| Carol Lynn Pearson
December 2008 Newsletter
Sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas, these several weeks are so often filled with chaotic pressure. For me, anyway. Perhaps our forced economic selectivity will insist that we create more peace this season. STORY: THE HANDS OF CHRIST. There’s a story that I’ve been thinking about a lot. I’ve searched the Internet for its verification and can’t find any. Maybe it’s historical, maybe it’s not. If it’s myth, it’s nevertheless true: "Shortly after the culmination of the Second World War, a devastated city in England began its heartbreaking and wearying work of restoration. In the old city square had stood a large statue of Jesus Christ, with His hands outspread in an attitude of invitation. On the pedestal were carved the words, ‘Come unto me.’ In the process of the restoration of the statue, with the aid of master artists and sculptors, the figure eventually was reassembled, except for the hands, of which no fragments could be discovered anywhere in the surrounding rubble. Someone made the suggestion that the artists, since the former hands could not be found, would have to fashion new hands. Later came public protest, couched in the words, ‘No, leave Him without hands!’ So today, in the public square of the English City, the restored statue of Christ stands without hands, and on its base are carved the words, attributed to St. Theresa of Avila, ‘Christ has no hands but ours to do his work today.’" I have personally been touched by Christ many times through the hands of one of his followers. You have too. We recognize the touch –whether it is physical, verbal, material–because it is wrapped in love. And it is a gift that pays no heed to difficult economic times. Nor does it specialize in the month of December. I recall often one of the "Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" in the book of that name by Deepak Chopra–to give a gift to every person with whom you interact: a smile, a touch, a compliment, a prayer.There is so much need, and we each have an abundance to give. Every day I hear from people who are suffering deeply because of recent political events. Your particular life invites into it those who need precisely what you have to offer. Each of us has unending opportunities to be the hands of Christ. Let us develop a kind of Christmas habit –a little gift given every day to every person.***** DO SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT MY HOUSE/WEBSITE! Back in print, one of my favorites: THE CHRISTMAS THIEF (How do you "love your enemy" when the neighborhood troublemaker steals your nativity set?) Twenty-five different personally autographed books available at http://www.clpearson.com/personal_gifts.htm. SPECIAL!– Free copy of NO MORE GOODBYES: CIRCLING THE WAGONS AROUND OUR GAY LOVED ONES with order of any book. Free copy of both NO MORE GOODBYES and THE MODERN MAGI (another favorite Christmas story) with orders totaling $50 or more. Order must be received by Friday, December 5th.***** FACING EAST (Mormon couple deals with suicide of gay son) just finished a successful run in Cedar City, Utah. From the audience: "I learned that you can be different and still be loved by God. This play has made a huge spiritual turn in my life." "As a heterosexual, returned missionary, active member of the LDS church I am excited, even overjoyed that I was able to witness this play. It made me so happy and feel so blessed to have my parents who taught me what this play teaches: love." Two gay audience members told the director they had been contemplating suicide and the play "allowed them to live for one more day." Spring and summer productions of "Facing East" coming to *Orem, Utah *San Diego *Long Beach If you would like to see "Facing East" in your community, write for a complimentary script to give to a theatre producer there. ****** Could you benefit from talking through issues you have in which you know I have experience? TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS: http://clpearson.com/consultations.htm.PRIVATE RETREATS: http://www.clpearson.com/CLPRetreatFLYER.pdf.***** At our holiday tables this season, some of our dear ones will be missing because principles have become more important than people. I would like to dedicate this newsletter to one who is now permanently absent –a dear gay man who since my last writing ended his life. His anguish at being unable to resolve the conflicts of his life–his family, his church, a man that he loved–proved too great to bear. He had told me, "Every time I get on an airplane, I pray it will go down–anything to leave this life and let it be seen as an accident." Part of his wish was fulfilled–his suicide is being described as an accident. I wish I could have helped him more. And I wish fervently that you and I together can be the hands of Christ that prevent for others this kind of pain. "All things work together for good." Recent conflicts will bring greater understanding. I am certain of it.May we give life and love to one another this Christmas. "Remember This December, That love weighs more than gold!" ~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon
Always your friend, Carol Lynn
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