Friday, come and gone.
I got my new keyboard today! Woohoo! Now all that remains is for my new monitor to arrive, and to get my (hopefully) fixed computer back from Vye, and my plot to take over the world will be complete! MUAHAHAHA!!!!!
I figured out how to arrange my office to accommodate the new computer equipment without ditching any of the old equipment, so that's cool. Ah, sometimes it's the little things that make us most happy...
Took wifey "out to eat" tonight. Actually, she doesn't like to cook, so really, we eat out quite often, but tonight it was actually a sit-down, get-waited-upon restaurant. Good grub.
Other than that, the typical mix of work, play and websurfin'. Gonna power down early tonight and read a book, methinks.
What can I say? Life is good. Every time I eat my fill at a meal, I think of the verse that says "woe to those that are full now, for you shall hunger." I've never known real hunger - all I have to do is read or watch something about the Holocaust to realize that. I certainly find my share of things to complain about, but honestly, my life is a walk in the park compared not only to people trying to survive the holocaust, but also (likely) the majority of people that have lived up to and beyond today.
Every time I adjust the water temperature in the shower so that it's a *little bit* warmer, I picture people that have nothing right now, who would love to be able to safely take a shower in *any* temperature water, or to even maybe drink some of that water. I live like a king. And it makes me think my time is coming, when I will know pain, and hunger, and cold, and suffering, and loss. I mean, really know them. Then I'll look back on these great days and laugh at what a fool I was for not realizing how good I had it, safe and warm in a nice house, with my wife and kids around me, sleeping well at night.
Kind of puts the credit card bills and marital friction into perspective.
So, yeah, I type this on my new keyboard, and yes, I spent $55 on it, and yes someday I'll likely go "what the heck was I thinking spending that kind of dough on a friggin' keyboard?" but for now, I try to look at it like God is choosing to bless me at this moment, and I am trying to rejoice in it, and hold it all in an open hand.
It makes me ponder (yet again) what life is supposed to be. Is life supposed to be hard? One long struggle to survive as circumstances repeatedly kick me in the teeth? Or is life supposed to be enjoyed, taking full advantage of the good times as the come? If it's supposed to be hard so that we are sober and alert and able to hear God's voice when it matters most, am I taking myself out of the game by trying to enjoy life? Or if life is supposed to be full of fun and rejoicing, am I taking myself out of the game by trying to deny myself as much as possible, believing it's sin to laugh and love and play?
I assume the answer involes the word "balance" somehow, and is not quite black and white. Still, I do often feel waves of guilt wash over me at times that others seem to have a hard go of it, while I go about my soft daily routine - and then complain about it!
My only hope is that someday, I'll mature.
Now if you'll pardon me, I need to make the water just a *tad* warmer....
3 comments:
This is the blog that Dave wrote.
This is the heart that felt the things that made the blog that Dave wrote.
This is the keyboard that created the words that filled the heart that felt the things that made the blog that Dave wrote.
This is the God that provided the keyboard that created the words that filled the heart, that felt the things that made the blog that Dave wrote.
This is the Love that is the God that provided the keyboard that created the words that filled the heart, that felt the things that made the blog that Dave wrote.
I like to look at the blessings we receive as talents from a Loving Master, given to us according to our ability; and that we are entrusted to use those talents wisely.
So then the question is not whether we should enjoy those blessings or feel guilt at having received them, but whether or not we have shared them, as you have here.
Well done, my friend.
Okay, nothing I say can compare to the great comment above. Oh well... :)
In church the other night, they spoke about Joseph in Egypt, and about how he made the best use of the times of blessing to be prepared for the hard times. I think we should do the same: enjoy the blessings, be grateful for them, and use them wisely so that when the hard times come (and they will) we have something to carry us through.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the life God has blessed you with...unless you do so selfishly and arrogantly. I too complain about my current lot in life (and, honestly, I do have some valid things to complain about); but I also try to remember how very blessed I am. God has provided me with more than anything I could provide for myself right now. Whatever good comes to me now, I know without a shadow of a doubt that came from Him. He is teaching me, but I regret how slowly and sometimes petulantly I learn.
I love your blog, Dave. You have odd quirky thoughts that make complete sense...because I think them too :D
PS Sorry this comment turned into a blog of its own!
What encouraging comments! Thank you both, you rock.
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