What if...

Ok, so now it is time to delve into something completely serious.  The other day I was in a "pondering" mood and I thought of something that, if implemented, could change society as we know it.  You ready?

What if stealing from a store was only legal if you could get away with it?

I'll give you a moment to process that one...okay now, let me give you a rundown of how this might work.  First of all it is important to note that stealing, in and of itself, would not be legal.  For example: it would not be legal to take a car from a dealership.  It would also be an infraction to take another human being(even though this would technically be considered  kidnapping, I can see some zealots misinterpreting the law).  Secondly, all establishments that allowed customers to freely take their merchandise, without consequence, would be required to adorn proper signage stating that this is permitted.

Now I know that there is much to this idea in regards to moral obligation, as well as a vast number of other issues.  However, don't you think that it would make shopping that much more exciting.  Some would not have to change their "M.O" at all.  They are already acting as if this law does in fact exist.  On the other hand some would take the opportunity to add some much needed "spice" to their vanilla life.  I know what your thinking, "what exactly would the consequences be if I did get caught stealing?"  Good question.  Here is what could happen if you don't make it our the front door with your spoils:

1. Of course you would have to give the merch back.  You couldn't just make a mad dash for the door...well I guess you could, but then you would definitely be considered a "perp."

2.   Depending on what the product you were trying to "boost" was, would determine the severity of the punishment.  Personally I think it would be more interesting if it was up to the store owner as to what these consequences were.  For example a sign might read:

Attention Consumer:

If you are caught stealing at this establishment the following may result:

 1. If merchandise is between $0.10-$10 you will be required to pay for said merchandise and then do ten push ups while making a ridiculous face.

2. If merchandise is between $10.01-$50 you will be required to pay, as well as have a pie of your choosing thrown in your face.

3. If merchandise is between $50.01-$100 you will be required to pay, as well as chauffeur the owner of the store to work for 1 week .

Well, you get the idea.  At any rate this would of course provide more jobs for the downed economy as these stores would be forced to hire security to present a united front against grandma taking some denture cream without paying for it.  

It would make grocery shopping something to look forward to if for no other reason you went and watched as someone yells, "CODE YELLOW!!" and takes down the petty thief.  I know my Saturdays would be more entertaining.  

 

It's a new day!

I love the morning! Now, ironically, I am not a "morning person."  However, when I do manage to wake up early, I really appreciate the beginning of a new day.

So I choose to write on the subject of MORNING.  This is my favorite part of the day.  Unfortunately we associate morning with "work" and all is spoiled henceforth.  But I do want to give Daybreak its due as it were.

Daybreak:

–noun

the first appearance of daylight in the morning; dawn.

Simple huh? I was thinking of this word and how significant it is.  For only light penetrates darkness.  You notice that it's never the other way around.  Night doesn't invade day.  Darkness is the absence of light, so when day "breaks" it's expelling evening.  If you are in a dark cave and you light even a simple match, your whole surroundings are illuminated.  How sweet is that?!

I used to love night best but the older I get the more treasures and hope and joy I find in mornings.  ~Terri Guillemets 

Morning brings with it the idea of new beginnings.  Sunrise signifies new birth and a fresh start.  I love the image of nightfall being eliminated by the coming sun.  No matter what we did yesterday, today is a new day! We get to start over.  Interestingly, the book in the Bible that would seem to be the most depressing gives us some of the best hope in two verses:

 "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness." Lam. 3:22-23

In the midst of this lament there is hope!  God ushers in His mercy through the rising sun.  What joy that should give us.  Each day is an opportunity to start anew, to wake up and surrender our lives to Jesus.  It's almost like we get to "reset" ourselves.  We fall asleep and dream, then our eyes open and we instantly have a choice: "Do I live for myself today and what I can get out of it?"  OR, "Do I live for Jesus and draw on His grace and mercy?"  I confess I don't make the right choice as often as I like, or even acknowledge that there is a choice at all.  I live under the illusion of "self" and ignore God's voice completely.  It says that Jesus got up early in the morning to go off and pray.  He was intentional with the beginning of His day!  Just remember that there IS hope today!  And technically it's still morning as I write this-

So...

let the mercy of God wash over you this day! 

 

Goodbye Christmas Cheer...

I don't know about you, but during the holiday season I always feel like I should be just a little more patient and a little nicer to the average Joe, or the sales clerk.   It seems like humanity is magically filled with "Christmas Cheer" come December(or perhaps as early as the end of November).  A man will hold the door open at a retail store for the woman carrying armfuls of packages.  Someone passing by the homeless guy holding the sign at the freeway exit may stop and give a needed donation.  There seems to be Peace and Goodwill toward men during this time of year.

However....

Have you noticed, that at the end of the holidays, mankind still remains man, but is inevitability  less kind?  It is truly a sad commentary on society when we have compassion and kindness one month a year.  What is it that changes in us during the last month on the calender, driving us to treat others with respect and care?

Is it, do you suppose, a last attempt, before the dawn of the New Year, to "rack up" some good deeds?  Or perhaps the Scrooge in all of us is suppressed during Christmas time.   

As a Christ follower, my goal is to be cheerful and gracious all year round, but during the holidays (I guess because everyone else is doing it) I tend to at least notice the "Christmas Spirit" is more alive.  I can't say that I have a solution for the rest of humanity, but as for me... I would like to make it a habit.

J.R.R. Tolkien said, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world". 

Maybe he hit the nail on the head.  Maybe we take life, and ourselves, too seriously.  I know that I am extremely self absorbed...perhaps the reason for my blogging(harhar).  I need to think about the guy next to me... and I don't mean a thought like, "'why is that guy looking at me that way, what a jerk, he has no right looking at me at all!"  We need to "consider others better than ourselves"(Philippians).



Do I think this is going to happen?  Doubtful...do I think it would work?  Most definitely.  Not to be negative, but we are a selfish people.  But, I can change my habits.  That's all I can control (and frankly, all I can handle...sorry people, you're on your own.).