Tuesday, November 16, 2004

A Pet Peeve

I don't know about you but when I think about pet peeves, one predominant peeve comes to mind. Now, I concede that I probably think of this first because I work at a church and this seems to happen on a weekly basis, but it really bugs me. Here's my peeve: Someone approaches you, either in person or, if they really want to make you mad, via email or the telephone, and says, "I've got some things I'd like to talk to you about. It's pretty important. Give me a call this week sometime so we can schedule something for next week. Ok?"

Actually, no, that's not okay. If someone has important things to talk about with me, then let's talk about them. Why wait? Unless you're just trying to drive me nuts.

I must admit, however, that if I didn't care so much about whatever it was that these people were going to tell me, then this wouldn't really be an issue. It's just hard not to wonder about what it is that they're going to say--especially in the realm of church politics. I'm not so sure that there are ways around this one, though, as it feels I'm stuck in this world, at least for now. I know I live outside the Windy City but I didn't think politics would or could impact the church this much. It's weird what people don't see until they're on the inside.

This isn't just a church problem, though, and therefore I don't blame my peeve on the church. Overall, I guess I just care about people and the issues that they have and I want to make right on what I can in an expedient way. Why wait a week to talk to someone about something that has been bugging you? Doesn't Scripture say to not let the sun go down on your anger? I don't think I've ever known anyone that has done that. We're too worried about giving people their space and being considerate of their time and therefore we put off dealing with issues and in turn we actually help segment the body of Christ. Why choose to keep up a barrier between you and a brother or sister ever...much less for a week because you're being "considerate"? Actually, in my opinion, this is quite inconsiderate. When you put anything above the edification of the body for the glory of God, you are choosing your way versus God's way. I don't know about you, but I definitely want to live what Larry Crabb calls the New Way. (I'll save that for another post.)

:::Deep breath::: Well, again just a few of my thoughts for today. I wish I had a penny for my thoughts. I'd have a lot of pennies.

Friday, November 12, 2004

One of those days...

Have you ever had one of those days where you just didn't feel like doing anything? Like, I don't mean where you don't feel like mowing the lawn or don't feel like trudging to work. I mean, have you ever had one of those days where you don't feel like doing ANYTHING even remotely productive? I seem to be having one of those days....

Where does such an incredible depth of this laziness come from? Is it genetic? No, my parents are quite driven people. My dad has always been a workaholic and comes home from work only to spend his "family time" outside messing with the pool or the yard, or inside doing laundry and telling us to move it while he's washing the floor. My mom isn't lazy either. She's an avidly active member of the church gossip network, which I'll affectionately refer to as "THE NETWORK". Let me tell you, this seems to be a full-time job. Now, don't get me wrong, my mom can tactfully squeeze in counseling people, making dinner, and doing other mom-like things around her busy schedule of church gossip. Some days I really do believe that my mom could possibly enjoy taking part in THE NETWORK all day everyday if the gossip was newsworthy. Actually, she might even settle for her friends being home and the gossip unnewsworthy. Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't take much to keep THE NETWORK going. (This could be one of my rants in and of itself. Anyway, I'll keep going....)

My grandparents are even less lazy than my parents. I actually believe that they will enter the pearly gates after simultaneous heart attacks due to another packed day spent bleaching our garage floor on their hands and knees after having reorganized our basement storage closets...because they "needed it". These people are ridiculously motivated to do incredible amounts of work for little-to-no good reason. The storage closets "needed it". Really? I'm not even going to touch this one....

So my intense laziness doesn't appear to be genetic, even though I would love to blame it on someone. I suppose I could find some way to say that I'm overworked and tired and so it's not really laziness but rather fatigue from my profound devotion to my work and my studies. I'm pretty sure no one would really believe that, though--at least not any of the people that really know me. So where exactly did I get this propensity to do just a little more than nothing at all?

I guess I'd just have to say that I'm gifted. Honestly, I really believe that. (I know that you're thinking, "He's sick. He needs help," which could be true, but hang on...let me explain myself.) Laziness can actually benefit the soul. Like any good preacher, I'll say that again: Laziness can actually benefit the soul. Take today, for example. In the thick of my laziness I've managed to make an important decision: I'm going to start blogging. For the past few minutes, I've been doing some pretty intense thinking about why I'm feeling lazy today, and I've spent some time typing it out. The best part is that somehow some I've managed to convince some poor suckers (YOU!) that the futility of my day is actually worth spending time reading about. HA! Upon realizing what a feat I've accomplished with what many would consider another worthless day, my soul is thoroughly uplifted. Therefore, I conclude that laziness benefits the soul.

Actually I think I'm ready to take on a few other amazing tasks...1) getting up and 2) eating some food. Yes...it's been one of those days.