Morning Has Come!
Morning has come!
Just as promised!

The sun will open
The start of a new day!
A day that has promise and possibilities

Jesus, please don’t let me
Waste this day of a new beginning
May I not let little frustrations?

stop me from enjoying the wonder
of creation and magnificent compassion
you show me each morning

May I bring that same compassion
in some small way to everyone
and at the end of the day

feel the peace of knowing I
lived today with hope
and encouraged others with care

Being In the Moment

Tuesday was a typical workday. I was gathering supplies for the members who would be working that day, and organizing how I would support them. My progress notes for the month also were due. This was a day in which members attended activities and had the opportunity to ask me questions and discuss their concerns. They told me what was happening in their lives. I talked with one member while two more waited. I knew I had to leave in ten minutes to transport members to a work site.

After talking to the member, I told the two who were waiting that we’d converse when I returned. I then drove three members to their place of employment. On the way, we talked about their work, what they would be doing, and about the barbeque to be held the next day. I tried to keep the conversation friendly, but was preoccupied with what I still needed to accomplish and how to get my progress notes completed on time. When we were almost to their work site, I said in a positive way, “Well, we are almost there.”

I assumed the members were eager to arrive, but Kathy said, “Why did you say that? I was enjoying being with you and watching the scenery.”
It caught me off guard, and I started thinking about what Kathy said. I let her know she was right, and said I also liked being with her. It made me realize how important it is to listen to people, and to not be worried about the past or the future, but too remained focused on the present moment.

Reflection

Have you ever been with a person who acts as if they have all the time in the world for you? When you are with that person, you feel they are really hearing you and are not focused on other things. You feel special and appreciated. In retrospect, I believe Kathy was asking me to be present with her and to savor our time together. Some of our members live in board-and-care homes. Often, people in charge of the homes lack time to spend with their guests. Some members aren’t able to see their families very often, and they are without the benefits most people in our culture enjoy. They would like a car, a full-time job, or a vacation. I believe they need someone who understands their challenges and is willing to listen to their dreams; someone who enjoys being with them.
I am talking about the members in our program, but isn’t this what most people wish for? To have someone who listens and tries to understand? To have their complete attention and enjoy their company? We cannot stop the ever-present wars, but we can provide a degree of peace to the people we meet every day.
Being the dreamer I am, I wonder what the world would be like if we all tried to live with this concept. Our members have special wisdom and can teach us all. I am hoping the readers of this book will also learn from them. I have learned more from those with severe mental illness than from many “successful” people.
As a Christian, I believe God calls us to love others. We must realize God created and lives within each person with whom we are interacting. We must appreciate their goodness, and feel the presence of God when we are praying. It doesn’t matter the style of prayer we use; I sense that God is living in each of us. We need to be as fully connected to God as possible. Only then can we also see more completely God in others.

Scripture

Bringing this concept into focus is the story of Martha and Mary.

In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha, who was distracted with all the serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha,” he said, “you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part, and it is not to be taken from her.”
Luke 10: 38-42 (New American Bible)

Reflection

Do you wonder why Jesus doesn’t ask Mary to help her? It seems as though Martha gets
a bad deal in this story. She welcomes Jesus and wants to serve Him, so what is Jesus is trying to tell her? I believe He is saying that we need to serve and welcome others, but we first need to listen and be with God. We need to calm ourselves with the peace of Jesus. We need to be connected with Him, first. You’ll notice that Jesus doesn’t say she is wrong or that she is not a caring or loving person. He is saying Mary has chosen the better part.

Daily Practice

Each day, I want to continue my prayer of being aware of what God is teaching me. I want to be with God and not have any preconceived ideas of what I expect or want. Part of my prayer may be conversation, but it’s important to leave time for silence.
I will strive to be focused on any person I am with and be aware of their goodness. They want to be understood and cared for. I will enjoy the environment shared with each person, however humble it may be.