I’ve been teaching Genesis again. This is my 5th or 6th time through. Each time I learn more and see more of the heart of God. This time the questions have jumped off the page at me. There are three from God that are very direct and show so much of His heart. Today I wonder how you would answer the questions.

The first two come coupled together. An unmarried pregnant woman running from the life of slavery and two pillars of faith who treated her badly is asked “Where have you come from and where are you going?” (Gen 16:8) Now, I’m pretty confident God knew exactly where Hagar was coming from and had a pretty good idea where she would be going. But so often, when we are in the midst of crisis, it’s critical to get our bearings. Knowing where we’ve come from is vital to deciding where to go and what to do next. If we don’t know how we got where we are how are we to move forward?

“Where are you going?” takes our focus off the road behind us and helps us realize we have choices to make. I have never accepted the excuse “I had no choice” as valid. There are always choices. Joshua broke it down to the most basic, choose life or death. Everyday, we make choices that determine where we are going.

The third may come as a shock. After explaining to God the horrible circumstances she was fleeing from and her plan to keep fleeing, God sent her back to the same circumstances with two things, His name, El Roi and His promise, her son would be the father of nations. So when she finds herself sixteen years later sitting in despair again the question, “What is the matter with you?” may sound a little harsh. Her circumstances didn’t improve during the 16 years she had the name and the promise, but it didn’t change the heart of God, His name or the promise. The same God who protected her for 16 years, who saw her not only in the desert but in the camp, who gave her His promise hadn’t changed.

So today, looking at your circumstances, looking at what you know of His heart, how would you answer…

Where have you come from?

Where are you going?

What is the matter with you?

When was the last time you changed your batteries? I mean other than something being totally dead. For months I have walked past our indoor/outdoor thermometer and thought it was broken. This morning I decided to replace the batteries. Low and behold! It works! But this makes me wonder if my carbon monoxide detector and smoke detectors need fresh batteries, too. When was the last time you changed your batteries?

When was the last time you changed your routine? You know, the familiar way you start your morning or end your day. The route you take to and from the same places you’ve always gone. It’s called a routine because you do it the same way over and over. Honestly, can you say what you do the way you do it works for you or is there room for creative improvement?

When was the last time you changed your opinion? I mean really changed your opinion not just changing your mind. We all know how easy it can be to change your mind. “I changed my mind, I’ll have the fish instead of the chicken.” “I’ve changed my mind, I really don’t want to go to that party.” “I’ve changed my mind….” But to change your opinion, well that’s a very different story. That requires admitting on some level that your opinion might not really be as “right” or as accurate as you thought it was. Your evaluation of a person or a situation might have been lacking in information or insight or (gasp) compassion. You might have to make some public statements indicating your opinion has changed, which could open you up to questions and the very real possibility that other people’s opinions could change, too.

You can’t smell carbon monoxide in your home but it can kill you.

You may be comfortable with your routine but if you’re not growing and changing you are dying.

You may have held your opinion for a long time but if you are not willing to reconsider it you may already be dead.

What are you going to change today?

If it means failing a few times before you succeed are you in? I have written today’s question six different ways so far and the opening few lines have given me a really struggle. But I want to ask this question today and as much as it’s fighting back I think it’s a good one.

How many shots does a marksman take perfecting his aim?

How many miles does a marathoner log before getting to the starting line?

How many unfinished books are saved on millions of computers that are really good?

How many times does a gold medal ice skater fall?

If you knew you would hit the bulls eye, finish the race, make the Times Best Seller list or take home the gold would your day be different today?

Take the shot.

Put on your shoes.

Finish the book.

Reach for the gold.

Don’t you just love it when someone offers to fix you a cup of coffee? I’m not sure if she’s been instructed to greet customers by asking what she can get started for them or if that is just her way but it is so inviting without being pushy. It says “I see you and am ready to do my part to help you get exactly what you want this morning.” And then she waits for the creativity that each person desires in a cup or maybe from the pastry case. There is no telling what a person may be in the mood for even if they are regular customers with a predictable routine. They just might change it up on her and go totally rouge.  When she listens it’s for the details, caff, de-caf, non fat, soy, mocha, cappuccino, latte….the possible combinations are as varied and endless as the parade of people coming in and out of the door from “can’t see” in the morning to “shouldn’t be drinking caffeine” late at night.

 

For anyone who isn’t a football fan, there are two major games being played this afternoon. A grand total of four teams, 212 men plus the coaches and support staff, will take to the fields to contest their championships. The field of contest has a long history. The extension of training for actual battle played out with, hopefully, less lethal  resolution.

I’m sure it comes as no big surprise to you that I won’t be playing this afternoon. Nope. Not for the 49er’s, who are the nearest team to me. Not for the Giants or New England or whoever the fourth team is. I don’t have a spot on the starting line up. I don’t even have a jersey with my name across the back.

I won’t even be freezing in the cold and rainy seats watching the game in person. I will be home, warm and dry and comfy on my own couch watching the game in hi-def and possibly wearing my favorite pjs.

Professional sports exist because of spectators. Advertising and licensing, stadiums and concessions, broadcasters and retired athletes, all count on the people off the field to not only watch but put money into the whole system. Without the fans a major chunk of the American economy goes away.

So my question today is:

Are you in the game or in the stands? One of the pitchers for the San Francisco Giants  is holding out on his contract because they offered him $40,000,000 for two years of throwing the ball. He wants $44,000,000. They aren’t paying the guy in the cheap seats to show up. They’re charging him.

If you aren’t the starting pitcher or the MVP quarterback in your life you’re just a spectator. One of my relatives commented recently that his life was boring.

Time to get off the couch and get into the game? Because whether you suit up or not, there is a game today.

Today I was listening to some women discuss a class and how many people were still on the wait list after a parent called and got verbally abusive because their kid hadn’t gotten in the class yet.

It got me thinking about the times I have been on a wait list for a class or a conference or even just waiting for a table at a restaurant. Looking for a cute little picture to illustrate waiting took me on a Wild Goose chase that brought me here:

 Transplant Waiting list candidates as of

today 8:08pm

All 112,794

Kidney     90,621

Pancreas   1,318

Kidney/Pancreas  2,128

Liver        16,082

Intestine      275

Heart           3,125

Lung      1,678

Heart/Lung    61

(All candidates will be less than the sum due to candidates waiting for multiple organs)

I don’t know about you but waiting for what I want is not nearly as pressing in light of those waiting for what they need. So next time you find yourself waiting consider if it’s really worth waiting for. Do you really need it or is it just something you would like?

And knowing that someone is waiting, have you filled out your donor card? Have you notified your next of kin about your desires? If not, what are you waiting for?

My goal at the beginning of the year was to write a question a day for the whole 366. I missed yesterday. It’s been a crazy first week of the year and like most good New Year’s intentions I didn’t make 7/7.

So I find myself with a self-imposed standard that no one but me will notice or care if I make unless I manage to shine a big old glaring light on it.

But isn’t that so often what we do? We set and hold ourselves to a standard or to do list or life plan and when we fail instead of just adjusting our course and continuing on we let others know just what a failure we think we are. What if this year all you talked about were the blessings in your life and the success of the people around you? What if you let yourself be less than perfect? What if your goal was to be more genuine and open? What if there was a great reward for being comfortable in your own skin and whatever size jeans it takes to cover than skin?

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

(And, yes, I see the irony of doubling up on posts today to get back on my 366/366)