The Saturday Breakfast Gibson Call

If you're having a problem, or are curious how about how to lose weight, teach a baby to read, be a positive thinker, become a house flipper, learn good investment strategies, improve your computer skills, or even use an indestructible knife then early morning infomercials are for you. I like that the common theme to all of them are, "We have real life testimonials; these people are not paid actors." Yes, yes, they don't have a SAG card, but I'm sure they're getting something out of it.
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Have you ever broken up with somebody? The other person hasn't really done anything to "deserve" your ending the relationship; in fact they've been quite good. They listen to you, love you and try their best to help you with your goals. But, because you're feeling as though it is too much or they actually expect progress or change from you, you decide to end it. Then, a month or two later you get a phone call from them. You pick up the phone with the obligatory, "Hello." You go through the small talk formalities asking and answering questions about how you've been and what you've been up to. Then you start talking about all of your new hobbies, and the things that you've purchased and the extra-curricular activities that you are now involved in. With all the extra time on your hands, not being with the other person, or being in the relationship, you scream how free you are now and how much you're enjoying your new life. All the while the person on the other end of the phone knows you're lying. They say, "The truth is, I called because I miss you. I miss you so much. Everyday, I think about you and wonder where you are and what you are doing. I sit around and hope that you'll open the gift I left you 2,000 years ago. I ask my angelic friends if you're ok. I called because I love you and no matter where you go or what you do, I will always love you." It's at that moment that the phone call gets weird. You start to remember all the things you did wrong in the relationship, how you felt justified for leaving, how you left to "search" for what you "really" wanted, only to find that what you really needed and wanted is on the other end of the phone. A real decision has to be made instantly, as you're left to ponder, momentarily, if you will reciprocate the openness and vulnerability that was just shared with you. You know that if you don't tell the truth, you'll only be the one who remains miserable, and you know that they will call you back. You decide, I'll tell the truth, "Yes, I miss you too. Do you think I could meet up with you this Sunday. I heard that you're going to be at church on the campus of UCSD. I hear that you spend time with people there during the week and you like to personally visit on Sundays; would that be cool with you?" They respond, "I'll be there. I will see you on Sunday."

Yeah, that has been my relationship with God lately. I've been trying for years to justify why I've not loved God the way that he loves me and I haven't been able to do it. Those phone conversations are the instances when I close my eyes to pray; He knows everything I am going to say and everything that I need, God just wants to hear me say it and needs me to believe what I know to be true; He loves me enough to send his only son to die for me - my belief in Him gives me eternal life and a chance to fellowship with Him eternal in heaven. Great stuff!
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I scratched an itch that I've had for a few years yesterday. I played my new guitar for so long yesterday that my fingers started cramping. I was at Guitar Center for 3 and 1/2 hours yesterday. While I was there a salesman approached me and said "Man, you sound really good. You must be into jazz; those are some beautiful chords." We started talking, a little musician small talk; what music he plays, who his influences are." Thinking the conversation was over he, I went back to playing an inexpensive guitar, as guitars go, that I was playing. He then said that he had a brand new, never been played before Gibson ES-335 in the back and that he'd like to get it out and let me jam on it for a while. When the guitar case opened it popped like a cold soda. Immediately I could smell the freshness of the wood and the lacquer needed to give it it's illustrious finish. It was lightweight, smelled earthy and felt smoother than silk and cooler than marble. I plugged it in, tuned it up and the first note nibbled on my ear lobe. My heart started racing, and my fingers kept playing beautiful note after beautiful note. Not surprising to the salesman, but unique to me - I was falling in love. But, just like all the things in life, there is a season for every change, and that guitar was for the winter of my life; I'm still in spring. I asked how much these go for and then started a conversation with another patron named Mike. He told me that he really shouldn't be in the store, but that he liked coming in on the weekends to jam on the guitars he dreams about owning. He said that he had a cheaper one at home, and the love for creating music is what kept him coming back. We talked a while on that; music is never ending for me - the better I get, the more I realize I don't know, and the more I want to know. Getting back to the guitar, I decided to let it rest. I placed the silk-like covering back over the guitar, pulled it back again, said my goodbye, then replaced the covering. I whispered a little secret and closed the latches on the case. It wasn't as hard as I thought to say goodbye, but it was motivating because I immediately knew what it would take to see her again (is it me, or do you find it pathetic that I just referred to that guitar as a woman? LOL).
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I had a lot of fun this weekend; played some pool, went to breakfast with some really good friends, laughed and told jokes, and played some guitar. Now, I've only need to worship my Lord and I look forward to doing that soon as well. Ciao.