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A Hug So Tight…

Posted by Pat Stewart on Jul 8, 2014 in My Blog | 2 comments

I saw this lovely quote the other day, “One day someone is going to hug you so tight that all of your broken pieces will stick back together.” I searched and searched to find the author, but apparently that is unknown. But, even so, I think it is a sweet and wonderful reminder to all who struggle and suffer, the value of relationships in our lives. It matters not whether this “Super-hug” comes from a mother, father, sibling, spouse or true friend…what is important for us all to remember is that those relationships exist and we are their beloved. Haven’t there been times in our lives when we have felt like, “if only all my broken pieces could be stuck back together?” Coming upon this quote, my thoughts immediately flew across the miles to someone I love very much who has persevered with a chronic illness for nearly three years now. I believe her miracle is on its way and while she moves along her journey she not only has received many oh-so-tight hugs but she herself has also given those powerful and loving hugs to others she loves. As Henri Nouwen, the spiritual author of many books says, “We need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength and consolation. Because only when we fully realize that the cup of life is not only a cup of sorrow but also a cup of joy will we be able to drink it.” ...

Holy Laughter!

Posted by Pat Stewart on Dec 19, 2011 in My Blog | 1 comment

One of my best friends…a friend of 47 years, and I live at opposite ends of the state. We ALWAYS have what I refer to as Holy Laughter every time we are together whether it is in person or over the phone. Now, my definition of the Holy Laughter I am referring to is not the charismatic Christian Holy Laughter where uncontrollable laughter goes on during worship services. My referenced Holy Laughter is laughter that comes most times so unexpectedly that it thrills and, in a way, heals us, perhaps of an ailing or tired spirit . This laughter, you’ve experienced it I am certain, is when we laugh such a hardy laugh that we are uplifted in such appreciation for the momentary joy. Were I writing a dictionary entry describing this wonderful enjoyment of the moment, I certainly would include the words “extreme joyous expression of some good-natured occurrence.” My niece has been recovering from viral meningitis over the last month. We have all been concerned about her, having been hospitalized four times during this period. So many prayers have gone up for her and she is persisting with a strong spirit and faith throughout. No doubt, she has inspired many by her faithful patience as her body ever so slowly heals. During this same period of time, I was having numerous medical tests and we enjoyed a chuckle about the fact that we were both having Brain MRIs the same day, wondering if we could get a “Buy One – Get One” rate. We certainly weren’t joking about the seriousness of our both NEEDING Brain MRIs. While I was running errands, she texted me and reported she had had to go back to her doc’s office to get 2 more bags of IV fluids because she had gotten so weak and dehydrated again. Of course, I was concerned. So I parked my car outside the last store I had to go in and gave her a quick call. She told me how her day had gone, what the doc had said and that she was already feeling a little stronger. We shared our faith again and then I needed to tell her something really quick so I could go in the store, finish my shopping and get right home. When I did (sorry, I just can’t put what I said out there on the internet), I wish you could have heard her laugh! Then, I laughed and I am sure the woman parked beside me must have REALLY wondered because this Holy & Healing Laughter continued for a bit. It was so good to hear her laugh like that. It truly made her feel better and me too! So now, I’m in Florida visiting my daughter whose husband has been unemployed for 3 years. You can imagine the struggle with two little children, having lost their home, etc., etc. So she and I were in the grocery store taking advantage on Buy One-Get One Free specials. Looking at this, …”oh no, that’s too expensive.” Oh, this looks good. “Yes, but we’re just not spending that much right now.” OK. Then, as I was looking at something else, from a slight distance I remarked something to her and the two of us practically collapsed in laughter. Two grown women in the grocery store holding theselves up at the meat and dairy cases…and this went on and on…emotional release, obviously. This is what I call Holy Laughter and the two of us felt the joy of being together, of handling the situtation, of understanding one another and ENJOYING this healthy, cardio stress...

Forgiveness Is A Choice

Posted by Pat Stewart on Dec 3, 2011 in My Blog, Think About This | 3 comments

Relationships are essentially teams. Teams are made of two or more people who form bonds of trust and consider one another’s interests, needs and faults…and still, they choose to be a team. As we say in Facebook language, they are “in a relationship.” Now, in Facebook-ese, that means a romantic relationship. I am referring to relationships formed by family members, friends, co-workers, club members, etc. Inevitably, we humans are going to make mistakes, revealing the flaws in our character. Many times, I believe, we make mistakes without even realizing it. These mistakes can be very hurtful to those on the receiving end of our actions or words. But, whether these offenses are intentional or not, true teams…true strong relationships manage to smooth things over through apologizing and, if unintentional, explaining that there was no intent on our part to injur. That just gets us half way to enjoying our relationship again. It’s like we have two pieces of bread and a knife and look into the cabinet and find there’s no peanut butter there. An important part of the sandwich is missing. That’s what it’s like when someone can’t forgive their teammate who offended them. Forgiveness is a choice. In reality, we make this choice to forgive because we know that forgiving is a step toward healing ourselves from that wound. Choosing to forgive is something we actually do for ourselves. In Mark 11:25 we hear “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. “ As Christians, there is an expectation that we will forgive. Sometimes, it is very difficult. Many people find themselves in a hurtful situation and CHOOSE to remain bitter, to allow the hurt to morph into resentment and carry that with them into their future. I’m always amazed when I hear someone say something like “Yes, she has a son but they have no relationship at all. He’s not a part of her life.” Her son? Really? Choosing NOT to forgive just keeps us in the hurtful struggle. “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. – Unknown“ Healthcare personnel and scientists have studied the effects of forgiveness, or the lack of, on human beings. Carrying grudges and remaining bitter emotionally and physically damages a person’s well-being. And what does it do for the people who live/work with them? It’s like second-hand smoke. The smokers are affecting the people with whom they live. On a lighter note, another quote about forgiveness that speaks loudly to me is this one from Oscar Wilde: “Always forgive your enemies…nothing annoys them so...