Oct 27, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
I’ve come a long way, baby! I’m very happy to admit my vote for the next president of the United States will be without regard to race, gender, religion or age. Bias in regard to political party has never been my problem. This may be partly due to my family’s extreme one-sidedness in this respect. So, in my voting career — now some 32 years long — I love being able to say I’ve voted for so-called Independents, Republicans and Democrats.
There was a time, however, when I would have based my vote on race, gender, religion and/or age — for or against. But those days are gone, and I’m wondering: How did I get here?
It occurs to me that perhaps I’ve made some significant headway in my own personal fight against prejudice.
Prejudice can be defined as unreasonable opinions before sufficient knowledge is obtained. It can be irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular race, religion or group, including political party, and any person affiliated with a select party. And prejudice causes someone to judge prematurely, thereby unduly influencing decisions and actions.
I think this is what has caused me to endeavor to keep my viewpoints in check. I don’t want to be prevented from objective consideration of an issue or situation or presidential candidate. And prejudice always distorts and confuses reason and judgment.
Our world is filled with prejudice and intolerance. And it seems to me, if I am to believe global prejudice can be transformed into justice, respect and fairness, I need to begin with eliminating intolerance in my own attitudes, opinions and behavior.
I’ve not always succeeded in my personal fight against prejudice. But I have made progress, and this presidential primary season is proving this to me.
In Paul’s first epistle to Timothy, he instructed, “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21). This sounds like good advice in how to give each presidential candidate his or her due consideration.
I read a poem several years ago that I’ve never forgotten. It was describing a scene featuring Jesus as the guest speaker on a local hillside. The poem was written in first person as if by a person in the audience that day.
As this attendee sat at the event, he criticized the clothes Jesus was wearing, complained about some of the word choices Jesus used, and then starting critiquing everyone else in attendance. He even griped about the weather, saying it was hot, dusty and the sun was in his eyes.
By the end of Jesus’ talk, this person acknowledged that others around him seemed inspired by what Jesus had to say and that some were actually healed, too. And he concluded by saying something I’m often reminded of: “I’m starting to think I might have missed something.”
Indeed! That poor person sitting at the feet of Jesus allowed prejudice to distract him from hearing what no doubt would have been a life-changing message.
Jesus, of course, was met by many prejudices against him during his three-year mission, and he certainly knew the effects of prejudice. He said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15).
Prejudice closes eyes and ears to the truth in any situation or about any person and can cause us to make careless and flippant decisions.
When I make my presidential selection in November, it will be an informed choice based upon as much information as I can gather and earnest consideration of the motives and merit of each candidate. Whether my candidate of choice wins the election or not, at least I can feel I’ve honored and celebrated this democracy of ours sincerely and completely. And I will support my next president in my daily prayers, whoever he or she may be.
In the meantime, I will keep my heart, eyes and ears as open and attentive as possible as I listen intently to every candidate — without prejudice.
Oct 27, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
The desperation in their eyes told me this was not just fun and games. My husband and I were celebrating New Year’s Eve with our daughter and son-in-law. We were all dressed up in our holiday best for a night out on the town. After an elegant and delicious dinner, we decided to do something none of us had ever done before — play the penny slots at one of the nearby casinos.
Immediately upon entering the room, we realized that compared to most of the people there, we were extremely overdressed and our intentions were quite different. I’m not sure how many days some players may have been sitting in the same chairs, desperately feeding the game boxes before them with dollars, hoping for big returns. Their focused and weary eyes told a story of fervent need and longing, but also — hope.
I wouldn’t encourage a shot-in-the-dark approach for finding the solutions you anxiously seek, but I don’t doubt the value of being hopeful.
This casino scene reminded me of one of the recorded healings of Jesus. I think I’ve referred to this one before, but it’s one that offers many lessons. Like many of the penny slot players longing and waiting for the answer to their financial woes, hundreds of suffering and sick people filled the alcoves around the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). One of the Gospels explained that the superstitious crowds were waiting for the water to “bubble” and were hoping to be the first to get into the moving waters so they could be healed. Apparently, the people believed they could only be healed at such a time, and only one would be the lucky person.
Jesus approached a man who had been unable to walk for 38 years. When Jesus asked him if he wanted to be well, the man explained how he had never been able to be the first one — that he had never had anyone to help him. It was clear this dear man had no idea who he was talking with and also never imagined that healing was possible another way.
Jesus knew that God loves His children very much. He knew that God makes His children perfect, able, active and strong. So Jesus told the man, “Get up. Take your bedroll. Start walking.” And the man who had not walked for 38 years must have felt the divine energy of Spirit which impelled Jesus’ instructions, because he immediately did exactly what Jesus told him he could do.
Where are you looking for healing, strength, relief, answers, supply or peace of mind? Perhaps many of us would say we place our hopes in a person, a place or a thing. No doubt, most of us leave no stone unturned when we’re desperately searching for some help.
My question is: Why do we often turn to God as a last resort? Whether I’ve turned to God first or last, however, I’ve never not felt the divine energy of Spirit healing me, enlightening me, guiding me, inspiring me, encouraging me.
The familiar Bible verse “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8) has given impetus to my prayers. Although it may sound like a conditional statement — it’s not. It’s really a promise assuring us that when we do turn to God, we will find He is already right where we are with a healing solution readily at hand. And for me, it also means the more I understand my spiritual selfhood as a child of God and the nature of God as omnipotent good, I’m discovering a present, powerful defense for battling any foe and conquering any challenge.
There have been times when I’ve struggled with desperation, especially if I felt I wasn’t getting my most-wanted answer quickly enough. In these moments, I’ve found it helpful to pause and appreciate any progress I’ve made, and to cherish and reflect on any spiritual insight I’ve gleaned — however small I may think it is. I was recently reminded that God has “legions” of ideas and insights for His children to help us continue to grow and progress on our life journeys.
Jesus once said God could give him 12 legions of angels if he needed them (Matthew 26:53). In biblical times, a legion would have been a division of between 3,000 and 6, 000 men in the Roman army — an army trained for combat. In my weak and doubt-filled moments, I’ve found strength in being reminded that God can and will send me “legions” of angel messages whenever I need them. And these potent messages will reveal exactly what I need to overcome any obstacle as well as arrive exactly when needed.
Then, my desperation is replaced with great expectation. And my upward journey continues with calm resolve and reassured hope. And so can yours, as you turn to God for help!
Oct 27, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2008. All rights reserved.
Some might say the search for someone or something to blame is a popular pastime in America. When our heralded football team loses, we spend hours assigning blame and pointing fingers at who was at fault and how and why they were wrong. When anything is awry in our country, the usual fall guy is the president. And when our own life goes haywire, we look for relief in our anguish by either trying to find a scapegoat for our misfortunes or by indulging in self-blame. Regardless, looking for blame is generally a way to distract attention from the real cause to a problem, and it prevents us from searching for and finding solutions.In my own life, I’ve slowly but surely learned that successful answers are not found in blaming ourselves — or anyone or anything else — but in bettering ourselves. And while the objective to achieve this will certainly include fixing a problem, this is not the same as fixating on a problem.
To better ourselves begins by looking in the mirror for self-reflection. But in which mirror does one look? In the mirror that focuses on human error, mistakes, opinion, faults and bad judgment? Or in the mirror that shows us our spiritual selfhood — the divine image and likeness of our Creator, reflecting innocence, honesty, strength, wisdom and all the qualities derived from our Father?
Yes, it turns out all we need to better ourselves is readily at hand. Our spiritual birthright is God-given dominion to overcome any hurdle, along with a vast resource of qualities that enhance our abilities and capabilities — with infinite potential and promise, I might add. If we’re not utilizing our innate spiritual resources, it could be that we haven’t discovered them yet or we’ve forgotten we have them. This happened to me.
For the past 10 years, I’ve been steadily putting on body weight. After changing to larger pant sizes four times, I was feeling pretty miserable. How did this happen to me, I bemoaned? I blamed my job for making me sit too much. I blamed my husband’s sweet tooth. I blamed Blue Bell for selling 3 gallons of ice cream for $10. There was no end to the list of who or what was at fault for my fatness — or so I thought.
Years of blame didn’t lower the scales!
Finally, four months ago, I reached a pinnacle moment in my dismay. It was a fresh read of Daniel in the lion’s den that helped me tip the scales in the other direction. (Daniel, Chapter 6)
King Darius had 120 princes governing his kingdom with three presidents presiding. Darius appointed Daniel as one of these presidents. The more Darius recognized and appreciated Daniel’s exemplary talents and trustworthy character, the more jealous the other presidents and princes became. They conspired to find a way to get rid of Daniel and in so doing, persuaded King Darius to make a decree that would restrict prayers to God for 30 days. Although Daniel knew of the decree, he remained faithful and steadfast in his daily prayers. Darius didn’t seem to realize that his new law would put his favored president in peril. The penalty for disobedience was to be thrown into a den of lions. As soon as the other presidents caught Daniel in prayer, they pushed Darius into reluctantly enforcing the penalty. The morning after Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, however, he was found alive and safe.
Daniel proclaimed that his innocence had kept him safe. It occurred to me that he could have spent his hours in the lions’ den blaming others for his plight — his jealous peers, an unfair law, a mistake made by his king. But, instead, he remained focused on his spiritual innocence and was protected and blessed accordingly.
Suddenly I realized that I needed to shift my view from weight-gain blame to my own spiritual innocence, along with the many other qualities that God gives each of his children. This radical turn took me in a direction that caused radical changes in my perception, attitude and behavior — and consequently led me to radical results.
These results have included not only losing over 30 pounds — so far — but also the emergence of a happier, more confident, energized, revitalized, active “me.” Daniel’s prayers affirming his innocence freed him from paying an unfair penalty. So too, an understanding of our own spiritual innocence and selfhood brings freedom to each of us — freedom from self-condemnation, self-will, self-righteousness, self-justification and self-ignorance. These are some of the many self-isms that trap us into the blame game.
Before I ever lost a pound, I felt lighter and happier. I discovered that I had the ability to practice commitment, balance, discipline, restraint and reason with my eating habits, as well as an openness and freshness to try new and healthier foods. And I found the more I learned about my God-given qualities, the more joy and fun I had in putting these qualities into life practice in every aspect of my daily life — including walking and exercise, house-cleaning, my spiritual studies and more.
You too, my friend, have the God-given power to change your behavior, modify your attitude and shift your perception from looking to blame to finding the better “you” that God knows, loves and blesses.
Oct 13, 2008 |
by Annette Bridges. ©2006. All rights reserved.
When our care becomes the responsibility of loved ones, they could be faced with decisions that shouldn’t be theirs to make.
During the past few weeks, we’ve heard the life ending-sustaining debate between Terri Schiavo’s husband and parents. While each side wanted a different outcome, they seemed united in motive. Both felt they were carrying out Terri’s wishes and honoring her rights.
Supporters of each position were also united by their empathy toward Terri’s family members, their saddened hearts toward her plight, as well as their passionate beliefs about life. Yes, even the argument for death was about life – the belief that Terri’s own wishes would be to end a life that had a medical prognosis for a hopeless and dismal future.
This case has received much political and media attention. Through its course, folks have been encouraged to take the legal steps required so their families will not have to endure the decision-making battle of Terri’s family.
As I give thought to such decisions, I find myself arguing on the side of life. But more, a desire to make certain my own care and healing possibilities are not necessarily limited to one source of treatment. In so saying, I don’t want to belittle medical treatment or any other source of treatment. It’s more about a “leave no stone unturned” approach in a search for cure and healing.
I’ve read of numerous cases in which medical treatment had reached its limits and still healing appeared unattainable. And in these same cases, whether quickly or slowly, healing came about through persistent prayer, treatment in Christian Science or other alternative healing practices.
Such examples strengthen my hope and fortify my consecration to live. They teach me to never give up on the possibility for a life of health, productivity and potential. I guess my desire is for no one to give up on my life. Could this be selfish of me? I have known the anguish of caring for a loved one with a medically-concluded terminal diagnosis, watching them grow worse until their passing. But I can’t help but believe and hope that healing remains possible for every one and in every case.
While I feel I’ve reached a decision for my life, I do believe everyone must come to terms for his or her own life. That no one else should have that authority —or imposition — placed upon them.
Recently, I heard a song by Christian folksinger, Mindy Jostyn, called “Pool of Bethesda.” It tells the story from the book of John in the Bible, of a man healed by Christ Jesus. What inspires me about this story is that although this man was, as the song says, “crippled for most of his life, twisted by time, dammed by despair,” he apparently still waited for healing with some glimmer of hope. And his hope was finally realized through Christ Jesus. Yet, being healed by Christ Jesus was not how he expected to be healed.
He had been waiting to be placed in the pool of Bethesda at a certain time that brought the promise of healing. But years went by with him missing that perfect time. Still, he didn’t give up. While his healing came in an unexpected way, it did come.
For me, this Biblical healing account, while teaching not to give up on life and remain firm in hope, also teaches me to remain open-minded about the method in which healing can come. Not to limit my options and helplessly accept any diagnosis or fear as the final word on my life. Mary Baker Eddy, who named the healing system she discovered and practiced Christian Science, wrote, “The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God – a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love.”
I don’t know what the future holds for my life. Nor can I outline with certainty the source of treatment I will choose through the remaining years of my life. But my hope is that I will never lose hope. That I will never give up on life. That I will remain expectant and firm in my faith that healing is possible.
“…..all things are possible to God….”
Yes, I do choose to put my faith in that promise. And I ask my loved ones to understand, accept and see my wishes through.
Oct 27, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
Have we become so cynical that we expect people to behave badly rather than do good or for bad things to happen rather than good?Needless to say, much of what we read or hear in the news is bad. Perhaps we’re not to blame for thinking bad is more prevalent than good — if our conclusion is based upon news reports. But maybe we’re not getting the whole world’s story? Just because more bad stuff makes headlines, does this mean good is not happening? Could it even be that good is actually more abundant than bad?
I started thinking about this over the holidays. I was listening to Christmas music, when Jim Nabors began singing. With great delight, I immediately started to reminisce about a favorite “Gomer Pyle” episode when Sgt. Carter heard Gomer sing for the first time. I recalled Sgt. Carter’s complete shock and utter surprise to discover that Gomer had such an incredible singing voice. And I started thinking about how many times I was more surprised by something wonderful and good than something bad.
I began to realize the low expectations I was having for my life, making such dire predictions as: “Surely the next phone call from a family member will be more bad news.” If a special occasion was approaching, I feared something would “come up” to somehow ruin it. And with every ache or pain, I imagined the worst possible scenario.
I had allowed my thoughts to become tainted with jaded negativity. This had happened so gradually and subtly, like a thief in the night, I’d been caught completely off guard and had become unsuspecting prey. Yes, I had been stupefied into believing that my life was governed by “Murphy’s Law.”
What is this so-called law anyway?
It was in 1949 when Ed Murphy, a McDonnell Douglas test engineer, was expressing his frustration over laboratory mistakes, when he exclaimed, “Anything that can possibly go wrong, will go wrong.” But hadn’t Mr. Murphy simply fallen victim to pessimism and skepticism rather than discovering a “law” that governs human nature and events? Perhaps we’ve given way too much credence to Ed Murphy’s own exasperation. Or, at least I think I had.
All my life, from one faith tradition to another, I’d been taught of one God, one divine Principle, governing the universe with divine laws that are omnipotent and omnipresent. I’d been taught that God is good, so His laws are good. And I’d been taught this means that good is more powerful than any theory, prediction or fear that suggests otherwise.
Could it be that I needed to learn more about how to apply these divine laws in my everyday life?
I read about Elijah when he was running for his life (1 Kings, Chapter 19). God spoke to Elijah in a still, small voice and nothing — not wind, earthquake or fire — could silence or disarm God’s voice. Is it not the same with God’s laws? Could I affirm the presence and power of God’s laws at all times and in all circumstances? And would this help me to hear the still, small voice of God’s truth whose light would dispel any dark images trying to overshadow my thought — my faith, my hope of good?
I’ve decided to be diligent in this new year at putting God’s divine laws into practice. And it’s already working. Every day is a day the Lord hath made. I know the Lord is good and only wants and sees good for his dear children. I’m learning that as I stand firm with this knowledge, even in difficult times, the opportunity and occasion arrive for good to overcome whatever appears as bad. This has included the dark forebodings of “bad” in my thought that actually had no basis whatsoever other than my fear.
Awareness and knowledge of God’s divine laws of good take away any foundation for fear. In fact, this knowledge brings with it an expectation that good – and not bad — is normal and natural. And with this expectation comes confidence and greater trust in God’s endless supply of goodness as well as a realization that good is a divine right for all of God’s children. And that includes you and me!
So, we don’t need to be surprised by good. We can expect it. And as we do, we’ll find good, we’ll see good and we’ll experience good.
