Oldy but goody...

Written at the beginning of the year, 2004...

Everyone creates resolutions. Deep down we believe we will follow through. What makes 2004 any different? Nothing, except that we mean well. One of these days that will be enough. My resolutions...to eat right and exercise more. Goodbye coca-cola and ice cream! I mean well. My last resolution is I'm going to save the world! When I get tears in my eyes, a knot in my throat and it is hard to breathe...for me it is not just an ordinary emotion.

At a memorial service I listened to a son speak about how is father loved. How he loved his God, his family, his friends, his neighbors and how he loved...well, everyone. I heard how this man made a difference. Do I make that kind of impact? Do I love like that? What if I don't? Then I will never be a world changer. I used to be when I was passionate about making a difference, about loving the unlovely, about loving my God.

There was a night several years ago...but only two months after I started a job working with the unlovely. I began to feel the kids I was around were not worth the stress to even try. As I watched them sleep so seemingly peaceful, my God said this...

Frustration. Confusion.
Is it all worth it?
Threats. Rudeness.
Is it all worth it?
Depends on who you are.
Depends on what you are made of.
Are you strong?
Are you bold?
Do you have courage?
Do you have compassion?
It's the heart, not the mind.
Do you care?
Do you love?
Can you love the unlovely?
Is it possible?
Make up your mind to open your heart.
Open your heart to let them in.
Let them in to make a difference.
Make a difference to change the world.
Change the world because they are worth it!

So there! It's a choice. It's not, "Will I make a difference?" It's "I WILL make a difference!" I've made up my mind and I mean well.

Maybe I should look at this old resolution and make it a new one...