Rainy Day

It's raining today. Again, or still, depending on how the person views it. Either way, it's wet outside.

The house has been empty for a almost 24 hours now. My wife is at a ladies' retreat, my stepdaughter is with her father, and that leaves me home with the two finches, the two ferrets and a 15 gallon aquarium of assorted fish. And it's raining.

Since cleaning the garage, fixing the front steps, digging out our spot for a garden, or other assorted "outside" tasks are on hold, the kitchen is cleaned up.

I would like to be outside today, but I just can't risk it. Growing up in the late 80's and graduating in the early 90's, I remember what my social studies teachers told us acid rain does to the gargoyles on the French cathedrals, and I just can't chance my nose dissolving away. (Why was science taught in social studies, but the topic was missing in science class...oh,that's another topic.)

The rain will bring, and already is bringing, growth and life back. My yard has changed from a dull, gray-brown to hints of vibrant greens. The dirt left from the snows is slowly washing away, and the plants are starting to regenerate. The rain is necessary, but I wish it would hold off until the work week.

Off to find something else that beckons my attention. Something to escape the rain.

Socialism

The more I contemplate it, I am more convinced that socialism is, perhaps, a perfect economic system. All have everything in common. Power no longer falls in the hands of a few, but it is shared among all. No one is lacking, none is wasteful.

There is only one problem I see with socialism. It demands perfection from all. Those with less cannot demand more without giving back. Those with more cannot withhold. Those of inferior intelligence need to yield to those with superior intelligence. Those with superior intelligence cannot use the power contained within their knowledge.

Alas, therein lies the weakness in socialism. History confirms that humans are not perfect, but are far from it. The next best solution is an economic system that rewards good performance and punishes poor performance (or lack of performance).

That said, I like to imagine a church that operates under a purer economic system. I like to picture a church that, out of selflessness, cares for the poor and the widowed. A picture a church that, while not rewarding sloth, cares for the needy. I envision a leadership praised for it's humility and servanthood, not it's craftiness and scheming. Maybe, just maybe, that's the radical idea that's lacking today, and maybe this model of church will turn the Western church upside down.

$10 Bill

Sometimes living means accepting the small blessings. Walking the 5 blocks between bus transfers, I happened upon a $10 bill. Crumpled like an old napkin, it looked as if it was discarded without regard for the litter it contributed.

Looking around for the rightful owner, and seeing precious few individuals, I picked it up. I thought about the significance of $10. What, really, is $10 in the canvas of life? A lunch? 1/2 the cost of a skim, decaf, mochachino (carob instead of chocolate) with a non-dairy topping? Bus fare for a few rides?

Will the old owner really miss it? It was probably missed yesterday. Next week - possibly. Next week - doubtful. Next year - what $10? I can waste $10 in less creative ways than merely losing it while searching for my car keys.

For me, the $10 bill was two high-fat, low nutrition, breakfast burritos...and $7.50 to spare. It was a small blessing and a small encouragement. I felt that I was being looked after, as if God was saying, "I see you. This is a gift to let you know you are special to Me."

$10. What's it really worth?

Opening salvo

As I sit here in front of my computer, I am thinking, "Who cares what I have to say?" Maybe no one. Maybe millions. At least one does: you are reading this.

There are so many people randomly spreading meaningless words in cyberspace. I don't want to be just another contributor. I want to leave a mark...even if it's little more than the effects of a firecracker in an open field. Maybe not impacting the masses, but it sure had an effect on the grasshopper who inadvertently wandered in at the wrong moment.

Enjoy the posts that follow. If my thoughts and observations cause you to think for a moment, look around; a firecracker may have just blown up in your Starbucks.