The Book of Eli - Thoughts and Impact

There are so many things that occur in my day that would absolutely put anyone to sleep if they had to read about them. So I'll save you the mundane details. However, my friend and I get together every once in a while to take in a movie. It's nice to get out of the house and enjoy fellowship with good friends.

Today was a good day in regards to my Christian walk. My friend and I went to see the movie The Book of Eli. The movie was awesome. The message was delivered in a rough manner set in a post-apocalyptic world. I realize this may sound odd, but upon leaving the movie I felt like I really needed to start reading the bible. We often talk about the movie we just saw, among other things, for a few minutes afterward. He shared the same thought. Reflecting on the movie, I realized that I do not live the life that I am called upon to live. I do not take advantage of opportunities laid before me to spread the word or live the word. I get caught up in the everyday grind. The people in the automotive industry can be harsh in conversation and attitude. Conversations can often be filled with language that don't necessarily offend me, but should. I find that it carries over into my personal life. This is only one aspect of my life that I think of when I watch something like this movie. Denzel's character listened and heeded his calling. He had faith in what he was told would be absolutely true.

I was asked to help teach our Sunday morning class at church. I had been thinking of it for the past couple of days. I decided to accept the invitation. I am tired of going through the motions...lazily sitting in my chair listening with no vested interest. Without a vested interest I can go home and go about my way, my way not his way, of doing things. My life will not change if I don't make a concerted effort to change it.

I am not perfect, but no one is. I will continue to have faults. It's how I overcome my trials that will be the example for others to see, whether good or bad. Denzel's character was faced with temptations throughout the movie which would have resulted in him losing his "path". During one of the scenes he tells himself "Stay on the path. It's not your concern. Stay on the path. It's not your concern." He didn't stray from his path. I need to 1)find my path and 2)follow it. Gaining a vested interest by contributing during class or other opportunities which may arise will result in finding my path. The daily challenge is following it.

"When you make a commitment to a relationship, you invest your attention and energy in it more profoundly because you now experience ownership of that relationship." - Barbara De Angelis

Marley's Little Hospital Adventure

On Monday, December 14th Stacey (my wife) took Marley (our daughter) to Presbyterian Hospital in Plano because Marley was not responsive to any stimulus. Her eyes were open, but she was very lethargic. From the beginning we could see the hand of God was on Marley. Plano Presby has one pediatric ER doctor. She was on shift that night. They ran a series of tests (ultrasound and x-rays) to determine what was going on. They found what's called an intussusception. Basically, the small intestine had worked its way into the large intestine. There are two procedures to correct it: air enema and surgery. Doctors said if caught within a 48 hour window, the air enema is 95% successful. Stacey and I were racking our brains trying to think when she had her last bowel movement. We came up with Sunday (almost 48 hours exactly) and were optimistic this would work. Our pediatrician showed up for support that night and accompanied us during the procedure. We could tell the intussusception was further advanced than originally thought by looking at his face. They attempted three times to reverse the intussusception without success. After the unsuccessful procedure they transported us to the Medical City of Dallas Pediatric ICU. The surgeon gave us a brief rundown of what was going to happen and what the potential risks would be. Marley was taken back for surgery late Monday night. It was relatively short...maybe an hour to an hour and a half. The surgeon came back to us and told us that the intussusception was the worst he had seen. The small intestine worked all the way around the large intestine and was centimeters from being expelled, but that wasn't all. They found what the docs called a malrotation of the small intestine and its blood supply. The vessels that supply the small intestine were twisted and bunched up not allowing the blood supply to be delivered adequately across the intestine. We found out later, if left untreated, the small intestine would eventually die off a little at a time and results in death. Yesterday Stacey was on the phone with one of the surgical partners and he told her they had never seen an intussusception accompanied with a malrotation. God is with Marley. If the air enema had been successful, surgery would not have been necessary and the doctors would not have found the malrotation. Marley would not be with us much longer. However, God has plans for her and made sure the right team was there for the surgery and caring for her.

Sunday was the first time we had been to church since Marley was released from the hospital. We normally attend a morning, small group class prior to the main worship time. The whole week prior to Sunday, I had been thinking of getting up in front of both gatherings to express our deepest thanks for the various methods of support shared by the church. I don't do well in front of a large group of people. Not only that, but the content of the message was about my little girl who was close to death. Needless to say I knew I would not make it through the message without breaking down. So, with all this on my mind, I tried to think of the best way to get my point across. Power Point was out of the question, although it would have made an interesting slide show. Charades...no one would get intussusception. I can picture that in my mind...with my fingers tugging on my ear the people say "sounds like" and from there I would have no idea what to do...move on to the five syllable sign. People would have walked out. Up until the point of introduction at class I had no idea what I was going to say. I stood up and just started talking. It went well. Stacey had to assist because, just as I thought, I started breaking down. Actually we both did. In fact, the whole class was balling with us. It was an awesome experience.

During the main worship time, it didn't get any better. I balled again, but I had the microphone and I couldn't pass it off for assistance. Thankfully our preacher came up to save me otherwise I would have been up there babbling on forever.

I can't begin to express the gratitude we have for our church, family and friends. Everyone was, and continues to be, awesome. We had never felt so much love and compassion. It definitely changed my outlook on life.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. -Bible, Psalm 37:25,26 NIV

Our children have been blessed, but now I have to live up to the "righteous" part of the bargain.

Starting a new habit

I am not a writer, but I wanted to get into a new habit of learning how to express myself with the intention of improving my verbal skills during everyday conversation. In addition, I want to use this medium as a way to get my thoughts in order on topics that will range from day to day.

With that said, today was a good day with the family. We started out the day having breakfast with a couple of our neighbors. My son (two and a half years old) had a blast with the neighbor's kids. My daughter (6 months old) was released from the hospital on Christmas day. What a great Christmas present. She has been doing great since she's been home. This morning was the first time anyone outside the family was able to spend quality time with her. She has been a little fussy (different than prior to being admitted to the hospital) today. We are watching her like a hawk. Hopefully we won't smother her when she gets older because of the recent events.

My wife and I are doing great. We have been married for 9 years. Our marriage grew up fast in the early years. Trials and tribulation came quickly, but we managed to get through them and emerged a very strong couple. We are working through some deep seeded issues on my end. She has been awesome through this time of confusion for me. We are Christians. Our views are similar on many things. As a result, it makes it easier to share and be vulnerable to a partner that appreciates rather than demean any personal shortcomings.

I am trying to branch out and make new Christian friends. I am not the best person to befriend because I do not take the time to keep in contact with others. I need to work on it. My mom, dad and sister suffer the most because I do the same to them. The fact that they live several hundred miles away doesn't help the situation. If I can surround myself with good, positive people I may get better at this, but the goal is to be a better person in general. I need to put others first. Thinking like that will possibly help me to become a better friend, son, brother, father and husband. That should probably be rearranged: husband, father, son, brother and friend. Actually, now that I think about it there may not be a correct order, but I think you get the point.

Well...there's a little info about me. This blogging thing may turn out to be a good avenue of expression after all.

Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time. - Mark Twain

Day one of starting a new habit. We'll see how it goes.