A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 3 My Uncle Andy

Family - Uncle Andy

Since I don't have siblings, I tend to relish in the moments that I get to spend with the family that I do have.  My mom, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins make up my realm of family.  The majority reside in KY.  However, I am fortunate to have family here in Houston - my Aunt Donna, Uncle Wayne, and Uncle Andy.

 

Growing up with my Aunt Liz, Aunt Donna, and Uncle Wayne was like having siblings.  There is not a big difference in our ages.  They have always been there for me at the drop of a hat.  My Aunt Donna is one of the reasons I was able to come to Houston.

My Uncle Andy, who is closer in age to my mom, lived far away from KY when I was growing up. I rarely got to see him.  However, my mom shared so many stories about their childhood that I dreamed of hanging out with him.  When he did come to visit, I thought he was the coolest. His hair was long and he wore leather jackets with leather boots.  I knew the heaviness of those leather boots all to well.  He stomped on my hand once when I was trying to rescue a caterpillar from his terror. Naturally the caterpillar was squashed and my hand throbbed for days.

Uncle Wayne & Uncle Andy goofin!

It wasn't until I was living in Houston that Andy and I got to bond. We both moved to Houston around the same time. After hanging out with him, I was surprised to find that we had many alike.  Like me, it isn't easy to trust people and we are loyal to the friends we do have. We both like about the same type of music, movies, and love to be a recluse at times. Many of his similarities remind me of my Grandma Jean as well as my mom.  

These last few years haven't been the easiest.  Yet Uncle Andy takes everything in stride.  He keeps a positive outlook.  He can always make me laugh and be straight to the point.  Like my mom, he never sugar coats anything.

As I mature, I realize that nothing can replace memories we make with family.  We can hang on to baggage or we can choose to let it go and make some memories.  Nothing can change the past but we can strive for a better future. I love my Uncle Andy!

The Response

A Nation that's blinded?

Negativity, sadness, and blamelessness seem to be the mindset of many today. Just look at any TV channel or news headline. Rarely will you find good news promoted. We all seem to be at a loss on how to fix our economy, stop the war on drugs, protect our children and their future, or even stand up for our personal freedom of rights. Amazingly, we humans have conquered a lot of things...just look at our history! Many have come to the conclusion that we alone have the power to create, control, and end life. But even with all this power, we are unable to hold our very own tongue at times, forgive others, or maintain that peace within ourselves when someone has a different opinion, belief, or treats us unfairly.

Admitting that we are powerless and refocusing is usually the first step with anything. The Response was that stepping stone. Seeing this nation in its current turmoil, this wonderful gathering happened, Saturday, August 6th, 2011, which made an impact on my life that shall never be erased. No words, no video, no testimony can explain the Spirit that was felt that day.

This all day free event was held at the Reliant Stadium in Houston which brought together people from all walks of life, from different races, cultures, ages, political views, and denominations, praying compassionately to our Heavenly Father for the state of our nation and our world.

Yet with every positive step there will also be naysayers or those who may not understand. The weeks leading up to the event, the media fueled the fire with a negative outlook mainly because the Texas Governor, Rick Perry, called out for such a day of praying and fasting for the state of our world. Many judged the gathering a discriminating failure before it even got started since only 8,000 people had registered.

As any believer will tell you though, our faith, hope, and determination relies not on mankind and his judgement of the future. We believe in God, a Power bigger than anything on Earth. We believe that any and all things are possible with Him. We believe in peace and forgiveness. His Power was truly felt that day. For many of us, myself included, The Response was a dream, a prayer, and an inspiration that had been in our hearts for many years.

This was not an event to promote a politician, a band or celebrity, a church leader, a ministry, or any denomination. In fact, no announcement was made of the lineup or even the process that was to take place at the event. There were no flyers, no CDs/DVDs, no books, no posters, no shirts – no keepsakes for sale. Only a small agenda listing 4 prayer segments was passed out by an assortment of volunteers.

People simply only knew to follow their heart, visit the stadium if they wished seeking prayer for the nation. Whatever the case, the people followed through...

Over 35,0000 people responded and followed their heart to Reliant Stadium that Saturday. Many fasted. Others volunteered. Some stayed the entire day of prayer while others stayed for a few hours. Some came from Houston and the local areas. Others had traveled as far as Maine, Mississippi, Georgia and New Hampshire. Over 1,300 web telecasts from the nation and around the world were tuned in to pray as well.

Overwhelming joy and compassion filled me as I looked out across the diverse crowd. From Pentecostal to bikers with leather jackets, no one could miss the wide range of ages, races, and cultures crying out to God in one place. By the end of the day, the emotion that had filled the Stadium brought many to tears.

The time had come to leave the Spirit-filled place and return the world. Yet we were taking with us the experience to share with others and prayers for future gatherings. As I returned home that Saturday, I was sadly reminded of the negativity once again. The news media gladly showed a small set of protesters at the event, none of which I had seen on my end. There were no good news or positive reports of what I had just experienced. Was this nation blind or had it all been just a dream to me?

Like any toxic relationship, we subconsciously love negativity. Positive stuff is just too boring. The same goes for our society. We have turned into a self-righteous and self-loathing type of people. We moan over our own or the nation’s problems. If we are not moaning, we escape into a lost world surrounded by the latest and greatest materialistic items. Society has taught us to continue to be ungrateful and fulfill our own personal needs. We have become insensitive and selfish to the world around us.

We unconsciously idolize and lose our own self-worth through celebrities, sport stars and teams, and public figures like our politicians. Sadly, we are teaching our children this same lifestyle. The new generation is becoming a self-centered with a blameless and insensitive attitude towards others and the world. What’s worse is that We, as nation, are blind or ignore it all....

...So what's Your Response? Whatever happened on that Saturday should not be forgotten and misinterpreted. This should only be the beginning for positive changes. May others Seek compassion for our great nation.

May you be Blessed to Respond.