Freak-ish Friday

I will keep this brief today - other than to give a big shout-out to Ashley - who is exercising her God-given (and government-given) right to free speech, and whom has felt the urge in the comments section of this post to remind me of my failings as a Christian.

Hmmm.

While some people may turn away in shock and dismay from comments like this, I instead embrace them with all the pagan love I can muster in my wizened little heart. Lord, help me.

And Ashley? Even though I may be too simple to understand such a completely random comment - a comment that appears to me to be so thoroughly unrelated to the matter at hand; even though I am perhaps slightly, simple-mindedly sceptical that you sharing your beliefs in this particular venue is the most effective way for you to spread your gospel, I'll give you all the attention you feel you so justly deserve.

Just come out from behind the Holy Bible in your profile picture, dear, pull up that soap box, and fire away. Let your message be heard, loud and proud. You obviously have a burning desire to say something.

May the power of Christ compel you.

And may you feel as enfolding when comes the day that someone hijacks your blog to air their religious beliefs.

As for me? I'm off to atone and beg forgiveness.

Right after I have my last romp with a donkey, whilst simultaneously (& greedily) drinking tequila straight from the bottle, eating 13 bacon cheeseburgers, and cursing like a gay sailor.

Have a righteous weekend, everyone!

Thoughtful Thursday

You know how some times when you're driving, and you get into sort of a Zen state where you're just in the moment, and you hear a song on the radio and the lyrics subtly percolate their way into your brain?

And you're surprised by how eloquent they truly are, especially when they're heard for the first with an open mind? Without that reflex that makes you jaded, snide, sarcastic?

Well, when I heard today's TT lyrics, I was shocked at how they moved me. They come from a genre I never listen to as a rule (I have a just a few music rules), but when I was clicking around station to station, I landed here for some reason.

Then I heard the song again on another station. An odd coincidence.

Later that day, going out again; yet another station, same song. Beyond coincidence; just plain eerie.

I had to rush back home to search if something tragic had happened to Tim McGraw.

Nope.

I checked to see if it was the anniversary of his dad's passing. Not that either.

I'll just chalk it up to the universe sending me a message that we should all embrace every given moment of the life we're given - there are no backsies, there are no do-overs.

No matter how crazy busy your life is, how much you're scrambling around in an valiant effort to try to keep on top of things for you and your spouse and your family for today and tomorrow and next week simultaneously, bring an awareness to the right now.

We all think we're immortal until we're shown otherwise.

One of the verses that really resonated with me was this:

"And I loved deeper
and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying.
And he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'."

How hard is it to speak sweetly? Words can be weapons, but they can also be balm for a soul.

And how many of us are shouldering some grudge so heavy that it begets a daily struggle to walk upright?

How much lighter would we feel if we were to just lay that burden down once and for all?

Time is sweeter than we think. Live that way.