Serenity

I have found the following prayer to be invaluable when I am having a rough day (particularly when dealing with certain members of my dysfunctional childhood family). Try it when you are feeling low or needing some serenity and peace. It is simple, to the point and such a wonderful reminder of the role WE play in our own lives.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Wishing you many days filled with serenity and love.

The Human Experience

Yes, I am still living and breathing. ;) I would apologize for my absence and neglect of our family blog, but then I would be apologizing for who I am and my current state in life . . . that of a busy stay-at-home mother, living in the daily chaos of children. I do hope to get in a second post by the end of the month, but don't hold your breath. ;)

Last night, I went to see a pre-screening of a film by a small independent film company. Grassroots Films has created "The Human Experience", a true story that follows two brothers in their quest for meaning in life. They attempt to answer questions such as "Why am I here? What is my purpose? Is there a point to living life?" On their adventure, they experience living homeless in the streets of New York during the coldest week of winter as well as visiting an orphanage in Lima, Peru, seeing children who have been forgotten, abused and left neglected by the ones who should love them the most . . . their own families. They spend time in Africa, with people suffering from HIV/AIDS and then, journey on to a leper colony in Ghana.

While I won't give away any surprises, I must say how completely struck I was with this movie. The joy that was present in those who suffer was awe-inspiring and really put into perspective my extremely EASY life as an American. Yes, we struggle with bills at times. Yes, I try to balance the stresses of two small children with daily chores and responsibilities. Yes, we live "modestly" by American standards. But my daily burdens and crosses are so SMALL compared with the vast majority of the world. It is so easy to get caught up in our very own, small viewpoints of the world . . . often getting trapped in categorical thinking and a box-like mentality, seeing nothing past the demands of the "here and now". It is easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated and stressed when life is passing you by at miles per second. It is easy to feel downtrodden and depressed, especially in our culture that tells us you aren't anything unless you are producing something or buying something or a big, important name. These are the times when we need to step back and cherish what we have been given, cherish who we are as individuals.

I have running water. I have a home to keep me warm. I have a few bucks in my wallet. I have two healthy, loving, beautiful children. I have an amazing husband, who not only supports our family but who also supports my dreams, hopes and personal growth. I have eyes that see and arms to hold those I love. I have a body that is complete. It is definitely NOT the body I had before children, but it is complete nonetheless. ;) I have a purpose in this life. I have a purpose, here and now. My purpose was not for 100 years ago, it was not for 1000 years ago. It is for TODAY. And really, that is all anyone ever has, right? "One day at a time" is a popular motto among recovery groups and a comfort to all those who mourn a loss in their lives. I think it is also a phrase that should be celebrated, for it is only by taking it one day at a time that I am able to fulfill my purpose.

There is another phrase that goes something like "If you're not busy living, then you're busy dying." That isn't an endorsement to get "busy" (for that is a big part of the problem in American culture, in my opinion). It is a motivator to live our days boldly. Living life according to what it is that each of us is meant to do and to live that particular life to the fullest. For me right now, I am not called to be serving the poor in the jungles of Africa. God is calling others there. I am called to be here, in Champaign-Urbana, being a mother who is fully present and loving to her children. Maybe God will call me to Africa at a later date. Maybe not. Maybe he will call me to Ireland (one can dream, right?). ;) Maybe he won't call me anywhere more than 10 miles from my home. All I know is where I am supposed to be right now. So, I am going to try, with renewed effort, to fulfill my calling with all my heart and spirit. Loving those around me, serving my family and God and keeping in mind that we are all part of this human experience together.

I highly encourage each of you to visit http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/ for more information on this incredible film and fantastic company!!! They have a trailer for the movie, but as with all media, are needing more funds before they can release the pictures nationwide. If you have a chance to see it in your community in the future, GO! Go and bring a friend with you. It is an amazing piece of work that, in my opinion, is what ALL movies should be doing . . . inspiring us to live life more fully. Here's hoping that all of your days are full.

Barack

Illinois Right to Life News for Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Pro-choice or pro-abortion?

A Robert Novak article published in the March 31st Chicago Sun-Times describes a Pennsylvania campaign event last weelend where Barack Obama answered a question about abortion by stating, “Nobody is pro-abortion.” Novak points out how Obama, “After quickly explaining why ‘I am pro-choice,’ he adjourned the event.”

Other politicians have tried to use this same cover of “pro-choice” rather than “pro-abortion”. Even though he did not make the statement on April 1st, it should have no more credibility than an April Fool’s joke because everyone knows that the term “pro-choice” means “pro-abortion”. Historical evidence shows that pro-abortion strategists coined the term to remove the dreaded “abortion” word from the debate.

But Obama gave absolute evidence last weekend just how pro-abortion he really is. While explaining his position about education to prevent HIV/AIDS, he stated, “But it should also include -- it should also include other, you know, information about contraception because, look, I've got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information.”

Is that a pro-abortion statement? Since Obama views the baby as both a mistake and punishment, he obviously supports aborting it. How much stronger statement can one make? I cannot confirm whether this statement occurred earlier at the same event Novak reported on or at another one, but the two statements were both made last weekend.

Even if one unwisely accepted the concept that someone could actually be pro-choice and not be pro-abortion, Obama has demonstrated that this distinction could not possibly apply to him. He sees abortion as the solution for a mistake and a means to remove a punishment. He ignores the humanity of the unborn child and thus devalues all human life by suggesting that abortion be available as just another form of birth control. He would counsel his own daughter to abort his grandchild!

Pray for Obama’s daughters that they be enlightened to avoid the serious mistake of abortion, far worse than having an inconvenient pregnancy. Of course, if their parents were serious about teaching the value of chastity, rather than sending a mixed message of so-called safe sex, maybe the Obama daughters would see the value of respecting their sexuality and saving themselves for their husbands.

Bill Beckman, Director