Dancing On Hot Pavement

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:31-33

Well, we are all thoroughly engaged in our schedules now and the excitement of September has become the panic of October. So consider this! Have you ever held a hot cup of coffee, or tea, and picked up the cup without the handle only to discover that your hand began to burn? Or, have you ever picked up a hot bowl of food on the dinner table? You quickly set it back down.

Here’s another scenario. Do you remember as a child going barefooted outside in the summertime and stepping on the pavement? Did a little dance, didn’t you? You couldn’t find a patch of grass or pavement in the shade fast enough.

Well, you now have that image. Living through life’s pressures may be compared to holding that hot dish, or dancing on hot pavement. No one promised you wouldn’t feel the heat. Our only certainty comes from Christ who promises He’ll be with us through the fire.

There are many of life’s hot spots we need to walk through. But why? Instead of just reacting each and every time, here are some helpful tips. The hot spots won’t go away, but at least you won’t get burned as badly!

First, Pause. Take time out to look inward and then up. Remember Christ is always in you and with you. You are never alone.

Second is Patience. The difficult time will pass. It may feel like you are in a repeating time warp, or experiencing Groundhog Day, but realize that pain is usually time-limited. All problems have a beginning and an end. See this difficulty through with prayer, hope and faith.

Next, you should arm yourself with Perseverance. Keep on walking or running. A surefire way to get burned is to stop moving. When you are afraid, or under extreme stress, or hurting...keep going. With God’s help, you will make it through the big challenges by dealing with the small, everyday tasks.

Fourth is Courage! Make rough times work for you. Not everything is good, but everything can be used for good. It may take some time (back to patience). Look for positive ways to learn, grow, or cope during your hot spot of pain or stress.

Fifth is Contentment. Take “What is” and make the most of it. Make lemonade, as they say, from your lemons. Look at the rose and not the thorns. You are not called upon to create perfection from every situation, only to make the most of it. Don’t waste your time on ceaseless complaining, but look for meaning and joy in all situations. This will lead you back to courage. Your list of haves is usually much longer than the have- nots.

Next, take Responsibility. Clean up your own mess. Don’t see yourself as either a victim or a martyr. Stand on your own two feet and don’t try to blame others for your problems. Choose to live the rest of your life with a controlled response to circumstances or situations. You are in control more than you know. You can’t control what happens to you, but you can choose the way you look at your experiences. You can choose how you will deal with situations.

Seventh is Live a Life of Integrity. Follow the teachings of Christ! Choose the hard right over the easy wrong every time. You will have more strength for handling the ordeals in life if you have the courage to be true to God and the Church’s values. Hypocrisy destroys integrity. Stand your ground and accept your consequenc- es.

Eighth on my list is Show Gratitude. Be gladder rather then madder. Expressions of gratitude calm the soul and clear the mind. The hot spots of anger or apathy are quickly cooled with a “thank you,” and a humble spirit.

Now for my favorite...have a Sense of Humor! Have as much fun as you Can! Anticipation of fun raises the level of your energy. Learn to find humor and laugh through your hot spots. Without fun and faith, it is a colorless and drab world.

Finally, Show Your Passion. Be enthusiastic. Have a passion for The Faith and for living and let it radiate in all you do. Let your life shine. Learn to love Christ and life. Then, when you are on the hot pavement, dance with enthusiasm and passion.

Well, there is my plan for life’s hot spots. You will always have them, so why not have a plan? Just remember, if you keep holding the hot cup, or walking barefoot on hot pavement, and you do nothing, you will get burned!

+Rev Fr Christopher P. Foustoukos, Presiding Priest