Meditation from Shelly

Our church hired a new minister 6 months ago. When the family came up for Corbin's graduation everybody wanted to go to church, so we went. Well Sarah and I didn't know that our church had chosen a new minister and his appearance at the pulpit was news to us. Colleen and Sarah did not like his appearance or his oratory style. To them, he seemed a little to “hip n’ slick.” Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but in my opinion, everybody is also entitled to a fair opportunity.

Our church has been in this community for more than 50 years and during those years has borne tremendous fruit. Internationally known scholars, spiritual, political, and academic leaders are among some of the many who have come from my church. Our board made a careful and well thought out decision when they chose Pastor Jim. I felt strongly that we could not give him a fair assessment by coming late to the service (totally my fault) and hearing him for the first time for 20 minutes. Just like with Barrack, I may not know all the input with his decisions but there comes a time when you just have to trust the system or the person and I do.

I went to church one Sunday. The subject of Rev. Jim's sermon was, "Michigander's are Evolved People". He began by quoting many of the negative statistics that we all hear nationwide about Detroit: high crime, unemployment, foreclosures....etc. Then he told us that it doesn’t matter how negative and helpless you may feel the situation is, always give thanks.

For it is there that we may find the necessary vision, or enlightenment that motivates us to the next level and advised us to therefore:
o Choose gratitude over drama.
o Be thankful,
o Don't dramatize the negative.

He cautioned us not to deny the accuracy of the statistical facts, but what we should also deny about these facts is that they have any power over us. We have power in our thoughts .We are an evolved people that have been through it. If too many things are coming at you in a bad way, too fast, too furious, then get the hell out of that lane, your in the wrong lane.

We can become prisoners of our consciousness. Someone once said first you must believe it, then see it, then take action, your action becomes habit, and ultimately your habit becomes your destiny.

I was very distraught because I had to go to the hospital for exploratory procedures. I was negative. I remembered the Rev's sermon and found reason to give thanks. After the doctors did their thing I was released the next day. Walking into work I was on the phone talking to a cal- in radio DJ. I walked at a very brisk pace while carrying a heavy piece of luggage. Prior to my procedure at the hospital, I could have NEVER done this. I would have been too out of breath.

ALWAYS!!! find reason to give thanks, no matter the circumstance.