Breakfast Surprise

 

We went out for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast.  Geo, our friendly waiter, greeted and seated us.  A young couple occupied the table behind us.  Our “neighbor” got a phone call.  One could easily hear that he was congratulating and encouraging a co-worker.  He got a second call later from someone else and was just as encouraging.  I certainly was impressed.

On my way back from getting to-go boxes, I walked up to them and said, “Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I couldn’t help but hear your last two phone calls.” 

“Oh, was I speaking too loudly?” he asked.

“No”, I responded.  “Being inside and next to each other, it was hard to miss.”  I continued, “It sounded like you were talking to a friend or fellow employee.  You sounded very encouraging and complimented them on their recent accomplishment.  You did the same with the second caller.”

“Yeah,” he added, “I like to encourage others.  It encourages them, and me.”

“Well, I’m very impressed.  We need more people like you,” I concluded.

I told him about this blog, Journey into Story.  I explained that the purpose is to learn others’ stories.  The more we know each other’s stories, the more we take steps towards mutual respect.  In the end, as it spreads, peace is passed along.

His friend, a young woman, is maybe 20 years old. She is a drift car racer.  (What is “drift racing?”  When finished with this post, click the link at the bottom of the page.)

As I was leaving, I shook her hand and said, “Be careful.  You are too pretty to get into a wreck.”

After they left, I spoke with Geo.  He said, “Your bill has been paid by the couple you sat next to.”  Nice, it made my day, so I put my arm around Geo’s shoulder and put a nice tip into his hand.

Please consider listening to others’ stories and sharing your own.  In the process, everyone receives benefits.

Drift racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK8Gc4vH2YM

CHRISTMAS WITH A PURPOSE

 

https://pixabay.com/users/gustavorezende-1488336/

Each Christmas time, we kids in the neighborhood would go caroling.  It was a fun and constructive time, and it got us out of our parents' hair.  We lived up in Indiana near Lake Michigan, so there was snow and cold.  Often, when we performed at a neighbor's house, they would give us candy, cookies, or hot cocoa.  We appreciated the cocoa. It kept us going to our next gig. 

One year, we heard about a family from France who moved into the neighborhood at Christmas time.  They were professionals in balancing and juggling.  They had recently appeared on the Bozo the Clown TV show.  We also heard they were on hard times.  The cost of moving and little work added up to a sparse Christmas.

We had an idea.  When we went caroling, we could ask for money for this family rather than the other treats.  We collected a big chunk of change and got the goodies anyway.

We planned our last stop at the French family's rental home.  They opened the door very cautiously.  As we began to sing, they opened the door wider.  They enjoyed the music and the very idea that we would come and sing to them made them smile.  After we finished with, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” we handed them the card with the gift funds.  They had smiles and tears.  Their gratitude was evident, even with the language barrier.

Somehow, it didn’t seem so cold outside as we made our way back home.  I’m sure it was the warmth we felt in our hearts as we gave to others in need.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Be sure to leave a light on for us!

Please...consider sharing your own Christmas story.  Click the pencil below to reply.

 

 

Dysfunctional and Blessed Thanksgiving

 

Thanksgiving is a time for families.  That can be good or difficult, depending on the situation.  When I was working as a law enforcement chaplain, I often saw families at their worst, especially during the holidays.  The Norman Rockwell painting of the family gathered around the Thanksgiving table doesn’t fit for all Americans.  We want to think it applies.  

I have been watching a series called, “The Secret History of Family,” produced by the BBC.  The episodes are based on three young women sisters who grew up in East London in the 1800’s.  It is not a nice place.  You wouldn’t want to rent a B&B there.  They live in poverty and all end up spending time in prison for their imaginative ways of making money that happen to be illegal.  

The story is a look back from the perspective of their decedents.  Some ended up well-to-do and others much dysfunction and estrangement.  It is a journey into story as one views each episode and realizes how knowing one’s story can bring understanding and healing.

My family has a long and short story in America.  My grandfather on my mother’s side, came to the U.S. in the late 1800’s.  My mother’s other side were Pilgrims who came on the Mayflower in 1620.  My father’s family came from before the American Revolution.  At least one was a Patriot who fought in the Revolution and his son in the War of 1812.  So I guess you could say they had plenty of  time to mess up!

What is your story as you gather around the table this Thanksgiving?  Mine includes estrangement, addiction, betrayal, chronic illness, along with other challenges.  It is also mixed with love, blessings, and hope.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  No gifts or expectation of gifts are needed.  It is simply time for families to gather and be thankful.  If it becomes a gripe session or political wrestling match, that isn’t being thankful.  Let’s put all of that aside and breathe a sigh of thanksgiving.

______________________________________________________

What are you thankful for and why?  Please share with us all by clicking on the pencil icon below to reply.  We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Fake Thanksgiving News Uncovered By Native Americans (Updated)

William White

This will be the first Thanksgiving I’ll celebrate knowing that my 10th great-grandfather, William White, was a Mayflower passenger and signed the Mayflower Compact.  He died that first winter, so my 10Th great-grandmother was there for the first celebration.

There is a lot of fake news we learned in school that wasn’t accurate about that so-called “First Thanksgiving.”  Here is what I learned from the Wampanoag, the Indians who helped the Pilgrims.

“…most people do not know about the first Thanksgiving because the Wampanoag and Pilgrims did not sit down for a big turkey dinner and it was not an event that the Wampanoag knew about or were invited to in advance.” (Tim Turner, Cherokee, manager of Plimoth Plantation’s Wampanoag Homesite.)

The Pilgrims sent out four hunters in the morning who brought back an abundance of fowl (could have been turkey, but who knows).  Besides feasting, the men had target practice with their flintlocks.  The natives were alerted and set out to ensure the Pilgrims were not under attack.  That was when the Wampanoag invited or co-hosted themselves to the festivities.  Massasoit, the Chief, sent out a team who brought back five deer to add to the meal.  Fortunately, he did, because the number of Indians was two to three times the size of the settlers.

The food included venison, seafood, waterfowl (not to mention of turkey), maize bread, pumpkin (not pumpkin pie), and other squash.

The natives later did not look at Thanksgiving as a celebration, but as a day of mourning because of their treatment at the hands of the white man.

“At noon on every Thanksgiving Day, hundreds of Native people from around the country gather at Cole's Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, for the National Day of Mourning. It is an annual tradition started in 1970 when Wampanoag Wamsutta (Frank) James was invited by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to give a speech at an event celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival and then disinvited after the event organizers discovered his speech was one of outrage over the “atrocities” and “broken promises” his people endured.”

Frank James was supposed to address the crowd at the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival, but the organizers learned what he would share from the Indian perspective. They canceled him.  The message he was supposed to give contained this statement:

“This action by Massasoit was perhaps our biggest mistake. We, the Wampanoag, welcomed you, the white man, with open arms, little knowing that it was the beginning of the end.”

 

I certainly understand their feelings, but I have learned that it’s best to not look back at all of the injustice done to us.  Letting go of the injustice in my life has freed me to enjoy life better.  Take, for example, my friend Donna.  She is Japanese American and was born in a relocation camp that the government were so kind to set up after telling them they had to leave their homes and businesses within six days.  These were American citizens who were unjustly treated.  Many of the Nisai Japanese were bitter over their plight.  Donna’s parents  tried to put a positive spin on things and make the best of the situation.  After their release, the family had to start over again.  They worked hard and were steller American citizens.  Donna and all of her siblings went to college, earned degrees, and had a career. 

As I was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, I saw a float made by the Wapanoag Indian tribe whose ancestors had to put up with the mistreatment of the white man at Plymoth.  The chiefs were smiling and waving at the crowd.  Apparently not all Wapenoag descendants view the Plymouth setters in the same way.  Some forgave and moved on.  This is not to say we should ignore injustice, but as time passes, we do ourselves a favor by forgiving and living a productive life.

Regardless of what historical view we have of Thanksgiving, the idea is for us to be grateful for what we have.  I know I am.

HUMAN BRIDGE

 Many years ago, in the days of black and white TV, I saw a video about a brother and sister walking around a low ledge on a building. They were doing fine until they came to a break in the ledge. The boy takes one leap to the other side, but the little girl is intimidated by the gap. So the boy jumps back, lays down over the gap so his little sister can cross over by walking on him. It’s a cute video. View it below:

I think we can learn a lot from this boy’s example.

Comments:

• We need to regain the notion of self-sacrifice

  I’ve seen what happens to kids who have been given everything. When I was a youth pastor in Southern California, we had a kid in our group named “Joey.” One day he “borrowed” a limousine and took some of the kids for a joy ride. Another time, after I had a sharing time with the group, Joey came up to me and said, “After what you said, I think I should give you this,” as he handed me a knife, I’m talking the kind you get in trouble with! Every time Joey got in trouble, his Mother would cover for him. After I moved away, I heard he did something his Mother couldn’t shield him from—he ended up in prison for armed robbery! His mother sacrificed herself for the wrong reasons and did her son no favors. Joey was too self-centered to sacrifice for another.

• There are advantages to chivalry

  I know I’m old school, but I miss the days when women were shown respect. It shouldn’t be a big sacrifice to be polite to others. Nowadays, if I open the door for a woman, I mean a gal, no I mean...well you know what I mean, in public, she might give me a stare like, “Don’t you think I can handle this myself!” Still, others show a grateful smile as they go through the door.

• Jesus laid down his life for us.                                              He sacrificially gave (laid down) his life so He could bridge the gulf between us and God.  We just have to be willing to cross the Bridge in faith.

Who can we encourage today by being a “Human Bridge?” We shouldn’t let people walk all over us, but there are little “sacrifices” that can make someone’s day, and yours.

THE POTENTIAL OF KINDNESS

 

“Mighty oaks –from little acorns grow.” That is a 14^th century English proverb. Probably the younger generation, you know those younger than dirt, never heard it before. It speaks of big things coming from small beginnings.

My wife’s family can from Russia about the time of the Bolshevik Revolution. They were Germans who lived near the border with China. The Russians had a reason to place the Germans there, they served as a buffer between themselves and the Chinese. Often, there would be Chinese raiding parties that would steal from the German farmers. One time, Mr. Miller saw and chased after them. One of the border raiders fell and was injured. He was fearful to see Miller coming. Instead of showing retribution, he showed kindness to the Chinese. They took him in, bandaged his wounds, and helped him recover, after which, he returned to his family. Would you believe it? The Millers no longer had raids on their property. Their act of kindness built bridges to those opposed to themselves.

I like that story. It reminds me of the Good Samaritan who helped an injured Jew recover from his attackers along the Jericho road. Though the two were cultural enemies, kindness made a new friend. You can read more about that in the New Testament book of Luke, chapter 10, verses 30 – 37.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN PAY IT FORWARD during this trying time? 

 I would love to hear your stories and ideas. Simply “reply” below.

(c) Wally Johnston 2021

Donations For Weeds

 

https://www.facebook.com/dianereighardphotography

There are so many places to put our money. Needs are all around us. Often our Facebook friends are setting up a donation page for something. I’ve done it myself and you may have too.

When I was a teenager, I went to answer a knock on our door. In front of me were two young entrepreneurial girls holding a jar with some weeds in it. “Hi girls,” I said.

“Would you like to donate?” they asked.

“I’m not sure,” I replied. “Donate to what?”

They looked at each other, then back at me with a puzzled look and said, “To us.” I guess if I gave them money they would give me a weed? It would be interesting knowing what they are doing this day. Something tells me they would be running a successful business.

We usually think of donations as giving money. But there are so many more things we can give. Our time, talents, abilities, knowledge, etc. When we consider life in a pandemic, what can we give to help others?

What to give? We might consider our talents and hobbies. Keeping social distancing in mind, how can we pass on the knowledge and experience we have to benefit others?

Why give? Because we also receive so much. We can feel appreciated. We can find a purpose during this difficult phase of life.

You can’t find anything to do? Let me know. I have a job for you selling weeds door-to-door.

“Remember...there are only two kinds of people in this world, those who like Dr. Pepper and those who don’t.”

(c) 2020 Wally Johnston

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS WITH US BY HITTING “REPLY.”