where are we all going?

For about 2 minutes the skytrain runs parallel with highway #1. The train goes about as fast as the traffic going eastbound. The skytrain car was quite full and there were many cars on the road. As I was riding the rails this morning on my way to work I thought to myself, "Where in the world are we all going and why?!!" What motivates us all to get up and make ourselves look decent and go to these jobs to make money? Why on earth are we speeding, walking quickly, frantically moving through time and space to get to jobs? I know these aren't new questions and I'm sure we've all asked them, but it struck me. Definitely not going to attempt answering these questions. I think it's good for them to linger for a while.

As I was getting ready this morning I realized that I spent Monday driving around with no car insurance!!! My stomach went into a knot and I thought of all the horrible things that could have happened and the unbelievable amount of money I would have had to find if those things had happened. On Monday I had a passenger for the majority of the day...what if? what if? These thoughts quickly turned to thanksgiving for the protection of Jesus and how He was unknowingly working on my behalf. I'm pretty sure this happens more often than I realize.

caulking

I am in Winnipeg right now visiting my friend Laura and her husband Jason. I have a lovely room. The nights are cool and crisp and the days are warm and sunny. At least they have been for the day and a half I've been here.

Jason is entrenched in a full on war with the wasps that have invaded the carport. Right after Laura and I got home last night Jason greeted us warmly and then grabbed his caulking gun to "seal those suckers in the wall." It is very amusing to watch this man who is in a battle with bugs. This morning he could hardly contain himself to see whether or not "the caulking had killed those suckers dead." When Laura and I arrived home this afternoon from the farmer's market, the corn maze and a little bit of trendy shopping, we encountered the caulking gun just outside the back door. I guess the suckers haven't died yet.

definitely

I don't know about anyone else but I wish people would learn how to spell....especially the word definitely. DefinAtely is WRONG!! There is no A in definitely. It has an I not an A. If you've been spelling it wrong and you're my friend, I still love you, but please change.

Grace

Many interesting people have crossed my path this week. The person who stands out among the crowd is an Iraqi woman I have had the privilege of talking to a few times. On Saturday, after meeting her a couple of times, we started really talking about Iraq. I could see the sadness on her face as she talked about her country saying, "no matter what, the place you love is the place you were born." She said the people truly believed that their country would be better without Saddam and now no one believes it will ever be okay. She said, "how can Iraq ever be okay again?" My heart honestly ached as I listened to her and thought to myself, "where is grace in this situation?"

Where is grace in so many situations? When someone who wounded you is now wounded, what is the response that is full of grace? What happens to your heart when someone you've wounded responds with true grace? It's disarming isn't it? Today during our gathering our pastor had a brilliant revelation...to have the whole congregation serve each other communion while saying, "Grace be with you." Watching from behind my keyboard I found myself moved as the body of Christ served each other the remembrance of His body and blood. This is the picture the world needs to see; serving, loving and grace filled...truly grace filled.

cat's ass = bees knees

People say funny things sometimes. Apparently this generation has a new version "the bees knees". It's "the cat's ass". As in, "she's the cat's ass". I heard this on the skytrain this morning. I also heard someone say " you're so hot that if I was a pot roast I'd be done." Oh the nuggets of hilarity that you can experience...especially if you eavesdrop on public transportation. It's a gold mine!

By the way, frangible is a real word. I looked it up in the dictionary.

3 blocks is a long way

My friend had knee surgery a few days ago. I spent some time with him today and did some nursey things 'cause I like it and when someone needs nursing it just happens. Part of being a nurse is getting people to do what they don't want to do or maybe what they're reluctant to do. So it was time to go for a little journey. My idea was for him to get outside for a few minutes by going down the block and back. His idea was to get coffee. We found it about 3 blocks later. Then it was 3 blocks home. It was hard and he was tired but he did good. I think he'll sleep pretty well tonight...of course the narcotics will help.

but by grace

While I was baking chocolate lava cakes on Friday evening in anticipation of a lovely evening with friends I watched/listened to the news. This is sometimes not a good idea because, as we all know, the horrible stuff can be so debilitating. I found myself mixing batter with a little more vigor at times in response to what I was hearing and watching. Parents accused of ridding themselves of their child, a judge who took advantage of his position by taking advantage of disenfranchised youth, people maimed at the hands of the western world just so we can keep on having all the things we have. I was very angry. I still am. All of these stories piled on to the individual stories I had heard all week. The man who just found out he has cancer in his brain and his 22 year old son who has to deal with all the decisions. The son having to do this by himself because his father has alienated every other person in his life. I never met the son in person but he sounded too mature for his age on the phone. That made me sad. I'm sure all of this is making you sad too.

Then my pastor spoke this morning about how we need to recognize that any of those stories could be us but for the grace of God. Thus our only response, my only response has to be compassion because God has been compassionate to me. when I walk past someone on the street and think, "They have decided their way into that position" I need to remember that could have been me. God has poured out his grace on me and I must pour out grace on them. On each person I meet each day.

But for the grace of God go I.

blessings

What shall I do today? I will laugh, joke, work, play. I will probably grieve a little because things are changing and change is hard even when it's good. But change is what gets us to the places we are supposed to be.

My friend Kim is marrying Justin tomorrow. I like him. I like him with her. I hope for them blessings of love, joy and peace, and happiness. Blessings of endurance and steadfastness. Blessings of the presence of God and all His presence encompasses. Blessings to you my friend on this most special day. I love you.