Empty or full?

I am in the midst of reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - which is about seeing God for who He truly is and falling in love with Him. I felt particularly convicted by a part of the most recent chapter that defined worry and stress:

"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.

Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, or lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control.

Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional"

I do not actually consider myself much of a worrier or someone who is prone to stress. I don't think those who know me best would label me with either of those terms. But, the truth is, I do let worry and stress penetrate my life at a low level - I think most of us do on some level. And in the U.S., it is almost valued. If you aren't worried or stressed, well, then you must not be doing enough with your life. It becomes a contest - comparing who stayed up the latest or got up the earliest - who is so busy that they can't fit one more thing into their schedule.

So, why is it that keeping busy, often to the point of worry and stress, is seen as an indicator of the value of one's life in our society? And, in saying yes to everything, are we actually missing out on everything that really matters? After all, when we get to the end of this life - we won't be measured by the tasks we've checked off, the money we've made, or the people we've impressed. We will be measured by how well we have lived and loved - and sometimes, or maybe most times, I stay too busy to live and love well. I am so busy living for myself that I fail to live for God, and my full schedule leaves me with an empty life.

Ode to Number Four

Oh Brett, why did you have to disappoint me again? Just when I thought his on again-off again relationship with the NFL was off for good, he returns yet again. And to top it off, he returns to the Vikings. Really, you want to end your career in the Metrodome wearing purple? So, here I sit, remembering the good ol' days when Number Four was in green and gold, and trying to think of silver linings for this not-so-unforeseen turn of events.

1) There will be at least two games this season during which I can kill two birds with one stone - watching both my beloved Packers and my beloved Brett play.

2) He has postponed his induction to the Hall of Fame for yet another year, making it more and more likely that I will actually have the money to buy tickets once he is finally eligible - five years after his retirement.

3) The Packers are probably pretty pissed-off - which means they may step it up a notch and beat the Vikings twice this year, unlike last year.

So there, at least three silver linings so far. Not bad for a broken-hearted girl, huh?

Bars and churches

Our society is filled with options for escaping the reality around us - movies, alcohol, workaholism, television shows, sex, over-eating, under-eating, the internet, materialism. There are no shortage of possibilities for attempting to fill one's self, for striving to appear as though you have it all together, for avoiding that human feeling of loneliness. My former small group leader, Alice, says that bars and churches are both full for the same reason - lonely people looking for a place to belong.

I have been a frequent flier at bars and at churches. The bars, they offer a place to forget everything - provided you drink the "juice". They offer a place where you feel liked, or maybe even lusted after. They give you instant gratification - a few hours of flying high. But the next morning or sometimes even that same evening, you are left in the same place you started, often even a little bit worse off than you started.

The churches, they offer a place to be forgiven - provided you drink the "juice". They offer a place where you can be loved, unconditionally. They give you a reason to be grateful. They do not promise a lifetime of flying high - there will be ups and downs. But the next morning or sometimes even that same evening, you are left in a little bit better place that you started. A little closer to God, a little more full, a little less lonely.

I still go to both bars and churches. After 5 years of learning to follow and love God, I still have the urge to fill up in other places. With the other options, I have filled, my stomach, my house, my closet, my mind; but my heart is still left feeling empty. With church, I have given - my worship, my mind, my money, my love, my service; but my heart is left feeling full.

Simple pleasure:
Realizing you are not feeling quite as lonely as last year

Why I could never be a critic...

After watching the movie "Twilight" the other night, I found myself thinking how nice it is to not be a very critical person.

A list of things that I am not picky about:
1) Food
2) Restaurants
3) Movies
4) Music
5) Cities
6) Cars
7) Books
8) Beer and wine
9) Classes

I am pretty sure the list could go on and on. So, some people consider themselves lucky to have great taste in movies, music, books...I consider myself lucky to not have many preferences. I find most things I experience enjoyable or nice - which makes for a satisfying life. Although sometimes this general feeling of satisfaction leaves me wondering if I am missing some of the richness of experiences when they all seem to be on a fairly even playing field for me...

Welcome to my mind

I love random questions, introspection, and trivial knowledge - so consider yourself forewarned. I enjoy writing - but most of my writing thus far has stayed in the recesses of my hard drive. I am excited about my foray into the world of blogging. I consider myself a most-of-the-time-but-not-always optimist so "simple pleasures and silver linings" seemed like at appropriate title.

Simple pleasure for today:
Iced coffee on a summer morning