I'll admit it, I love this video. It's a perfect song choice, and fantastically performed. And I hope she goes all the way to the Queen. The following is an excerpt from an article written by Fr. James Martin, SJ, associate editor of America magazine--"Susan Boyle and the Love of God."
The way we see Susan Boyle is very nearly the way God sees us: worthwhile, special, talented, unique, beautiful. The world generally looks askance at people like Susan Boyle, if it sees them at all. Without classic good looks, without work, without a spouse, living in a small town, people like Susan Boyle may not seem particularly "important." But God sees the real person, and understands the value of each individual's gifts: rich or poor, young or old, single or married, matron or movie star, lucky or unlucky in life. God knows us. And loves us.
It's beautiful. And true. Watch the video and tell me you don't see "worthwhile, special, talented, unique, beautiful."
For the full article, click.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Top 5 Top 5 Lists
So this facebook phenomenon of Top 5 lists intrigues me. I can't put my finger on what is so fun about naming the superlatives of random categories, but I think it has something to do with defining ourselves in a concrete way. I mean, we don't really care about anyone else's "Top 5 Shows I Watched With My Dad" but when we think back on our own, it's a way to relive good memories (I mean, if you count Xena, Warrior Princess as a good memory). Anyways, in honor of that, and without any shred of seriousness, I bring you the Top 5 Top 5 Lists, inspired by actual events.
1. Top 5 things you do not want to find in your fridge. The top, BY FAR, on this list would be the multicolored pond found underneath the produce drawers when the freezer stopped working and dripped down into everything. It took 6 of us almost that many hours to clean it out. I can still smell it.
2. Top 5 things you do not want to hear your surgeon say. Let's just say that "Oops", while falling into this category, would not even make the top 5. Not after hearing "What the heck does this do?" "I want to kill somebody, that's what" and "Holy s#@$t" in the OR.
3. Top 5 places NOT to pass out. Not that there are good places to pass out. But in a patient's room or into a microphone in church are definitely ones you should try to avoid if at all possible.
4. Top 5 ways to keep Band-aids in business. I would have to think a bit about the next four, but the first on this list would definitely be cutting my LEFT thumb on my pocket knife while showing everyone how I cut my RIGHT thumb by trying to see how sharp the knife was. Who does that?
5. Top 5 Mary-isms. My family loves teasing Mary for her creativity with the English language. "I'm not a dult." (did you mean you're not an A-dult?) But I think this could include all of those hilarious moments where we didn't quite say what we wanted to say. "Do your ears hang low, do they holler to and fro?" Hahahaha. Because that's a much more enjoyable thing to dwell on, as long as we're all laughing together, than the above categories.
There you have it. As with all Top 5 lists, we think of things we should have added long after the list is published. So it will be with this, I'm almost sure of it. In fact, there could be a whole category of "Top 5 Lists That Laura Has Revised After Completing" but since there's also a fairly extensive "List of Things Laura Can't Remember On Command", I don't know what those are.
Happy List Making.
1. Top 5 things you do not want to find in your fridge. The top, BY FAR, on this list would be the multicolored pond found underneath the produce drawers when the freezer stopped working and dripped down into everything. It took 6 of us almost that many hours to clean it out. I can still smell it.
2. Top 5 things you do not want to hear your surgeon say. Let's just say that "Oops", while falling into this category, would not even make the top 5. Not after hearing "What the heck does this do?" "I want to kill somebody, that's what" and "Holy s#@$t" in the OR.
3. Top 5 places NOT to pass out. Not that there are good places to pass out. But in a patient's room or into a microphone in church are definitely ones you should try to avoid if at all possible.
4. Top 5 ways to keep Band-aids in business. I would have to think a bit about the next four, but the first on this list would definitely be cutting my LEFT thumb on my pocket knife while showing everyone how I cut my RIGHT thumb by trying to see how sharp the knife was. Who does that?
5. Top 5 Mary-isms. My family loves teasing Mary for her creativity with the English language. "I'm not a dult." (did you mean you're not an A-dult?) But I think this could include all of those hilarious moments where we didn't quite say what we wanted to say. "Do your ears hang low, do they holler to and fro?" Hahahaha. Because that's a much more enjoyable thing to dwell on, as long as we're all laughing together, than the above categories.
There you have it. As with all Top 5 lists, we think of things we should have added long after the list is published. So it will be with this, I'm almost sure of it. In fact, there could be a whole category of "Top 5 Lists That Laura Has Revised After Completing" but since there's also a fairly extensive "List of Things Laura Can't Remember On Command", I don't know what those are.
Happy List Making.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I'm pretty excited....
...that my birthday is coming up. I know it's a little self-centered, but I love the feeling that even if I'm the only one who knows it, it's like my own special day out of the whole year.
...that I didn't have to file 26 tax returns like my mom. Knew there had to be an upside to never making money.
...that Thursday the OR and the clinic are closed. No one knows why. Who cares.
...that grapefruit was on sale on Sunflower and that Dad was buying. You should see me eat them. I'm like a machine. Don't even stop to breathe.
...that I didn't have to file 26 tax returns like my mom. Knew there had to be an upside to never making money.
...that Thursday the OR and the clinic are closed. No one knows why. Who cares.
...that grapefruit was on sale on Sunflower and that Dad was buying. You should see me eat them. I'm like a machine. Don't even stop to breathe.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is Risen
Sometimes I am given the grace of perspective to stop and think about what's really important. How, if we are honest with ourselves, we can admit that the only thing that matters is getting closer to God. Kneeling in front of the Eucharist, standing together as a congregation, lifting our voices in prayer, sitting with a friend in need, serving the poor. And I think about getting caught up in everything else. Oil changes and rent payments and health insurance and what I'm going to pack for lunch tomorrow; how early I have to get up and how long I'll be at work and what residency I'll be good enough for and how much money I'll make; when the last time was I talked to whoever and how I haven't worked out in three days, or showered for that matter (no, just kidding, I'm not Mary). It's so hard to put all of that on pause and remember. So, today, when we celebrate the triumph of the Son over death, take some time to remember what matters. Because all of those distractions won't mean a thing when your time comes and He asks you, "Did you love Me with everything you had?" Please help me remember as well. Alleluia.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Play Something Country
Watching the Academy of Country Music Awards...LOVING it! I love that you can tell a story with a song, wear jeans to the awards show, have Jimmy Buffett and Andy Griffith cameos, and talk about God unabashedly. And I think Reba is hilarious.
And there's definitely a ring of fire on stage during "Johnny and June"...that's awesome!
And there's definitely a ring of fire on stage during "Johnny and June"...that's awesome!
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