Rolling with the Punches

Working at a church I deal with a lot of different people.

Happy people. Sad people. Angry people. Grateful people. Confused people. Loving people. Not-so-loving people. Selfish people. Unselfish people. Complicated people. Uncomplicated people. And everyone in between.

But one thing remains constant. Every single one of those people have taken a few punches along the way.

In fact, I have not met a single human being over the age of 25 who has had a free ride. We may look around at other people and envy their lives – their seemingly uncomplicated and effortless lives, but scratch a little under the surface and the truth is that every single one of us have taken some hits and have the scars to prove it.

Of course some more than others – but it’s all relative. No matter how big or how small the challenge you face is compared to other people’s problems, it is very real for you all the same. I think whether or not we have trials is not the issue. It’s how we respond to those trials that makes all the difference.

We can become bitter or we can become better.

We can compare ourselves to others, choose to become victims and wallow in our own self-pity, or we can take ownership of our parts to play, and seek help from others around us. We can choose to blame and resent, or we can forgive those who have wronged us, and lean into the God who took the biggest hit of all so that we might not walk this alone.

My wife and I are expecting our first-born child in 6 weeks time, and of course everyone has their own piece of advice. Some tell us how hard it’s going to be and how our life is officially over. Other’s stress the incredible joy a new baby brings. The truth is that nothing – no advice or words of wisdom – could ever prepare us for what is about to happen.

And so we are left to take things as they come, trust God in everything, and then simply roll with the punches (may they be few!).

Baby City is a Scary Place

 Oh my word. A whole new world!

Jess and I had our first pre-natal class the other night and I learnt a new word – “layette”. The dictionary defines layette as “a set of clothing, linens, and sometimes toiletries for a newborn child.”

Well, it seems Baby City has taken that meaning to a whole new level! I had no idea there were so many little gadgets and gizmos and lotions and pumps and creams and sprays and stuff. All for a single little human being. I really am learning so much these days!

But it does make you wonder.

For thousands of years women have been having babies and raising healthy children without all this stuff that we are told is “essential”. For thousands of years civilisation has managed to survive and thrive without the “JollyBaby Activity Chime Ball” or the “Pampers PlayGym Adventure Set”. For thousands of years advances in science and mathematics have continued despite the lack of “colourful fabrics and remote-controlled toys designed to stimulate baby’s senses”.

It truly is a wonder how this happened.

And yet, despite knowing all this, I am so excited for our new arrival in 8 weeks time (and so petrified that I have no idea what I am doing) that I of course am going straight to Baby City to by all these “essentials”.

And Baby City, you will continue to sell to naive and unsuspecting parents a whole bunch of stuff I’m pretty sure we really don’t need.

My Mom is on Facebook

So you finally caved. You’ve accepted a friend request from your mom.

Don’t worry, everyone’s doing it.

In fact, according to surveys by InsideFacebook.com the fastest growing age category on Facebook is 55-65! And in a more recent study, it was also shown that a large percentage of iPad users fell into the “senior” category. So, what does this all mean? Is it because the older generation are simply the late adopters, and up till now they’ve still been trying to figure out how the mouse works, or are they truly becoming more and more tech savvy?

I think it’s a bit of both.

But one things for sure – for the most part our parents are not afraid to learn and try new things. And as the next generation we must be careful not to dismiss or undermine their wisdom and experience (simply cause they don’t know how to use their Blackberry).

The bible says “honour your parents”. It encourages us to learn and share across the generations – that both sides have things to gain from each other.

And so maybe, if we let them, the ballies could still teach us a thing or two…