Michele Chynoweth's Blog, page 17

We all have a job to do!

In helping try to take care of my dad who is now home recuperating from surgery and facing the road ahead dealing with cancer, I have felt a range of emotions…including guilt and inadequacy that I am not doing enough because I live over an hour away and work full-time two hours away and can’t be there more with he and my mom. I am trying to find some level of acceptance that I, like the rest of my family, am doing the best I can…whether it be asking the right questions with the doctors (the reporter in me) to making a joke (the kid in me) to cooking a meal (the wannabe chef in me)…I have come to find  that we all have our roles to play and they may change over time but I just need to keep asking God for guidance and strength – as I do in any area of my life. As I’ve probably written here before, I believe God does have a job for each of us to do on this earth – small and large – and our journey here in large part is finding out what it is and then doing it to the best of our abilities with His help. And we know from all of the characters in the Bible (Moses, David, Peter…the list goes on) that He doesn’t pick the biggest, best or brightest for each job, but the ones who tend to rely on Him…which should give us comfort when we do feel frustrated and inadequate.  In this past Sunday’s Mass readings, St. Paul reminds us of this: “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” (1 Cor 12:12-30) Definitely questions to ponder. I hope that as I continue to write my novels based on stories in the Old Testament of the Bible I continue to just do my job…and leave the rest up to Him!

Reach out and touch a miracle

“A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ ‘You see the people crowding against you,’ his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’  But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’.” (Mark 5:24). I love this story of faith and healing found in three of the Gospels, especially today as my heart is heavy with the knowledge that my father has inoperable cancer. According to Bible scholars, the unnamed woman had to travel on foot for 30 miles to reach Jesus after hearing he had cured many people of their illnesses. She was desperate–she was considered “unclean” and was isolated for 12 years because of her bleeding, and yet had the audacity to touch Jesus’ cloak.   As they say desperate times call for desperate measures. St. Paul tells us also that we have to pray bold prayers. I am hoping to take a trip to meet someone who may help my book be made into a movie…this person seems “untouchable” and it’s a huge long shot and the trip for me is taking a big risk (financially) and yet I feel like I need to be like the woman, reaching out in hopes to touch a miracle.  And I hope my dad will hold onto his faith and that all of those who love him will keep praying bold prayers for his healing. I believe miracles happen every day. 

Dealing with depression…

Some of my close friends and family members are dealing with depression at this time of year and I find it hard to know what to say to comfort them. I have dealt with bouts of depression in my life and have even taken medication for it at a really dark time in the past, but as life has moved forward and I have grown closer to knowing God and His Will for me I have kept focused on dreams and goals that don’t leave too much time for getting depressed. Still, winter brings less light and, if you live in a cold region (which I do), less outdoor activity, it’s easy to start feeling a little blue…and for some, clinically depressed. Now I’m not a doctor and would never argue with medical advice (I’m a firm believer God and science work beautifully together.) But outside of that, I think the answers to battling depression are in the Bible. First, just reading the Bible takes you outside yourself and your boredom. Second, it offers practical advice and comfort: we see over and over how people suffer and then rise above with God’s help (a good example is the Book of Job  or Hebrews 11); we are reminded to fight depression so it doesn’t allow Satan’s lies to enter our hearts (Hebrews 12); we are reminded we have a purpose and God won’t let us down (Romans 8:28); and we are told by Jesus many times in the Gospels not to fear or be anxious (Matt 6:34). Yesterday, feeling frustrated with someone I love who has depression, I looked up to the sky to see the most beautiful sight, one that I had never seen before…a beautiful, full rainbow with a flock of seagulls dancing through it,  the sun shining on them so that they looked like big fireflies or fireworks bursting out of the rainbow. It was like nothing I had ever seen before and I was so mesmerized I forgot to take a picture! But it reminded me that God is full of surprises and if we keep our eyes turned to Him and His Word, we can feel joy.

 

Dominion…and responsibility

God gave us, human beings, dominion over all the animals when He created man (and woman)…and with that comes a big responsibility to care for His creatures. I was sad today to lose my “best friend,” our dog Shirley who we adopted at 9 weeks old and who would have turned 13 this coming Valentine’s Day. She died peacefully in our home in my arms and I thank God for allowing my family and I all of the wonderful times with such a loving, gentle dog. It makes me sad to think of all of the equally loving dogs that never find a good home, or are kept by humans who aren’t so responsible, kind or loving. The Bible even says “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Prov. 12:10) I’m sure God looks down on those who take good care of pets as doing good (and will punish those who don’t). And I hope (as the movie goes) all dogs go to heaven!

Gifts and Presence

Source: Gifts and Presence

Gifts and Presence

For many of us back to work today, it sort of seems like Christmas is over and it’s time to look ahead to 2016. Personally, I love looking ahead to the New Year…a time to renew our commitments to our health, our finances, our dreams. As many of you know I’m a firm believer that God gives each of us special talents or gifts to use in service to Him and others and it is His will that we find out what they are and then use them to the best of our abilities. Now that the material gift giving of the hectic holidays is over, I hope each of us is ready to re-examine our God-given gifts and how we can best give them away to help others. But wait, Christmas isn’t over yet, you say? You’re right! We haven’t even celebrated the Epiphany yet, when the wise men visited the baby Jesus and brought Him their gifts. And so I believe that at the same time, we need to stay in the Christmas spirit by continuing to present to others…our families, friends and yes, even our co-workers, considering their needs as well as our own goals and dreams. Often for me it feels like the two are in conflict. Sometimes I just want to focus full-steam ahead on making my dreams come true and using my gifts that I forget to be present to the needs of others around me. I think it’s all about finding balance…looking ahead to our goals of the future and keeping our feet firmly planted in today, personal fulfillment and sacrifice for others, gifts and presence. When I feel overwhelmed or torn I try to remember my favorite Bible passage: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). I hope as 2016 looms on the horizon we find the strength, faith and courage to discover and fulfill our dreams, love and serve others more fully, maintain balance and open ourselves up to feeling more harmony, peace, love and joy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Trying to see the light…

Tonight at 11:49 pm EST is the darkest time of the year as the winter solstice occurs. (Universal time, 4:49 12/22). Historians and theologians say it’s no coincidence that we celebrate Jesus’ birth a few days later, on December 25 as the light begins to dawn on the darkness more each day. No coincidence that Jesus is found by the light of a star. This year seems to be a particularly dark time in the world with ISIS persecuting people for their beliefs across the globe…and politicians in our country lying just to win. It’s hard to see the light, the truth, the hope.  For some people, there may be darkness in their own lives…loneliness, doubt, sickness, sadness. It is especially hard for them to see the light of hope. I am reminded that we need to be examples of Christ as much as we can be now more than ever, to bring the light of truth and hope to others – with kindness, forgiveness, honesty, compassion and love. Jesus says “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Lord, help me to try to see the light of Your truth and hope, and in turn, spread Your light to those around me, especially those who are in the dark.

It really is a wonderful life!

I watched the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” with my husband last night for the umpteenth time. It always touches me with its message. But for the first time I really started thinking about the “hole” I might leave if I had never been born…how I’ve touched other lives during my own. And at first, I thought, maybe that hole would be pretty small. But the more I thought about it, the more I realize that I have touched other lives in many small ways – as a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a writer, a sponsor, a Christian. And more importantly, I have been touched by others enough to realize I have a wonderful life. Sure, our house is drafty and the banister is loose and I get annoyed sometimes when the kids are loud. But the movie reminds me how blessed I truly am. I am reminded to be joyous and to pass along that joy to others…because no matter what little problems, frustrations, hurts or sadness I am experiencing, overall my life is a good one – and I know it will be even better in heaven as long as I believe. Especially during this season I believe we need to pass on joy, especially to those needing it – to witness that God truly loves us. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24). 

Wake up and be ready to take a stand

 In the wake of the confirmation that the shootings of 14 innocent victims in San Bernardino, CA were by  Islamic terrorists, I am deeply disturbed by additional news that a neighbor of the killers refused to report the pair to authorities after witnessing suspicious activity at their apartment over fears she would be labeled “racist.” I believe this shows how some have lost their courage to stand up to what’s wrong despite the possibility they may “look bad” or be labeled a bigot, how being politically correct may have now taken precedence over fighting evil – which, in this instance had deadly consequences. The Nazis were able to gain momentum and kill millions when people looked the other way. Bullies get away with vicious acts when kids worry about being cool instead of stepping in. Women and children become murder victims when domestic violence and child abuse go unreported. I have to admit I’ve never been tested in this regard…but I pray that if or when I am, I have the courage to speak up or take action even though it requires the risk that I might be ridiculed or looked down upon – instead of playing it safe or worrying what others may think. As the famous quote from Edmund Burke goes, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I also believe it is time we wake up to the world around us and be ready to take a stand. As Paul tells the Thessalonians, “…for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly…and they will not escape…But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief…So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober…putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thes 5:1-8) Each of the Gospel writers warn us to stay awake, to be ready for the time when we are called to choose  to do the right thing, to act on behalf of our faith, to take a stand. Calling all faith warriors!

Perseverance Pays Off…

[image error]I am now working on the sixth (seventh?) edit on my latest novel, The Runaway Prophet, and it seems that it will never be finished. I so hoped it would come out in time for Christmas. I actually hoped it would be published a year and a half ago when I finished writing it. Patience (as I’ve probably said in blogs before) is not one of my virtues. But, my editor says, it will be so much better if you make these character and plot changes…all you have to do is rewrite the first 50 pages. All?! I know deep down she’s right. But it’s so very hard. Luckily the perfectionist me outweighs the impatient me and I sit down at my laptop. I’ll confess I get sidetracked by “Cyber Monday”  online Christmas shopping, Facebook holiday posts and the like,  delaying the inevitable.  But I’m almost done and then it will be a time of waiting for months until the finished book finally arrives in stores…maybe this is how the people in the old days felt waiting for a Savior. Each year as the Christmas season seems to start earlier and stretch longer,  Advent even seems to be a long time to wait for Christmas. But just as I know my book will be all the better if I persevere in making the changes, I know that if we persevere in making changes in our hearts – growing our faith, forgiveness, hope and love during this time, it will be all the sweeter when He arrives! I believe perseverance is persistence and patience combined, and God rewards those who persevere. “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12 Happy Advent!