August 2007

I spend a lot of time at Starbucks… Partially because I currently am employed there and partially because I really enjoy coffee and tea and people!  You meet all sorts of people if you sit in a Starbucks for any length of time.  For the last two years, Starbucks has been a mission field for me.  I like being there when I’m not working because sometimes that creates more of an opportunity to sit and talk and pour truth and love into lives.  As I sat there with my pile of books and journal I was interrupted (as was part of the plan) by phone calls, regular customers and co-workers  (friends)… and a crazy homeless man.

Here is the account of my interactions with said crazy homeless man (CHM):

I sat at a corner table reading Live Life On Purpose.  CHM came and took a seat at a table right next to me.

Me: (smile) Hi.

CHM: Hello.

Me: How are you today?

CHM: (shrug)

Me: Is your coffee good?

CHM: It’s okay… yeah.

Me: Are you a big coffee fan?

CHM: Are you sleeping?

Me: No, I’m pretty awake right now.

CHM: Do you believe in sleep?

Me: Yes, sleep is great!

CHM: So you don’t try to stay up all night like some of the young ones?

Me: No sir, I have too much to do… I need sleep for energy!

CHM: So you believe in it?

Me: In sleep?  Yeah……. Coffee is good when you need to stay awake though.  I love coffee.  I work here and I’m a student so I drink a lot of it to help me study when I’m tired.

CHM: What is that book you’re studying now?

Me: It’s called Live Life On Purpose and it’s about living our lives for God’s purposes. Do you believe in God?

CHM: The infant?

Me: Do you mean Jesus?

CHM: Jesus of Nazareth… the infant.

Me: Yes!  Jesus is God!

CHM: Jesus is the infant.  He had a male torso.

Me: Yes, Jesus came as an infant and grew to be a man and He died on the cross to save us from our sins… Do you…

CHM: You can’t get Jesus pregnant!!!

Me: Om… no, you’re right… He was a man and men definitely can not get pregnant.

CHM: Yeah, He was not qualified to be a mother… You can’t get Jesus pregnant.  Jesus doesn’t like pregnancy.

Me: (Struggling to find something to say…)

CHM: Do you understand what I’m saying?  You can’t get Jesus pregnant.  He is not qualified.

Me: Well, yes… I suppose I understand that……………….

CHM: Jesus of Nazareth… Do you know who he is?

Me: Yes, I know Him personally… Do you know what it means to know him personally?

CHM: Maybe Mary.  Maybe you could talk to her.

Me: About what?

CHM: About pregnancy… You qualify.  You could be a mother.  I can’t.

Me: No.  You can’t because you’re a man… You could be a father, but not a mother, right?

CHM: Right.  I qualify to be a father… You can’t qualify for both… Just one.  You can be one though.  You qualify.  Do you want to be a mother?

Me: Yes, someday.  I have to get married first though.

CHM: You qualify.  But you can’t get Jesus pregnant.  Jesus can not get pregnant.  He doesn’t qualify.

Me: (I realized this conversation was not going to go anywhere productive and I was at a loss for words.)

CHM: Begins mumbling to himself and doesn’t stop for quite sometime… eventually, he leaves.

There are some very interesting people out there and though I laugh at the story, it also makes me sad.  What happened to that man?  Why is he like that?  Why is it that he talks about Jesus of Nazareth?  How can crazy people like him be reached with the gospel?  What am I supposed to do?  Is it okay that his craziness makes me laugh?

I enjoy fine dining; therefore, I make a somewhat frequent habit of dining at - dun - dun - dun - COSTCO! Yes folks… as the life-long daughter of a low-income minister and the current low-budget seminary student, I have found Costco to be a faithful friend in satisfying the hunger in my tummy. Not only do I walk the aisle for samples of foods I know that I am not going to buy, I also enjoy purchasing the $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda combo… or I splurge and go for the $1.99 pizza or the $2.69 chicken bake! Tonight, I went a little crazy and got the chicken bake AND the $1.00 churro… with a dixie cup for water. This is the life! And the thing is, I love it! No complaints here! Give me Costco gourmet eatin’ any day! (But not everyday because I’d probably turn into a very unhealthy version of me!)

I’ve been living in TX for a few months now and I still have moments in which I must stop and say, “Oh right… I’m not in CA anymore!”  Here’s a list of common causes for such moments (in no particular order):

 1. I look up from behind the counter at Starbucks and I see cowboys… real ones.

2. I see a man with a tatoo on his arm… I look closer… It’s the Alamo!  (True story!)

3. I walk outside and my glasses immediately fog up from humidity.

4. A rare “perfect weather” day occurs and I think… “BEACH… oh…  Well, I suppose the GULF is only a few hours away… eh.”

5. On a road trip, I stop to use the bathroom at a McD’s and when I wash my hands I look down to find a Texas shaped SINK!?!?!

6. Bugs… bugs… bugs… bugs…

7. I have customers who regularly wear spurs… and it’s not to be funny… they’re actually functional!

I have a BA in English. Sometimes I shame myself with silly mistakes like: “I’m couldn’t live without my friends.” :o) But, rather than change it, I’ll just laugh at myself and let you laugh with me.  Why not?

1. God is sovereign.
2. People are interesting.
3. God has a sense of humor.
4. I play the part of an idiot REALLY well.
5. Grace and mercy cover me.
6. I love my family.
7. I’m couldn’t live without my friends.
8. Love never stops growing.
9. There will never be enough time to do everything I want to do.
10. I will never understand the male mind.
11. God is worthy of my praise, even when I’m in the middle of junkiness!
12. I have a lot to learn.

As you know, I recently spent 3 weeks in CA. It was awesome to be back where I grew up to spend time with friends and especially to spend good time with my family. I love them so much! I love being a sister, seriously, it’s such a joy for me! It’s hard sometimes to be away from both of my brothers.

Ben is a Marine, serving in Iraq. To think that the little boy I used to take care of is now a soldier in a war - - - well, it blows me away. He’s grown up so much, but not only because of being a Marine. He’s become a leader. I’m proud of him. I am hopeful for his future. I see so much potential in his life. I pray that he would be captivated by Jesus and that his life would be one that glorifies Him!

Josh is probably the coolest 14 year old I’ve ever met and though I’m somewhat biased, I really think it’s true! He’s an AMAZING drummer, a talented skater, is learning to surf, and is pretty much just super cute and has a very caring heart! I love to goof off with him and to laugh with him. He really loves spending quality time with family!

It’s hard to come back and realize that this is how it is now. I’d been away from family for 6 months before going back and it didn’t (usually) seem to be that big of a deal.  But I now realize this is life now. I live in Texas and I may live other places and I may not move back to CA (you never know). So, I will VISIT my family as much as I can and I will make the most of those times. I miss them now more than I did before I visited, but I’m so glad I got to go spend time with them.

I’m also very thankful that this is where God has me in life. I’m learning so much and I LOVE life! I have no doubt that TX is where I need to be (but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss other places and sometimes wish I could be there too!)  God is working in and through me here and I am so thrilled with that. My life is filled with joy, though it’s not always easy. It is always blessed! I am thankful!

On another but related note…

I like details. I think about details. Sometimes too much. I love taking care of details for things that I care a lot about, for people I care a lot about! I think that’s a little reflection of God in me.  God takes care of details in ways I can not even begin to imagine!!! When I think about my life, there are so many details out of my control. There are so many details that have come together that I could never ever have arranged! God, Creator of the universe!, is sovereign over all details! Thank you God, my God, for watching over the details of my life! I’m amazed at your work!