09.17.04
Posted in fun at 11:33 pm by
Our company actually made a comment about how clean our house was. I call this a smashing success. My dear wife was busy working late this evening and it felt really good to me to have her come home to a clean house. I hope good enough that I may do it again. Jen was late because she was assisting a student who had been hurt in a car accident a few weeks ago. For the sake of anonymity (not that any of you know where my wife works–or if you did you wouldn’t know the student) we’ll call this student Ron.
Ron shattered his arm. Compile this with the fact that Ron is already a person with a disability, that puts Ron at a disadvantage. Ron has all the right in the world to be pissed off at God. He wears a cast that weighs 15 pounds, has difficulty moving around, and is now homebound. Oh, and he’s 18 years old. If any of you remember what it’s like to be 18–it sucks, even without being stuck at home with your parents. Here’s the miracle. Ron is the happiest guy I know–hyperbole, yes, but narrowly.
I just don’t get it. God takes the time to give me a silver lined life wrapped in twenties and to top it all off, he made me a white male. It just doesn’t get any better than that. The world is mine for the taking. Still, I get cranky when my waiter shows up 4 minutes later than expected. Normally, my wife is the most instrumental in making sure I live in a clean house, and that I’m well fed. You know, when it comes right down to it, I don’t really do all that much for myself. Yet, I still find time to bitch.
Okay, new thought. We played Settlers of Catan with our guests tonight. Fun game. I kicked everyone’s ass. (This thrills me particularly tonight because I preempted this game with the announcement that I would be handing everyone their ass–to follow through on this is an accomplishment of the highest order.) If you’ve never played, order yourselves a copy–it’s a truly fantastic experience (of course, you’ll need to round up 3 other players in addition to yourselves.)
You know, I am a fortunate person. Kicking ass at a board game, having nice things, it all adds up. I don’t feel guilty for being fortunate. I don’t think that that’s the appropriate response. In fact, I would go so far as to say that guilt is the WRONG response to blessing. The appropriate response is gratitude, gratitude that motivates service.
I suppose that’s the feeling that I have right now. I’m overwhelmed–not just whelmed but overwhelmed–with gratitude. That gratitude not only motivates but requires my service. Time for a transformational optimist to go to work.
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Posted in fun at 11:33 pm by
Our company actually made a comment about how clean our house was. I call this a smashing success. My dear wife was busy working late this evening and it felt really good to me to have her come home to a clean house. I hope good enough that I may do it again. Jen was late because she was assisting a student who had been hurt in a car accident a few weeks ago. For the sake of anonymity (not that any of you know where my wife works–or if you did you wouldn’t know the student) we’ll call this student Ron.
Ron shattered his arm. Compile this with the fact that Ron is already a person with a disability, that puts Ron at a disadvantage. Ron has all the right in the world to be pissed off at God. He wears a cast that weighs 15 pounds, has difficulty moving around, and is now homebound. Oh, and he’s 18 years old. If any of you remember what it’s like to be 18–it sucks, even without being stuck at home with your parents. Here’s the miracle. Ron is the happiest guy I know–hyperbole, yes, but narrowly.
I just don’t get it. God takes the time to give me a silver lined life wrapped in twenties and to top it all off, he made me a white male. It just doesn’t get any better than that. The world is mine for the taking. Still, I get cranky when my waiter shows up 4 minutes later than expected. Normally, my wife is the most instrumental in making sure I live in a clean house, and that I’m well fed. You know, when it comes right down to it, I don’t really do all that much for myself. Yet, I still find time to bitch.
Okay, new thought. We played Settlers of Catan with our guests tonight. Fun game. I kicked everyone’s ass. (This thrills me particularly tonight because I preempted this game with the announcement that I would be handing everyone their ass–to follow through on this is an accomplishment of the highest order.) If you’ve never played, order yourselves a copy–it’s a truly fantastic experience (of course, you’ll need to round up 3 other players in addition to yourselves.)
You know, I am a fortunate person. Kicking ass at a board game, having nice things, it all adds up. I don’t feel guilty for being fortunate. I don’t think that that’s the appropriate response. In fact, I would go so far as to say that guilt is the WRONG response to blessing. The appropriate response is gratitude, gratitude that motivates service.
I suppose that’s the feeling that I have right now. I’m overwhelmed–not just whelmed but overwhelmed–with gratitude. That gratitude not only motivates but requires my service. Time for a transformational optimist to go to work.
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Paul (lull) said,
September 18, 2004 at 12:00 am
Settlers is fun. We’ve been playing for a few years, my sister introduced me, and we play it as a family (Sonya, me, mom and dad and sis) when we get together - and have some additions to it as well. I get too easily pissed off, which then makes me realize how hopelessly competitive and insecure I am … and I walk away in shame
Just Pat said,
September 18, 2004 at 10:58 pm
Whew. Half way through your post I was ready to confront your apparent need to apologize for your race and cultural posture. But at the end, I may say, groovy baby. Pursue transitional optimism. Be grateful.