Wave to me

Inevitably, when you drive anywhere, you are going to have to rely on “the kindness of strangers” to let you into different lanes, to merge with traffic, or some other situation. The other day I had my older sons in the car with me, and someone let me merge in front of them. I did my customary wave to say thank-you, and then noticed that my boys had both turned around and were wildly waving at the car behind us as well. I guess that’s a good thing. I hope it wasn’t distracting...

I never thought anything about it--it was the way my parents taught me, if someone does something nice for you while driving, you acknowledge it with a wave. Apparently others were taught the same, because there have been many times when others have waved at me when I let them in, and it’s always a nice little thing that helps me not assume all of humanity is evil.

However, the past few weeks, I have continued to let people merge, and the little waves are gone. No longer do people acknowledge that I didn’t have to slow down and make sure they got to join ongoing traffic. I thought maybe it was just me, but the same knuckleheads in the backseat that have been waving more than the ocean said something about it. “Dad, why doesn’t anyone wave anymore to say thank you when you let them in?”

I didn’t know what to say. I just told them that maybe they did wave and we just didn’t see it. I hope that’s the case, but I have also noticed that the little acknowledgements are gone when I let a person with a shopping cart go ahead as I hold traffic in the grocery store parking lot, or when I hold the door at the post office for the mother with a stroller and two other small kids. (Maybe it was because she was also talking on her cell phone...but don’t get me started on that.)

What I really hope isn’t happening is that we as people are moving more and more away from basic manners and decency. Maybe it’s just that everyone is ill right now with all of these weather changes. Whatever it is, I am really praying that it is a temporary thing and not something that will last.

This is a call to all of you who claim to be followers of Christ: If you truly believe that we are to love God and to Love Others like Jesus tells us (Matthew 22:37-40), then remember that even the small things count. If someone holds the door for you, then give them a smile and say thanks. If someone lets you merge in traffic, wave to them. Continue to do those things for others, even if they don’t acknowledge your act of kindness.

It seems like such an insignificant thing, but really, aren’t we supposed to stand out from the world? Maybe doing these things that no one else will do will be the thing that someone notices and asks about, and opens the door for us to share about God’s love. Who knows? But, is there really any harm in trying?

Awards Fatigue

I’m a big fan of magazines. There’s just something about the glossy pages and the pictures and stories that get my attention and hold it. I actually look for ways to get free subscriptions, and have found several of them through the years. If you look, you can find them. I have had one for an arts and crafts journal, a surfing magazine, TIME magazine, a few different music ones, and I have even gotten some for my wife like Women’s Day and Glamour. In her defense, she never asked for those, I did it thinking of her, and while she appreciated the gesture, that last one just wasn’t really her cup of tea--not because she isn't fashionable or beautiful--she just didn't need a magazine to tell her how. Oh well.

One that I have actually paid for and subscribed to for almost ten years now is Entertainment Weekly. I know, it’s very superficial, and I must admit that my fascination for the entertainment world is probably bordering on “vice” level for me. With Music, Movies, and even Novels being such a big obsession hobby for me, EW tends to keep me informed about what’s going on in those worlds. I discovered that with three children, my awareness of what’s new or even good has gotten considerably smaller.

There is about a three-month period every year where I dread getting my EW magazine. It starts about the last week of November, and runs through the last week of February. In that twelve-week period, there are at least eight or nine covers of the magazine committed to the various awards shows such as the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and of course, The Academy Awards. What’s really bad is that all the awards shows pretty much mimic each other, and so you pretty much get the same magazine for that time, only the page order is shuffled, and the dresses the actresses wear change. Other than that, I don’t really see the difference.

We get told over and over how “important” these movies/films are, (apparently the difference is whether or not they actually make money--if it brings in the cash, but the critics don’t like it then it’s a “movie,” if it doesn’t make money, but the critics seem to have enjoyed it, they call it a “film”) and how “ground-breaking” the performance of the actors is, but I wonder if at the end of the day, it’s really just another way that the Hollywood culture tries to keep themselves as the Idols of our day?

It’s not very subtle, you know. The actors, directors, and producers make sure their names are all over the movie posters and advertisements, and then they actually campaign to win for some of those awards shows. Then, in almost every case, they get some sort of gold statue to designate their win. These little statues represent the idols we have made of the people who win them. It’s kind of pathetic, really.

Now, I love movies and TV. I will be the first to admit that I enjoy the escape that they offer when the day has been stressful. I like to unwind by spending about two hours living vicariously through the actions and circumstances unfolding on the screen in front of me. I’ll even go so far as to say that I appreciate them for their entertainment value. But I can’t seem to wrap my mind around the fact that we make these people “heroes,” and we act like their opinions on politics, global events, and the economy are worth more than other people. (For the record, an actor who earns anywhere from five to ten million dollars for being in a movie should NEVER be allowed to criticize or join in on a conversation about a “failing” economy. Just my humble opinion.)

If we keep an appropriate level of respect for the actors and actresses for doing their job of entertaining us, and even transporting us to a world of make-believe, or portraying a real story in a way that captivates us, then we are appreciating and recognizing their talents. Nothing wrong with that. It’s the over-the-top, regal treatment that gets me. Where are the awards shows for the nameless researchers who have contributed to the advances towards defeating cancer? What about the people who work hard to bring home a modest income only to turn around and give much of it away as they sponsor and work for charitable organizations? Who will foot the bill for a national telecast of awards given to policemen and firemen who daily put themselves in dangerous situations for the sake of others?

I guess the basis of my rant comes down to this: Jesus simply said, “...Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) This passage tells us that we are not to elevate ourselves above others. The Apostle Paul gives another branch to this thought in Philippians 2:3 when he writes “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” When I read these, I see no trouble or conflict if I choose to encourage someone, or show appreciation to them for a job well done. I don’t see any problem in being touched or blessed by what someone else has done. But it seems to me that to seek out approval or to campaign for the acclaim of others is not in line with these passages.

I guess I just wish that hollywood would use it’s influence in a different way. I wish they would just take a less selfish point-of-view. When there is obviously a large group of people who look to what these celebrities are doing and jump behind whatever cause they are paid to endorse, it just seems to me that there is an opportunity to reach out and offer hope in a time where many are without. It would be really cool if more of these millionaires put up some of their own cash to support causes that really make an impact and better the lives of people on a basic needs level. (I love dogs, but if half of the Animal Rights Celebrity money went to hunger or homeless causes, what kind of change could be made?)

Yes, that’s an idealistic dream at best, but if movies can feature love triangles between werewolves, vampires, and humans, while fighting evil wizards and transforming robots, while a group of old toys looks for a new home on FaceBook where they discover a support group for psychotic ballerinas, boxers, comic-book heroes, and Gritty cowboys, that all meet in a building that can bend and fold itself, then why not hope for a different output from this hollywood machine?

Update Your Frustration

Last week, I successfully got a virus on a computer that was supposed to be protected by anti-virus software. That’s me--doing the supposedly impossible. As it turns out, it ended up being a relatively harmless event. Coincidentally, my fellow office staff and I had been recently encouraged to switch to a different anti-virus software, so I used this occasion to do just that. I “upgraded” from a free program to a paid one.

I ran through all of the steps that were required, and when it was all said and done, the new stuff was installed. I also had a new CD that I wanted to put on my mp3 player, so I ripped it, and then plugged in my player. Enter new trouble. The player is no longer recognized by my computer. It made the “new hardware” noise when I would plug it in, but never did anything else.

To keep this from becoming a long technical story, what basically happened is that I rolled back some software, only to discover that it still didn’t work, and then I really just wanted the newer version back, but when I tried to to that, the computer gave me the message that my computer couldn’t handle it. Funny thing is, I’ve been using the newer version for over a year already, and one little “fix” messed it all up.

Now, I’ve got a computer that won’t work with my player, an old program that I don’t like, and a temperamental computer. (Fortunately, it has become my secondary computer and not the main source for work.)

This got me thinking. I know, scary. We live in a world that is constantly selling the “upgrade.” There are so many “new” products out there that are supposed to be the top of the line, and the best model yet. My BlackBerry, which is supposed to be a leader in smart-phone technology, was brand new at the time I got it, and supposed to be ahead of the curve--maybe that’s why it was called “curve.” Either way, there have been a few issues with it, and as it turns out, I don’t think it’s even manufactured anymore. Oddly, in spite of my other issues, I opted to do an “upgrade” on my BlackBerry software last week. The good news is that BrickBreaker runs smoother. The bad news is that now my phone gives me funny messages about registering on the network and there’s no telling where my facebook app went.

One of the hyped up Superbowl ads featured Ozzy Osbourne and Justin Beiber, and it was introducing a new program at Best Buy where you can pay a fee, and Best Buy will purchase your old model of something once the new model comes in and makes it obsolete. It was an ad basically admitting that they were always just trying to get us to step up and buy the “bigger and better” model. Not sure I like that idea. It doesn’t instill great confidence in my current products.

ANYWAY, here’s my point. We are always trying to upgrade to keep up with the newest, hottest “whatever.” It’s a dangerous idea because it really creates an atmosphere of temporary. Don’t like something? It’s okay--it’s not gonna be around for long. Impatient with something? Trade it in for a newer, better one. Tired of waiting 15 seconds for a video to download? Upgrade and only wait 10 seconds--It’s WAY better!

I am one who believes that this world is NOT my permanent home. But, it is the place where I learned about and entered into the Relationship that reserved my spot in my eternal home. My relationship with Christ is permanent, and it is already the biggest and best relationship I’ve got. The problem I have is that too many people see a relationship with Jesus as just another religion, and the world tells them that if one religion doesn’t fit their ideas or tastes or happens to be “old fashioned,” then they should just trade it in for one that they like better.

Where’s the commitment? What kind of faith is anyone developing anywhere? Faith implies a commitment to believe in something, even if there are doubts or concerns. Just because the electricity goes out in a storm doesn’t mean I will quit using my lamps to provide light. Jumping our faith back and forth isn’t really faith at all. Going for the newest and most popular just represents a need to please the “SELF” that we all have, and that some of us really try to fight.

I guess my point in all of this is that I hope that as a Follower of Christ, I can set a positive example about staying put in what I already believe to the best relationship ever, that never needs an upgrade or download. When I became that “New creation” that 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of, it was the only upgrade I’ll ever need. I certainly need to plug in to God’s Word to make sure my Operating System doesn’t get corrupted by the viral sins of this world, and the Holy Spirit inside of me will help me to process and execute the commands of my Savior. But, I’ll never have the need to try and find something else, because I already have the 3G that I’ll need: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. (Okay, it was a bit cheesy--but clever enough to stick!)