Just imagine...

I love the group blogging that is called "Five Minute Fridays." Today's topic is imagine.

 Yesterday I went to the doctor for my pre-op for my cochlear implant surgery. I'm very excited about hearing again, but am also scared of the procedure and the life-changes that accompany it. Throughout the pre-op process, I was frustrated more than once with people who should "know better." This made me consider this: Imagine if we really did treat people the way we want to be treated.

I'm using Advanced Bionics for my implant

Instance #1: The soft spoken, mumbling receptionist at the surgeon's office. I spoke up and told him that many patients in his office were deaf. Don't shout, but look us in the eye and speak a little louder.

Instance #2: The surgeon asked my husband questions instead of me! I couldn't lip read him as he was facing the hubs. I looked at him and said, "ask ME!" He knew it was faster to ask Steve...and he was explaining something technical. Doesn't matter; ask me.

Instance #3: Phlebotomy. Leading me to the room, talking to me with me behind her. I spoke up and told her to check my chart: I'm deaf. I need to see her face.

Instance #4: Xray. Guy was in next room pushing the button asking me questions and probably telling me to take a deep breath. I have no idea.

Seriously...do we even think about other people and how they need to be treated? Imagine if we did. Imagine if we put ourselves in others situations for just a few minutes and figured out what we needed to do to make life comfortable, happy, and caring for each other.

John Lennon says it like this:

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one.

Jesus says it better: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Matthew 7: 9-12--with explanation scripture).

Imagine if we all tried that!

Five Minute Friday--Comfort

Comfort--what does it mean? As an English teacher, I tend to analyze words.

My crazy boys--huge source of comfort!

 Comfort can be a noun. In my 50's, I'd like to live a life of comfort...have "enough," not too many unexpected surprises, be able to help my kids. Problem is, my idea of "enough" and God's is rarely the same!

Comfortable is an adjective. I need my jeans to be comfortable. I need to be around people I am comfortable with. They need to be comfortable around me. Some people are weirded out being around anyone with a disability, and I am deaf. They get frustrated that I can't hear. Sorry about that; nothing I can do to fix that. I decided (yesterday, actually) that I am not going to be "on" 100% of the time. I'm not going to be so fixed on following every conversation. It's exhausting. The attention that is necessary to lip read and use closure skills all day long wipes me out. I took a 3 hour nap after work several days this week! I'm choosing to be comfortable with my disability.

Comfort can also be a verb. This is my favorite use of the word. Easter weekend, all my  boys came to see me...they came to bring me comfort. They were worried about me because my hearing loss had suddenly gotten far worse and I was now "deaf." I could see the worry on their face, but they came to bring me comfort. What awesome, tender-hearted young men. I think we all made each other feel a little better, sharing in the struggle and the encouragement that God means it for good. Romans 1:12 says: When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. What a gift it is that we can do that for each other!

So, I bring a challenge to you, as well as myself today: are you seeking comfort, or do you seek to comfort?

What is Brave?

 What does it mean to be brave?
Every Friday I participate in a group blogging activity called "Five Minute Fridays," where women around the world blog on the same topic. This week, the word is Brave.

What does it mean? The dictionary defines "brave" as "possessing courageous endurance."

Zip tour in Lula, GA

2 Timothy 4:7 says: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Paul definitely showed "courageous endurance." Do we? Do I? I was thinking about how easily I give up...how often I think I can't do something so I don't even try. I've been trying to do better at that--sometimes with some success! Last year, I pushed forth and finished writing my book--that was a biggie for me! I'm trying to do things that I once considered either too hard or scary. I am back to learning sign language...part of that is the necessity as my hearing goes south. I need another mode of communication. I've been going to some signing groups (meet ups), and will take a class this summer.
Last Saturday, I went on a zip line tour (doing scary things). The first zip was terrifying! By the third or fourth, it was really a lot of fun! Cross that off the bucket list. I felt very brave!

I have great examples of "brave" in my life. When my son Matt was a little boy, he called himself "Matt the Brave." Now, he's a 2LT and learning to fly helicopters. I'm so proud of his bravery!

Commissioning 2LT Joiner at West Point

One of the bravest people I've had the privilege to know is Henry Friedman. He is a Holocaust survivor. Every year for seven years he's come to speak to my students and share his story. His testimony of the atrocities he suffered and his ability to move forward and not hate inspire me.

Henry and me! I <3 him!

How are we brave? When are we called to be brave? Is it to persevere in adversity? Is it to face a fear? Is it to just get up and get going when we really don't feel like it? Surround yourself with brave people. They will inspire you, and soon, you too may feel that you are one of them. Be BRAVE!