Grieving

“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul,” (Yiddish Proverb). "A merry heart does good like a medicine," (Proverbs 17:22). “Laughter is a loud smile,” (author unknown). The point is, laughter feels good and it helps us do our job. I’ll go ahead and confess, I’ve been known to deface a magazine with random mustaches and crack jokes about “poo.” If you’re a witness to my sophomoric sense of humor, I am both sorry and glad because you probably laughed.

Laughter helps us connect with each other. It mends a broken spirit; however, there comes a point when laughter has done all that it can do to remedy the circumstance. Usually this happens when we’re all alone. It’s at this time when we come face to face with how we hurt. Our culture says to suck “it” up and push it down—stay busy and don’t think about it—especially for men and even more so for firefighters, cops, medics, etc! I want to challenge that notion. Allow yourselves the opportunity to grieve. Likewise, after a time, allow yourself the freedom from grief. Grieving is a process with health being the end result. It’s our body’s way of helping itself. Don’t be a hater! Love yourself by letting your body do its thing.

We have, or will soon, experience grief that doesn’t make sense (i.e. crimes against humanity, a successful fire-rescue, etc). Maybe the person survived a horrific scene and yet we still get all mentally mixed up? It doesn’t make sense right? After all, the person lived! Well, the grief is perfectly normal. Our bodies have a natural ability to empathize with other’s experiences; in fact, there’s a neurological basis for it (our brains actively “feel” other’s pain). To say we’re unaffected is simply not possible. Don’t be surprised if you feel overwhelmed after a scene that “ended well.”

The best things we can do for our career-longevity is to understand, prepare for, and recuperate from the incidents we run on. Think about this holistically (all encompassing). Essentially, we need to be just as prepared for the mental aspects of the job as the mechanical. More on this to come…

I take comfort in Scripture (J). Hear the strength in the words found in Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

For anyone currently struggling, I offer this prayer and video:

Dear LORD, console us in our hour of grief, meet us where we are, and make us laugh. May your strength and love dwell within our hearts and give us peace and courage to do all things needful in the days to come. Amen.

Strength & Courage

When you find that life is taking you on a terrifying ride, stick it out; soon you'll realize the ride is over. I love the way the lady in this video is laughing. I'm not sure what she's laughing about--exactly, but I have to guess she thinks it's funny how the boy is screaming out. She knows the ride is just about over and he's going to be fine; in fact, he will be a bit more courageous if he steps on the ride again someday. Maybe he'll be the one who's laughing next time?

God is similar in this manner; He's right there with us when we're scared out of our pants. He's probably not laughing but He knows that as long as we are in his midst, we will be all right.

Consider the words of the book of Joshua, chapter 1, verses 7-9:
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD our God will be with you wherever you go."

Notice there is a requirement for the protection. Can we obey all of the Law? No--that's what Jesus did and why we need Him.

Be strong and very courageous my friends, brothers, and sisters...for if you have Jesus on your side, you have nothing to worry about.

Time

Sometimes life is silly; sometimes it's sad. As firefighters, we are blasted with intense external emotional events. You might ask yourself "why?" Why am I here? Why did this happen? Most of the "why" questions go unanswered. 

Consider the words from the book of Ecclesiastes Ch.3 vs. 1-12 (emphasis added vs. 12): 

• 1.
 
• There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

• 2.
 
• a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

• 3.
 
• a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

• 4.
 
• a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

• 5.
 
• a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

• 6.
 
• a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

• 7.
 
• a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

• 8.
 
• a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

• 9.
 
• What does the worker gain from his toil?

• 10.
 
• I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

• 11.
 
• He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

• 12.
 
• I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

On this side of heaven, nothing lasts forever...

Wheel

Every time I go to the pet store I have to stop and watch the gerbils. My favorite is when they're running in the wheel. I don't really like gerbils but they're funny. They get focused, eyes forward, chin up, and are determined to run like the wind. They fly off, upside-down, and skid sideways; after a minute or two, they're right back on doing it again.



Although life is fast and fun at times, everyone falls off the wheel. When I "fly off the wheel," I find the strength to get back on because I've determined I'm going to keep running. (I run on many wheels...as do you). Strength comes in various packages; sometimes its a friendly smile, an encouraging word, music, a hobby, movies, sleep, goals & accomplishments, the Bible, or a workout. Even though these things can and do encourage me at times, I find that the longer I wait to get back on the wheel the worse I feel.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid," (Gospel of John 14:27). Lets run.

If Jesus were a wheel, I'd be a gerbil.
http://firefighterchaplain.blogspot.com/

Dance

My wife says that I'm an oversized boy and that she thinks I'm a big kid. I love to joke around, draw faces on magazine people, and put random things on calendars I find (like "sift kitty litter" and "cut mom's toe nails"). The fellas at the station know when I've been around because I like to leave my mark (sometimes literally) on anything to crack a smile. I saw this video and it reminded me how good it is to have a sense of humor and how important it is for us to laugh. 

Let's thank the Good Lord for lightening the mood.

Podcast

I'm toying with the idea of starting a podcast of short emergency related teachings. Check out the link for a preview.
http://web.mac.com/meckyseemeckydo/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

Knockin

Funny thing, each morning consists of me showing up at the station, catching up on email and checking the dept. communication site. For the past week, while internetting (is that a word?), I would hear slight knocking on the window. The first time or two I didn't think much of it--and never looked to see what it was; however, my curiosity soon took hold.

I got up to check out who or what is knockin. It was a cardinal. Thinking it was funny I watched. The bird went from my window, down the apparatus bay windows and back again. All week long this bird has kept on knockin.

Much like this bird, we must keep on knockin. Are there prayers you've had for a long time? keep knockin; are there goals you wish to accomplish in life but you run into obsticles at every point? keep knockin; do you have a personal relationship with the Ultimate Chief? keep on...or start knockin.

A Firefighter Tribute

>>.
Firefighter Tributes are few and far between. America celebrates Valentines Day, Halloween, Secretaries Day, Groundhog's Day, and a host of other "holidays and observances," yet, somehow firefighters, police officers, and emergency workers get missed. It's hard to sacrifice time, money, and even life, when it, at times, goes unnoticed. I believe this will change at some point in our lifetime. For now, I suggest that we honor one another for the sacrifices we make each day. Being a First Responder is a humble position. We don't make great money, but we provide a service not many others can live without (literally). It is up to us to encourage one another in the daily duties we perform. When you see someone close to burnout, encourage them. It could be as simple as saying "good job," or as elaborate as recommending someone for personal achievement awards. Christ has called us all to encourage one another to keep fighting on in our everyday Christian walk. The same applies to our first responding fields. Do you need encouragement? Do you encourage anyone? Next time you see an opportunity--take it.

Although this picture does no justice to the actual anguish we see as First Responders, let it serve as a reminder that the people we deal with day in and day out are hurting. Our Commander in Chief would tell us to "love your neighbor as yourself;" with that said, do you show love to the people on the streets? Do you feel compassion for those who have lost their home, thier loved one to a stroke, thier mom or dad to an MI? How easy is it for us to treat the "difficulty breathings" and "heart-attacks" as if it were something that happens as often as the telephone rings. Forget not that on every call we respond to--someone has dialed 911! For those we serve, the hour in which we meet is sometimes the worst hour of thier lives. Our Father, The Ultimate Chief, has demonstrated His love for us when we were still sinners Christ died for us; therefore, love your neighbor as yourself and give back to the people who don't know such a love. Be bold and courageous for the day is coming when we may respond to our or someone's "last alarm." Don't give up--fight harder. May all praise, glory, and honor be unto the Lord of Hosts...our Ultimate Chief. Be encouraged...

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Some days it is hard to carry on as usual. Some days it is easy to get discouraged. Some days it is hard to see beyond the current circumstances. Some days we need a friend. Today, during my "quiet time" with my Ultimate Chief I laid down my heartaches. Although my faith carries me through the toughest of times, I grow weary without the gentle instructions from my supreme commander. I poured through my trusty SOP Handbook (The Bible--Standard Operating Procedures), in search of what to do next. After reading a bit and reflecting, I looked at a picture of me and my brother crossing the finish line of my first half-marathon. I remember that moment. I had trained for months in preparation for that day. I ran the entire race with him and then finished with him as well. The smile on my face shows the satisfaction of a race ran well and along side of someone who has been with me through thick and thin. I thought to myself, "it's good to have a brother."

Having someone to run, fight, struggle, and persevere along side of us makes, what seems to be too difficult, possible. Running that race alone would not have been as great. It's important for us to have people who are willing to "run along side" us. Some days it is hard to carry on; some days it's easy to get discouraged; some days it's hard to see beyond the current circumstances; some days we need a brother (for you women...a sister). When you reach out, it's my prayer that you have someone to reach back.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

--The Ultimate Chief