Seat Plan Generator
2 months ago
So...I've been absent from Blogland for a long long time it seems. After all, the final installment of Harry Potter has long been read, discussed, re-read, rehashed and put to rest for now. It seems however that between my crazy schedule at home and a trip to visit a friend in Ohio, my body decided it was time to rest. A "viral syndrome" the doctor called it, even after taking 8 gallons of blood. I'm pretty sure she was actually dracula and that I was her unsuspecting, weakened victim.Seriously, though, it reminded me of my dad - not the sickness, but the diagnosis. He was a big believer that when doctors have no idea what is going on, they test you, poke you and tell you it's a virus. I'm with you dad, I'm with you...
But, that is old news, and I am back. All that resting gives a gal a lot of time to think, though I must admit it was weakened thinking between the "I'm cold!" and "I'm hot!" Thanks to some good advice, the suffering moments were less intense when I refocused my thoughts to those who suffer far more than I and need my prayer and my sacrifice. I had recently bought a new crucifix which was hanging on my wall right across from where I lay, and I must admit, I think I had some rather lucid conversations with it as well. No worries, Jesus did not come up off the cross in a hallucination, I promise.
What this episode made me realize, though, is that if I don't take time off to rest and re-energize, my body will make time, and not in ways I'd prefer. It comes down to priorities - I cannot be all things to all people, not even at work. It's a matter of putting into practice the belief that it's not all about me (though when I'm sick, I admit I might lose that perspective), and that I am not the answer to all the world's problems. I'm here on earth to share the gifts I have, but also to identify and empower others to share their gifts. Part of that is realizing when I cannot share what I have, simply because I need to take time to regroup, be it mentally, spiritually or physically.
It's not about getting old, it's about getting smarter with my resources. I'm a steward not only of the material gifts God has given me, but of my own talents and body. If I don't take care of what I have, I won't have anything left to share, and then where does that leave me...or my quest to share Christ with the world? So, from this point forward, I know I'm going to disappoint some people by pulling back and not giving my 150% - I'm going to have to learn to live with that. In the end, though, what I give will be stronger and more focused, and I think that is far more important. Now I just have to remember all this when the schedule starts filling up again... :)
More blogs to come now that I'm back, but that's all for this installment. Keep on rockin' the world folks!
...for Harry Potter that is. Only a short wait until midnight when the book is released to what will undoubtedly be a mad rush of those who have awaited this moment with avid anticipation. Laugh all you want, but I will be among them...within reason of course. No costume, and no camping out...and really, no waiting 2 hours for the book. I can always go back tomorrow if it looks like the line will take forever.Only a few more moments until the questions we've been asking are answered. I've steered clear of reviewers and those who couldn't wait to provide spoilers...(they're call spoilers for a reason - they SPOIL our enjoyment...so seriously, don't be such a spoilsport!)
For instance, what/where are the remaining horcruxes?
Is Snape really working for Voldemort or is he still loyal to the Order?
Are they returning to Hogwarts at all, or will Harry really not return?
Will Mr. Dursley's head (or Dudley for that matter) explode? (though I suspect that is just an amusing inquiry on my part)
Yes, yes, and will the "boy who lived" die in the end? (though I for one am more interested in the plotline than the eventual outcome right now...)
And finally, my real burning question, more important than all the rest...how long will I have to wait among underage wizards in costume to get my book? That, my friends, is the real question.
Baseball, apple pie and hotdogs...that is what we should have had for dinner before sitting in the park last night listening to the community orchestra. As we were walking to and fro, getting our "small" frozen yogurts at the Dairy King (not to be confused with the Dairy Queen mind you), we noticed a small community orchestra set up to play in the town park, most appropriately, a town square in fact. Approaching the scene, complete with an old fashioned popcorn cart, JW quite rightly observed that in front of us sat a real life picture-perfect portrait Americana at its best. With the kids running about while parents set up their lawn chairs, we decided to pop a squat on a park bench along the edge of the sidewalk. I must confess, I felt a little bit like the Gilmore Girls at that moment with the banter that often surfaces when JW and I are out - set in a town square only made it more Gilmore-esque. And true to form, small town America came to life (though a bit on the Wonderbread side of American life - we couldn't lie about that). Starting off with the National Anthem, the orchestra showcased its younger community members, high school and college students pursuing musical dreams. Meanwhile, little boys chased the girls, soccer balls were kicked around and the fountain sprayed on as it should on a nice summer evening.
Old and young alike, blankets strewn, bikes parked, dogs on a leash, strollers set aside...for an evening the cares of the world were gone. Children (and their parents) ran with wild abandon, enjoyed a bucket of popcorn, just took in the sights, sounds and smells of the evening. The earlier storm had left a cool breeze and billowy clouds that ignited the imagination - I'm pretty sure I saw a cloud that looked like a dog...or a dog that looked like a cloud. Above the symphony arose squeals and laughter from the exuberance of youth that outlasted us on that park bench. So off we went, back into our lives, stepping out of what would have surely inspired another Norman Rockwell masterpiece. Apple pie aside (and the baseball game won by sundown), a peaceful calm and joy took over the scene, if only for a moment. It is a moment to be cherished, for certain.
Though the image above was not the particular one the priest referenced during his homily this past weekend, it was as close to the image that I could find. The photo that had been etched in his memory forever was from a small gazette - it was of a black woman shielding a KKK member from harm when an angry mob had formed to retaliate against him. This was the photo he had us imagine as we placed ourselves back in time, into the story of the Good Samaritan, to understand exactly what the relations between the different segments of society were. Now, perhaps the parallel is a little harsher than deserved, but it most definitely provoked thought.
How many of us would defend another's life, especially a person who we were certain would not only not defend us, but would do us harm if given the chance? I must admit, it gave me a moment's pause. The image above was the first and only one I could find that was even remotely similar to the story I heard. As I was searching endlessly, the images that came up were horrific - I literally became nauseous at the sight of them, and was quick to delete my computer history. Could I turn around, then, and love a person that evoked such reactions? If we are to remain true to the Gospel teaching, that is exactly what we are called to do (though it might more closely follow Matthew 5:43 than the Good Samaritan story). Holy cow!
Again, I go back to that soft image of Jesus that we see portrayed so often today. It is not a "soft" Jesus that challenges us to love in this radical and completely selfless way. It is a man who knew what it was to pour out his life in love for people who beat him, spat upon him, and sentenced him to death. In short, He calls us to do no less than Him, but He also walks with us and gives us the grace we need if we are open to it. That's a big "if" in some moments of great risk...
As indicting as it was of our own prejudice and faithlessness, that was not the only thought to penetrate the Sunday morning haze in my mind. Going beyond your average Good Samaritan story analysis, the next person we were asked to imagine ourselves in the place of was the injured man. The next question: how often do we allow ourselves to be helped? In a culture that demands independence and individualism, the question is not only whether we help others, but whether we allow others to help us in a time of need.
It becomes a matter of ego and pride to say we can do it all, all the time. To be faithful to the community of Christ and our interconnectedness, it is just as important to humble ourselves and allow others into our vulnerability as it is to extend ourselves beyond our limitations to lift up another. It is a give and a take, or the community does not function. Again, I admit that I have my own failings in this regard as well. Faith doesn't always call us to be strong - sometimes it calls us to be broken, to share in the cross of Christ, to allow Christ to lift us up to redemption. That is humbling and often difficult in a society where we are taught that weakness is bad and we should "save face" at all costs.
So, the weekend began with an evening watching the 1995 A&E Pride & Prejudice with friends, during which time RB kept asking what was pride and what was prejudice. Well, I hope we answered him satisfactorily that evening. I, for one, had to re-think the whole matter after these thoughts rested awhile in my soul...
[Imagine Bono's dulcet tones here...or listen to them for real HERE (no need to download, just push play)!]
Ok, ok, I'm not really going to discuss the merits of the song either musically, philosophically, theologically, or any other "-ally." I'm just saying it is a gorgeous day outside. One of those perfect, not too hot, not too cold, crisp-bright-blue-sky-with-cottony-billowy-bright-white-clouds kind of day.
It's days like these that make me realize that I should always carry my camera with me. I was fortunate enough to be able to take an afternoon walk down a gravel trail in the middle of town, and though it was a short one, the beauty of creation still left me in awe of God. Experiences like that leave me a little torn - do I just let myself soak in the grandeur or do I try to capture one miniscule iota of it on film so I can always remember it? Today the clear (and only) choice was the first.
Taking a moment to breathe in the summer-scented air, revel in the cool shade of the trees, listen to a babbling brook (see? I'm not the only thing that babbles), gaze through the translucent waters of the "river" - to experience the harmony of nature and know that I am a special part of it, grander than all the grandeur of the rest of creation - that is a humbling thought. Moments like these remind me that I should make time for more moments like these.
Taking a moment to breathe in the summer-scented air, revel in the cool shade of the trees, listen to a babbling brook (see? I'm not the only thing that babbles), gaze through the translucent waters of the "river" - to experience the harmony of nature and know that I am a special part of it, grander than all the grandeur of the rest of creation - that is a humbling thought. Moments like these remind me that I should make time for more moments like these.
To immerse myself in even a half hour of God's creation unveils a new perspective on the world, though that perspective may not last as long as I like, or as it should. It does, however, remind me that everything, everything, is a gift from God. The coffee in my mug, the mug itself, the roof over my head, the chair I sit in, this computer - every last bit of it is a gift that comes forth from the gift God gave us in creation. Without that first moment, everything else would cease to be.
As much as these "things" are gifts, how much more so the people in our lives. After all, creation was made complete by the creation of man and woman - made in the image and likeness of God, though not Gods in themselves. How mindblowing and awesome a notion! Certainly makes a gal wonder if the choices she makes, from spending her money to spending her time and energy, are worthily reflecting that image and likeness.
It's a great relief to know that through the generosity of love from God in his Son, I don't have to get it right all the time or right away. The point is that my heart should be striving for perfection. And a day like today reminds me that perfection in that sense is often found in simplicity. It is in the simplest things that wonder and awe, and the grace of our Lord, are often showered upon us, quite apart from our own doing.
I always seem to be a little ... disappointed ... with the focus of the news media (let's face it - a lot of it is freakin' depressing and not a great portrait of modern humanity, not to mention it's slightly yellow color these days!). Since we are called to spread the Good News, you can hopefully understand why this becomes frustrating. So, in fairness to the newsmedia, I thought I'd highlight a news article that shows us a more generous picture of life in America.
It was just a typical day on the job at the Pizza Hut in Angola, Ind., for 20-year-old Jessica Osborne when out of the blue, she received a gift that would change her life: a $10,000 tip from one of her customers. "When I opened it up, I just — I thought maybe I read too many zeros and I lost my breath," Osborne said on "Good Morning America." "It was amazing."
Osborne got to know Becky and her family through their weekly pizza dinners, but she didn't realize that they had recently suffered a great tragedy. Becky's husband and eldest daughter were killed in a car accident, and she had been left with a large settlement. Once Becky heard about Osborne's broken dreams, she decided to use some of the money from the settlement to make them come true. "We decided we needed to help Jessica and she was there, we were there, and it just seemed like the right thing to do," Becky said.
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Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others, while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
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Pizza Hut Waitress Gets $10,000 Tip
July 13, 2007
from ABC's Good Morning America
from ABC's Good Morning America
Photo credit: ABCNews
It was just a typical day on the job at the Pizza Hut in Angola, Ind., for 20-year-old Jessica Osborne when out of the blue, she received a gift that would change her life: a $10,000 tip from one of her customers. "When I opened it up, I just — I thought maybe I read too many zeros and I lost my breath," Osborne said on "Good Morning America." "It was amazing."The tip of a lifetime came from a family of regular customers. Every Friday, Becky and her family, who asked that their last name not be used, come in and order the same thing: a Meatlovers pizza, half pepperoni, half black olives and mushrooms. Becky said Osborne always came to the table with a smile on her face. "She was sweet and bright and cheerful and never complained," Becky said. "She was just a sweet waitress."
But Osborne had recently been let down by financial troubles that were keeping her ambitions at bay. She had enrolled in a local college but was forced to withdraw because of a lack of financial aid. She told Becky's family about the textbooks she had bought and kept in the trunk of her car and her dreams to become a photographer.
"I thought, 'This is a very generous person,'" Becky said, "and we enjoyed just talking to her, finding out about her life."
Osborne got to know Becky and her family through their weekly pizza dinners, but she didn't realize that they had recently suffered a great tragedy. Becky's husband and eldest daughter were killed in a car accident, and she had been left with a large settlement. Once Becky heard about Osborne's broken dreams, she decided to use some of the money from the settlement to make them come true. "We decided we needed to help Jessica and she was there, we were there, and it just seemed like the right thing to do," Becky said.
Osborne is deciding where to go to school, relieved that she now has the money to pay for it. For now, she's still getting over the shock of the much more than 15-percent tip. "It's unbelievable. It doesn't happen to people every day," she said. "I mean, I work at Pizza Hut!"
Hmmm, I know many a Detroit Tigers fan (and fans of other teams I'm sure) who'd be in agreement with God's sign...though perhaps not the foam finger. ;)
