Safe Haven

And not because his radically pro-abortion agenda is right or good. Not because Democratic economic plans are great. Not because he makes great picks for the courts. In fact, there are scant few things he and I agree on at all. But to this very day, he is an indelible symbol of hope and possibility. Not just for black Americans, but for everyone. Raised by a single mom, with heavy-duty dad issues. He definitely took some wrong turns. He had some great opportunities, and almost botched them, but didn't. He faced enormous obstacles, and persevered. What a quintessentially American story, in all the right ways. He is the faithful husband of one wife, and the doting father of two brilliant daughters. This is no small thing, for a man whose own family was broken. And perhaps he hasn't made the right calls in foreign policy, but we're still here, and that's no small achievement, either. He might well be a narcissist, I don't know, but in light of his probable succes...

I don't play it. I don't have time for my normal amusements, so adding another seems foolish. At least  among people I know, people are having a good time and getting some exercise. A friend and I had a moment between him attempting an explanation of how the technology works, and I had an insight. "It is a giant spiritual metaphor." "Why do you say that?" "People wandering aimlessly, trying to grab imaginary things."

I walked alone to Mass today. Then again, I didn't. That's because it was almost as if I could feel Jesus with his hand on my shoulder. In some respects, it was a tough few days. Do you ever feel as though you need a vacation from yourself? I needed a long one. But the other day, I was talking to Jesus, and he reminded me that he loves me more than I do. You may fail to live up to your own idealized version of yourself, and a million times, at that. But this is the secret of life: Apart from me, you can do nothing. You might be one of those people who needs to break your days into smaller pieces. We get to thinking about, "I'm going to be a saint! I'll do this and that, and I'll be a leader" but the sheer enormity of the task soon overwhelms us, and then the enemy serves up our version of a T-bone steak, and we go right for it. I need Thee every hour. Every hour, O my Jesus! Amen. Meanwhile, enjoy this song by The Five Stairsteps, perhaps reflecti...