Dignified Feet

This morning I woke up to a less-than-usual winter wonderland. It was glorious, mostly because it meant I would receive a delay en route to my duties at Genesis. After preparing for my life-changing class on pedicures (insert chuckle), I scurried out the door to catch the #20 bus. Because Vancouverites love public transit as much as they love saying "eh?", I found myself packed in like a squished sardine - a less-than-desirable way to travel. Oh well, at least my only pair of semi-waterproof shoes were still dry.


Upon reaching my destination, I nearly knocked over 2 grannies and a small Asian man as I extracted my body from the congested carriage. Thankfully my remaining 15 minute walk provided much more pleasure as I feasted on the ravishing mountain landscape situated directly before me. And yes, my shoes were surprisingly still dry.

I proposed my usual prayer on the ascent up the stairs, requesting that God would take all my preconceived strategies of saving the world so that He could do it the right way. I entered the room and in my most charming tone of voice warmly greeted Nikki*, a woman who apparently doesn't enjoy snow, people, or friendly greetings. "Hello there!" I said. She replied by staring at the computer. "Dang, shot down," I thought. But she wasn't going to get the best of me as I entertained the thought of 'killing her with kindness.' Well, not literally. I instantly took another stab with a compliment on her cardigan. Nothing. Not even eye contact. This one was a tough cookie to crack.

I decided to let her soak in the shock of overt affection while I initiated another conversation with Charlene*. Charlene rocks. It's true that though I may not be able to understand where the heck her streams of consciousness are headed as she rambles on about strange things in fragmented sentences, she at least acknowledges my existence. And she complies with anything you ask her to do. Quite rare at a place like this.

After a round of board games, I set up shop for my lesson on foot therapy. Needless to say, Nikki wasn't enthralled. However, through a bit of coaxing as I depicted this event as revolutionary, she agreed to receive her very first pedicure. Victory #1.


Amazingly enough, this experience had the uncanny ability to defuse all animosity towards her previous irritations. Touching her feet with gentleness and care provoked laughter and an unpredicted tone of gladness that lightened everyone's spirits. I suppose I really shouldn't be all that surprised, considering that this was one of the Savior's most disarming acts of service. I reckon I might consider this Victory #2.

All this got me thinking as I prodded through the snow on the 2.5 mile walk home. Thinking about the power of kind words and tenacious compassion. How something so trivial as touching one's feet can impact their humanity as a person. You could almost feel the self-worth returning to her spirit.

On a tangent, I also perceived an awareness of what life must have been like for our grandparents trudging home miles after work in rain, sleet, and snow. No wonder they maintained their girlish figures so well.

And in case you're wondering....my shoes didn't come back in the way they had left. Sloshed.


*names changed for protection from crazies

Identity Theft

I am discovering a new kind of Christianity through a radical Jesus, in his flawless character and unequivocal love. I thought I had a grip on the essence of the Savior and am realizing more everyday that I have barely even scratched the surface.

"Whoever shall lose his life for my sake shall gain it." (Matt. 10:39) I had always believed this statement to be true, knowing that by forsaking my worldly possessions I would find a profound freedom in the reality of Christ. But it has recently occurred to me that by LIFE, perhaps Jesus meant identity or ego? We have the tendency to view this command solely in practical terms: houses, money, careers, etc. But what about the inner work? What about all the boxes and labels that have shaped who we are? How do we define ourselves?

I can't help but wonder if Jesus is really asking for ALL of us, comprising all that is internal. In fact, this is the part we as humans find most difficult to abandon. We will appear weak, vulnerable, insignificant. No one will approve of us in this way! It is embedded deep in our human condition to desire acceptance and to feel valued, which we seek from other people. Why is it so difficult for us to be content exclusively with God's acceptance of us?

Many questions swim through my mind as I ponder these notions: Does this speak of little faith in the Almighty if we need assurance from people? Is there a balance of love from God and love from our neighbor? What does it look like to release something so intangible to Him?

Yet I believe this is what Jesus is requesting - no, commanding - us to sacrifice: our self-centered ego. To give up all of us - everything we know and hold onto, including how we define ourselves - for His purposes, His desires. To constantly take the back seat and be last in everything, all out of love. Perhaps that is how we shall find freedom. To claim our label as "follower of Christ" instead of by what we do or achieve. For all of that is His too. And as we slowly loosen the tight grip we have on our lives and hand them over to Him, only then will we begin to see that a life in the Father is far greater than any label or box could ever define.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

This age-old saying has taken up real-life meaning for me. Only me. Yes, not my dear husband. Just me.

If you're not quite picking up what I'm putting down, I will give it to you straight. Carrie has bed bugs. Well, I would say this conclusion is 98% accurate. Here is the current supporting evidence:

-I wake up nearly every morning with little red bite-looking spots on various body parts
-Many people in our apartment building have claimed to have these creepy varmints
-During our trip home I had no signs of any spots. The night we came back, so did the spots.
-We come into contact with many people each day that are cursed by this beastie.

And here is the opposing evidence:

-Ryan has no indication whatsoever on his limbs of spots (a previous scabies immunization causes him to believe he might be resistant. However, scabies does not equal bed bugs)
-I have searched our mattress 5 bajillion times and see nothing to prove they are there (according to Google, bugs should be present in mattress seams)

Based on the given data and attestation, I'm leaning towards the confirmation of their presence. Am I a hypochondriac? Or more appropriately, a acarophobic?

What would your assumption be? Help me solve the mystery...

Jetties, Planes, and Bon Jovi

Today my friends and I took a stroll towards the airport in search of fun and fellowship. Due to our thinned-out wallets, we were forced to tap into our creative resources to think of a low-budget option. The general consensus voted for the famous jetty juxtaposed a la airport. For those wondering what a jetty is, Google defines it as "a protective structure of stone or concrete that extends from shore to water to prevent a beach from washing away." Basically a long strip of rocks that leads to nowhere (except for the metal lookout station where scenes from Titanic can be reenacted.) I also discovered that this particular jetty serves an additional purpose of removing the city's waste. Lovely.

The entire strip took all of 2 hours to complete, including the occasional interruption for pictures and pauses to stop and wave at each plane headed for landing. Cheezy? Indeed. We expressed our silliness in bad jokes and performances of Bon Jovi (Trudi on vocals, air guitar, and drums). Good times.

What made me stop and think about this escapade was how we managed to derive so much enjoyment from something so inconsequential and trite. I'm realizing that just as much fun can be had doing something so simple and unadorned as you might have on a fancy excursion requiring a fat wad of benjamins. Sometimes it is in these moments when I have much so much more. It is in these occasions when I'm taken back to a child-like posture of giddiness and foolhardy delight. It makes me want to capture it in a frame. Oh wait...I did.

Unforseen Treasures

It never ceases to amaze me how I find Christ in the most unlikely of places...

As we bussed it downtown this afternoon to Jacob's Well, I tried to prepare myself for all the unpredictable adventures that were soon to take place. I prayed in spite of the uncertainty, asking to be a light in the darkness. I felt what could be described as a 'holy assurance' that His light would indeed shine.

We rounded up the troops and I was assigned to deliver food and visit 3 native ladies; shut-ins that rarely have guests. Each seemed to be heavy-laden with burdens, pain and suffering. Bonnie cried the entire visit due to a lost wallet and an ungrateful family. We sat, listened and prayed for her while she cussed out her absent relatives. A brief moment of enthusiasm broke in as she showed off her new Elvis watch and hot pink pjs. The beauty of the hour revealed itself as we departed: her demeanor changed, she was overtly grateful and lighthearted as she extended open arms to each of us. Victory bells were ringing.

Once we arrived back at the shop for coffee time, I sat down and immediately was immersed in conversation with one of my favorite people, Ron. Ron is a soft-spoken, kind-hearted man who will speak his mind (largely concerning oppression) and who happens to be one of the most genuine people I've met here. We discussed the sufferings of his addictions, why Christians are hypocritical, and what it means to love unconditionally. Each week I'm astonished by the wisdom found in those we would deem poor and marginalized. Though their appearances might communicate messages of foolishness and indolence to the world, I often discover that they really are the bearers of truth, as we see in them so much of ourselves. Perhaps we avoid the outsiders because we are afraid of gazing into the mirror?

As Shane Claiborne says, "Looking into the eyes of the poor may be the clearest glimpse of God many of us get in this world."

I have to agree. Let's seek out those unexpected places and find the truths that liberate. I dare you to take a peek around that other corner and see what turns up...

Can You See It?

So, here I've finally entered into the world of blogdom. Yet another facet of cyberspace to occupy my less-than-abundant time. My reason for beginning this open document of my life is that I've noticed many odd things floating around in my mind lately. Good things, thought provoking things, and just really strange things (likely pertaining to daily occurrences in the most eccentric part of this country. More examples soon to follow.)

Divine abundance is defined as "the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply emanating from God." I've chosen this title for my writings because I feel these words capture closely the perspective I'm venturing to view my life - not because I've attained monumental wealth or even that I've been shielded from suffering. I have not and I hope never am.

Rather, I will choose this lavishness in unlikely places. In the beauty of the snowcapped mountains outside our window. In the cupboards of kitchen. In that fresh pot of coffee. In the authentic face of a homeless friend. In the surroundings of a beautifully destroyed yet soon-to-be restored 'apartment' that we will soon call home. In the patience of my husband as he unties the world's biggest knot in my yarn ball. An infinite list no doubt.

And so here begins my attempt to document all the ways I will choose to view the daily, even mundane moments of life that really are the hidden gifts we so often fail to notice.

Some may say extreme optimism. I say shift in perspective. Here goes...