ONE YEAR LATER
One year ago today I was sitting in the doctor's office listening to him explain the consequences of a dislocated knee cap. Any dancer realises that an injury will change our lives, at least for a little while. I had no idea that day how drastically my life would change as a result. I can remember hobbling into the studio on crutches and seeing the expressions on the faces of the staff at MCPA watching them go from shock to horror back to shock and then pure panic! Realising they had to re-cast a show as a result. Feeling at that point that not only had I done myself in, but also was bringing everyone else down with me. And everywhere I turned around having people give my sympathetic regards. I hate when people are overly sympathetic. I was up to my eye balls in sympathy for months, and I'm still dealing with it. At the time I can remember being mad at myself. Now I know I can't control when my body starts to give out on me, but I was so frustrated. I hate watching dance classes. The worst thing you can do to a dancer is make them watch a class. It is pure torture. For the next four months all I did was watch dance classes. I was so unhappy. I began hating going to the studio. I hated to see the other girls dripping in sweat after a great class. I hated knowing that that would not be me again. Closing the door on a chapter of your life is never easy but when it comes as a surprise it is beyond difficult.
I still have questions. Why me? that one comes up a lot. I believe I do know the answer. But that doesn't stop my heart and my head from going back to it from time to time. I will always wonder if I would have "made it". Or would I have come home, head down and tail between my legs ashamed having not? At least I would have known. If I had taken one last class that day, would my body have lasted longer? Probably not, but who knows. If I had been that much more careful about my technique, would that have helped?
I firmly believe this was God's plan for me. And I know He's got me under His control, I don't need to worry about it. And when I was over thinking this, I came to this conclusion, that I don't believe the answers to these questions are out there. God has one plan for my life. One. I don't need to spend time contemplating the shoulda, coulda, woulda's of it all. He has got it all figured out. Time spent on that equals money wasted on Advil. Why give myself a headache over something I don't want to change.
That's right, something I don't want to change this situation. Now I could handle to get rid of the constant physical pain that I live my life with everyday, a daily reminder and side effect, but I wouldn't give anything to go from where I am today to where I was then. God has taken my life flipped it upside down and inside out and I am finding more satisfaction in Him than I have ever found in a day at the studio. I would never trade the lessons I have learned for any amount of time spent dancing. Ironically though I do miss blister competitions...LOL
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
THANK-YOU BOYS
This is just a short note to thank Luke, Matt, and Greg for their hard labour on Sunday afternoon. The couch and chair fit very nicely into the apartment. Perfectly to be exact. Thanks for giving your time and "guns" to move it in for me! I really appreciate it. And Luke, please thank your folks for me. This is so good of them. I really can't thank them enough! Here is an invitation for a party on the roof...
This is just a short note to thank Luke, Matt, and Greg for their hard labour on Sunday afternoon. The couch and chair fit very nicely into the apartment. Perfectly to be exact. Thanks for giving your time and "guns" to move it in for me! I really appreciate it. And Luke, please thank your folks for me. This is so good of them. I really can't thank them enough! Here is an invitation for a party on the roof...
Saturday, November 11, 2006
THE SADDEST THING I HAVE EVER READ!!!!
During Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2006 personal stories about and by a family who have two children with Down syndrome were published in newspapers. Referring to one of the articles we received a comment from a reader who expressed his views on the article.
Hi, I am writing about the article featured in the Saturday paper regarding the parents of 2 down syndrome little girls. To tell you the truth I would not want to be in those parent's shoes. My wife and I terminated two pregnancies once we found out our babies were going to be downs. There was no way we were going to bring special need babies into our family. Those parents in the paper say they are happy however deep inside I am sure they are struggling emotionally. They are not blind. Obviously they have not been around normal babies. With all the resources available nowadays to find out early about the genetics and gender of the baby, why would anybody put themselves thru this kind of life. Just wanted to share my views on this subject.
This is the saddest thing I have ever read. My mom sent it to me today. I cried as I read it, and have tears in my eyes as I read it now again. This one hits a little too close to home. I feel hurt and angry. I feel personally assaulted, offended. This makes me want to scream and yell and to act irrationally. I feel so frustrated! How can anyone think like that? I am deeply insulted. I can't think straight. My mind is going 100 miles an hour but nothing is being accomplished. I can't get my thoughts in order. I hate how wrong he is. How selfish he is. How mislead he is. I feel attacked. I feel disheartened. I feel maddened. I feel heartbroken. I feel discouraged.
Have the efforts put forth by those in the past been fruitless? Have we gone one step forward, three steps back? Will the barriers of misconception ever be brought down? Matthew has your perseverance been in vain?
Matthew, please know, I love you. Our whole family loves you. More people than we can count love you. We would never trade you for the world let alone exchange you for nothing. Matt, we struggle more when you are not around than when you are. We need you Matt. And please don't flatter yourself, your "needs" are no more "special" than those of anyone else. Matt I want to protect you from people like that. But I won't, you don't need my protection. You are inner strength personified. I aspire to one day have the work ethic, compassion for others and to take pleasure in the small things the way you do. You inspire without even knowing it. Never give up or give in (not that you would consider doing either). Swim fast. Never be anyone else but yourself, you are responsible for a small part of each of us and our family would not be the same without you. Never change, I...we want you just the way you are.
During Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2006 personal stories about and by a family who have two children with Down syndrome were published in newspapers. Referring to one of the articles we received a comment from a reader who expressed his views on the article.
Hi, I am writing about the article featured in the Saturday paper regarding the parents of 2 down syndrome little girls. To tell you the truth I would not want to be in those parent's shoes. My wife and I terminated two pregnancies once we found out our babies were going to be downs. There was no way we were going to bring special need babies into our family. Those parents in the paper say they are happy however deep inside I am sure they are struggling emotionally. They are not blind. Obviously they have not been around normal babies. With all the resources available nowadays to find out early about the genetics and gender of the baby, why would anybody put themselves thru this kind of life. Just wanted to share my views on this subject.
This is the saddest thing I have ever read. My mom sent it to me today. I cried as I read it, and have tears in my eyes as I read it now again. This one hits a little too close to home. I feel hurt and angry. I feel personally assaulted, offended. This makes me want to scream and yell and to act irrationally. I feel so frustrated! How can anyone think like that? I am deeply insulted. I can't think straight. My mind is going 100 miles an hour but nothing is being accomplished. I can't get my thoughts in order. I hate how wrong he is. How selfish he is. How mislead he is. I feel attacked. I feel disheartened. I feel maddened. I feel heartbroken. I feel discouraged.
Have the efforts put forth by those in the past been fruitless? Have we gone one step forward, three steps back? Will the barriers of misconception ever be brought down? Matthew has your perseverance been in vain?
Matthew, please know, I love you. Our whole family loves you. More people than we can count love you. We would never trade you for the world let alone exchange you for nothing. Matt, we struggle more when you are not around than when you are. We need you Matt. And please don't flatter yourself, your "needs" are no more "special" than those of anyone else. Matt I want to protect you from people like that. But I won't, you don't need my protection. You are inner strength personified. I aspire to one day have the work ethic, compassion for others and to take pleasure in the small things the way you do. You inspire without even knowing it. Never give up or give in (not that you would consider doing either). Swim fast. Never be anyone else but yourself, you are responsible for a small part of each of us and our family would not be the same without you. Never change, I...we want you just the way you are.
More than anything I feel sorry for the author of the above article. He has no idea of what he is missing in his life, twice over! I think though, that my mom put it best. The following is the final paragraph to her responce to the above letter. (if you would like to read the whole thing let me know)
You know JOHN, we have brought five children into this world and each of them has and will continue to have "special needs". There is no such thing as a "perfect child". It is unlikely that our son with Down syndrome grows up to be Prime Minister of this country, but it is also unlikely any of our other children will either. He will not get paid the salary of a school teacher, but he will spend his entire life teaching and showing those around him what can be accomplished through hard work. Already he has changed lives and he will continue to do so. "Why would anybody put themselves thru this kind of life"? Because it is not a burden, it has been and is a gift. We are so much the richer for it! And as I write this letter JOHN, I grieve for you, as it is a gift you will now never know.
I could not agree more!
Friday, November 10, 2006
THE SADDEST THING I HAVE EVER READ!!!!
During Down Syndrome Awareness Week 2006 personal stories about and by a family who have two children with Down syndrome were published in newspapers. Referring to one of the articles we received a comment from a reader who expressed his views on the article.
Hi, I am writing about the article featured in the Saturday paper regarding the parents of 2 down syndrome little girls. To tell you the truth I would not want to be in those parent's shoes. My wife and I terminated two pregnancies once we found out our babies were going to be downs. There was no way we were going to bring special need babies into our family. Those parents in the paper say they are happy however deep inside I am sure they are struggling emotionally. They are not blind. Obviously they have not been around normal babies. With all the resources available nowadays to find out early about the genetics and gender of the baby, why would anybody put themselves thru this kind of life. Just wanted to share my views on this subject.
This is the saddest thing I have ever read. My mom sent it to me today. I cried as I read it, and have tears in my eyes as I read it now again. This one hits a little too close to home. I feel hurt and angry. I feel personally assaulted, offended. This makes me want to scream and yell and to act irrationally. I feel so frustrated! How can anyone think like that? I am deeply insulted. I can't think straight. My mind is going 100 miles an hour but nothing is being accomplished. I can't get my thoughts in order. I hate how wrong he is. How selfish he is. How mislead he is. I feel attacked. I feel disheartened. I feel maddened. I feel heartbroken. I feel discouraged.
Have the efforts put forth by those in the past been fruitless? Have we gone one step forward, three steps back? Will the barriers of misconception ever be brought down? Matthew has your perseverance been in vain?
Matthew, please know, I love you. Our whole family loves you. More people than we can count love you. We would never trade you
Monday, November 06, 2006
TO PREACH OR TO SEND...
(13) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."(14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (15) And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:13-15
I'm between a rock and a hard place. Both options breed Godly outcomes. Both with appeal. Both life changing. Both promise adventure, challenge, and excitement. Both will contain laughter and tears, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. Both with lasting consequences...Good and bad. Both tug at my heart, pulling it in two very different directions. Both will see students won for Christ, built into, and sent out to fulfill the great commission. Both will see God glorified. Both will see God Praised. Both will see God honored. Both will be used by God. One is in His will.
(13) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."(14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (15) And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:13-15
I'm between a rock and a hard place. Both options breed Godly outcomes. Both with appeal. Both life changing. Both promise adventure, challenge, and excitement. Both will contain laughter and tears, joy and sorrow, victory and defeat. Both with lasting consequences...Good and bad. Both tug at my heart, pulling it in two very different directions. Both will see students won for Christ, built into, and sent out to fulfill the great commission. Both will see God glorified. Both will see God Praised. Both will see God honored. Both will be used by God. One is in His will.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
APPRECIATED THINGS
Again with the lists. One day I am going to find some time to write something other than a list. Maybe I will do that on the day I can throw out my "TO DO" list...Wouldn't that be nice! But alas some things that have stuck out in the last little while.
1- Getting facebooked my a long lost friend...
2- My uncle getting facebook...If facebook was ever cool, it is now
3- Getting together with a group of C4Cers for a vision night...So very exciting!
4- An e-mail in response to an e-mail from my parents.
5- A chance to lead a Bible study at church...And the responses from people in the congregation
6- Watching Pride and Prejudice
7- Sharing secrets with a wonderful group of girls after watching P&P
8- Making chili, and the smell in my apartment...SO good
9- Beautiful flowers from someone special...Nope didn't buy them for myself
10- Genuine excitement for various reasons from Jessie
11- The girls in my DG...The desire to learn and grow
12- Discipleship time with Kelley, always appreciated, but yesterday was exactly what I needed
13- My relationship with my parents...I love our phone calls, especially ones like last night
14- The leadership within my church...Going out of their way to help me out however they can
15- A great walk put me in awe of our creation, and made me appreciate just how I fit in to it all
Again with the lists. One day I am going to find some time to write something other than a list. Maybe I will do that on the day I can throw out my "TO DO" list...Wouldn't that be nice! But alas some things that have stuck out in the last little while.
1- Getting facebooked my a long lost friend...
2- My uncle getting facebook...If facebook was ever cool, it is now
3- Getting together with a group of C4Cers for a vision night...So very exciting!
4- An e-mail in response to an e-mail from my parents.
5- A chance to lead a Bible study at church...And the responses from people in the congregation
6- Watching Pride and Prejudice
7- Sharing secrets with a wonderful group of girls after watching P&P
8- Making chili, and the smell in my apartment...SO good
9- Beautiful flowers from someone special...Nope didn't buy them for myself
10- Genuine excitement for various reasons from Jessie
11- The girls in my DG...The desire to learn and grow
12- Discipleship time with Kelley, always appreciated, but yesterday was exactly what I needed
13- My relationship with my parents...I love our phone calls, especially ones like last night
14- The leadership within my church...Going out of their way to help me out however they can
15- A great walk put me in awe of our creation, and made me appreciate just how I fit in to it all
Sunday, October 15, 2006
A FEW MORE THINGS
Since midterms are upon me, lists lacking in detail are necessary because time is of the essence! Will it ever slow down? The truth is I hope not, though sleeping in someday might be nice. So in point form, a few key high lights from the past week.
- An e-mail from Dubai. (From the mother of one of the girls in my DG. A few kind words of encouragement and letting me know that I am being prayed for. It made my day!)
- A new baby cousin. (Rory Donald Smith Cameron was born on Thursday morning.)
- Baby sitting Rory's older sisters. (Three wonderful little girls, who are a joy to play with, and are so excited to have a baby brother!)
- Dinner at the Harman's home. (It was a wonderful evening. They are an amazing family, I am blessed to have them in my life.)
- A decision to start C4C at Mount Allison University. (SMU is going to be partnering with MT.A to reach that campus and the nations for Christ. I am looking forward to getting to know Fraser better through this adventure!)
- A beautiful letter from a very dear friend. (Courtney, I feel so blessed to have you as a friend.)
- Matt came into work. (And he came up behind me in a sneaky way only he can do! What a crazy little brother!)
- Saw The Guardian on Saturday night. (A very good movie. My company for the evening was wonderful, a great time was had. More great times to come.)
- A good friend of mine got engaged! (Congratulations!!! Jessie and Dave I am so happy for you.)
- Breakfast after church. (As per-usual, breakfast after church was time well spent with great friends.)
Since midterms are upon me, lists lacking in detail are necessary because time is of the essence! Will it ever slow down? The truth is I hope not, though sleeping in someday might be nice. So in point form, a few key high lights from the past week.
- An e-mail from Dubai. (From the mother of one of the girls in my DG. A few kind words of encouragement and letting me know that I am being prayed for. It made my day!)
- A new baby cousin. (Rory Donald Smith Cameron was born on Thursday morning.)
- Baby sitting Rory's older sisters. (Three wonderful little girls, who are a joy to play with, and are so excited to have a baby brother!)
- Dinner at the Harman's home. (It was a wonderful evening. They are an amazing family, I am blessed to have them in my life.)
- A decision to start C4C at Mount Allison University. (SMU is going to be partnering with MT.A to reach that campus and the nations for Christ. I am looking forward to getting to know Fraser better through this adventure!)
- A beautiful letter from a very dear friend. (Courtney, I feel so blessed to have you as a friend.)
- Matt came into work. (And he came up behind me in a sneaky way only he can do! What a crazy little brother!)
- Saw The Guardian on Saturday night. (A very good movie. My company for the evening was wonderful, a great time was had. More great times to come.)
- A good friend of mine got engaged! (Congratulations!!! Jessie and Dave I am so happy for you.)
- Breakfast after church. (As per-usual, breakfast after church was time well spent with great friends.)
Monday, October 09, 2006
CAN'T BEGIN TO COUNT THE THINGS I HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR
What a weekend! I can't believe that it is almost over, only a few more hours. I have decided to for all intents and purposes measure the weekend via true Hunter style, and measure it in meals.
The first meal was a wedding feast! And what a feast it was, but the food is not the focus here. Yes, the first of the Hunter cousins got hitched over the weekend in a beautiful ceremony at White Point Beach Resort. It was perfect in every. I am so happy for Chantal! And Adam is a wonderful addition to the family. (interesting side note, we knew Adam was a keeper when within 10 minutes of meeting my part of the larger Hunter family, he was already in a pillow fight with my youngest brother, Charlie. Anyone who feels that comfortable with my family really should be an official part of it!) The wedding took place outside, beside the beach, just before the sun went down. It was beautiful. And for those of you who are wondering about the dance...It was not half as bad as I was anticipating. I did dance with each of my brothers once, but there were lots of friends at the wedding, not just family as I was lead to believe, so it didn't get overly awkward! My youngest brother, and the youngest guest at the wedding graced us all with his dance ability by doing the worm for everyone...I have imparted some great dance knowledge and ability to him!
The second feast was Sunday brunch, now there is no real event to mention along with this meal, but the meal itself was so good it was worth blogging about! It was an all you can eat buffet brunch, and since the weekend is being measured in meals, enough said!
Third meal, TURKEY DINNER!!!!! Oh yeah, it was awesome. Also in true Hunter style we had a massive spread and a massive group of people to enjoy it with, 16 all together. A full stomach and a good time was had by all!
So what am I thankful for? Well the food for sure, but that isn't where the list begins or ends. I'm not sure if I could even begin to list everything that should be on that list. And I am not even going to try because I know something important will be left off. So to actually pull the title into my post, I really can't count what I am thankful for. But the grace of God needs to be mentioned. How thankful I am that God sent His son to die for my sins and to stay with me forever. I think of the phrase so commonly used eternally grateful, it takes on a whole new significance.
Thank-you Jesus.
(And a special thanks to Greg for the lift back to the city, you made the trip much more enjoyable!!!)
What a weekend! I can't believe that it is almost over, only a few more hours. I have decided to for all intents and purposes measure the weekend via true Hunter style, and measure it in meals.
The first meal was a wedding feast! And what a feast it was, but the food is not the focus here. Yes, the first of the Hunter cousins got hitched over the weekend in a beautiful ceremony at White Point Beach Resort. It was perfect in every. I am so happy for Chantal! And Adam is a wonderful addition to the family. (interesting side note, we knew Adam was a keeper when within 10 minutes of meeting my part of the larger Hunter family, he was already in a pillow fight with my youngest brother, Charlie. Anyone who feels that comfortable with my family really should be an official part of it!) The wedding took place outside, beside the beach, just before the sun went down. It was beautiful. And for those of you who are wondering about the dance...It was not half as bad as I was anticipating. I did dance with each of my brothers once, but there were lots of friends at the wedding, not just family as I was lead to believe, so it didn't get overly awkward! My youngest brother, and the youngest guest at the wedding graced us all with his dance ability by doing the worm for everyone...I have imparted some great dance knowledge and ability to him!
The second feast was Sunday brunch, now there is no real event to mention along with this meal, but the meal itself was so good it was worth blogging about! It was an all you can eat buffet brunch, and since the weekend is being measured in meals, enough said!
Third meal, TURKEY DINNER!!!!! Oh yeah, it was awesome. Also in true Hunter style we had a massive spread and a massive group of people to enjoy it with, 16 all together. A full stomach and a good time was had by all!
So what am I thankful for? Well the food for sure, but that isn't where the list begins or ends. I'm not sure if I could even begin to list everything that should be on that list. And I am not even going to try because I know something important will be left off. So to actually pull the title into my post, I really can't count what I am thankful for. But the grace of God needs to be mentioned. How thankful I am that God sent His son to die for my sins and to stay with me forever. I think of the phrase so commonly used eternally grateful, it takes on a whole new significance.
Thank-you Jesus.
(And a special thanks to Greg for the lift back to the city, you made the trip much more enjoyable!!!)
Thursday, October 05, 2006
RE-CAP...WHAT'S BEEN GOING DOWN
(interesting tid bits from the last little while)
1- Discover I really like pistachios, and it is a really close race for favorite nut between them and cashews
2- Started Spanish lessons
3- Still folding clothes at Reitmans
4- Leading a women's DG at SMU
5- Joined the worship team at church
6- Learned how to make meat balls
7- Beat my little brother (Charlie) at internet checkers
8- One of the girls in the SMU ministry thought I was on staff with C4C
9- Go camping...proper camping, not tenting in the back yard
10- President of the SMU Campus for Christ (well, co-president with John but he knows who is really running the show...lol)
anyway for all of you who say I never update my blog...SO THERE...lol
Blessings
(interesting tid bits from the last little while)
1- Discover I really like pistachios, and it is a really close race for favorite nut between them and cashews
2- Started Spanish lessons
3- Still folding clothes at Reitmans
4- Leading a women's DG at SMU
5- Joined the worship team at church
6- Learned how to make meat balls
7- Beat my little brother (Charlie) at internet checkers
8- One of the girls in the SMU ministry thought I was on staff with C4C
9- Go camping...proper camping, not tenting in the back yard
10- President of the SMU Campus for Christ (well, co-president with John but he knows who is really running the show...lol)
anyway for all of you who say I never update my blog...SO THERE...lol
Blessings
Monday, July 31, 2006
"CAN I HAVE YOUR POSTAL CODE PLEASE?"
At work before we are given the total amount for the purchase we have to ask each customer for their postal code. Now the computer isn't smart enough to know if what is typed in is an actual code or not, so for those of you who happen to be a little cautious about such information you can really give anything you want. No one at Reitman's will ever know the difference. Last week though after I had finished scanning all the items the customer had, I as per usual asked for the postal code. The lady gave it to me. I then realized that it was also my postal code as well. Neither of us wanting at first to say exactly where we lived gave points of reference as to where our homes were. We discovered that not only do we live on the same street, we live on the same side of the street and on the same block, and yes, we live in the same building. Now, we are not on the same floor, but if we were on the same floor we would be right across the hall from each other! Crazy eh! We are now constantly bumping into each other and when we do I receive a hearty "Hello Neighbor" and have a chance to smile at the crazy coincidence of it all.
At work before we are given the total amount for the purchase we have to ask each customer for their postal code. Now the computer isn't smart enough to know if what is typed in is an actual code or not, so for those of you who happen to be a little cautious about such information you can really give anything you want. No one at Reitman's will ever know the difference. Last week though after I had finished scanning all the items the customer had, I as per usual asked for the postal code. The lady gave it to me. I then realized that it was also my postal code as well. Neither of us wanting at first to say exactly where we lived gave points of reference as to where our homes were. We discovered that not only do we live on the same street, we live on the same side of the street and on the same block, and yes, we live in the same building. Now, we are not on the same floor, but if we were on the same floor we would be right across the hall from each other! Crazy eh! We are now constantly bumping into each other and when we do I receive a hearty "Hello Neighbor" and have a chance to smile at the crazy coincidence of it all.
Monday, July 10, 2006
MATT THE CAT
Matt is a crazy kid! I think if I could sum him up into one word only, it would be extraordinary! It's funny but I have no idea where the nickname Matt-the-cat came from. Probably something Dad gave him because it rhymed. Interestingly enough, Matt played a cat this past spring when his high school put on a production of the Broadway musical Cats. So he was literally, Matt-the-cat. But I digress.
The reason Matt is on my mind at this moment is that he is staying with me for the week. At "the hotel" which he calls my apartment building. He is going to swim camp at Dal for the week and living the high life as he goes about life with no responsibilities or cares. Except swimming...and the excitement of swimming was what woke me up at 5:30am Monday morning concerned we were going to be late! In the last two days though, he has been sleeping until at least 6:30...a much more civilized hour(sort of).
Matt is a crazy kid! I think if I could sum him up into one word only, it would be extraordinary! It's funny but I have no idea where the nickname Matt-the-cat came from. Probably something Dad gave him because it rhymed. Interestingly enough, Matt played a cat this past spring when his high school put on a production of the Broadway musical Cats. So he was literally, Matt-the-cat. But I digress.
The reason Matt is on my mind at this moment is that he is staying with me for the week. At "the hotel" which he calls my apartment building. He is going to swim camp at Dal for the week and living the high life as he goes about life with no responsibilities or cares. Except swimming...and the excitement of swimming was what woke me up at 5:30am Monday morning concerned we were going to be late! In the last two days though, he has been sleeping until at least 6:30...a much more civilized hour(sort of).
Friday, July 07, 2006
DISCONNECTED
I have been without a phone for exactly one week. It is so true that you really don't have any idea on how much you rely one something until it is gone. Now it is not that I am missing out on hundreds of phone calls a day or anything but it is the inconvenience of not being able to contact whomever I want, whenever I want that is frustrating. For the last week I have been planning my phone calls around each other. I have been waiting until I have had at least three calls to make before I walk from my apartment over to school to use a payphone. I have also stopped phoning anyone just to catch up or chat. Using the phone has become something that I do only when I have no other option. It has also been an inconvenience when I have had people over. Because the intercom system is hooked up to the phone line, when people come to visit, I have no way of knowing when they have arrived. I have to make my best guess and go down stairs and wait. (This will be especially annoying tomorrow when I have a 3 hour window for when the repair man is to show up!!)
This might be a distant parallel, but think about the phone as Jesus for a second. As a Christian I don't even want to think about what my life would be like if I had to go a week without Jesus in it. I rely on Him for everything. Imagine if He wasn't there all the time to talk to whenever about whatever! Or if we had to wait until we had at least three really good prayer requests before we were able to speak with him. Or if He was like my broken intercom system and I had to make a guess about when He was actually going to show up to listen to my prayers. Imagine if we couldn't talk to Jesus about the everyday happenings of our lives, if He would only listen if we had an extremely necessary request that couldn't wait and had to be dealt with. What a life that would be.
The truth of the matter is, that I never have to worry about any of that. Jesus is always there to listen to my prayers, no matter what. And it doesn't matter if I have one request or one hundred, He is going to listen to them all. But how often do I take advantage of that? I know that I have a pretty good prayer life, but how often do I keep things to myself instead of passing them onto Jesus? How often do I wait until something is an urgent necessary matter before I start praying about it? Why as Christians are we so often reactive with our prayers instead of proactive? Why is it that we so often turn to pray as a last resort when it seems there is no other option?
Ah...It seems as though I now have one more thing to talk to Jesus about...And then I will go find a payphone to make some necessary "can't wait till later" phone calls.
I have been without a phone for exactly one week. It is so true that you really don't have any idea on how much you rely one something until it is gone. Now it is not that I am missing out on hundreds of phone calls a day or anything but it is the inconvenience of not being able to contact whomever I want, whenever I want that is frustrating. For the last week I have been planning my phone calls around each other. I have been waiting until I have had at least three calls to make before I walk from my apartment over to school to use a payphone. I have also stopped phoning anyone just to catch up or chat. Using the phone has become something that I do only when I have no other option. It has also been an inconvenience when I have had people over. Because the intercom system is hooked up to the phone line, when people come to visit, I have no way of knowing when they have arrived. I have to make my best guess and go down stairs and wait. (This will be especially annoying tomorrow when I have a 3 hour window for when the repair man is to show up!!)
This might be a distant parallel, but think about the phone as Jesus for a second. As a Christian I don't even want to think about what my life would be like if I had to go a week without Jesus in it. I rely on Him for everything. Imagine if He wasn't there all the time to talk to whenever about whatever! Or if we had to wait until we had at least three really good prayer requests before we were able to speak with him. Or if He was like my broken intercom system and I had to make a guess about when He was actually going to show up to listen to my prayers. Imagine if we couldn't talk to Jesus about the everyday happenings of our lives, if He would only listen if we had an extremely necessary request that couldn't wait and had to be dealt with. What a life that would be.
The truth of the matter is, that I never have to worry about any of that. Jesus is always there to listen to my prayers, no matter what. And it doesn't matter if I have one request or one hundred, He is going to listen to them all. But how often do I take advantage of that? I know that I have a pretty good prayer life, but how often do I keep things to myself instead of passing them onto Jesus? How often do I wait until something is an urgent necessary matter before I start praying about it? Why as Christians are we so often reactive with our prayers instead of proactive? Why is it that we so often turn to pray as a last resort when it seems there is no other option?
Ah...It seems as though I now have one more thing to talk to Jesus about...And then I will go find a payphone to make some necessary "can't wait till later" phone calls.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Now, I don't like to brag, but since this is on behalf of someone else I think it might be ok, especially since he would never brag...ever. My little brother(I say little but he towers over me at six feet tall) has just made an all star soccer team for 15 year olds from across eastern North America. Now, it is not as if Sandy woke up one morning and was all of a sudden really awesome at soccer...he has worked crazy hard to get to where he is. Infact he has been cut from his fair share of teams. But he works hard...he trains in some way eight days a week. He has earned every oppertunity that has come his way through soccer.
But it's not his soccer ability or work ethic that make me so proud of him. It is his desire to put God first in his life. Sandy was baptised just over a month ago, and as his sister I can honesetly say it was one of the proudest moments of my life. My "little" bother has decided to live his life for Jesus and nothing could make me happier or more proud of him. My pray is that he will continue to grow in his faith and use his soccer as a platform to spread the gospel.
But it's not his soccer ability or work ethic that make me so proud of him. It is his desire to put God first in his life. Sandy was baptised just over a month ago, and as his sister I can honesetly say it was one of the proudest moments of my life. My "little" bother has decided to live his life for Jesus and nothing could make me happier or more proud of him. My pray is that he will continue to grow in his faith and use his soccer as a platform to spread the gospel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
