Over the past several days with Amy and the kids out of town, I did some things that I don't normally do -- I did bachelor things. I cooked for one. I let the dishes and laundry stack up longer than I'm accustomed to. I ate in front of the television. Rebellion ran rampant in the parsonage for four days.
On Saturday I made up my lunch and plopped down in front of the the TV and tuned into a baseball game for the first time this spring (with the Badgers out of the NCAA tourney at that point, college basketball had become meaningless to me). The Cubs were hosting the Padres, and while I only watched the first two innings, I happened to catch the best part of the entire broadcast, and none of it happened on the field.
During the game, the announcers were interviewing Cub pitcher Ryan Dempster in the dugout. Ryan has been tabbed as the opening day starting pitcher for the Cubs this year, but he wasn't playing in this particular game. It also happened to be that Ryan's son was present with him that day, I would guess that the boy's probably about four years old, and in the middle of the interview, he starts pawing at his dad and trying to get his attention to ask him a question. The coolest thing was, was that Ryan asked the announcers to hold on for a moment so that dad could respond to his son.
In this age of prima donna ballplayers, that was one of the neatest things I have ever seen a ballplayer do. As a fan, I've been frustrated in the past when one of my kids tried to get my attention while I was watching a ballgame, yet, here the irony was that the ballplayer at the game put everything else on hold so that he could respond to his kid.
Events like these really put me in my place and remind me of who and what are the important things in life.
I sure am lucky that God gives me these reminders on a regular basis, because I couldn't make it as a bachelor anyway.
Pastor Mark
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Big Thanks for Little Moments
I think one of the greatest things that I have learned as a parent of a child with autism is how to truly celebrate the moment. So often I get caught up in trying to make sure the entire "production" runs smoothly and is enjoyed by all, whether it be worship, family vacation, birthday party, making dinner; whatever it may be that I am planning, I am just as guilty of the next guy of not enjoying the moment for fear of disrupting the wider spectrum.
But with Isaac, no matter how smooth everything is going, the slightest incident (slightest, in our eyes at least) can be absolutely catastrophic for him. As a parent, you're torn: part of you says it's only spilled milk, while the other side of you says that those giant teardrops are legitimate and that he is really suffering. A "perfect" party is then spoiled by one little incident.
So as a parent, I've simply learned to enjoy the moment with him as he's enjoying it. In fact, I've found it to be quite liberating to simply let go of the reigns and celebrate being in the moment with him. I can't make him understand me, but I surely can go out of my way to at least try to understand him, and in doing so, experience all the joys (and there truly are many of them) of being blessed to be the parent of a child with special needs.
As we read the Philippians "Christ Hymn" text last Thursday evening in Adult Confirmation class, it dawned on me that maybe this is how God "enjoys" us as well. We know that God emptied himself of His divine nature and came to us as one of us in Jesus Christ, and despite the fact that we couldn't understand him and despite the fact that we've turned this perfect creation into something less desirable than what it was created for, God still wants to be there in those moments with us as any loving parent would. I have no doubt that God celebrates when we celebrate and that God reaches out to us when we're making a mountain out of a molehill.
There will be a time when Isaac and I will have a complete understanding of one another, but, for now, I'll just keep doing the best that I can. Maybe he'll cry during the birthday party, but you know what, he really had fun on the monkey bars. Maybe he didn't eat a very good supper, but he offered up grace and thanks for that meal beforehand. I truly do thank God for those moments and I thank God for making me aware of them. So, I guess my departing words are simple: live in the moment, and know that God is living in that moment with you.
Pastor Mark
But with Isaac, no matter how smooth everything is going, the slightest incident (slightest, in our eyes at least) can be absolutely catastrophic for him. As a parent, you're torn: part of you says it's only spilled milk, while the other side of you says that those giant teardrops are legitimate and that he is really suffering. A "perfect" party is then spoiled by one little incident.
So as a parent, I've simply learned to enjoy the moment with him as he's enjoying it. In fact, I've found it to be quite liberating to simply let go of the reigns and celebrate being in the moment with him. I can't make him understand me, but I surely can go out of my way to at least try to understand him, and in doing so, experience all the joys (and there truly are many of them) of being blessed to be the parent of a child with special needs.
As we read the Philippians "Christ Hymn" text last Thursday evening in Adult Confirmation class, it dawned on me that maybe this is how God "enjoys" us as well. We know that God emptied himself of His divine nature and came to us as one of us in Jesus Christ, and despite the fact that we couldn't understand him and despite the fact that we've turned this perfect creation into something less desirable than what it was created for, God still wants to be there in those moments with us as any loving parent would. I have no doubt that God celebrates when we celebrate and that God reaches out to us when we're making a mountain out of a molehill.
There will be a time when Isaac and I will have a complete understanding of one another, but, for now, I'll just keep doing the best that I can. Maybe he'll cry during the birthday party, but you know what, he really had fun on the monkey bars. Maybe he didn't eat a very good supper, but he offered up grace and thanks for that meal beforehand. I truly do thank God for those moments and I thank God for making me aware of them. So, I guess my departing words are simple: live in the moment, and know that God is living in that moment with you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Witness!!
During the 2012 Rural Ministry Conference from which I just returned, the statement was made by our main presenter that "We are all witnesses, whether we want to be or not. The question is, then, are we good witnesses or bad witnesses?"
What a wonderful nugget to chew on during my drive home into a stiff southern wind (not good for fuel efficiency as gas prices climb toward $4 gallon), and it really brought to light to me how we are all witnesses in every endeavor in life that we take. In how we answer the phone, speak to our children, offer assistance at the grocery store -- I could go on for a really long time, but the point is that throughout the day, on any given day, we have the opportunity to either reflect the power of Christ working through us or to use the opportunity to simply serve ourselves. It's one or the other; there's no middle ground.
You've been a witness today and you've been witnessed to today -- what has that meant for you?
Pastor Mark
What a wonderful nugget to chew on during my drive home into a stiff southern wind (not good for fuel efficiency as gas prices climb toward $4 gallon), and it really brought to light to me how we are all witnesses in every endeavor in life that we take. In how we answer the phone, speak to our children, offer assistance at the grocery store -- I could go on for a really long time, but the point is that throughout the day, on any given day, we have the opportunity to either reflect the power of Christ working through us or to use the opportunity to simply serve ourselves. It's one or the other; there's no middle ground.
You've been a witness today and you've been witnessed to today -- what has that meant for you?
Pastor Mark
Saturday, March 3, 2012
There's Hope for Me!?
March 3rd, 1887 -- American Tutor Anne Sullivan begins teaching six-year-old Helen Keller, who had lost her sight and hearing after a severe illness at the age of 19 months. Most of us know how this incredible story turns out, that Helen Keller became an author, political activist and lecturer. She undoubtedly influenced and inspired millions during her walk in this world.
March 3rd, 2012 -- Mark Laatsch begins blogging and creates a Facebook account! German stubbornness could make this even more of a challenge than Ms. Sullivan took on 125 years ago. As I cautiously approach this uncharted territory, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant me a few grains of her wisdom, a generous portion of her patience, and will instill in me the words to further the mission of Jesus Christ into our world.
Because isn't this what ministry is really about? Jesus constantly challenges us to step into unknown places, to speak, to listen, to teach, to learn. I'll undoubtedly look back on this moment a few weeks from now and chuckle at myself for waiting so long, but at the same time, I'll be presented with more doors to open. And yes, even for Mr. Technology 'Fraidy Cat, that is exciting!
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
March 3rd, 2012 -- Mark Laatsch begins blogging and creates a Facebook account! German stubbornness could make this even more of a challenge than Ms. Sullivan took on 125 years ago. As I cautiously approach this uncharted territory, I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant me a few grains of her wisdom, a generous portion of her patience, and will instill in me the words to further the mission of Jesus Christ into our world.
Because isn't this what ministry is really about? Jesus constantly challenges us to step into unknown places, to speak, to listen, to teach, to learn. I'll undoubtedly look back on this moment a few weeks from now and chuckle at myself for waiting so long, but at the same time, I'll be presented with more doors to open. And yes, even for Mr. Technology 'Fraidy Cat, that is exciting!
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
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