A friend posted this on Facebook and I just had to share. How cool and how creative!
Merry Christmas!
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Archive for December, 2011
This evening after work and dinner, I had to run to Walmart to pick up a prescription for my wife as well as to get her a few things to eat. With her being sick, she is specific on what she wants to eat so the mini 7ups and mint n chip ice cream was on my list. And because I was there I added a few items for my eats — even though I wasn’t sick.
As I was checking out in the 20 items or less line, I greeted Kathleen, my cashier. She was an older lady in her late 50’s or early 60’s. And like I always do, I asked how her day had been.
—– Tangent ON —–
I don’t remember if I blogged about this previously or not. Right now I can’t find it.
As a way to be the light of Jesus to the world, a while ago I had decided to stop asking people “How are you?”. I have done this because #1) our society has programmed people to just respond in a canned way that doesn’t match up with how we really are doing. How many times have you responded to that same question with a “Fine”, “OK”, or “Good” when you really felt like crap or were having a bad day. #2) Even if we were to reveal how we were feeling, the chances of someone listening are close to nil. We all recognize that this isn’t really an inquiry to how we are doing but just a method of greeting. The whole concern for others has been watered down especially in informal relations or where you don’t know the person.
So I decided to replace the “How are you?” with a more probing and concerned “How is your day going?”. In my experience it jump starts the rote conversation from benign “converse because you have to” into a true conversation of caring. I have had so many good interactions with cashiers, service people, team members, colleagues, and other folks it has been amazing. And not all the responses were “I am fine” or “I am having a good day”. Some have been “My relative is sick” or “It’s been a long day here at work”. Those are opportunities where I can show concern and empathy and also offer to pray for their specific situation. To this date, I have yet to have someone deny my prayer for them. Even if they aren’t a believer they aren’t going to stop my offer to pray for them because it doesn’t cost them anything and it covers their bases, right?
—– Tangent OFF —–
So Kathleen’s response to my “How has your day been?” was interesting. She said she was tired and had been there since 5:30. I asked “5:30 AM or PM?”
Her response was “5:30 AM“.
Now it was 7:30pm which means she had put in a full day and then some. I don’t know if she was covering for someone or worked a double shift but she was definitely putting in her time.
And then she mentioned that she works two jobs. I applauded her efforts and said “Good for you”. She then replied something that I wasn’t expecting. She said “Those people who say they can’t find jobs are full of it”.
Again, I applauded her efforts and encouraged her hardworking attitude. I then said that I hoped she got a full day of rest tomorrow since she would be off from both her jobs.
All this coming from a Walmart cashier. What a great hardworking spirit and someone most of us would overlook. Way to go Kathleen! I am proud of you and will look for your checkout line each time I purchase something at Walmart. Thanks for all of your hard work.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
I am partial to this brand.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
The quote below was in the sermon this morning and resonated with me. It is reason for hope.
“God’s not finished writing your story”
And….. He just isn’t finished writing MY story, but He is also not finished writing YOUR story. How cool is that?
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
5:08pm – wheels down at SDF – Louisville International
5:11pm – at gate A10 deplaning
5:22pm – awaiting luggage at carousel E
5:25pm – arriving at car in long term parking
5:27pm – exiting parking lot
5:55pm – pulling into garage safe at home
I love Louisville International Airport and our easily navigable city traffic.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Saw this and thought it was funny so I am sharing.
‘Tis the season.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The day after that attack on December 8, President Roosevelt delivered this moving speech.
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Headlines-WarJapan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
More about that speech here at Wikipedia.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
70 years ago today, the sleeping giant of America was awakened by an attack on its Pacific naval forces. Many good servicemen died that day serving our country. Today is a day we can remember their sacrifice.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
My previous post was an observation I made last Friday morning. I also made another one while walking down the sidewalk back to my car. It was of a large tree in the middle of the city where its roots were spreading out and had actually lifted up a section of the sidewalk. Now I know this is a common occurrence in cities and neighborhoods everywhere. In fact, when I was a kid and rode my bike to school, I knew where all these were — in one direction so I could jump off them like a ramp, and in the other direction so I could avoid them and not go over the handlebars.
But this particular tree root struck me differently. Maybe it was its persistence. Maybe it was the horizontal direction. Maybe because it was in front of the abortion clinic. But to me it was a physical metaphor for how the living Holy Spirit penetrates and breaks the hardness of our hearts. The tree is living and its roots provide life. The concrete appears hard, cold and immovable. Not unlike us. Not unlike the abortion center. Not unlike our fallen world. But God has provided the Holy Spirit life and persistence to break into our cold, hard hearts. And it, quite often, isn’t a sudden force — but rather like the work of the tree root, it is slow, gradual and persistent. But ultimately it wins in breaking through.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
This last Friday after serving breakfast at the local downtown homeless shelter, as has been my routine for the last many months, I stopped by the local abortion clinic to pray in front of it. I started during the spring 40 Days For Life campaign and just kept it going through the Summer and Fall and it is now a habit and a part of my Friday morning routine when I am not on business travel. I firmly believe in the power of prayer and fervently hope that truth and light can be shed on this controversial topic. I am not there to protest. I am not there to condemn. I am not there to judge. I am simply there to pray and to show the love of Christ.
So this last week I found a particular action by one of the clinic escorts interesting. While they are not friendly to any of the prayer warriors nor do they pay any attention to us or give us the time of day, they do try to be welcoming to any others who might walk by and be open to their mindset. This one clinic escort had befriended a local homeless man.
TANGENT ON —–
Interestingly, this homeless man has also been befriended by one of the prayer warriors. I guess he is an equal opportunity receiver — either that or he really doesn’t care which side of his bread is buttered, just that it gets buttered.
TANGENT OFF —–
So this clinic escort pulls out his cigarettes and provides a couple to the homeless man. The homeless man is thankful and the clinic worker has a look of happiness that he did his good deed for the day before leaving the site.
What I found interesting was the fact that while the clinic worker truly thought he was doing something good for the homeless man and was proud of his good deed, he was actually providing him death through the cigarette. Sure, those few cigarettes won’t kill the homeless man immediately, but we all know they aren’t veggies now, right?
Now parallel that with the clinic worker’s intent to do good and “help” women by ushering them into the clinic for abortions when they are actually providing them death — at least death for a part of their body – the innocent, defenseless baby living inside them.
The parallel for me was truly revealing. Again, the clinic worker truly wanted to “help” in each case, but in each case death was a result.
As the saying goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
