One Thing: 500 Pages

A recent TED talk by physicist and entrepreneur Riccardo Sabatini demonstrated that a printed version of the entire genetic code for one person would generate close to 262,000 pages consisting only of 4 different letters and a lot of commas. 

Of those pages, only 500 would be unique to each person. 

Bound together into 175 books weighing a total of nearly 1,000 pounds, the uniqueness of this one person would total one-half of just one of these books.

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The Code for Eye Color: TED Talk, Riccardo Sabatini

I choose to be grateful to a good and faithful God for my uniqueness.  

I will celebrate the 500-page uniqueness that has been given to others. 

I will spend my thoughts, words, and actions demonstrating gratitude for the commonality I share within the remaining 261,500 pages.

 

And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? Mark 11:17 

One Thing: At What Point

At what point will an innocent child become despised 

by those of another tribe?

At what point will an innocent child learn to hate in return?

At what point does a beautiful child become worthless 

in the eyes of another tribe?

At what point does a beautiful child learn to call 

other beautiful children worthless?

Credit Robert Collins @robbie36

How does this happen?

Why does this happen?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Ephesians 4: 30-32

One Thing: Think First

As I think, so I will speak.  

As I speak, so I will act. 

I am the sum of each decision I make.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

One Thing: Missing

I had no idea that when the ‘word of the year’ was decided, EVERYBODY would be missing.  Still, it is never too late to do something about it.

It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49

Don't Scratch It

Children are always pushing the envelope but they frequently fall.  They scrape their legs and arms and even their heads.  Parents pick them up, kiss them, and affirm that all will be OK.  They disinfect and bandage the wound sending the toddlers on their way.

As these little bodies begin to heal, scabs form over the wounds.  These encrustations aid in healing the trauma, but the nerves notice stimulated skin cells. Brains send a message of itch and scratching begins.

Mothers everywhere begin preaching, “Don’t scratch it!”  They do this because removing the scab can re-open the wound thereby setting back the process of healing – sometimes, repeatedly. They know that healing will be complete only when this scab disappears on its own. A scar may remain, but the promise that ‘all will be OK’ will be realized.

Today, there is hope.  For centuries, we have ignored, covered up and over, dismissed, and denied that some of us are treated less equal than others.  It appears that there is a joining of all (well, many more than some of us would expect) bringing the light of attention to this injustice.  It looks as though discussions of change could finally become true actions of change.  

But these wounds are deep-seated.  Rehabilitation could take decades and the scabs that form will cause serious surface tingling.  This thin curative veneer will become an irritation that begs a return to what was comfortable for those in control of well-established structures.  It will become an itch of this long-established system calling its members to desperately scratch here, there, and everywhere in efforts to alleviate the hypersensitivity of this perceived inflammation. 

As we work towards bringing unity, justice, reconciliation, and peace, commit to the anticipated longevity of change. Accept in your heart, mind, and soul that what lies ahead is a major societal shift. This isn't just a skinned elbow that will heal in a week or so.  This follows the magnitude of major surgery.  Recovery will be long as the excised disparities and inequities scab over and heal. But each of us will be stronger and more loving when this blanket of healing falls away.

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 3: 28

Don’t Scratch It.

One Thing: Addiction

One of the most difficult things to fight is addiction. It comes in many forms.   A shortlist includes alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, comfort foods, sugar, and even excessive screen time.

Being "RIGHT' is another.  Your map is not the territory.

Anthony

Considering all that is happening in Minneapolis and throughout the world, I’m forgoing my commitment to the “One Thing” series for today.

At approximately 6:30 AM, Sunday, June 30, 2019, a gunshot shattered the morning of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.  Within minutes, a 14-year-old boy lay bleeding to death on the sidewalk.  His name was Anthony and he was one of my students.

I bring this up because this one hit me hard – and still does.

I bring this up because we are fortunate to be living in the ‘day of captured video’. What happened to George Floyd and many others is there for all to see.  

I bring this up because I pray for change. I pray for tolerance, for understanding, and for compassion.

I bring this up because change requires effort and before we begin the task, we need to understand. We need to feel what others feel.  Unity can only exist with an awareness of history and experience. 

There is a root cause.  This underlying system did not begin with me or with you. However, we have not only inherited the problem but are in a unique position to benefit from the same. Because of this, effective change can only begin when we, with our non-white brothers and sisters, collectively cry out. "Enough!". 

One Thing: Children

 

"You are a marvel. You are unique. In all of the world there is no other child exactly like you. In the millions of years that have passed there has never been another child like you... You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. 

And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is like you, a marvel? 

You must cherish one another. You must work—we must all work—to make this world worthy of its children."   

Joys and Sorrows; Reflections by Pablo Casals

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:1-3