Circle of Light

Last week I had the opportunity to work with a special group of people at Mcrest, an organization that gives people the opportunity to have a place to sleep and eat with dignity, when they could be on the streets in a truly homeless condition. One thing that struck me while there, was really the attitude of the people who were volunteering. There was a true camaraderie and a true love for doing things in a good way for this group of men who were in need. It was a true spirit of giving, whether cutting up vegetables in the kitchen, emptying trash, or picking up laundry.

I had the privilege of being able to help in the kitchen and one of the cool things that I got to see was a group of people who were really concerned about getting good food out to the men dining there. It was cool to see people preparing food with an attitude of "would this be something I would eat?" instead of a "ahh, just give them whatever." The volunteers were truly acting and providing in a fashion of feeding the men food they would make for themselves at home. What really made it cool, was also that we sat down with the men and ate with them.

In the midst of all the donations, some things were short and different people were pitching in to help out. It was really proof of the story Stone Soup, leaving a lesson that if we all give a little, it somehow turns into a lot. Life tends to be that way, whether in business or pleasure, it's good to work to change the world, even starting with ourselves, a little change or a little giving or a little something can have a ripple affect for good on people and circumstances around us. As Christians, we are called to be that little bit of salt that seasons the earth. When we are that salt, we give God and men the opportunity and hope to make a difference.

For some reason, this brought to mind a note, or poem, or piece of prose (whatever you want to call it) that I wrote for my wife about our lives and family some time ago. It kind of brings to mind that whole impact and touch we have on each other throughout our lives.

Circle of Light

There is a circle of light that glistens as it weaves around us

Flowing and Ebbing to the tune of life and love

When two circles of light run into each other

Sometimes comes laughter sometimes tears

But there is no denying the strength of the beat

as two circles of light run together around us

growing stronger

Meeting you, seeing that light in your eyes

Made the light in mine rejoice

Reflections of light became golden rings on our fingers

Tokens of light, Tokens of love

Symbols of a Light, Eternal Divine

As we strive and grow

As we weave to the beat

Those circles of light get stronger and brighter

Richer and Deeper

As our circle of light dimmed in comparison to our Savior

He strengthened that light with His love

Joining and completing the circle

Weaving it unbreakable making it sing

in spite of sadness

in spite of pain

Then that circle of light spread into more

Four bright circles weave into ours

Growing in light, Growing in Love

One more soon to be

Weaving a glowing thread of light

one day to shine on their own

yet ever reaching, strengthened and weaving with ours

As the circle's of light dance and weave through the night

May we always weave our light with His

To share and touch our friend, our neighbor, our enemy

and each other

Learning to dance and share that Precious Light

Truly the light in my eyes and heart has not gone out for you, my wife, may we grow together to share His light with our world. I love you my dearest!

Did the hero slay the dragon?

Fantasy has always been fascinating to me. Whether it was the cowboy's and Indians, Star Wars, knights and dragons, superhero's, modern day and past. I found Zorro fascinating along with Daniel Boone, Davy Crocket and Jim Bowie. I always wanted to wield a lightsaber in defense of the Republic defeating Darth Vader and I wanted the magic sword of King Arthur, because I knew no dragon hide, no matter how strong his scale, could withstand the sword filled with magic and fueled by honor.

I bring all of this up, because, even to this day I still like to pick up a magical weapon or super powered laser rifle or other weapon in a video game and go forth and defeat the evil horrors that prowl the lands or threaten life, family, children and people as we know it in this galaxy. I love to sit down with a book, comic or movie like Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, Spiderman, Superman, Eragon and inspire the hero inside me that wants to come out and save the day, coming back from impossible odds.

It seems that there is a call to honor, deeds and glory that every man's heart wants to reach for, to change the world (or even his small corner of it) somehow. As my children grow older, I want them to reach for that. I want their imaginations to grow with the fun and possibilities of the world around them. However, I also strive to teach them that heroism is not just found in a video game or a movie. While those things, like a book, can be a teacher of those things, actions win the day.

I emphasize and want them to see the everyday heroism of people around them, our firemen, our policemen our volunteer military. People who work with the homeless or fight disease and illness while still trying to live a productive life. I have a brother-in-law like that, family members like that. We encourage our kids to watch TV shows like Extreme Makeover to learn about giving back to the community.

We also encourage their participation, in making self sacrifice to help at Christmas and other times of the year with families or people in need. Just helping out with people who are in trouble by doing something as simple as delivering a meal. That money and things are a tool, yes to make life better, but not just for yourself, for others too.

The real point is, there are real heroes among us, every day heroes that we need to recognize and appreciate and teach our children to recognize and appreciate. And it doesn't hurt to start small, the big will come one day, by having a child help a younger brother or sister find a toy or with a chore. Then, defeat a cog in Toontown or as they get older help a group or fellowship take down a dragon or get a ring to the fires of Mt Doom. Then helping pack food baskets for church or outreach and then one day helping in a soup kitchen or charity organization.

The important part is by mixing their fiction heroes with real life heroes and events, from our children we can build men and women of courage and hope, starting with giving them challenges and successes for their age and building on that. By doing these things, we teach them character. Not just character in the pursuit of the next fancy, whizbang thing, but character that whatever career they decide to follow or toy they decide to purchase, they will also know how to reach out in their communities in little ways, that build up and ripple around them. That they will know how to start helping, changing and making a difference in their world.

We can teach them (and maybe ourselves at the same time) to be heroes in the real world as well as the imaginary one. So, take your child and go slay a dragon today!

(Click the picture for a nicer view of the dragon! Oh and it took lots of people working together to take this big guy down.)