Subtitle: Life lesson from a vacuum cleaner
Dark deeds follow the fermentation of evil sown in the fertile soil of frail humanity. In the vicious cycle of the current world order one mischievous act triggers another. Seemingly harmless offenses, justified by the ends attained, can lead to more frequent and questionable infractions. This afternoon played witness to such a state of affairs.
The first act was piracy. Due to the vast amount of media available through the simple internet cord many families make a living by creating marketable videos and selling the copies. Legitimate taxes are paid on property owned by venders of illegitimate goods. The novelties of late are dramatic television series on DVD. A whole season can be purchased for a few measly bucks. Being the proud Americans that we are, and not wanting to be left in the cultural dust of our compatriots we have purchased a couple of the shows. (Gasp!) Seeing as we could download the material for ourselves for free it would only stand to reason that our choice to further the Bolivian economy is in essence an act of kindness. Yet the impish whispers of doubt do nag at the back of one’s mind.
Thus began the compromise. It is a shame to tell what occurrence followed. Not many days ago my husband and I started to watch a series together. Not being able to finish all the episodes in one sitting we left it for another time. During the course of the afternoon my husband busied himself at his office with preparations for the evening church service. Left to my own devices the seeds of doubt planted by participation in the act of piracy sprouted into seedlings of betrayal. I thought to myself that there would not be great harm done if I were to just watch one more episode without my husband. Justifications grew like the bright green leaves that cover the tiny branches of a new sprout. Making sure that I had sufficient time I push the play button and gave life to the betrayal that I had already committed in my imagination. I watched the whole episode without being discovered. As the final credits rolled up the screen the dreaded guilt berated me.
Somehow the previous justifications now seemed shallow. Whatever was I going to do? I decided that I must pay penance. What could be severe enough? Housework! Yes, that would do it. The good deed of sprucing up a bit would cover up the evil done. And it might even be a perfect alibi for the time I was left to myself. Yes! It was a perfect cover up. He would find me working and be none the wiser.
I went looking for the vacuum. Turning on the machine created a high pitched squealing sound and a bright red warning light. Something was obstructing the suction. The endeavor to reveal the culprit commenced. The bag being emptied of filth and dust I turned my attention to the hose and the metal tubing. Holding the tube up to the light all I could see was darkness. Dismantling the pieces I found much dirt packed in. Just as I was pulling out the gunk my husband walked in! After a quick breath at the surprise of seeing him I check my guilt and reassured myself that my plan was working: he found me doing chores. As he watched what I was doing he smiled and kissed me. Oh! Why did he have to be so sweet?! I sputtered out an explanation about the clogged vacuum. He watched as my dirty fingers retrieved the problematic magnetic toy that had been the cause of the clog.
As I held the toy and looked in his unsuspecting face I was flooded by feelings of goodness that drowned the seedling of sin that I sprouted in my heart. I knew that I must confess. So I did. I blurted it out before I could second guess the prodding to upright behavior, “I watched the next Lost episode!” Suffice it to say that my dear man was shocked and playfully administered my chastening.
You see, that vacuum clinched it for me. It was unable to perform according to its created design due to an obstruction. Any good that it could do was thwarted by a tiny, seemingly insignificant toy. It was the same thing happening in me. I, too, was clogged up by a betrayal and attempted deception. Until it was confessed and brought to the light any good works that I desired to perform would be thwarted by that obstruction. My design was not created to harbor a wrong doing. The confession was embarrassing and liberating at the same time. The dirt that had accumulated was cleaned out and I was able to continue with a clear conscience.
So, what is the moral of my story? You can draw your own conclusions; but I for one am convinced more than ever of the importance of regular confession. While I may have to earn back the trust of my good man I am glad that there is now nothing between us obstructing the continuance of our relationship. And now I am going to re-watch the episode with my husband.
Sunday, August 5
Wednesday, August 1
Raimy’s Song
It all happened so fast. Church was about to start one Thursday night a few weeks ago. A couple of members came up to me and asked if my 9 year old daughter could help them with a music project the next day. They assured me that the song that she would be learning was a Christian one. The couple had been attending church for a while so I said that it would be fine.
The next day when they came to pick her up I got some more details, turns out that they needed a child’s voice for a music CD that they were making. They were going to teach her the song in the morning and then record it in the afternoon. Then in a couple weeks they were going to go to La Paz (Bolivia’s capital) to do a children’s crusade. Each child at the crusade would receive a free copy of this CD with 10 songs on it.
She came home for lunch after learning the song in the morning. They had also sent with her a DVD so that she could practice. What a surprise we got when we popped it in and found out that all the songs were in English. My daughter explained to me that this couple had translated the songs to Spanish and that all the songs that they were making were in Spanish. The DVD was Hillsongs for Kids. It is a great DVD. We made a copy of it before she had to go back to do the recording.
They did the crusade in La Paz and are planning to do one here in Cochabamba in October. We are very excited about it.
Just yesterday they were able to bring a finished copy of the CD to give to Raimy. My kiddos were listening to it all evening dancing around and singing along. It was great fun.
To hear the song you can click on this link: RAIMY’S SONG. It is called "Tus Ojos" (Your Eyes) and speaks of the eyes of God looking for children that will worship him. Raimy's voice is the back up vocalist.
The next day when they came to pick her up I got some more details, turns out that they needed a child’s voice for a music CD that they were making. They were going to teach her the song in the morning and then record it in the afternoon. Then in a couple weeks they were going to go to La Paz (Bolivia’s capital) to do a children’s crusade. Each child at the crusade would receive a free copy of this CD with 10 songs on it.
She came home for lunch after learning the song in the morning. They had also sent with her a DVD so that she could practice. What a surprise we got when we popped it in and found out that all the songs were in English. My daughter explained to me that this couple had translated the songs to Spanish and that all the songs that they were making were in Spanish. The DVD was Hillsongs for Kids. It is a great DVD. We made a copy of it before she had to go back to do the recording.
They did the crusade in La Paz and are planning to do one here in Cochabamba in October. We are very excited about it.
Just yesterday they were able to bring a finished copy of the CD to give to Raimy. My kiddos were listening to it all evening dancing around and singing along. It was great fun.
To hear the song you can click on this link: RAIMY’S SONG. It is called "Tus Ojos" (Your Eyes) and speaks of the eyes of God looking for children that will worship him. Raimy's voice is the back up vocalist.
Saturday, July 28
Tuesday, July 24
SE TU MISMO
Translation: BE YOURSELF. Little things catch my eye. This was taken from a 7UP bottle. In the corner it says “La tengo clara”. This is the saying “It is clear to me” and the more literal Spanish word order is “I have it clear”, which is a play on words for the transparency of the soda.
But if you think about it there are some very deep truths here. The main statement is BE YOURSELF. Then the sub-statement is just as impacting: it is clear to me that it is vital that I be who I am created to be. And we could even pull from the focus on the transparency of the soda. Life will be less cloudy and confusing if I will let my true self be shown and maintain a prudent transparency with everyone I meet.
Did you notice what Fido Dido has on his T-shirt? It is a picture of himself! This made me smile. Some people would pop right into Pharisee mode and criticize the “prideful arrogance” displayed by this impertinent youth. I see something different, if you will allow me some liberty to explain.
Humans are created in the very likeness of God himself. When we celebrate our uniqueness we are celebrating the awesome creativity of Someone who delights in our diversity. If he didn’t delight in diversity then why so much trouble doodling billions of different designs for our fingerprints? Audacious adoration by appreciating our originality is a sweet fragrance to our God.
“Now, with God’s help, I shall become myself.” Soren Kierkegaard
Christine Caine put it this way when asked to evaluate the state of the church in this current age, “The church is suffering from Passion Deficiency Disorder.” We have lost our passion for all that Christ is because we have failed to be authentic in our expression. Authenticity, not cookie-cutter religiosity acting as a cover-up, should be the mark of every Christian.
But if you think about it there are some very deep truths here. The main statement is BE YOURSELF. Then the sub-statement is just as impacting: it is clear to me that it is vital that I be who I am created to be. And we could even pull from the focus on the transparency of the soda. Life will be less cloudy and confusing if I will let my true self be shown and maintain a prudent transparency with everyone I meet.
Did you notice what Fido Dido has on his T-shirt? It is a picture of himself! This made me smile. Some people would pop right into Pharisee mode and criticize the “prideful arrogance” displayed by this impertinent youth. I see something different, if you will allow me some liberty to explain.
Humans are created in the very likeness of God himself. When we celebrate our uniqueness we are celebrating the awesome creativity of Someone who delights in our diversity. If he didn’t delight in diversity then why so much trouble doodling billions of different designs for our fingerprints? Audacious adoration by appreciating our originality is a sweet fragrance to our God.
“Now, with God’s help, I shall become myself.” Soren Kierkegaard
Christine Caine put it this way when asked to evaluate the state of the church in this current age, “The church is suffering from Passion Deficiency Disorder.” We have lost our passion for all that Christ is because we have failed to be authentic in our expression. Authenticity, not cookie-cutter religiosity acting as a cover-up, should be the mark of every Christian.
Just for today let’s celebrate who God has made us to be. Of course I am not talking about a license to sinful baseness. I am talking about the liberty to express your authentic originality as a compliment to your Creator. “Se tu mismo.”
(Biblical references: creation Genesis 1 and 2, audacious adoration Psalm 139, originality Hebrews 11)
Sunday, July 22
Thursday, July 19
Tuesday, July 17
Noelia
Our next door neighbor is an open market where vegetables, meats, fruits, etc. are sold by venders at booths. There is always a hustle and bustle there as I look down from my second story kitchen window. I often ponder the lives of the families that work so hard from dawn to dusk selling their wares. Oh the stories I could tell of what I have seen.
Various members of the family work together managing a section of the market. Of the few dozen booths in the market the flower section is the most pleasing to the eye. The family that runs part of the flower section has many children. They are always running around playing. One such child is named Noelia. We know her because she is the age of my oldest daughter and used to come to church.
At the tender age of 8 she was given responsibilities that prevent her from attending children’s church. She has to help sell the flowers. They even arranged for her to have a little section all her own where she sells fresh squeezed orange juice. We asked her why she doesn’t come any more and she says it is because she has to work. Sure enough, she is working pretty much all the time.
Yesterday was the one day of the year designated for deep cleaning the market. All the venders put all their wares out on the sidewalk. It was so odd to see it so empty. Then they came in with pressure hoses and sprayed everything down, forcing all the dirty water to the little gavel ally between our building and the market turning it into a muddy mess. Most of the overflow went to the sewers. Thank God that we have a sewer system!
This was going on in the morning and my children found it interesting to watch. The people with the hoses seemed oblivious to the people scrubbing their booths and tables. Noelia was working with her family. The water came close to her and my daughter from up high yelled out, “Watch out Noelia!” What a contrast to see these two girls so physically close to each other, yet worlds apart.
Questions come to my mind. What does God dream for Noelia? Should I feel sorry for this little girl having to work so hard? How does she interpret the gospel in her life? Are we relevant to her?
Various members of the family work together managing a section of the market. Of the few dozen booths in the market the flower section is the most pleasing to the eye. The family that runs part of the flower section has many children. They are always running around playing. One such child is named Noelia. We know her because she is the age of my oldest daughter and used to come to church.
At the tender age of 8 she was given responsibilities that prevent her from attending children’s church. She has to help sell the flowers. They even arranged for her to have a little section all her own where she sells fresh squeezed orange juice. We asked her why she doesn’t come any more and she says it is because she has to work. Sure enough, she is working pretty much all the time.
Yesterday was the one day of the year designated for deep cleaning the market. All the venders put all their wares out on the sidewalk. It was so odd to see it so empty. Then they came in with pressure hoses and sprayed everything down, forcing all the dirty water to the little gavel ally between our building and the market turning it into a muddy mess. Most of the overflow went to the sewers. Thank God that we have a sewer system!
This was going on in the morning and my children found it interesting to watch. The people with the hoses seemed oblivious to the people scrubbing their booths and tables. Noelia was working with her family. The water came close to her and my daughter from up high yelled out, “Watch out Noelia!” What a contrast to see these two girls so physically close to each other, yet worlds apart.
Questions come to my mind. What does God dream for Noelia? Should I feel sorry for this little girl having to work so hard? How does she interpret the gospel in her life? Are we relevant to her?
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