Sprung!
I seek such small steps.
I hope,I pray and I wait.
Amy's out. Be home soon.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Put Your Money Where Mouths Are
Saturday, June 12, 2004
I hope,I pray and I wait.
Amy's out. Be home soon.
Friday, June 11, 2004
That Crazy Invitation
When I became an honest to God, studyin' the Bible, goin' to church, tithin', singin' hymns Christian I was frightened.
How do you tell people who have for decades known a cynical pseudo agnostic former drunk and drug abuser that, well into adulthood, you've suddenly decided that God came back to earth as a baby, lived a sinless life, performed many miracles, then died for your sins and three days later came back to life?
It sounds crazy. It is crazy.
I didn't have a choice...I believed.
I couldn't conceal my faith, but still I wasn't one of those folks who had a sudden conversion and then went on a maniacal mission to save souls. I came to Christ gradually, and I wasn't in any hurry to witness to others. Quite frankly I didn't think I'd be very good at it.
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"If for some reason today you feel God has spoken to you, we invite you to speak with someone. Michael Main is one of our deacons, he's on the second row..."
My Real Life Preacher says something to that effect almost every Sunday. The first time I heard it only one thought crossed my mind, "Holy crap! What if someone actually comes to me asking for spiritual advice?"
I never wanted to be a deacon.
I figured, quite rightly, that I was probably the least churched person in our church...surely there were better candidates...heck everyone was a better candidate as far as I could tell.
Make no mistake, I loved our church, but I didn't have any ministerial gifts. I went to the bible studies, and came to church service. I stayed afterwards to vacuum the floor. I sometimes took out the trash and made sure no one left any surprises un-flushed in the toilets. That was my contribution. It wasn't much, but no one else was rushing to do it...and it was a job I was knew I was capable of doing.
But helping guide someone to find God? That was a job for expert Christians...real church folks…people who spoke the language.
Over my objections, I was ordained a deacon in January of 2000.
One Sunday not long after that, Gordon made his usual closing invitation. Moments later a woman came up to me and said, "I need to talk to you, can we meet this week?" I was petrified, but I agreed. I had no choice...I was a deacon.
All week leading up that meeting I thought, "This is crazy, here's a woman going through some spiritual crisis, and I'm supposed to help her?"
It turned out she had heard from God. She said He was telling her to be more involved in church, but she didn't know how.
"Holy crap!" I thought, "I have an answer!"
I told her, "Come to church. Put your fanny in a seat every Sunday. Come to Sunday school and get your kids in Sunday school too. If you want to do more, grab a mop, and a bucket. Are you any good at cleaning toilets?"
I suppose that sounded crazy, but she took me up on my offer. She's now a serious disciple of Christ, and she and her kids clean the church toilets.
So this is how I witness. I show people how God worked in my life. I tell them I'm on the journey too and I don't have all the answers. I invite them to join me...and I warn them we may scrub toilets along the way.
Yes, it can be frightening, and it's certainly crazy....how God works these things out.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. - Psalm 25:9
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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The Flippin' Birds
Okay, one update to a previous post. The "cute" little birds on our porch all grew up. They did all fly away....for about an hour. Then they all came back...or some other group of barn swallows moved in.
I walked out this morning and there were seven grown birds all crammed into the nest...I thought, "How cute" until they ALL started to dive bomb me.
I ran to my car, clutching my tea and briefcase looking like a character from a b-movie escaping marching zombies. I was half awake and in total disbelief.
I walked out to the mailbox a few minutes ago - yes, I forgot there was no mail today - and upon my return I was assaulted...not by Mama and Papa protecting their babies, but by at least 4 grown swallows. Where before one might squawk and another might dive bomb...now all of them attack...en masse! I was tempted to get a baseball bat, but then I actually had the passing thought that for the only time in my life I might swing a bat and hit something, and I'd feel terrible....probably. I also wondered of what else are these maniacal winged beasts capable? Could they get meaner or call in reinforcements?
One thing is for certain...this is not a little family of birdies....this is a gang.
I don't share this revelation lightly. How embarrassing is it to say, "Did I mention I'm living in fear...of the tiny barn swallows on my porch"?
I struggled for a solution and even briefly toyed with the idea of renting a cat.
Googling the phrase "rent-a-cat" however resulted in this....
Apparently the Dollar Rent-a-Car folks in Japan need a better translator.
It did help me realize the only way I was going to survive this assault though.
Laugh if off....and run.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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So Perhaps Saturday
A small hiccup, but I'm still flying solo. We'll shoot for Amy to be released tomorrow. I have to confess I crave normalcy. We'll get there...one foot in front of the other all the way.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Thursday, June 10, 2004
Less Loafing, A Glass Of Wine, and Now
Back from my walk and I'm sitting down to write. There's nothing wrong with that, except it's almost 8:30 and my alarm goes off in less than 5 hours.
I'm treating myself to a glass of wine.
Amy is likely coming home tomorrow and my soul is much more at peace.
I stepped on the scales a few minutes ago and weighed in at 193. Once I re-hydrate that will change, but I'm going to hold onto the vision for tonight at least. Seven more pounds and I'll have dropped a full 50.
I haven't written too much about the weight loss thing here since that really wasn't my intent when I started fasting, and now I find the folks who ask me about it don't really want to hear the answer. It's always a short conversation.
"I'm amazed at how much weight you've lost! So what's the secret?"
"I ate less, and exercised more"
"oh"
I really want to write about something else tonight. About how crazy it is to be a Christian. About how frightening it is to realize you are one and about how sometimes God doesn't give you any choice.
But this isn't the time.
Instead I'm going to enjoy this glass of wine and go to bed...and let my thoughts ferment.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Into Each Life
Well, the thunderstorm I referred to earlier has turned into a full blown typhoon. This has altered the plotline of my personal sitcom, "My Three Dogs".
I actually had them fairly attuned to my schedule but that did require them going outside for extended periods of time.
Moments ago, I fed them big heaping bowls of food and green beans hoping they'll sleep for at least an hour or so, so I can sleep for at least an hour or so.
Of course full stomachs do have their consequences, and from thus comes today's truth: Dogs poop a lot quicker in a monsoon.
If Confucius didn't say that I'm sure he would have gotten around to it eventually.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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The Waiting Game
I stopped at Sam's on the way home from the hospital today to drop off a prescription and a booming thunderstorm broke out as I was walking into the store. Since I was only in there a few minutes, the storm was in full fledged rage as I was leaving.
The choices - run to the car or stand and wait for the storm to pass like many people were doing.
Patience is not my strong suit, and now I'm soaked to the bone.
If anything the storm intensified with every hurried step. By the time I got to the car I was splashing through six inches of water.
I should have waited.
Barring the unexpected, Amy should get out of the hospital in a day or two.
I'm optimistic, but I'm suddenly in less of a hurry.
Sometimes God sends pretty clear lessons...I only need to soak them up.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Happy Birthday EmmaWayne!
I'm really going to have to do something about this...this growing up stuff.
My niece Emily (or EmmaWayne as some jokester nicknamed her) is celebrating a birthday today.
She can't read this today, because she's in Mexico doing God's work.
Emily is a beautiful and excited spirit.
You danced your way into my heart long ago.
Love,
Uncle M
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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My Apologies To The Lady Of Avon
I think I was rude to the Avon lady.
Normally when I take a nap in the middle of the day, which God willing is every day, I turn off the ringer on the house phone, put my cell phone in another part of the house by Amy, close myself in our bedroom, turn on the floor fan which makes about as much noise as an f-14 fighter jet, put in earplugs, and adorn my face with a charming little sleep mask given me recently by the local Baptist hospital system as a promotional tschoske - I don't know if they really expected me wear it, but as soon as I saw it I said, "Hey, I can use that!"
By the way, if you're under the impression that news coverage can't be influenced, at least I only wear blinders to sleep.
Anyway, I block out the world. I take my napping seriously.
This week Amy is in the hospital and my boss is on vacation which technically puts me in charge...at least at work. Part of the downside of that is that I can't turn off any of my phones...the upside is I can sleep anywhere I want in the house. Today, all of the ingredients of a good nap came together. It's not excessively hot, it's raining on and off, I "accidentally" doubled up the medication for Winston the special needs dog, and another hospital bill came in the mail making me want to go fetal.
I curled up on the couch and started watching a movie (Matchstick Men - haven't made it through it yet so I can't tell you if it's worth renting)...I promptly fell asleep.
Somewhere during that blissful state of oblivion the phone rang and it was the Avon lady. This wasn't a "ding dong Avon calling" sales call...I think Amy has actual friends who are Avon ladies with whom she has some barter arrangement for computer work in return for overpriced stuff that smells good. Anyway, I'm not real good on the phone to begin with, when the phone is responsible for Nappus Interruptus I'm even worse.
I vaguely remember the very pleasant woman asking for Amy, and me saying she was in the hospital. The woman naturally was curious as to how long Amy would be hospitalized, what she was in for, etc. I didn't satisfy her with my response. In truth I think I ignored all her questions and grunted, "I'll tell her you called". She was still saying something when I hung up and rolled back over on the couch trying to find a place unspoiled by my drool.
Now, I am awake and refreshed (it was a good nap) but I feel a little guilty.
I'll have to figure out a way to make it up to the Avon lady....if only the Fuller Brush man was still around.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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From Heavy Revvy
I stumbled into Heavy Revvies Blog ...and saw this picture
Since there is no permalink I swiped it without express written permission from the National Football League, the U.S. Navy, John Kerry, Gomer Pyle, or even Revvie.
But it was too funny not to pass along.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Monday, June 07, 2004
Worrisense
I got home from the hospital today and slept all afternoon.
And it was good.
Amy told me this morning she thought I shouldn't blog about her health issues, "because it's like you have to live everything twice and it only makes it harder on you."
Amy worries that I worry too much.
When she told me that, I nodded.
I nod a lot. I found that gets me in less trouble than when I open my mouth.
In honesty I live everything far more than twice, but who's counting.
As I was writing this post, I was interrupted by a phone call. My eldest stepdaughter Tiffany was on the line. She and her boyfriend are at a stage of their relationship where there are some communication barriers coming to the forefront.
In other words, she's a female and he's a male. She wants to talk about stuff... he really doesn't.
I tried nodding, but for the record that doesn't work as well over the phone.
We talked for quite a while, and I offered my advice, but Tiffany will soon be 23 - she is far wiser than her years. She'll make up her own mind.
I must confess it is nice to know she wanted my opinion.
I realize also that it's nice to love and be loved so much that it provokes worry.
(Insert nod here)
As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-4
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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Sunday, June 06, 2004
Sleepless in San Antonio
A long day didn't get any shorter. I suspect rather than sit and whine I could do us all a favor by going to sleep.
Every once in a while I get it right.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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A Hard Night's Day
It seemed like I had been asleep on the couch for about an hour when Amy woke me around 10pm.
Now it's 4 a.m, so you can assume this is not a good thing.
Amy's pain increased dramatically over the course of the past day or so. Last night we went back to the emergency room. She's been readmitted to the hospital (after 4 hours of waiting and a CT scan).
I'm optimistic this hospital stay will be brief.
Amy's illness has been an ordeal, but we are strong.
We will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and move forward....one day.
Right now I'm debating either a nap or strong coffee....cogent thought seems out of the question.
It's been a long day.
posted by Michael
©The Main Point by Michael Main
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