AUTUMN LEAVES OF MY JOURNEY: MAN WALKS AMONG US

Each leaf represents an experience, a value, a memory or a friendship

Every waking day we are bombarded with the chaos of the world events, Wars and rumor of Wars, gang fights, school shootings and marches for equal rights with entitlements. It seems there isn’t peace anywhere. Our minds try to live each day and find that peace which is so fragile; our family’s seem to be having financial, spiritual or marital problems. It all seems so overwhelming.

It remind me of the children’s fairytale of “Little chicken Little” There are several Western versions of the story, of which the best-known concerns a chick that believes the sky is falling when an acorn falls on its head. The chick decides to tell the King and on its journey meets other animals (mostly other fowl) which join it in the quest. The moral to be drawn changes, depending on the version. Where there is a 'happy ending', the moral is not to be a 'Chicken' but to have courage.

The challenge is to Be Still! And listen! to all the other wonderful thoughts and actions that are taking place in this awesome country called America. A Café in Idaho where all the personnel donate their time and services for 3 hours on Mondays to give free lunch meals to seniors who come thru their front doors. They are treated with full service and courtesy. While walking away from that café you have a wonderful sense that people still care and are willing to sacrifice to show it. Be Still! and listen. These are the peaceable warriors. Special Young women with families of their own who take the time to visit care facilities that have special angels living there who are sick and weary, women living alone who barely have visits from their own families, looking forward to these visits with the hugs and concern that is shown. Be Still! and listen., These too are the peaceable warriors.. Husbands that have lost a love one from cancer or another disease, taking the time to send a “Thank You Card” stating appreciation to you for your kindness and care for his family during his wife’s funeral, his wife finding you to be a true friend and loving her time with you. Be Still! And Listen”. Look for the all the untold deeds that go about quietly and never ask for anything in return, these too are peaceable warriors. Young men and women who have made mistakes in their lives and looking for that connection again to past friendships and relationships, needing acceptance and forgiveness, finding family and friends with unconditional love Be Still! and listen, these too are peaceable warriors. Young families who take others into their home and let them live there until they can stabilize their life again and make it on their own; sometimes these families have as many as 8 or 9 persons living under one roof trying to maintain cooperation from all who live within those walls. These too are peaceable warriors. Be Still! and listen to couples who give up their bed and sleep on a mattress so you can will be more comfortable. Creating a meal and apologizing for it not being good enough then not allowing you to help with clearing and helping with the dishes, because you are a house guest. These too are peaceable warriors. Be Still! and listen. Young men and women who go to a foreign country and fight for the freedom and dignity that humans deserve, some never arrive back home but made the ultimate sacrifice, true heroes and warriors in every sense

Our challenge is to maintain an attitude of gratitude in all things, and then Be Still! and listen we too will be worthy to be the peaceable warriors.