Dear wonderful friends and family,
I wrote this post back in March, but decided that today, while I work through the weekend (again) is an appropriate time to update and post.
Last Friday I updated my flights and I'll be in three cities for work this week. Yep, I booked on Friday for flights that leave on Tuesday morning first thing. This is my normal.
Back in March, when I booked similar travel I was:
- less than a 15-minute train ride from one friend who has repeatedly offered to drive as far as New Hampshire to see me.
- a short drive away from another friend who I only get to chat to via FB since we stopped working together
- ANOTHER friend who was about to have a baby (baby boy is since born and I see Snapchats of him frequently--SO CUTE)
- On the second leg of the trip I could have stayed at my Uncle's house. I was less than a 20-minute drive away from his house.
Here's the thing: I won't have time for any visits.
I don't think people who haven't done worked in a position similar to mine can understand. Afterall, I'm right THERE - so close by! Why wouldn't I have time or make time to visit? At least have dinner; you have to eat, right?
Here's the problem with my work travel. It's exhausting and I am working non-stop. There really isn't time to eat. Or sleep. Or do anything but work frantically and meet with customers.
If I'm not preparing demo data, PowerPoints or ironing a suit then I'm on a conference call for yet another future meeting or driving to a customer site or trying to meet up with the sales person.
I pack a LOT of snacks and just snack my way through the time I'm working in the hotel room.
I try to book hotels that are:
a) near a Starbucks (I can get a gluten free breakfast there on the run),
b) have room service
and
c) have a fridge so I can stow water or tea in them
I'm lucky if I get 6 hours of sleep. I try every time to book my trips so I can get more rest. I avoid 5am or 6am flights whenever possible.
I usually can't sleep on airplanes though occasionally I unexpectedly (involuntarily?) fall asleep with my laptop open on my lap. Any flight with WiFi means I'm working.
Though it might sound like it - I'm really not complaining. I chose this job. I get paid overtime. God knows we need my salary. Sometimes I really love this job. Usually I'm pretty good at it.
This is just an explanation for why I almost never post on Facebook where I am, and you won't know when I'm in your town or within a short drive of your home.
I'm sorry - but it goes with the job. I wish I could see you - hell, I wish I could see some of the towns I visit, but it is what it is and I hope you understand.
I was on my way to Whole Foods with Gideon (and if you don't know who Gideon is, I owe you another story about how we have 4 kids now) today when something happened that completely rendered me speechless. If you know me, I'm NEVER speechless so this is notable.
We pulled up to a stop light to turn left and a woman in a large white SUV pulled into the right turn lane next to us. Instead of turning ('cause she could have) apparently she honked at me. (I missed that part, I guess the music was up to loud, but Gid heard it.) Then she started waving - and Gideon said: "Do you know her?"
As bad as my memory is I figured I might - so I waved back at her. She started waving even more enthusiastically like she needed to talk to me so I rolled down the passenger window.
She immediately yelled: "Do you have Jesus!?" I didn't come up with a witty comeback like: "Yes, tied up in the back, why?".. instead both Gideon and I answered: "Yes." She said: "No, do you have Him in your heart?" And we both said: "Yes" again.
Then I said: "I've been a Sunday School teacher for 18 years" (actually, combo of nursery and Sunday School, but I whip that one out anytime I need to credentialize my faith) and she said: "Where do you go to church?" as if to say: PROVE IT. I told her my church (Grace Lutheran) and she was undeterred.
She said: "Do you know Romans 1?" And I said: "I've read the entire Bible" or something like that.. at this point other cars are honking--probably at her for not turning--and she said: "Well, how can you have that Rainbow, that gay, homo shit on your car?"
At which point the light changed and I turned left and Gideon and I both tried to pick our jaws up off the floor of the car.
"That homo shit." Really!? Really? She thinks that's how Christians should talk? That that comment would convince me of Jesus' grace and love? Gideon cried. He cried because he's strong in his faith but worried what damage this woman could be doing to other kids. How this woman could further estrange them from believing that God loves them. That God is love - and that they are loved by God.
Moreover, let's hypothetically say I wasn't Christian. Let's say I am a devout Muslim (maybe that's what I should've answered to give her an aneurysm right on the spot). Or Buddhist, agnostic or atheist. Who is she to judge? Did she get some special prophecy from God that she should accost everyone at traffic signals and curse at them for the rainbow sticker on the back of their car? Is THAT showing Christ's love and emulating Jesus? I sure missed that part in the Bible.
I always took more away from the Bible where it said something like let your faith be known by your actions and be a witness by showing Christ's love to others. Also, to have His scriptures written in my heart and remember that to those whom much has been given much is expected.
I've always aimed for showing love and being a humble servant. I strive to be like my Father-in-Law who is the most humble servant of God I know.
I think Jesus, if he were to walk among us today, wouldn't be attending a Mega-Church or appearing on TV with Joel Osteen. I think He'd be at a homeless shelter like Hope4Youth. I think He'd be ministering to kids who are hurting because their parents kick them out or refuse to validate their gender identity or sexuality.
I think He'd be ministering to those with addiction, untreated mental illnesses and the children who don't get three meals a day even though they live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
In any (hypothetical) event, I feel relatively certain that He wouldn't pull up to a traffic light and curse me out for having a rainbow sticker on my car.
