When things become broken and remain so for a long, long time, sad to say, a wide variety of actions, inaction and rationalization begin to take over. Done so in the name of change, mending and rebuilding. But alas, more so to remain as such.

It becomes a way of being. Strange as it may seem, there is comfort to be found in this mode of existence. Being in and remaining in that state, one can be assured that nothing out of the ordinary, challenging or changing is not going to disrupt the rhythm of “life”, if that is what you want to call it.

This applies to individuals, and in an effort to keep this contextually correct for current media, teams, organizations, states and yes even nations.

Once nestled within that comfort zone, ego can emerge and frightfully remain front and center. Nothing changes albeit in the name of change.

“I have this under control, no one is going to tell me what to do or how to do it.”

“Your point of view is just wrong. What kind of person comes up with that nonsense? Have you no clue?”

“Why in the world would I want to talk to you? You can’t tell me how to think, feel or act. How dare you!” The hole expands and wreckage grows, hidden and distorted by the rose colored glasses of ego.

Close behind in tandem is its sibling, self-righteousness. Placing oneself not just on the pedastal, but firmly ensconced in the pulpit. A pharisee of your own design and law, willing to bring disorder, destruction and even death to see that your aims are met.

Things and those that are broken can be mended.

For anything to grow out of those ruins, adding ever more manure will never yield the desired outcome. It takes a firm resolve, a willingness to embrace discomfort and an embodiment of genuine humility.

Only within true fellowship can one put those pieces back together and enjoin a life as it was meant to be. Person to person. Teammate to teammate. Resident to resident. Countryman to countryman.

Just love your neighbor as you love yourself.

This guy is going on 5 years old, and he still shows off with some random blooms, even before Christmas. He has been all around the house, and this spot turned out to be the best for him. Thriving. Probably taking some cues from Amber Ryllis to the right. She got to be about 3-1/2′ tall this spring, twice.

And now that I have my indoor garden set up, I can share some pics of the elder summer corp and some of the kids once they start to bloom. No wonder I cannot sleep.

Gardening is so much like coaching football. Give them the right environment. Don’t overdo the manure. And do all you can to help them thrive.

They all just need time to blossom on their own.

“Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that says, ‘Prove that you are a good person.’ Another voice says, ‘You’d better be ashamed of yourself.’ There also is a voice that says, ‘Nobody really cares about you,’ and one that says, ‘Be sure to become successful, popular, and powerful.’

But underneath all these often very noisy voices is a still, small voice that says, ‘You are my Beloved, my favor rests on you.’ That’s the voice we need most of all to hear. To hear that voice, however, requires special effort; it requires solitude, silence, and a strong determination to listen.

That’s what prayer is.

It is listening to the voice that calls us ‘my Beloved’.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen

“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

Grasping would imply that faith has to it a physical sense or nature to it. Some thing to be possessed. Then, if that thing changes, becomes different, it can be set aside. Stored. Perhaps forgotten altogether.

That just is not faith.

Growing into it ensures that it touches every aspect of your being. Guiding how you think, speak and act. Embracing every fiber of your being. Revealing to the world what you have become.

One of faith.

Following Superbowl XXV, players from the Giants and the Bills gathered together on the field at Tampa Stadium to pray. Though the game was decided at the last second, these men decided some time ago how they were going to live out their time.

While a true team is capable of aspiring to and then achieving unfathomable success, a genuine fellowship is built for something entirely different and lasting. Certain of its facets can act to drive teams towards a stellar record. But the relationships, connections and mutual support inherent in a fellowship evolve and grow into a sustaining and blessed family.

The game got one team a ring that season.

This huddle brought them all together for a lifetime.

In true fellowship.