic life and schedule I must remember that someone is always thinking about me whether I realize it or not. Someone is always on my side and wants to see me succeed and do well. Someone is always there through my pain and struggles and yet is always there for my joys.

That someone is the risen Lord. So as we go about our daily lives and all of the failures and triumphs we must remember that Christ died for us in hopes that we may rise again with Him.

I know that most people have heard the outcries from the horrible shooting of Trayvon Martin. Many are calling for justice for him and the man who was supposedly apart of a neighborhood watch who shot him. It is always a tragedy when someone so young is killed as the result of something so meaningless. The man who shot him supposedly acting in self-defense even stating that he looked “suspicious”. What as people of faith can we do to promote non-violence and prevent racism as it seems in this case. There is no magical wand to wave to end tragedy but there are different ways to deal with tragedy.

We can always pray and praying does go a long way. In the case of Trayvon Martin, people have been marching and protesting. They have also lobbied to lawmakers to make a change to help prevent further tragedies such as this. There is no way to bring the victim back and no way to quickly bring comfort to his family and his friends. But we as people of faith must keep striving for what we believe is right and just. We must pray and take any action that will not only benefit us but our communities and most importantly, the world. We can only hope that there will eventually be fewer tragedies ahead of us.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing  a young woman for a project about leadership. Initially, I did not know what to expect. Here I was in a uniquely structured building in an area of town that I don’t often visit. I was pleasantly surprised when a fresh-looking and energetic woman came to greet me for our meeting. Overall, I asked her questions of how she got started and the qualities of leadership. Her message was simple yet powerful, lead by example. We often hear this expression in our lives but how often do we actually follow it? As people of faith, we should most certainly always lead by example but there are times when we fall just short.

Being a leader for others may be just as hard as being a leader for ourselves while practicing leading by example. There are many influences in our lives ranging from parents, teachers, colleagues, friends, and other loved ones. Even in my line of work in the medical profession, it is essential to lead by example to make the world a healthier place. So, in our words, actions, thoughts, and even spirit we can all lead by example. But what makes an effective leader? Someone who is tough, strong, or courageous? I like to think that our spiritual leaders possess all of these qualities (and maybe even a little more) to not only save us in this life but also in the after life.

There is a leader in all of us but if we do not lead by example, then our integrity is called into question. Setting quality standards that can be enjoyed by all will never be if the one who leads us is inadequate. For our life and for our faith, we must strive to be of the highest standard for all who come after.

As some of you may know, I am a huge basketball fan and march madness is probably one of the best sporting tournaments around. There is so much excitement, upsets, and further unexpected results. Every team gets just one shot and either you go home or are eventually crowned champion for the year. I know that people so diligently compare sports to real life but most comparisons are very accurate. We all want to be on the winning team, bask in endless glory, and to be adored by numerous fans. One thing that is for certain is that we can all be on God’s winning team. We may not be necessarily adored by millions but only really need to be adored by one and we already have that.

Unlike the college basketball tournament, most of us get more than one shot at life. Naturally we will make mistakes, bad decisions, and also poor choices. But as long as we have the mercy of our Heavenly Father, anything is possible and we can always get another try to make things right. I know that I have dreamed of making that winning shot. The shot goes in, the crowd erupts in cheers, and the game is over with me being on the winning side of that game. God is endlessly on our side and He wants us to be on His winning team. Even if we never make that winning shot and our picture isn’t on every magazine and newspaper, we can always be on the winning team; cheering for our lives and also for our faith.