Your Way or the Highway

I heard about a sermon preached in Toledo. I didn't hear it, but I wanted to read the story to see if it translated into a decent blog. Here goes!

Have you ever been in a really bad situation, that you prayed and expected God to deliver you out of? You know...you're sick, or you lost your job, or you are caught between two impossible decisions and need clarity?

In these sitches--because we're God's beloved children--we want:

1. Miraculous healing
2. Someone to call YOU and say: "I want you to come work for me"
3. You want to put an Old Navy Fleece out on the lawn at night, and find it dry in the morning

But we don't usually get our deliverance in those ways.

So it was with Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-19).

The situation: Naaman is a great guy, respected by all, beloved of his king, captain of the army, and valiant warrior. BUT, he also happens to be a leper. This sucks. Someone tells him that there is a prophet in Israel who can heal him, so he sets out in search of his miracle.


The miracle: When Naaman gets to Israel, the prophet Elisha says "go wash in the Jordan 7 times, and you'll be healed."


The reaction: Hold up, hold up...I came all this way to jump in a river? Why don't you lay hands on me, and just heal me? Do you know who I am? I'm a big deal...I need a big deal deliverance.

And herein lies the main point: WHY DO YOU CARE HOW YOU ARE DELIVERED?

The main point is deliverance. Do you want to be healed or not. Helped or not?

Sometimes...

1. Instead of the miraculous healing, you have lots of doctor's appointments, tests, and diagnoses and your healing comes later.
   
2. Instead of the divine job offer, you have to go on dozens of interviews and network when you're afraid. Then, months later the job you prayed for materializes,
   
3. Instead of signs and wonders (like the fleece), God shuts every other door, until you have only one choice...and there is your clarity.

For Naaman, he ultimately washed in the Jordan, did what he had to do, and he walked away healed. It might not look like you want, it might not come when you want, but sometimes...you just have to do what you have to do and walk away with your deliverance...regardless of how it came.

Things that Can Ruin Your Day

Today my day was ruined.

You might be wondering: what happened?

Did I have to work late? No.
Did I have a head-splitting migraine? Nope.
Did my car get towed? Not even.

I lost my chapstick.

This may seem like a small thing, but it is really quite serious. The tragedy of being chapstick-less occurs in stages:

1. OBLIVION

This is the stage where you don't realize your chapstick is lost. You're still all moisturized from the after-shower routine, and all is right with the world. You have no idea what the day has in store for you.

2. SLIGHT DRYNESS

Your mouth is a little dry, so you get up to get a glass of water. Then you realize, it's not that your mouth is dry...but your lips are starting to get a little brittle. No worries, you'll just put on some chapstick. You carelessly check your purse, but come up empty. That's odd...but nothing serious, it's probably just in one of the many pockets. You can check later.

3. AWARENESS

Now that you know your lips are a little dry, you can't help but lick them, bite them...touch them every 2 seconds. This is foolish behavior, because you KNOW this will only make the situation worse. But you can't stop yourself. Lick, lick. "Don't lick your lips!" Lick, lick. You know you're in trouble now, so you dig around  in your purse some more, take some things out, feel the linings of the purse to see if it's trapped inside. IT'S NOT IN THERE.

4. PANIC

You're licking your lips constantly at this point, and you're afraid to look people in the eye because you believe that your lips are ashen and disgusting to behold. You don't want to talk, drinking water just makes them more dry (and you're thirsty!). You go out to the car to see if you left it in the cup-holders. You push the seats back...NADA! You get out of the car, stand beside it, and look around to see if there is a convenience store on the horizon. You look with longing. But alas, you're in the middle of Executive-Park-Nowhere. You are doomed.

5. ESCAPE

The first chance you get you leave work, where all your thoughts have been consumed with "mylipsarechapped, mylipsarechapped, mylipsarechapped, mylipsarechapped" and you speed away to either your home (if you know chapstick is there) or to CVS (because you know chapstick is there).

This was my day today. It was horrific. I have chapstick now. Thanks for caring!

The Hunt

Why is it so important to have "the perfect place?" As I said in a previous post, I am apartment hunting, and suddenly I need everything to be "perfect."


Amenities - I need it all:  in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, central air, fitness center, pool

I never work out. I still can't swim. I still probably wash more dishes by hand than is necessary...so why are those things important?


Aesthetics - I want it to be gorgeous: hardwood floors, fireplace, granite countertops...can I get some exposed brick? Maybe a balcony?

I've never stoked a fire. Is granite easier to clean than tile/laminate? And what is my obsession with hardwood floors and exposed brick?! In my defense, carpet is disgusting. I don't think I can live through another carpet situation. Give me hardwood, or give me death. Ok, ok...not death. But at least get me a Dyson, or an awesome Red Devil as a trade-off. I think carpeted apartments should come with a vacuum cleaner (add "vacuum cleaner" to amenities).

Price - I need all this for less than $1000.

So cheap. Is that human nature? 

Odds are I'll have to settle. I just realized that the hunt for the perfect apartment is a lot like the dating hunt. Quick recap:

Amenties: I need it all - he cooks, he cleans, and he works a 40hr/week job that somehow pays 6 figures (40hr so he has time to cook, clean)
Aesthetics: I want him to be gorgeous - tall (6 feet), dark, handsome, with a washboard stomach and   a Bible in his hand
Price: Me (limited cleaning)


Odds are...hahaha

I Hate Change!

"There is nothing permanent except change" - Heraclitus

Usually, I'm quoting the Bible, but other peeps have good quotes too. I mean, God doesn't have the corner on great quotes...does He?

Blog, I am in flux. That's why I haven't written anything in so long. I have been alternately happy, stressed, depressed; change is not something I do well with. Change is difficult. One the road of my life, there are many changes ahead. Here is the short list:

1. New Job - I resigned my old position and start a new one in a week!
2. New Home - The home I've lived in and and loved for one awesome year is gone. And my roommates are all disbanding. It's like a death in the family, except 1) no dead body, 2) no funeral, 3) no tears (yet). But trust me, it's like a death!
• Side note: I'm homeless as of 8/31/11. If you have friends looking for a new roommate...refer me. I like living in community.

Wait...that's only two things! I kid you not, I started out thinking I would have 5 things. That's not even the short list. It is the whole list! Now I'm ashamed. 

Shame aside, the harsh feelings about change are legit, but they made me think of a scripture (2 Corinthians 5:17):

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

That's a change process that I look forward to.

But the idea that "new has come" appeals to me. New is something that I haven't seen or experienced before, so it's an adventure. And I'm choosing to embrace it!

Heading to Toledo to see the family!  Enjoy your weekend!