Are You Able?

As usual, I’m here trying to figure out how to make my wife happy. She looks at me and says it’s time for you to write a blog. Like most men, I look at her with that dumb look so many of us have on our faces and my mind is numb and empty. So … how do you write from that?

Three things have filtered into my life today and have filled that numb emptiness.

First, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not Hispanic. But it is one of the things I love about San Antonio. That history and heritage is woven into the fabric of this city. Some tried over the years to minimize and remove that unique character that makes this city so special. The culture of the city is inseparable from Hispanic culture. It’s been seasoned by many other histories and ethnicities; but deep in its core, the fact that this area was historically a part of Mexico and so many of its residents are Hispanic, provides a foundation that cannot be shaken.

Second, I love romantic comedies and, instead of writing this, I watched one. Juli always gives me a hard time about that. Look, I had the day off and, for me, escaping into a fantasy world where I can already figure out the ending — where love will eventually prevail with everyone happy — allows my heart a short break from the real world we live in where there is so much pain, grief and sorrow. Today’s maxim from the movie was that “Home was not a place, but a feeling.” The smile I have at the end of the movie may be short-lived, but just the fact that it’s there lets me know that my heart and soul have not been broken by darkness. Instead, I can commit to be a light in that darkness.

Third, I did exercise today using a “popular” exercise application and one of my leaders today (who about killed me with his strength routine) had only one arm. His arm had been amputated after an accident when he was a child. Sprinkled throughout his challenging exercise instructions was his insistence that we had choices on how to view ourselves. Anything in our lives could be seen either as a setback or a challenge. Depending on our hearts and our perspectives, the pain we go through could be either constructive or destructive. Our limitations could be seen as disabilities or enabling opportunities. It was up to us whether we’d do that next rep, or crunch, or squat. It was up to us to sort whether we can face what is before us. More so, what we cannot face today does not mean we cannot face it tomorrow, or some future day if we choose to grasp this chance to grow, rather than surrender to today’s inability or failure. And … did I mention he was saying all of this while he was kicking my butt?!

In the end, it is what we value and how we see ourselves and the world around us that shapes our futures. So often I would watch our son, Robert, and lament in my heart what had been taken from him. Then, he would look at me with that crooked grin he would do when he knew something that I didn’t, and I knew that he saw it all differently. He was home … I was home … he had that feeling. That was what was important.

I am extremely happy to have the blessing of living in a city with such a rich cultural heritage. Though I am not Hispanic, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work and live with friends who are, and to gradually learn from them and appreciate what makes this “home” for them. I had the blessing of living with my “disabled” son for many years and learned from him and others (like my drill instructor exercise leader) that it is not your disability that defines you. It is knowing you are able, perhaps differently abled, but able. Each of us can walk on in that knowledge; wherever we are and whatever abilities we have, we can make that place our home.

We Are Able.

Listening Library: Believe For It (CeCe Winans)

https://youtu.be/fd24fpsF1Qw

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 NIV)

Believe For It

They say this mountain can't be moved They say these chains will never break But they don't know You like we do There is power in Your name

We've heard that there is no way through We've heard the tide will never change They haven't seen what You can do There is power in Your name So much power in Your name

Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it

From the impossible We'll see a miracle God we believe God we believe for it

We know that hope is never lost (oh) For there is still an empty grave God we believe no matter what There is power in Your name So much power in Your name

Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it

From the impossible We'll see a miracle God we believe God we believe for it (hey)

You are the way When there seems to be no way We trust in You God You have the final say, yeah

You are the way When there seems to be no way (yes You are) We trust in You God You have the final say (You are the final say)

Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it

From the impossible We'll see a miracle God we believe God we believe for it God we believe God we believe for it

Songwriters: Cece Winans / Dwan Hill / Kyle Lee / Mitch Wong

Believe For It lyrics © Amplified Administration, Capitol CMG Publishing, Fun Attic Music, LLC, Integrity Music,

Pure Psalms Music