I and Love and You

This made me smile.

"The words "I" and "Love" and "You" are the watermark of humanity. Strung together, they convey our deepest sense of humility, of power, of truth. It is our most common sentiment, even as the feeling of it is so infinitely uncommon: each to proclaim these three words with his or her very own heart and mindset of reason (or lack thereof); a proclamation completely and perfectly new each time it is offered. Uttered daily and nightly by millions, the words are said in an unending array of circumstances : whispered to a newborn in a mothers arms; shared between best friends on the playground; in the form of sympathy - said by a girl to a boy, as the respect continues but the relationship does not. It is said too loudly by parents to embarrassed children in the company of their friends, and by grown children - to their fading parents in hospital beds. The words are thought in the company of the photograph and said in the company of the gravestone. It is how we end our phone calls and our letters... the words at the bottom of the page that trump all those above it, a way to gracefully finish a message, however important or trivial, with the most meaningful gift of all : the communication of love. And yet the words themselves have been the victims of triviality, a ready replacement for lesser salutations among near strangers, burst forth casually as "love ya." Truly? To what degree? Why, how much, and for how long? These are questions befitting of the stature of love, though not the everyday banter of vague acquaintance. The words have also been twisted by the dark nature of deceit : To say "I love you" with a dramatic measure of synthetic emotion; a snare set by those who prey upon fellow humanity, driven to whatever selfish end, to gain access to another's body, or their money, or their opportunity. In this realm, the proclamation is disgraced by one seeking to gain rather than to give. In any case, and by whatever inspiration, these words are woven deeply in to the fibers of our existence. Our longing to hear them from the right place is maddeningly and simultaneously our finest strength and our most gentle weakness.The album "I and Love and You" is unashamedly defined by such a dynamic of duality. As living people, we are bound by this unavoidable parallel. We are powerful yet weak, capable yet temporary. Inevitably, an attempt to place honesty within an artistic avenue will follow suit. This is a piece which shows us as we are : products of love surrounded by struggle. The music herein is, in many ways, readable as both a milestone and an arrival. A chapter in the story of young men, it bridges the space between the uncertainty of youth and the reality of it's release. The record is full with the quality of the question and response. As far as questions go, there are plenty-normally residing within the tone and delivery of the lyrics themselves, which, ironically, are sung with so much confidence. Among songs and thoughts so driven and purposeful, the most basic relatable doubt comes through with a resounding clarity. Outside of the eternal theme of romantic love, the album speaks thankfully upon a landscape of light-filled rooms, word-filled pages, time machines, forgiveness, singing birds, ocean waves, art ,change, confessions of shortcomings, and reasons to continue on. Hope and a cause for smiling follow naturally. In the midst of all this, there are allusions to the less-than-ideal conditions of life : the loss of memory, the inability to control temper, insecurity, indecision, jaded indifference, and the general plague of former and current weakness. "I and Love and You" is an album of obvious human creation, characterized by it's best and it's worst. Emotional imperfection is a reality for those who recorded the piece, just as it is for those who will hear it. The conclusion of the song from which the title is taken admits that the words "I love you" have become "hard to say". And perhaps that difficulty is as common as it's counterpart. Perhaps the inability to say these heaviest of words is as much a part of life as the lighthearted candor of those who say them without any difficulty at all. And so it ends with the phrase whispered to and by those of us most defeated and most elated... I and love and you..."
- The Avett Brothers

#106. The side hug.

YES!!!
#106. The side hug.

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Rabbi

When things get hard, or more accurately tragedy strikes, I tend to want to scream at God "Why did you let this happen...How dare you... what kind of God are you..etc..." Today i am reminded that I mess up everyday, minute by minute, unintentionally and intentionally, but God loves me all the same. Sometimes I want to say "God you should have done this differently!" Like when I hear that a young pregnant girl and her baby are killed in a car accident,or today when i heard that a Child murderer died of natural causes, and a 16 year old boy who is friends with someone at my church has died. I want to say “um excuse me… *tap tap* What were you THINKING!”
But I know for myself that if I were God, if I had the ENORMOUS responsibility to keep the world going ‘round that I would suck at it! Epic Fail! But I also think about what I really want in the times I want to scream at God, and I think this story describes it best!
"One day a rabbi stood on a hill overlooking a certain city. The rabbi watched in horror as a band of Cossacks on horseback suddenly attacked the town, killing innocent men, women and children. Some of the slaughtered were his own disciples. Looking up to heaven the rabbi exclaimed: “Oh, only if I were God.” An astonished student, standing nearby, asked, “but, Master if you were God, what would you do differently?” The rabbi replied: “If I were God I would do nothing differently. If I were God I would understand.” - Joanna Laufer and Kenneth S. Lewis in Inspired

God open our ears, and shut our mouths!!!!

"There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves."
— Albert Guinon

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
— Winston Churchill

*When I say “we” in this blog, I am also including myself, I am just as guilty as everyone else*

I have been struggling with this lately. I feel like everyone is so focused on saying the “right thing” or the thing that we think the person who is speaking “wants to hear.”

I don’t know if I feel conviction or just anger. When did we become so lazy, that we cannot simply be still and silent and listen to someone who is trying to share their problems?

This week I have had this overwhelming feeling of discontentment, as well as hurt and shame.

When did we become so lazy as to be so focused on our own lives that we cannot reach out to those who are hurting? We say we are too busy, too tired, or that we will do it later, or people are too much work/ to high maintenance. The truth is (whether we want to admit it or not) we are too lazy. Most of the time we don’t take the time to listen in the first place, nor do we take the time to follow up.

God this week open my ears and shut my mouth. Make me a listener and a friend. Give me a heart of Compassion and Love. Help me to be more authentic and honest. Make me a lover!

Hmmm.....

most honesty gives birth to negativity" been chewing on this today. Do we over use the concept of openness and honesty? By saying we are just being honest, are we giving ourselves permission to be negative?

I love pomegranates

They are my favorite fruit. But the thing about pomegranates is that
They carry a multitude of disadvantages to the person eating them.
Pomegranates are MESSY! The pomegranate juice will permanently stain
Your clothes, your fingers usually remain dyed for a few days, and the
Process of removing the tiny seeds of fruit can be tedious. It usually
Involves 2 bowls, a sharp steak knife, a dishtowel, and a trash can.
Only after you have done A LOT of work do you get to enjoy it.

But this makes me think of my growth spiritually. It is Messy! And it
Takes a lot of work. Your hands get dirty, and like the stains, your
Life is forever changed.

This week I’ve learned that this journey is going to messy and hard.
Your feelings are going to get hurt. You’re going to have to put
Yourself in vulnerable places, you will have to eat crow, meet with
People who you don’t get along with easily or who hurt your feelings and do your best to treat
Others as yourself.

This week is hard for me, this season is hard, but I am going to do my best. This week I’m committed to being open and honest. I’m committed over all to having a better attitude.

Are we asking the right questions?

I have been saved many a time by people asking not "How are you?" but by asking "Are you Happy." People may not think so, but simple conversations matter.

I had a convo with mike today that I've needed to have for awhile now. I feel extremely discontent with school, and I don't know how to explain it other than the fact that I LOVE school, but this semester I feel extreme discomfort, and really don't feel like I am called nor want to be there. I was telling mike that I feel like I need to have a "back up plan" I don't feel like i have a "Direction" in my life, and I've never felt like I've had a professional calling in life. I want to be a wife and mom and just be there as a friend to people and encourage them. I feel like this "back up plan" is sinful, its like saying to God my way is beeter. But how do I know that school isn't God's plan? I'm not paying for it, so I don't know that this isn't God's provision?

I feel like there is/will be a stigma about not being college educated, yet there is so much I want to do, or feel like I could do, that God is calling me to, if I weren't in school. and Maybe it just has to do with the "fear" of what others think (and talking about this with my advisors at school)

James 1:5-6 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. - I believe that God will give me the answers, and I trust him, I just need some guidance.

I need guidance and wisdom and to surround myself with Godly people, and any practical advice I could get would be appreciated. :]

I want to honor God, and I don't want it to be all about me. I don't want to be a "I" person. I want to lift others up.

God, I want to honor you and I trust in you. God help me not to get caught up in pleasing you, rather than trusting you.