Empathy. We hear this word from time to time, yet sometimes it’s misunderstood and underestimated.

At its core, empathy is the ability to “step into someone else’s shoes”, to feel with them, not just for them.

It’s not pity, it’s more than sympathy. Where sympathy might say, “I feel bad for you,” empathy whispers,“I feel this with you.”

Now, maybe you’re not a “feely, touchy” kind of person when it comes to these subjects. I respect that. I hope you find my next post more thought provoking than visceral.

I want to be clear from the onset what empathy is not. Empathy does not mean agreeing with everything someone does.

It does not mean excusing harmful behavior. It does not mean lowering the truth for the sake of comfort.

True empathy simply acknowledges humanity; shared struggles, tears, joys, and longings that connect us. This is what I love, the things that connect us. I believe empathy is more needed in our society today than ever, for obvious reasons.

Our world has become faster, louder, and often harsher. Technology keeps us “connected,” yet loneliness rises. Polarization is deepening, and judgment seems to be given more airtime than compassion. In such a climate, empathy is not a soft luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s not a weakness, but if seen correctly, at times could be used as corporate strength.

Empathy bridges the gaps that division tries to widen. When practiced, it says: “I may not understand everything you’re going through, but I dare enough to try.” “Your pain matters.” “I see you, not just your mistake, your label, or your circumstance.”

Without empathy, society becomes cold and mechanical. If we lose it altogether, we lose the heartbeat of humanity, then we resort to treating each other like problems to be solved instead of humans to be respectfully regarded. Imagine a world where no one stops to comfort the grieving, listen to the brokenhearted, or celebrate the victories of others. How cold, harsh, and transactional life would be?

Someone may ask; Does empathy join us or divide us?

Let’s face it, we can be divided on just about anything. I believe empathy joins us. Always. Division grows when we forbid our hearts to express empathy, when we only see the surface of a person’s choices rather than the hidden story behind them. Empathy does not erase differences, but it melts them just a bit, to ask and answer sensible questions. It doesn’t demand uniformity, but it cultivates unity.

Think of a mother staying up with her sick child through the night. That’s empathy in action. Think of a stranger paying for someone’s groceries after seeing their embarrassment at the register. That’s empathy in action. Think of a friend who doesn’t try to “fix” your sadness but simply sits beside you and says, “I’m here.” That’s empathy in action. Man, we can’t lose this!

These simple moments carry more weight than arguments, criticisms, or even solutions ever could. They speak to the soul.

I believe it’s vital to keep our hearts warm (open to kindness).

There will always be reasons to close our hearts; betrayals, disappointments, the wrongs others do. But when we allow bitterness, judgment, or indifference to numb us, we lose more than what we try to protect, we lose our connection. What if God designed us to live that way….can you imagine His disappointment if we didn’t?

Keeping our hearts warm is best practice not because others always deserve it, but because we need it also. Empathy is a two-way street: when we give it, we remind ourselves of our own humanity. When we withhold it, we harden not just toward others, but ultimately back to ourselves.

Empathy is powerful. It can heal wounds that words alone can’t. It can disarm anger, dissolve prejudice, and inspire hope. It makes the unseen seen and the unheard heard.

In the end, empathy is not weakness….it is strength. It is not naivety, it is wisdom. It’s not optional if we care to live in a world worth passing over to the next generation.

So, let’s keep our hearts warm. Let’s choose to see others not just by what they’ve done wrong, but by the sacred truth that they, like us, are still human, still valuable, still in need of kindness. For when empathy is alive, love is alive and love is what makes life truly worth living. 

anablepsis.

Let’s talk, AI.

No, not the kind of AI that becomes self-aware and takes over the world like in the movies. Don’t be sceptical, believe me your toaster isn’t spying on you.

I’m talking about the real stuff; “artificial intelligence” (AI) that’s quietly, steadily making our lives easier, our phones are smarter, our emails are more polite, and our texts are better written with  auto correct, decorated with the appropriate emoji.

So… What Is AI, Really?

At its simplest, artificial intelligence is when a machine or computer does something that normally requires human acumen. That includes learning, reasoning, problem-solving, recognizing images or voices, translating languages, even writing articles.

Think of it like a really fast, super-helpful assistant that doesn’t need coffee breaks or a paycheck. AI doesn’t “think” like a human, but it can analyze enormous amounts of information to make decisions or predictions based on patterns.

If you’ve ever:

• Asked Siri if you need an umbrella,
• Had Netflix recommend the perfect show to binge on a Saturday night,
• Typed a text and had your phone finish your sentence (sometimes correctly, sometimes hilariously wrong)…

Then congratulations! You’ve already used AI, and guess what we’ve survived! 

Common AI fears (and why we don’t need to panic)

Let’s address the elephant in the “server room”.

1. “AI is going to take all our jobs!”
True, AI is changing jobs, but it’s not out here emptying office buildings and replacing humans with robot interns. Instead, it’s helping people work smarter. It’s automating repetitive tasks so that actual humans can focus on the things that require creativity, empathy, and decision-making.

Think of it like getting a new toolbox. The tools don’t replace the carpenter, they make the carpenter better, more efficient.

2. (This is me!) “I’m not a tech person—I’ll never understand AI.”
Guess what, if we can follow a recipe, figure out our remote controls, or set reminders on our phones, we can grasp the basics of AI. It’s not magic, just math, logic, and a heap of data. And no, we don’t need a PhD to be part of the conversation.

3. “What if AI becomes smarter than us and we lose control?”
This is the big one, right? While AI can out-calculate us, it doesn’t have common sense, emotions, or moral judgment. It’s only as smart (or not so bright) as the humans who create and train it. That’s why ethics, rules, and human oversight are part of every serious AI conversation. The goal isn’t to create a robot overlord, it’s to build tools that serve people.

How AI is already helping us ( Drama free)

Let’s bring it down to earth. Here’s what AI is already doing in our everyday lives:

• Healthcare: Assisting doctors with faster, more accurate diagnoses. I’ve experienced this first hand.
• Banking: Helping detect fraud and giving smarter financial advice.
• Transportation: Powering GPS systems and working toward safer self-driving tech.
• Shopping: Recommending products based on our tastes (or recent 2 a.m.online impulse buys).
• Education: Offering personalized learning tools for students at all levels.
• Accessibility: Turning speech into text for the hearing impaired or reading text aloud for the visually impaired.

AI isn’t some distant, scary force, it’s already our co-pilot in ways we probably don’t realize. Remember how Google was seamlessly integrated into our lives?

Making AI simple: Think of it as an extremely fast learner.

Imagine you had a friend who could read every book, watch every video, and analyze every spreadsheet in the world… in seconds. And then, based on that, they could suggest what movie you might like, predict traffic patterns, or write a to-do list that practically reads your mind.

That’s AI. It’s not perfect though, sometimes it gets it hilariously wrong i.e; (GPS giving wrong directions), but it’s learning…. Constantly.

And best of all? You don’t have to build it to benefit from it.

My final thought: AI can’t replace humans. It reminds me of what separates us from technology.

As strange as it sounds, the more we build machines that can “think,” the more we value what can’t be replicated—compassion, creativity, wisdom, laughter, faith, and love.

So next time someone brings up AI at a dinner party or you’re staring at a chatbot wondering if it understands your sarcasm, just remember: AI isn’t a threat. It’s a tool. And like any good tool, its impact depends on how we choose to use it.

And if you’re still worried? Just ask Alexa to play you a happy song. I hear she’s got great taste.

Still curious? Here’s a basic overview, person-to-person:

AI is just machines doing tasks that need people to jumpstart it.
It’s already helping us every day.
It’s not about replacing people, it’s about helping people.
We don’t need to be a “techie” to understand it.
A little humor helps when learning anything new.

So breathe easy. Your toaster is still just a toaster…. probably.

I’m still a regular suspecting human learning about AI (and occasionally getting disgusted at autocorrect on my device.)

anablepsis.

I was speaking with a friend the morning of writing this post. He was explaining to me about an opportunity he had that came around again, however the first time he’d gotten “cold feet”.

It got me thinking about opportunities I passed by because of “frozen toes”.

When opportunity knocks (the second time) how do we answer it?

There was a time for me, when personal growth meant starting things I’d never finish, as though beginning a thing was accomplishing it. I used to regret the knocking of opportunity. After hearing it I felt obligated to answer, even though I knew I wouldn’t be committed to its eventual required task.

It turns out I wasn’t the only one who backed out of opportunity knocking, almost everyone has at one time or another, having had that “wait-no-I’m-not-ready-please-don’t-make-me-grow”  moment. It’s common.

Some may feel because they’ve missed the boat before, somehow it means they’re banned from the dock forever. Growth doesn’t operate that way, as in a one time shot, this is not the Olympics, it’s more like a dance floor you can jump in awkwardly at any time! LOL.

Cold feet isn’t a character flaw. Let’s say an opportunity shows up wearing a “Personal Growth” name tag and there in that instant, one “freezes”. One may convince themselves: “I’m not ready.” or “I don’t have what it takes.” This is not failure, it’s fear wearing a very convincing disguise. It happens to everyone, even the people who look like they’ve got it all figured out. (Especially them! They’re just better at hiding their panic in aesthetically pleasing Social Media posts.)

Growth is patient. It doesn’t hold grudges. It doesn’t keep score. It doesn’t say, “Oh, you ignored me in 2020 huh?,  I’ll just help someone who has it more together.”

Nope. Growth is more like a laid-back friend who says, “Hey, I brought snacks. I’ll be over here, ready when you are.”

And that means even if you’ve walked away from change before from starting therapy, setting boundaries, pursuing your dream, saying no when you always said yes, it’s okay.

Start now. Still in your sweatpants? Great. Still scared? Totally normal. Still low-key mad at your past self for not doing it sooner? Join the club. But also, forgive yourself or forgive them, as the case may be. They did the best they could with what they had. They could never give you what you needed, so release them, (whether living or those who have passed on.)

So how would one allow opportunity now? Well, I’m no expert but I can offer some reasonable ideas:

1. Feel the Fear, Answer Anyway

No need to be fearless to grow, just willing. Willing to try. Willing to fail. Willing to get real uncomfortable, then in a while you look in the rearview mirror and say; “Oh wow, that actually wasn’t the end of the world!”

2. Start Small, But Start

Write one journal entry. Make one boundary. Say one honest thing out loud. Personal growth isn’t about radical reinvention overnight, it’s about the quiet courage to begin.

3. Laugh Through the Weird Parts

Growth is messy. So what if you trip over your own patterns. You may say things like, “I’m totally over from that,” then cry in the cereal aisle LOL! That’s not regression. That’s being a human with genuine emotions, doing your best.

4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

You don’t need to become an entirely different person. You just need to become a more sincere and committed version of you. More honest. More intentional. More of you on purpose.

Finally, Open the Door

If you’ve hesitated before, fumbled your chances, or backed out at the last second, welcome. That doesn’t disqualify anyone from growth. In fact, it probably makes them more ready than ever.

Opportunity doesn’t need us to be perfect. It just needs us to stop pretending we’re not home.

So the next time opportunity knocks, answer.

Messy hair, shaky voice, half-sure?…. and all-in.

Because personal growth is not having never missed the boat, it’s really about learning to swim.

anablepsis.

In the years I’ve been writing this blog, I have never shared my political views on current events as they are irrelevant compared to God’s (Divine Perspective) concerning these issues from both sides of a divided nation. This post is no different.

I have family and friends on both sides of “the isle.” I LOVE them, see them, respect and defend the freedom they have of their viewpoint, even if I respectfully agree or not, if you are receiving this post, this is how I respectfully see you, but it doesn’t stop there for me I subscribe to the BIBLE, the Word of God for my solutions, and I live as a KINGDOM citizen here in the earth.

My views are not to indoctrinate, but simply give a peek into heaven’s Divine remedies that I hold dear. You may not agree, but even if you do agree, I encourage you to still search these things out for yourself. 

Now on to this month’s post.

There is a Biblical response to a divided nation. In the wake of recent events here in Los Angeles—where cries for justice and unity echoed through the streets, once again finds itself wrestling with a painful double prong reality: 

The peaceful and the criminal. 

These have too often been conflated, and viewed by some as indistinguishable or one in the same. When the dust settles, I’m asking: What is God’s message to a divided people?

What is the path forward when society is torn between outrage and apathy, fear and frustration, justice and judgment?

So what does the Bible say about peaceful protest and the right to speak? Peaceful protest is not rebellion—it’s a plea. In Scripture, we see godly people lamenting, crying out against injustice: “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.” — Proverbs 31:8 (NKJV)

God’s people are called to be voices for the voiceless, not just silent observers. The Bible prophets of old, often challenged the status quo, not with violence, but with the Word of God. Peaceful protest is in line with biblical advocacy for justice, dignity, and righteousness.

Raids, looting, and lawlessness. This is a different spirit and agenda altogether yet, scripture makes a sharp distinction between the voice of justice and the hand of lawlessness. “The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” — Proverbs 4:19 (NKJV)
“Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
— 1 Peter 4:15 (NKJV)

Looting and criminal activity are not protests—it is exploitation. It exploits pain, distracts from purpose, and deepens the wounds of communities already suffering. These actions are not born of righteous indignation but of selfish ambition and spiritual blindness. 

What Does The Bible Say About A Divided Nation? Jesus addressed the danger of division plainly; “Every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” Matthew 12:25 NKJV

We live in a climate where people speak past and over each other, rather than to each other. I believe sometimes we argue to be right, and not to understand. Our biases are reinforced by curated news cycles and echo chambers. Truth is no longer something we seek, but something we assume we already have. The fruit of this? Anger, fear, and hardened hearts.

But the Bible offers a better way. The answer to the critics on both sides. To the critic who condemns peaceful protest, scripture says: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil… who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!” — Isaiah 5:20–23 (NKJV)

To the one who excuses criminality as justice: “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.”— Exodus 23:2 (NKJV)

God is NOT partial to politics. He condemns both injustice and lawlessness. Truth is not found in political “spin” but in the unchanging Word of God. And healing begins not with blame, but with repentance, humility, and a return to God’s heart. 

What Are The Dangers Of Fear And Apathy? Stoking fear only deepens division. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear fuels hate, clouds judgment, and breeds suspicion. On the other hand, burying our heads in the sand—ignoring the pain of others—is just as harmful. “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? — Proverbs 24:11–12 (NKJV)

Both extremes—fear and apathy—one hardens us to truth while the other robs us of compassion. Neither is the way nor the teachings of Jesus Christ.

So What Is The Healing Solution? 

The Bible gives us a solution for healing a broken land:

1. Humility and Repentance
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

2. Truth in Love
“Speak the truth in love, that we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

3. Justice and Mercy
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)

Only Jesus Christ heals. Only He restores truth. Only love unites. Political platforms won’t heal our land—but people who humble themselves before God, who listen with compassion, and who live out the gospel in their everyday lives can make a difference. 

So what does God require? As a citizen of heaven living in a broken world, my calling is not to defend sides but to build bridges, to bear witness to the love of Jesus Christ, and to intercede for healing. 

This is what I believe is my personal calling and mission.

Be a peacemaker.
Be light in darkness.
Reject fear, and embrace faith.
Look beyond political labels to see and become an image-bearer of truth and light in my actions and speech. Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)

Because in Zion—the spiritual city of God—there are no sides. There is only one King, and one Body. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
— Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

anablepsis

Disclaimer:

Regardless of what your view on God may be, He wants to have a relationship with you and I. By the way, this isn’t a religious pitch.

This isn’t a ploy to try and get you to see things as I do or indoctrinate you.

Each one of you receiving this post every month are my friends, I respect you and care about you very much. Yes, (and you would know this) even if you don’t believe as I do or we don’t agree, I’m not a disagreeable person…. anymore! LOL

Many have concerns about our nation and indeed the world. I’m asking you to join me in prayer for both. I’m not talking politics or blame here, but asking we share a concerted effort in asking God; what He would have us do for family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. I don’t care where we find ourselves in life, we will need the help and assistance of someone at some point, if it hasn’t happened already. 

We never know where we may find ourselves in life, what situation or circumstance, as life has funny twists and turns. What I’m saying today is; you may have a chance to be a blessing in someone’s life ….please, don’t pass it up.

One never knows when, where or how they may be working for God in ways of being a blessing they never thought imaginable on someone’s behalf. Some have fallen on hard times unexpectedly, and this may continue. If it does, there is nothing like a person that comes in your life as “a bridge over troubled waters” in just the right season, like a cool drink of water in a desert at just the right time.

The good news is that we can all do something whether it’s great or small. Never underestimate the power of our contribution. We may not be able to contribute doing the same thing in the same way, but a contribution is ranked based on the need in that moment. 

When I encourage that we could  “be a blessing,” what I’m saying is that, there are certain things within our power where we can make a difference. You know what that may be and how you might help alleviate a load, convene a moment of sanctuary for a friend.

Some of you reading this post right now whom I know personally, are some of the best at this. In your own way, you find a way to quietly and discreetly contribute; helping family, friends, neighbors, causes, through your businesses, God given skills, you touch lives and families in ways that only God would know. 

In your opinion; there is no need to blow a trumpet or sound an alarm over the things you do but there are a lot of grateful people I believe I can speak for, in saying THANK YOU.

We are living in times that you and I may be called upon to show kindness, compassion, and care, at inconvenient times, in moments where all “your ducks aren’t in a row” and you are called upon to choose, do I serve, or do I pass the opportunity elsewhere?

Some will be called upon to share and even contribute financially if the need arises, so don’t back down or shy away from that opportunity either. Could it be that God has provided for you to be a blessing? Some of you may be a blessing from your kitchen, in cooking or baking, others may be instrumental in visiting hospitals as you stand and console families through a difficult time. Some children may need a big brother or sister who finds themselves orphaned.

Being a patient listener to someone who has no one to confide in, is vital to that one who doesn’t have anyone to confide in, as they dangerously live with an overloaded circuit. I find that in the end, it isn’t the wisdom I offer but the wisdom they actually hear and implement as their solution. Being supportive is a worthwhile venture, be willing to convey the blessing to someone else, you never know how far it may go.  anablepsis.

Brenda, my wife and photographer for this blog reminded me after my March 2025 post, we’d crossed the 5 year threshold with getting out these musings of mine. It hardly seems real.

I’ve received encouragement along the way from some of you to keep going, I appreciate you for it too. I wasn’t as constant in my writing and posts as in recent months, but I’ve grown into some measure of consistency.

When Brenda reminded me of this milestone, it gave me a sense of accomplishment. There are those who are way better at this “being consistent” stuff than me, however the lessons I’ve gleaned are certainly noteworthy.

I was being a perfectionist. This kept me from being steady as a writer and posting monthly. I was always struggling with either the subject matter, worrying about repeating myself, or being concerned with who would be interested in my writings or not. Somehow, I was able to shake that period and just write and little did I know, that in doing this over time I would get a breakthrough!

My mind broke free of the notion that every post needed to be a Pulitzer! 

There is something beneficial in repetitiveness over time, particularly when it comes to things that make us better and who wouldn’t want to be better, right? 

Perfectionism. It’s like a hangnail: it snags almost everything with fabric until remedied. Perfectionism gnaws at the brain, searching for better, looking for “the best possible” when that may have already been achieved through excellence. Excellence is about quality, perfectionism is refusing to accept anything lower, based on one’s own idea of perfection, perfection is personal.

While there’s nothing wrong with improving on something one believes could be better, and doing it in an exemplary way, it needs to ultimately have a conclusion…a finality rather than a mental torment that keeps one from moving forward.

If not careful, perfection can be a prison from creativity and progress. It can be a place of unrest rather than discovery. There has to come a time or place that says; ‘I’ve done my best with this’, next time I can expand on it, or maybe to even learn and grow from it. When a perfectionist turns it loose….this opens the door to freedom and growth.

Once it’s done correctly and in the best quality way, it should be over….correct? After all, what can be better than the best possible?  This is probably how the “A+” concept started. You go from “A” to “A+” to “A++” now the guy who received the “A” feels like a failure because of an imaginary expectation of 2 additional ”’+” signs after the ”A”, which wasn’t really necessary, only maybe to express elation rather than achievement. 

Sometimes there are voices inside the mind that pushes one past what is acceptable to a loving heavenly Father. The voice may sound like a mother, a father or a teacher’s voice. It may be the voice of a coach, a classmate from years gone by, perhaps a coworker. If these voices push us into something other than wonderful and balanced achievement, it may not be the healthiest voice to adhere to.

So here’s to another 5 years of consistent writing and postings.  I hope you stay on board with me on this journey, you are a strong inspiration in why I do it. 

No more perfectionism.

anablepsis.

I’m not a fan of U.S. Daylight Savings Time (DST). So at the risk of sounding negative from the onset, like many things we all have to deal with in life, this is just another one for me.

One reason is how I’m affected physiologically, like (many others) having disruptive sleeping patterns, disorientation, mood, ect. especially in the winter, getting dark early with days being shorter. It’s like living in another time zone.

Some are not bothered by it at all, and to you I give a sincere salute. I was compelled to do a little research on it, just to satisfy my own curiosity.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) I was surprised to find that it was introduced during World War I in 1918 as a way to conserve energy by extending evening daylight hours, reducing the need for artificial lighting. It was temporarily abolished after the war but reinstated during World War II for similar energy-saving purposes.

After the war, (DST) wasn’t observed across states and cities until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized it nationwide, even though states could opt out. Over the years, the start and end dates have changed, with the most recent adjustment coming from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which extended (DST) to begin from the second Sunday in March extending to the first Sunday in November.

In all fairness, it was only fitting to weigh both the pro’s and con’s of (DST) beyond opinion and preference.

THE PROS SAY:  

1. Energy Conservation – Originally, it was intended to reduce electricity use by decreasing the need for artificial lighting in the evenings. However, modern studies have shown mixed results on whether this is still effective. This is the problem with not revisiting to see if things are still beneficial or advantageous for the current times.
2.  More Daylight in the Evening –was believed that longer daylight hours in the evenings could contribute to outdoor activities, businesses, and retail sale opportunities.
3. Reduced Traffic Accidents – Some research suggests that (DST) reduces car accidents by increasing visibility during the busiest driving hours.
4. Boost to the Economy & Recreation – Businesses that rely on evening activities, such as restaurants and sporting events, claim to see an increase in activity during (DST).

THE CONS SAY:

1. Health Disruptions – The abrupt shift in time can cause sleep disturbances, increase stress, and affect the body’s circadian rhythm. (the natural 24 hour cycles of physical, mental, and behavioral changes that occur in the life of humans.)
2. Increased Risk of Heart Attacks & Strokes – Studies show that the transition to (DST) is linked to a spike in heart attacks and strokes, particularly in the days following the time change.
3. Higher Workplace & Road Accidents – The loss of an hour of sleep in the spring can lead to reduced alertness, increasing the risk of accidents.
4. Inconvenience & Confusion – The time change can disrupt daily routines, especially for businesses and travelers.

So, as you can see, there continues to be ongoing debate, legislative opinion, surrounding the future of DST in the United States, no definitive changes have been enacted at the federal level. The nation continues to observe the traditional biannual time changes.  

“Ahhhh-hhaaaaaa” Oh well, wake me up when they sort it all out… will ya?  

anablepsis.

The idea of mortality and growing older has never been more eye opening than these days. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not uptight about it, I just have come to accept that I’m not a “spring chicken” anymore. So whether I prefer to broach the subject of “aging”(as some would prefer to say it) The signs are there, even though I need bifocals to read them.

When I look back, my body has been setting off alarms over the years. It happened more notably between the ages of 35-40. You might be able to relate to this happening at some point in your life as well. 

You know how it goes, a little pain here, a little soreness there, tingling in the fingertips every so often you notice steps and strides slowing down, bit by bit becoming more winded sooner. These were gradual alarms I sometimes ignored over the years.

You may say; ‘awe Kelvin, you just were a little out of shape, nothing a little exercise couldn’t fix.’ True, but somewhere in the back of my mind, while getting older, I realized what I was conceding in all of it, one fleeting thing ….. My Youth. LOL!

Seriously though, I really want to encourage you with this post (as I encourage myself!) Don’t let anyone count you out because of growing older, we all will get off this “ferris wheel of life” sooner or later, as we only get one trip around on it.

The reality is, you and I have learned some things while living here on this spinning planet. We have experience. We’ve overcome hardships, we have overcome setbacks, disappointments, some experiencing betrayal, death, sorrow and any number of losses but we are still here! Some may still find themselves living in the crucible of difficulty.

I’ve determined not to let my climbing age be an impediment, but an asset. Our true value comes from the inside, particularly if we know the Lord. 

He brings wisdom, understanding, and perspective that is above the limitations, coming from human wisdom, helping us to navigate through life.

At times, I can recall receiving divine solutions that I knew couldn’t have come from me!  It was helping in a subtle but faithful way. It was too brilliant to have come from my own mind. It was the guiding path coming from a loving Father.

Aging is a part of life, so why let it rob you from living a quality life now? We still have value, we have wisdom from experience. We’ve gained understanding that comes over time, memorable pain, this shouldn’t be discarded ….It has helped to shape who we are today. Don’t forget to share this wisdom with those willing to listen and that may find benefit from it. What if they avoid a pitfall? 

So enjoy growing older, laugh while you do it, laugh at yourself, have fun in these years we have left. 

Today is a gift, tomorrow isn’t promised.

anablepsis.

Fatherhood. From the onset let me say everyone doesn’t share my experience. Good, bad, or indifferent, for better or worse. I respect your experience whether having a father in your life or not, if you feel you’ve missed out or not. I’m not here to say you have or haven’t. I’m sensitive to this subject as it summons a variety of memories and emotions for some.

I’ve been fortunate to hear opinions on Fatherhood from a sundry of viewpoints. From the pain of having an irreplaceable Dad in the home and having him ripped away by death, an accident, sickness or another unfortunate circumstance, particularly at a time they needed him most (in some cases was out of your control and his) 

Perhaps you never met your father because you were too young when he passed. There are some fathers who were too volatile to be in the home because of the harm and unrest to mother and siblings. In these cases, when the father was removed it restored peace to the home as some have said, even while some children  still wanted Dad there to keep the family together regardless.

There is also an example of the father who was present but absent, being inside the home but his presence being nothing more than, symbol without substance. 

I may never exhaust the wide range of experiences each person may have about Dad inside or out of their lives. Fatherhood has always symbolized something publicly, even historically.

The expectation of a Dad depending on the era, represented something to the model of family in years gone by. 

Father meant, protector, provider, a source of wisdom and strength inside and out. This was the conventional line of thought when it prevailed.

Like children who come with instructions from the Bible; 

“Train up a child in the way that he should go; when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6,  

although this describes the parental instructions, children don’t automatically come with direction. 

The direction they should take is typically determined as they grow and develop. This is when you hear them say; ‘I want to be a doctor, lawyer, scientist, dancer, movie director etc. Even when they may not show proclivities to that specific occupation. This is when direction is needed. 

Listen to what the Bible says about children and direction 

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Psalms 127:3-4 NIV 

Children are like arrows in the hands of warriors (parents) who have the responsibility to discern the direction of their children based on their strengths and leanings, but most vital, is God’s purpose for their lives. 

This was God’s original ideal, but not everyone’s experience even with the best of intentions of the parents who did their best.

This is why children can exemplify a direction in their adult years, quite different from the instructions of their upbringing. Dad’s are no different, who were also children at one time.

Fatherhood, in this ever changing world, like everything else seems to be determined by the general populace. 

Opponents of their ideas are often met with pushback from those seeking to maintain the standard or the status quo as they remember it. 

Some of the ideas may not be applicable as it may not be practical. Like the symbol of family supper time. A time when everyone ate together and discussed the day or children listened to what their parents discussed. 

These things may not be possible in our time because of work and school schedules, sports schedules with parents and children, or may no longer hold the relevance to the parents as it once did while growing up.

Fatherhood shaped my life. Willie James Chambliss. A great Dad, great provider and loving man to his family. You play the cards you’re dealt as a father and you do what you know and feel is best for your family.

My Dad and I talked about his regrets and “if I could do this over” convos, but he was the best Dad for me, he LOVED me and proved it. 

Today, my Dad would have turned 96. I got more than most from his life as a father and I’m eternally grateful….. Happy Heavenly 1st Birthday Dad.

anablepsis.

A man was driving his shiny convertible sports car one clear sunny afternoon on a beautiful stretch of a highway. After some time he came to a winding road that had been cut out through a mountain having two lanes, each going opposite directions. This road would eventually take the driver higher and higher with occasional dips and curves on the beautiful scenic route.

The driver would eventually come to a curve sharper than he’d anticipated and while trying to decline in speed without losing control of the vehicle, and as if that were not enough he found himself quickly having to avoid a huge boulder in the center of the road blocking his lane, in the short distance ahead. 

In an effort to circumvent it, he reflexively switched lanes into the oncoming traffic lane, where thankfully no one was heading however; on that side of the two lanes were no guardrails to protect cars from toppling over the cliffside. 

The driver swerved the car just missing the stone back into his proper lane, only to lose control careening his vehicle into the mountainside, ejecting him from his convertible to the opposite lane over the cliff. He found himself mercifully stuck suspended over the cliffside. 

The one thing keeping him from the endless plunge below was a lone but large branch protruding from the cliff of the mountain which snagged him by the shirt from the fall. 

While somehow managing to wrap his hands around the strong branch, he remained suspended between the unimaginable drop below and the 10 feet overhead that would be his way back to safety. While understandably holding on for dear life, the driver yelled out in desperation above; ‘is anyone up there?’ There was no answer. Again he yelled; ‘Help! is anyone up there’? Again, no answer. A third cry was to no avail. 

After a few minutes which seemed like an eternity of being suspended between life and death, with arms and hands losing strength, he screams out in earnest one last time; ‘is someone, anybody up there’!? In seconds he finally hears a voice but seeing no one replied ‘yes, I’m here’. The man still gripping the branch “white knuckled” by now, found relief in at least gaining some one’s attention hollers back; ‘please, will you help me?’ He hears a reply again, ‘Sure, I’ll help you, do you trust me’? 

Frustrated by such an unrelated and parochial question in that dire moment, the driver yells back ‘yes! yes! I trust you, please help me!’ The voice came back; ‘if you trust me, let go of the branch’. The man hesitates for a moment, looks down at the impossible drop, looks back up and humbly asks; ‘is there anyone else up there’???

This parable describes the human condition as it relates to faith. Faith is a result of absolute confidence and trust. This may even apply to the faith we have or may not have in God. Sometimes our need for Him is never more seen than when things are out of our control.

At times our fear seeks a second opinion, (hence the driver’s plea; ‘is there anyone else up there?’) It’s when we hear, but don’t see our present help, we ask; ‘is there anyone else with a more reasonable solution to my dire circumstance other than letting go?’ 

Abandoning our fear isn’t easy, particularly when facing uncertainty. Holding grudges, gripping to painful memories and unforgiveness will only allow fear to remain stationary in our lives. We work overtime to ensure that the negative deeds done to us, even words spoken over our lives will never come to hurt us again. Whether these words were spoken in passing or in jest. Maybe it’s time to let go of the branch. Holding on only wears us out. When we let go, we find the miracle of God’s hand present to rescue and even heal us. Letting go is to receive God’s loving care.

May this new year make us stronger in our faith, bring healing from the past, and confidence for the future.

anablepsis.