Dialogues with the Almighty - Session 1

Session 1 05-11-25 REW

Hi Guy,

It’s been quite a while since we’ve chatted.  I’ve seen some really horrific things.  I’ve done some dreadful deeds.  Some of these come back in nightmares.  I thought I had potential but I feel like I’ve failed in many ways.  I’ve lost those closest to me and I now know what loneliness  is like.  My days are tough and I don’t see them getting any better, nor do I have the desire to get involved with current issues.  I think I’m done.  Are you ready for me?

“I know the issues – I’ve been here.  You’ve had the tools to persevere and you’ve built a depth of experience that only you possess..  What do you think I would suggest?”

Oh!  …I think you’d probably tell me to stop whining and do something – no,  not just something – something beneficial.

“And?”

I think you’d tell me to stop thinking of myself so much.  I suspect you’d tell me that the only thing limiting me is me.

“Anything else?”

I think you’d tell me I have no idea how tough some days can really be and that they are tougher because  I haven’t made enough of an effort to make them better.  I guess I’d better work on my attitude.

“So how could you change things?”

Well ,- - - there are lots of lonely people like me – perhaps I could find someone and befriend them.  But how do I find them.  I hear you!  I could contact a doctor at a pediatric facility and ask for a reference to a lonely child that needs some attention.  Likewise, I could volunteer at a facility for the elderly.  I could join a discussion group of interest.  As a veteran, I could find some acquaintances and invite them to join me for lunch or I could reach out to one of the chaplains and find a group of vets that are currently meeting.  There are so many things I could do – You’re right, I’m lonely because I’ve been to lazy to build some new relationships.  I can do better.

“Well done.  That is a good beginning, but just a beginning.”

I guess my attitude has been pretty negative – you’d probably suggest I become more positive.  I could look for a way to put a smile on someone’s face each day and maybe I could look for humorous material that I could share with others.  I should be able to do more than this, though.

“You’ll never know the significance of your actions.  I can make mountains from mole hills.”

I guess I need a plan for the future that takes advantage of the experience you mentioned and the interests that I’ve ignored.

“That will only help if you find a way to work it.”

Accountability has to be a daily/weekly thing.  I’ll need to commit to detail tasks, communicate them to someone and report how I’ve done to them.  That sounds like Wesley.  Maybe I could start small in this manner and build toward a grander vision.  I know the youth at our church are looking for drivers.  I’ll have to become safe sanctuary trained.  I know my way around a grill quite well – that could also be a first commitment for this week.  This week I can also focus on the church calendar and the local community at large for opportunities to participate in a positive manner both short and long term.  Building the future plan will be the goal for the activities in a weekly accountability document.  I’ll also have to find someone to be accountable to.

“I’ll be watching.”

I think this prayer has changed my perspective.  Let me see how well I can perform this week.  Maybe we should talk more than once a decade!  Bye for now.