Jesus for President

First of all, this post has nothing to do with the book. Unless you count the fact that since hearing Shane Claiborne speak I would be curious to read it. It has more to do with my random train(s) of thought.

I was thinking about government today and how it seems like the trend is to give more control to the government these days. Maybe because it is "easier" just to let them deal with our problems. I was thinking about the very large checks I wrote for our taxes this year and wondering if it would just get higher. After the great government goose chase I had on Monday (in which I spent an hour trying to track down a file that is apparently lost, but it would be too hard for the clerk to make a couple of calls to track it down for me so I don't have to run all over the building ((long story)), I don't have a lot of faith in the organization of the government. I am leery of sending them my money because I'm not sure if I can trust a) what they will do with it and b) that it will be efficiently used toward that purpose.

BUT, this is not a political post. And honestly, my thoughts on government have no bearing other than to explain where they led.

The thought crossed my mind that the only way I would be comfortable with government controlling my money would be if Jesus were president. I would even send him everything I make because ... it's Jesus. (Although that doesn't work if you throw congress into the mix, because they would probably be like the Pharisees and try to get Jesus impeached and not vote through any of his laws.)

Then, I started thinking about Jesus. Because it is really easy for me to say that - even to myself. But I have been reading the book of Luke lately and Jesus... well Jesus is hard to wrap my mind around. I know Him, and Who he is resonates in the deepest part of me. He proclaims good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed. I see myself in that list.

But Jesus also makes people uncomfortable. He parties, he hangs out with people who who are edgy at best, he extends mercy too freely, he allows extravagant expressions of love in the wrong place at the wrong time, he challenges the status quo, turns religion on it's head, confronts and insults the religious leaders in their own home. And I see myself in them. In their reaction to this Jesus. Who does he think he is and what does he think he's doing? Jesus makes me uncomfortable.

The part that makes me uncomfortable is the part that brings the change we so desperately need. I think I need to embrace the justice Jesus brings.

As far as president, I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't go for it anyway. He came to change people not government. But it is challenging to think about how my life might look different if He had as much control as I like to tell myself He does.

I'm not really a morning person

I'm not really a morning person. Usually one of may favorite things to do is press the snooze button. I love that feeling before waking up of drifting between asleep and awake. I'd actually gotten into a really bad habit of snoozing for an hour or more - which is very relaxing at the time, but puts me in a huge rush when I finally wake up.

But in the last week or so, things have been changing. I wake up and instead of feeling drowsy and dragging myself out of bed. I feel awake! I feel like getting up and getting things done (which is good because there are a lot of things that need doing). I'm not sure what made the difference, but I'm really thankful for it. Hopefully it will keep up because while I still like sleep, I also like mornings.

Note: For those of you who are naturally morning people, you will not understand the significance of this post - just trust me on this one.

My typical is untypical

So today has already been quite the adventure and it's not even 10:00 am. I woke up at 6:00 today. This is totally not normal for me. Usually I love my sleep, but since I was awake I went ahead and made Josh breakfast (eggs and toast, thank you very much).

Josh left for work and I went ahead a got ready for the day. But he called me when he realized his glasses were still at home and asked if I could bring them to him. So around 8, I headed out. My car was awfully close to empty, so I stopped for gas. I was then informed by the attendant that our bank was having some kind of issue and none of their debit cards were working, so I would have to pay another way. I don't carry a credit card, and happened to use my last check on Monday.

I drove on to Target, by now the needle was pointing to E, gave Josh his glasses and stole his credit card. Whew. Crisis averted, I decided to stop at Kroger before going home. I bought all I needed and was feeling proud to have accomplished so much while it was still so early. But I didn't feel like making more than one trip up the stairs so I loaded up with all the grocery bags I could carry. Dropped two trying to get the door to the building open. Dropped another trying to get my keys out to get in the apartment door. And that was the one with the eggs in it. Surprisingly, only three were busted and leaking out.

And that is the fascinating story of my day so far. Typical - unusual and yet still boring. (This is why I don't blog very often. lol)