Do the Unexpected this Time

I was waiting at a stop light, while on the way to Grandma's for our annual Thanksgiving luncheon, when I noticed a man and his son in the corner parking lot. The both got out of the car and slowly walked to a check-cashing store. The father pulled on the door handle, but when he realized that it was locked and they were closed for business, he turned to the son with a sigh. They both shuffled back to the car as they discussed what they would now do, since they wouldn't be able to get a cash advance.

As I waited there, still trying to get warm in the car, I was reminded of an incident in my life, in which I had met my limit with the bank (I love hearing the words "insufficient funds") and had to be turned away, because the store didn't take credit cards. Fortunately for me, I had the cash that I needed at home; but what about the man and his son, who dejectedly walked back to the car?

It seems that, in the holiday season, most of us are walking hurriedly to accomplish some task (gift shopping, grocery shopping, decorations shopping, etc.), and throughout the entire length of the holiday season, we completely lose track of time. In fact, last night, I had the amazing opportunity of administering my very first solo communion service, and I reminded the congregation that we cannot rush through it - we are charged with remembering Christ. And yet, that very night, as soon as church was done, I was rushing to the very next thing - I still had an agenda to complete.

This year, I challenge you to do the unexpected. Slow down your life and consider the God who gave us everything that we need. I can only postulate about the situation of the man on the street corner, who couldn't get a cash advance, but it seems that his time for payment had finally come. Rather than finding yourself with "insufficient funds", do the unexpected and life life for something other than money.

My family started a tradition a couple years ago that I hope we continue to observe: not giving gifts. Rather than trying to figure out how much money we're going to spend on each other, we spend time looking for an organization that could use the money more than us. This year, there is an opportunity to give young women a Christmas party in Thailand. Women, who are purchased for sex every evening, will be purchased for a Christmas party. For some of the women, this will be their very first Christmas. They will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, perhaps for the first time, and will have an opportunity to feel love, rather lust. Imagine the transformation that can take place in their lives, because someone decided to help them, rather than help themselves.

If you have it within your ability, do something for someone else. That's what Jesus did. As much as I hate to repeat fad, the phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?" is really quite appropriate. How did He give His life for you? In like fashion, give your life for someone in return. I guarantee that your life will be transformed, when you allow the unexpected to happen this year. Try it!

The Suckerfish Saga

A requirement of maintaining one's tank is that he/she also takes fish out that do not like to play nicely. The following is a story about a fish that would not play nicely...

So I says to Myself, "Myself, you really need to do something about that suckerfish. He's constantly harassing the other fish and he's grown too large for the tank."

Myself responded with, "How are you going to get him out (assuming he's actually a him and not a her - not that it really matters)?"

"Well," Self said as he looked pensively into Myself's deeply wondering eyes, "I don't really know. Alls I know is that I have to try."

And with that they began cleaning out the tank. On the first day of cleaning, the main priority was getting the tank operating at an optimum level. If they didn't catch the suckerfish on day one, that was OK. But by day two, if they didn't net the suckerfish, there was no way they would continue the project. It had to be that day.

As day two approached, Self and Myself were frightfully anticipating the imminent battle that was to occur on the high seas. Knowing that there was only one day in which they could complete the task, they threw everything in to planning and scripting how the battle would unfold.

At dawn, at the cusp of the terrifying moment, the anticipation of what lay beyond was almost too much to take in. The two young men marched into the room of terror to face their destiny. One grabbed the fish net, while the other took up a very nice, slightly used plastic pitcher that was previously used for making Kool-Aid and pink lemonade. Forward they went, knowing that their lives depended on catching the fish.

For what seemed like an eternity, but was probably more like two hours, the battle was played out. Strategically they fought the fish, while he knowingly avoided capture. When it seemed that he was on the verge of giving up, the boys gave a last-ditch effort to try and sack the elusive scoundrel.

Out of no where, the fish magically appeared in the net of Myself. Some say that Poseidon, himself, was the reason for the capture. Others insist that the fish gave up. Regardless of the reason, he was caught. His day had been marked and he would be no more.

The funeral dirge began playing as Self and Myself began hauling the bucket that contained the sukerfish to its final resting place. The march seemed interminable, but -

There was a plop on the ground! As Self and Myself looked into the bucket of refuse, they noticed that the fish was gone. Quickly, with palpitating hearts, they scanned the floor to find the suckerfish. With great speed, they found him and attempted to recapture him, but he hung tenaciously to the tile floor, sucking to save his life. The boys, however, were the victors, knowing that the suckerfish had little life to which he could cling. Again, they continued their slow, but steady march to the porcelain tomb of the suckerfish - the burial ground of its ancestors.

Upon entering the tomb, they quickly proceeded with dumping the fish down the toilet, knowing that to rid him from their lives, they could not wait any longer. As they kicked the toilet's flush-extender handle thing, they suddenly realized their error in judgement. He was a suckerfish and he was NOT going to go down the drain. The boys started sweating as they, again, kicked the toilet's flush-extender handle thing, but it was to no avail. The fish hung on for dear life.

After the third flush, they realized that a man was quietly sitting in the tomb next to them, listening to their hurried actions. Knowing that they could save embarrassment if they hurried, they ran out of the restroom and back to their discarded weapons. Self grabbed the pitcher, while Myself grabbed his trident. Running back, they hoped that the fish had lost all hope and released his grip on life; but upon reentering the tomb, they realized that it was a false hope.

Quickly scooping him out of the tomb they, once again, saw the quiet man's shoes. Not wanting to be found out, they left the tomb with all speed, never to return with another suckerfish. Not wanting to continue the agony, Self and Myself decided that the fish's life must be ended. They discarded him into an undisclosed trash can, never to see him again.

Life changed for the boys after that day. They were proud and strong, but they had learned an important lesson for life: know your enemy.