Not receiving is robbing

I have been in that place where I was in need and I felt like I had no one to turn to.  I remember a day when about 13 years ago, I was out of gas, and didn’t even have $5 to put in the tank.  So, rather than ask anyone for the money I walked the 6 miles to work.

I can come up with a lot of reasons as to why I would… I can make them sound good… I can make myself “right”… but in the end it was just my pride.

And not the pride that is the first thing that comes to mind… the one where you don’t want anyone to see you as a failure… this one was worse…

It was a resentful pride… a pride that said, “I would never take anything from them.”

Dealing with Difficult Seasons of Life

Often I will pick a book up because of its title.  Maybe it is catchy.  Or maybe it is concise: letting me know that the focus of the book is just what I am looking for.  Either way, if the title doesn’t get me… chances are I won’t pick up the book.

But titles can be tricky, and often misleading, so before I invest time or money into a book I check one more thing… the Table of Contents.

I want to see if what this author has to say is of interest to me.  If it is a novel or fiction I look for a story line I can relate to or one that seems exciting.

Of course, not every page of the book turns out to be perfect.  Some pages are boring.  But when you go in order you give the characters time to develop… the story time to unfold.  And at the end, even if you say, “it could have done without chapter 5”… you aren’t the editor. 

So in order to “finish” the book… you “get through” the dry, boring chapters where little side stories develop; side stories that make you think things like, “Oh they are just setting up a sequel” or, “They want to make this into a movie.”

And all along – even if you disagree – you have to come to the conclusion that the author had a reason for chapter 5.

It is his right… he is the author.

How often it goes the same way when I look at my life. 

It's all just a chocolate chip cookie

I was standing in line at the coffee bar.  It was on “Deck 5 – Mid.”  For you cruise type people you will know what I am talking about.

There I was just enjoying a cruise that had been a gift from God.  It was day 6 of the 8 day cruise.  I had been to the coffee bar at least twice a day for the six days.  Three drinks each time.  One for my wife, one for our daughter, and one for me.

I had gotten the drink order and left our stateroom, made my way to the coffee bar and now, because the line was pretty long, and the service very relaxed… I waited.

And as I waited I noticed that the young man in front of me was ordering a chocolate chip cookie.  I didn’t even know they had them.  It looked pretty good.  It was a pretty big cookie.

I thought about getting one, but then I realized that me, sugar, and a cup of coffee first thing in the morning… not such a good idea.

“Ah,” I thought, “I’ll bring one back for Rachel… our daughter.

Got my drinks, and the cookie, and headed back to the room.