FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - TWO MINOR VICTORIES (NO, I DON'T KNOW)

 FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - TWO MINOR VICTORIES 

Yes, it is Flag Day (and I have written about that yesterday).

Life is full of lessons.  We never stop learning (or at least that is what the experts say).

Some lessons.

NO

Throughout my life I’ve had trouble with saying “no”.  

The situation generally is like this:  a person asks if I could help with something - or even an online group asked for money and support.  My most recent incidence was I was asked (in an email) about playing in the Austin Community Wind Ensemble for the summer.  I replied with one basic word (plus other fluff) - “maybe”.  To me, maybe is a fudge word - I might be interested, I might consider that, I may or may NOT participate in this group.  

So, I said “maybe”.  (Maybe I should have said “no”).

The next email from my friend was “The group rehearses on Tuesday nights in Austin at the Covenant United Methodist Church from 7:30 to 9:30. We could really use you on the tuba part this summer.”

Yup - to praise me is definitely softening me up.  (“We could really use you this summer”)

I live in Georgetown and I’m 76 years old (oops - that is an excuse).  I don’t like driving to Austin - yes, I’m showing my age and silently approving being older.  

So, I went to a rehearsal.  It was a nice group.  It has been around for many years.  There were about six people I know playing in the group.  The rehearsal was a fast paced one - going through about 20 pieces of music (mostly marches and patriotic music for the Fourth of July).  Most pieces I had played before.  The other tuba players were friendly, and I did like it.  

(Do you sense my wavering - I could do this.  They need me.)

Then I disappeared for two weeks on my trip to Arizona and National Parks.  Playing in this group popped up in my mind periodically on my trip.  I knew it was a good group, probably a fun group, one I’d like to play with.  It might be a great group if I lived half-a-mile from the rehearsal side.  My brain (which I have learned to ignore when somebody has asked for me help) was screaming “No”. 

Another tuba playing friend had been asked and she just had said “No”.  (And she lives a lot closer).  Would I offend anybody is I said “no”? 

It is hard for me to say “no”.  But I did say “No” this time - and I’m glad I did!!!

Part of that has to go to my central core.  What is important to me?  What is God calling me to do?  I believe I’m to promote LOVE - that is Agape Love.  I could do that if I played with this group.  

*****

Aside - in the past month, I’ve exercised less.  I have a goal of walking at least 6,000 steps a day (or about three miles) - and I’ve missed that goal more than I’ve made it.  I need to take care of my body if I am to be effective.  If I want (and seem called) to live a longer, happier, fulfilling life, I need to be aware of my body.  

*****

So, three nights ago, I returned to the group - with just my music folder and returned it.  I said “no”.  Not this summer.  

During the year I will spend my Tuesday nights with the Bluebonnet Philharmonic Orchestra.  But, now for the summer I will be at the Georgetown Recreation Center - walking and exercising - and keeping my weight off.  (And the BPO rehearses about eight miles away).

“NO” is not a bad word if I want to be true to myself.  What would Jesus do?  I don’t think Jesus said “no” very frequently - but I said it!!!

*****

Aside - in Connecticut, I practiced with the Cheshire Symphony on Monday nights, the Quinnipiac University on Tuesday nights, my church brass group on Wednesday nights, the Hamden Symphony on Thursday nights, and during basketball and hockey season, I generally played for athletic events with the pep ban on Friday and Saturday nights.  (I guess I had trouble saying “no”). 

*********

My second lesson recently is saying “I don’t know”.  That also comes at a price for me.  If somebody asks me a question, I like to answer the question - even if it is irrelevant to me. Yes, I can Google the question and people will think Dr. White knows a lot.  (Dr. White knows how to ask questions on Google).

I am curious. I like to know.  But there are times that I don’t know.  This happens in my spiritual thoughts.  Does God accept Muslims, Hindis, Buddhists, etc. into Heaven?  

“I don’t know”.  That’s not a cop out - it is my truth now.  Ten years ago, I knew the answer - “God only accepts those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.”  

John 3:16 was the ultimate answer: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Or John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Now I am taking the concepts that God is LOVE - God loves ALL of us.  God’s ways are not our ways.  John 10:16 says, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So, there will be one flock, one shepherd. “

God is infinite, all knowing, all powerful, all loving - and I can’t come close to understand that perfect love that God has. 

*****

So, saying “No” is okay (at least for me); and saying “I don’t know” is also okay (at least for me).

LIFE IS GOOD

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

I CAN ONLY LOVE GOD AS MUCH AS THE PERSON I LIKE THE LEAST.

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME - TO LOVE JUSTICE, TO SHOW MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD.

*****

Karen Anne White, June 14, 2024

(Happy 50th anniversary Connie White)