Just like my father

So I get a phone call from Rogers today offering me a much better deal than I could ever have received from Bell!! In reality, I'm only going to save $10 a month, but that will make up for the money that Darren is throwing away each month on bank fees. It surprised me that I didn't politely hang up on the Rogers rep who called. Growing up in a home where we jumped for whatever the latest, greatest deal was (switching telephone companies almost monthly is the best example I can think of), I told myself I was going to break out of the pattern and find a good thing and stick with it. I justify my behaviour today by saying that as far as phone service is concerned, I still haven't found a good thing. I thought Vonage was going to save mankind from being overcharged by telephone companies, but it turns out you have to sacrifice quality of service to do so. I'm not willing to do that.

I find it hard to believe that basic telephone service - the kind we've been using since the Graham Alexander days - is still so expensive despite all the advances in other areas of technology. Internet rates, for example, have gotten much more reasonable in the past few years but there has been little change in the telephone line. If I were prone to cynicism, I might smell a conspiracy, but the practical side of me realizes that's just the way it is. I hate feeling powerless and at the mercy of someone else, especially when that someone else's goal is simply to make money and build an empire.

DSS and avocados

Whenever I eat an avocado, I have a high school flashback. In grade 10, Alicia came to town. Her mom's sister and family attended our church so she and her family started coming, too. We were the same age so we became friends right away. I remember thinking that Alicia was a little odd...I'm sure it was all perceived, but I perceived it to be real :). Anyway, I can still see her sitting in the cafeteria with us, eating an avocado with a spoon. I had never seen such a disgusting-looking fruit before and couldn't believe she found it delicious. Actually, it wasn't until I lived in Chile that I developed a true appreciation and love for this part of God's creation. I sometimes wish I hadn't lost contact with Alicia, so I could apologize to her for judging her choice in snacks.

It's funny...now I judge people for not being adventurous with their food selection. So although I’m not so narrowminded in regards to food anymore, I guess I’m still just as narrowminded when it comes to determining who is right. After all, isn’t that what judging someone is when you break it down to its simplest form?

Birthdays, schmirthdays!

Celebrating 2 different birthdays in one weekend is not the most common of pastimes, but that's what I found myself doing this weekend. One of the parties was an 18th birthday party--a very significant event in a young person's life--and it made me think about expectations. There are some events that due to the social significance associated with them are important to celebrate. But what happens to a person who turns 25 without any hoopla? Although everyone wants to feel special every day, a bad day is excusable; a bad birthday, however, is cause for depression.

I think the problem comes when we find significance in the wrong places. If no one remembers my champaign birthday or if I fail to celebrate it, I am still important to those who love me. They shouldn't have to show me by attending a function that celebrates me. Of course, I'm not saying I think we should give up celebrating 40th wedding anniversaries or 30th birthdays! Let's take advantage of any opportunity to have a party, but let's not validate ourselves by the attendance rate or excitement level at the event.

Oh, and to answer the above-posed question: chances are such a person would end up married to the acquaintance whose party he/she attended simply to avoid staying home alone on such a significant day. ;) (hypothetically speaking, of course)

Eyes...well, that's where it started

I'm just so thankful today for sight. Throughout the healing process, there has been a great focus on dryness and fuzziness and discomfort...very little emphasis on the fact that I can see! It got me to thinkin' (I don't know that I've ever actually used that phrase before) how fickle humans are. At the close of any negative or difficult event, there is always an overwhelming sense of joyful thankfulness and fervor for life, but it quickly fades. Think about it: mere months after tragic or even near-death experiences, people start griping about the same old issues. I wonder how many people had decided to live every day to the fullest after the Sept. 11 news hit the airwaves, but I see very little lasting change. This isn’t me pointing fingers. The thought “I can’t believe gas is on it way to $2.00/Litre,” not “Wow, look at all the blessings in my life,” came into my mind on the drive home. I shouldn't be surprised. Nothing has changed since the day of the Israelites' wanderings. But I’m not giving up; let the mind training begin…well, actually, continue.

Just a lot of noise

For oh so long if you wanted something done, I would have suggested you asked Larissa because of course she would do it. Guilt. Obligation. A need. An ability to meet that need. I want to serve but I want to serve out of love. So that's the new goal: to love those with whom I work. No more gonging cymbols.

mysterious

What reminiscing leads to

It's amazing how life can change so drastically without you even realizing it. A year ago, I was living in another city, teaching other courses, agonizing over another man. I find it such a huge relief to be able to trust in God's sovereignty. It may seem a little naive to those who've never experienced it, but knowing that He's going to work everything out is a peace-envoking concept to me. That is, when I choose to sit back and let Him work everything out. Oh, the paradoxes.

Here we go...

It's surprising how intimidating starting something new can be...especially something new that involves others' opinions. Having your ideas "out there," wherever that is, knowing the world isn't as innocent as we are taught to believe, becoming vulnerable...scary stuff.