Sunday After the Ball - 10/23/2011

(Another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)


(Dress by Corrine Ellison)


Good morning, everyone. It's so nice to be back in the pulpit after our Ball in Nashville. I see a lot of you here today that I also had the pleasure of meeting at the Sheraton Music City.

First order of business is to thank the good Lord for allowing us all to travel both to and from the Ball safely. We are so very fortunate that so many of us had the opportunity to meet up, enjoy each other's company, and dine in good old fashioned Southern hospitality style.

Today, Buffy and Gizzie have again stepped up to our pulpit with some excellent inspirational thoughts to share with us. Please put your paws together for the Lentz kids.

(Buffy and Gizzie approach the pulpit and we hear applause, some whistles and a couple of wolf howls....ahem..ahem???)

Today, Buffy speaks:

I have a friend who was working in his home office one evening, trying to get some necessary paperwork done. His little girl, who was about 4 years old at the time, was playing around his desk, puttering about, moving objects here and there, pulling out drawers, and making a good deal of noise.

My friend endured the distraction with stoic patience until the child slammed a drawer on one of her fingers and screamed in pain. Reacting in exasperation he shouted, “"That’s it!",” as he escorted her out of the room and shut the door.
Later, her mother found her weeping in her bedroom and tried to comfort her.
"“Does your finger still hurt?",” she asked.
"“No",” the little girl sniffled. “
"Then why are you crying?",” her mother asked. “’"
'Cause",” she whimpered, "“when I pinched my finger, Papa didn’t say, ‘"Oh!’”" ".

Sometimes that’s all we need, isn’t it? Someone who cares and who will respond with kindness and compassion, someone who will say, "“Oh!". ” We have One named Lord who does that for us. God loves us, understands our sorrows, and gave Himself for us (Eph. 5:2). Now we are to “walk in love” and imitate Him.

Knowing God —what comfort there,
Drawn by His eternal care;
Love from God —what joy we share,
Drawn into His mercies rare.
(—Branon )

God’s whisper of comfort quiets the noise of our trials.

Thank you so very much, Buffy and Gizzie. This is surely something we can think on and reflect upon, as we begin this week. If we have a toothache or maybe we're a few dollars short when paying a bill, we may be frightened or in pain or perhaps just feeling lost and confused. A friend saying "I understand! I care!" or "How can I be of help!", is of greater comfort than someone minimizing your discomfort by either ignoring you, changing the subject, or suggesting "It'll all work out!". We all need validation, and we can show others what we need by first offering it to them.

The next time you feel someone in pain or trouble, reach out and offer solace. You don't have to solve the problem, but be empathetic and validate their feelings. It's true - what goes around, comes around. Be kind....be understanding....and be
the person you would like to be friends with. It will come back to you when you least expect it, but when you need it the most.

Please turn to your neighbors and offer your paws in peace. Wag your tails as a show of love. We are family here, and we love each other without condition or judgment, but with open hearts and minds.

The Ladies of the Leather Collar have been busy salting and drying the fish caught by the Knights of Pawlumbus on their retreat and I'm told it's ready to share on the goody table in the side garden. Yum. I can't wait to try it. I hear it's almost as delicious as that chicken breast in lemon butter sauce with capers that we had at the banquet on Saturday in Nashville. I can't stop thinking about it. If anyone has the recipe, please share?

Blessings to you all and may you have a wonderful, productive week.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing us together.

Amen

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous