Canned Meat and The Sign of The Times

Today was a bit of a weird day. The morning was pretty normal, but after church I met most of my family at the Kutztown Tavern for lunch. It was a late lunch and we didn't leave until almost three. So, I came home and was watching something to relax and relaxed to the point of falling asleep.

So three hours later I wake up to the sound of rain and thunder and a severe thunderstorm warning on the television. I looked out the window and saw hail. I think hail is one of the coolest things, no pun intended. In any case, I see that the thunderstorm warning is upgraded to a tornado watch. So, I'm watching, I'm watching and then I hear what sounds like a distant train.

I live very close to a train and this is not an uncommon occurrence, however from watching storm chasers, I know that tornados sound like trains. So, I look out the window for the train, I don't see it. And then I started to act like my first dog George when it would storm. I thought, I'm on the second floor, the roof blows off this thing and I'm gone. So, I come to my room and start to get under my bed, then I remember that people hide in the bathroom, so I go to the bathroom and sit in the dark on the tub. I don't know, whenever they interview survivors they always say they were in the tub.

Finally after the noise passed and the rain died down I came out and realized that I probably was in no danger whatsoever, but it was a nice little drill in disaster preparedness. In my defense I was awakened by this freakish noise and greenish sky, and if you are one of my college roommates or a family member you know that my cognitive skills upon waking are near zero if not in the negative.

In any case, I was glad it stopped because I had to go to the store. I was getting ready to go to the grocery store and get gas in my car for the week, when I heard the familiar tick of the sixty minutes stop watch. I had to stay and watch how the computer virus is going to render millions of computers helpless and steal sensitive banking information from millions, all done from adolescent Russians who hate the thriving economy of the West. Or so they surmise.

Being utterly uplifted by the impending doom, I drove to Dunkin Donuts for coffee because my head was pounding and then to the gas station where the previous events of the evening left me somewhat paranoid. Upon completion there, I drove to Giant.

I didn't make a list which was a big mistake because it took way longer than it should have and many shoppers got to see my show consisting of me walking up and down each aisle uttering incoherent words to myself trying to remember what I need.

As I was walking up one of the aisles I saw a section of jarred and canned meat products. I cannot imagine anyone voluntarily ingesting spicy sausage found in a jar of who knows what. Right beside it was a lovely selection of canned hams. I understand storage is key, but looking at them and thinking about what is in them made me feel a bit queasy. So I continued shopping, finished and left.

On my way home I had flashbacks of the jar of meat. It reminded me of lab experiments that float in formaldehyde. And to see it next to canned ham as a suggestion like you find on the internet, people who buy jarred meat, also consider ... had me wondering who buys this stuff. Really the only canned meat I find worth entertaining any of my thoughts are Dave Letterman's Big Ass Hams.

Then I realized that I'm probably being a spoiled person yet again. For much of the world's history people had to preserve their food any way they could. Refrigeration and fresh foods are a modern day luxury if we think about it. And if like some people say, there will be another disaster or a food shortage in general, someday I may think that canned and jarred meat looks pretty good.

While that day is not today, and I can say with pretty convincing certainty, that day will be no time this week, it could be soon. And who knows, if the storm did turn out to be a tornado and I needed something to eat, I would be pretty thankful to find a dented can of minced pig with the key still attached.

Absolute Power and The Coupon Nazi

I am borrowing my dad's car and am unfamiliar with warning lights and sounds. So, when the low fuel warning went off this morning I decided to get petrol on my lunch break. There is a gas station not too far from work, plus they have a Dunkin Donuts. Yay, coffee it is. I had coupons, so I handed the man (monosylabic boy) behind the counter my coupon for a 99 cent medium hot coffee. This is basically all I get at this establishment aside from the occasional breakfast sandwich. I just love their coffee, they put an addictive chemical in it. The guy started to get my coffee and his co-worker swoops in and says is this a new one. I don't know I say, so she reads it and says it expired and hands me back the coupon and has a very unnerving smug look on her face as if to non verbally say, what now B----? To which I replied, okay, well, I still want it.

I thought oh my dear heavens! What if this actually mattered. She found way too much self worth in having the authority to deny me the use of a coffee coupon. This is exactly why our government has a system of checks and balances. Absolute power corrupts absolutly, even if it is only over coffee.

Here Comes The Sun

I have had a really good two weeks. I celebrated my birthday last week. More than it being my birthday, I think I was just excited to get together with friends and go to brunch with a friend. The daylight savings, though a pain in the rear the first few days, has given way to light after working hours! Friday I got home and it was still nice and bright so I went to the track. It was colder than I thought, I was glad I had two sweatshirts. Not too long into my outing I was zippered up, hoody on, tied like a little kid, and sporting my sunglasses. I think some of the parents with the little league soccer team were probably getting cell phones out and ready to call for help on speed dial. But, I didn't care that I looked some what mentally derranged when I've been waiting for the light for so long. Oh, how much fun it was. Cold, but fun.

And.........tax season is almost over! So, that means I can start taking vacation days! I'm going to visit Rach and Joshua in Chicago, I love that city! I love them more, so how awesome is that, a two for one deal.

And Easter is just around the corner. Easter is my favorite Holiday!

I Hate Loving People

The past few months I've been convicted about how I interact with people. Not the people who are pleasant and fun, the people that when you hear their voice or see them you instantly want to run.

Yes, this is not a good thing, say when you are an administrative assistant and have to deal with them. So, I began to pray for God to give me His love to show to others. I think I will never pray that prayer again.

The very next day the most annoying client we have called into the office. He is the personification of the sesame street fly in my soup guy. I guess that makes me Grover. In any case, I picked up the phone and heard his voice and could sense my attitude change. I tried to be pleasant but he has a way of just being annoying, not acting annoying he IS annoying. So, I ended that conversation as quickly as possible and hung up the phone. Later on he came in and he stands at the front counter and looks over to see what you are working on. Hey buddy, not for you, go sit down already!

Some time later I was dealing with someone who needed to send me information for 1099's via email. I opened the attachment and there was only one page where there should have been three. Three attachments three pages each. I got it conceptually, just not electronically as there was only one page each. A few emails back and forth getting more and more frustrated, I called the person. She proceeded to tell me how to open the attachment. I cut her off and said yes, I know how to open an attachment I just don't have the other pages, they are not there. Then we did a virtual phone conversations of one of these things is not like the other and finally got her to fax it to me. I was so angry at her condescending attitude.

As I started to de-stress from the conversation, I remembered my prayer to show love. I should not pray a prayer if I'm not ready for God to answer it. Situations that are stressful and frustrating require more love than the happy go lucky times. How did I think He was going to teach me to show love, with the people I already love or those I that I do not like?

It is so funny how quickly God "remembers" our prayers for things like showing love or sharing his gospel. A few years ago when I worked with a girl with whom I wanted to share the gospel. I asked for an opportunity and the next day she asked me what I believed. How awesome when He answers those prayers so promptly! Of course my flesh says okay then why not answer the prayer for more money or for a husband as quickly, but God has His reasons, I digress.

I have continued to pray for me to show love, not every day, but often. I think I pray it when I don't show love to people. So, very often. It is something I wanted to cross off my list, to accomplish and then move on. How ridiculous a notion to move on from love. I'm glad God doesn't. So, I will continue to be tested, to fail, hopefully pass a few tests, but for the rest of my God given days on this earth.

Now if only I can remember that this prayer applies to road rage I'll be onto something.

Chillax

The past month has been nutsy koo koo.  Yes, I know it goes without saying.  Almost an understatement really.  I think I felt even more stressed than usual for this time of year due to my wisdom teeth coming out on the 10th of December.  I thought I'd have them out and be at work two days later.  Ha, I laugh in the face of such ridiculous assumptions.  It wasn't until the next week I would return to work physically and then a week after that my brain decided to join me for which I am extremely grateful.  So, I was playing catch up with a lot of things at work.  It seemed the more I tried to work faster, the longer it took.  That is just work.  There is so much more that goes on this time of year.  Of course there are parties at work, gift exchanges, music practices, running around after work looking for gifts.  Oh, I forget so and so, I should get one more thing for what'sherhead so it looks even when they open the gifts, yada, yada, yada, who cares! Every year I tell myself to not get caught up in the over commercialization of the Christmas Holiday, and every year it sneaks into my mind and heart, and I can't stand it.  I spend so much time doing errands that I forget what the time is suppose to be.  Spending quality time with friends and family, thinking about the greatest gift we were given.  Last year my friend Christine and I drove around the greater Mertztown area to look at Christmas lights.  Her daughter was in the back, and probably slept most of the time.  Basically, we drive around and make fun of the tacky decorations.  Some people seriously need a twelve step program for plastic lawn santa addiction.  We do also comment on how beautiful some of the houses are decorated, but I have to say, I love to make fun of ugly decorations.  Yes, I know, you should pray for me, so get to it.  Well, this year, I almost canceled because I just didn't feel I had the time.  But, I had postponed the outing once due to my wisdom teeth and I didn't want to disappoint.  So, very kindly, Christine had me over for dinner with her husband Rob and daughter Gwen.  Earlier that day they had been to a funeral for a young man who had been in the youth group when they were leaders.  Though the conversation was not dominated by this topic, it was visited with sadness.  Our thoughts went to his family.  Our hearts grew heavy as we thought of Christmas to be a reminder in years to come of such sadness.  It hit me, as much as I needed to take a break and just have fun with a friend, she needed me to encourage her through this difficult time.  Not that she asked for me to say words of wisdom or that I even said anything, just to be there.  To spend time.  Time is an asset that we too often misuse.  I had been spending it on all the wrong things.  I'm glad I was able to get my priorities straight, if even just for a little while.  We got in the car and drove around Allentown and Bethlehem, and I have to say, we did make fun of some pretty heinously kitchy decorations.  But a lot of them were really beautiful.  We drove around talking, trying to hear each other over the very impressive pulmonary power of a toddler.  At one point I turned and asked Gwen if she was aware I was trying to tell a story.  I'm glad Christine realizes I am joking and she doesn't take offense to my otherwise insensitive comments.  I had a blast just taking the time to drive around, see Christmas lights, listen to music, and talk with a friend.  That is the gift I want to give more often.  That is when I feel like Christmas is Christmas like when you are a little kid.  So thank you Christine for being my co-star in our own little portrayal of It's A Wonderful Life.  Because really when we stop to think about things that matter, people are at the top of the list.  And in a year when I cannot remember what I got for anyone, I'll remember time spent with friends and family.  Of course once I left Allentown I spent the next hour and half shopping and then wrapped gifts until 1:00 am, but hey, I'm a work in progress.           

His Mother's Sister

This time of year I naturally think of the very first Christmas. I try to imagine what it would be like to get a visit from an angel, find out I'm pregnant, almost lose my fiance' and then have to travel far from home and give birth in a barn. Doesn't sound too fun. The focus many times is on Mary and it makes sense. I'm singing Breath of Heaven with two friends tomorrow night and the lyrics very much take us inside Mary's mind and how she may have felt. I'm glad that we now have some songs that talk about Joseph and the thoughts that must have been going through his mind. But this weekend I found myself wondering about Jesus' extended family. My niece McKenna turned one on the 21st. She is a bucket of fun for sure. She has a thousand expressions and each one of them priceless. I find myself watching her, just being herself and loving her more and more because of it. So Sunday was a big day, not only was she turning one with a big party, but she was also dedicated in church. We braved the icy conditions to watch my sister and brother-in-law promise to raise her in faith. Their prayer and the prayer of all of us, is that she come to know Christ as her savior. I had the rare pleasure of staying at my sister's house all weekend. I had a company Christmas party in the area Friday night and then stayed to help with decorations or whatever needed to be done. Saturday was my time to keep McKenna occupied. We had a lot of fun together. I kind of felt badly that Janelle and Brad were running around, cooking, fixing things, and I'm watching some imagination show with McKenna. But being a fantastic Aunt has it's price and I was willing to make the sacrifice. When it was time for McKenna's bottle I was told that she would probably fall asleep and I was glad because she is so active I don't get to hold her much. So, true to fashion, she sucked the bottle dry and fell asleep. I sat there and watched her for a while. Peaceful, still, quiet. I became tired myself and settled into the comfy chair. I closed my eyes and began to pray. I thanked the Lord for McKenna, what she means to me already in her short life so far. I praised God for his blessing, for her parents wanting to show her what it means to be a Christian. I prayed that she would someday come to know Jesus as her own. I prayed that she would be kept from harm, danger, terrible things too many in this world have seen. I prayed that when she faces rejection or disappointment she would always come back to the Throne of Grace for comfort. As I sat there holding her I began to cry. I realized it is because I love her so much. I realized it was because she would face rejection, disappointment, and there is no guarantee of her safety. It hit me how much is in the hands of God. How we must trust Him regardless of circumstance. I love each one of my nieces and nephews as much as I humanly know how. And knowing that it cannot possibly be as much as their respective parents love them is truly amazing to me. So all of those feelings I was feeling I imagine would be magnified exponentially. Still I do not discredit my love for this little one. So I began to wonder if Jesus had any aunts. I did some searching on the Internet and found John 19:25 "Now standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." How many times I must have read this verse or heard in in an Easter message and never realized He had an Aunt. I don't know much more about her, but I know she was at the cross when he died. And as much as I always thought about Mary and how terrible it must have been to witness her son's death. I can relate to His mother's sister. I wonder how much fun she had with Him when he was a boy. If she tried to hang him upside down and kiss his forehead only to be told, please don't do that. I wonder if she was sad when she had to go home because she just wanted to stay and watch Him play. I wonder if she ever held him while he slept and prayed for Him. I wonder if she was there when he was dedicated in the temple and saw Anna prophesy over him and Simeon praise the Lord for seeing the face of His redemption. And I wonder if she pondered those things in her heart as well. I have a deeper appreciation for this woman because I am her mother's sister.

Time Time Time, What's Become of Me?

Last Friday marked the one year anniversary of my grandfather's death. Leading up to Friday, some of us in my family would remark on how it is almost a year already, or can you believe it is almost a year. It is strange. The year goes so quickly and yet it seems as though it was longer than that in some regards. Time is a funny thing. Sometimes five minutes seem like and eternity and then fifteen can go by in a second. It made me think how I still measure time and my Pop-Pop doesn't. I thought of a service at Pinebrook about twenty years ago. We sang "Every Day With Jesus, Is Sweeter Than The Day Before". As is the custom at some hymn sings the song leader asked for testimonies. He asked if anyone could agree with the song, any true life stories. My grandfather stood up and said he had been a Christian for over fifty years and every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. I'm ashamed to say this now, but at the time I thought it was nice, but wondered if he just said it so that the song leader would move on. I know better now, my grandfather would have just sat there and not said anything if he didn't believe it. And knowing him as I grew up, I could see that he really did believe it. Perhaps the most wonderful thing is that I can see that becoming true in my life. I look back over the year and see how sadness a year ago has been turned into rejoicing for a loved one gone home. How in years past I've seen God provide in ways I could never have imagined. How it is Him and me for life. What better gift could I be given in this life. And while my sweeter than the day before is still going on, my grandfather is in the sweet by an by. I cannot imagine what it will be like to not look forward to anything. I look forward to family gatherings, holidays, bonuses, all sorts of things. But to finally be perfectly content in Heaven will be a feeling never experienced on earth. It doesn't get any better than Heaven. I just think that is a really wonderful thought.