On getting older . . .

Many people have taken the time to write eloquently about "how you know when you’re getting older." They remind us of such things as body parts aching – parts you didn’t even know you had. Or they observe the gradual loss of memory – not of days gone by, but of yesterday, or, sometimes just five minutes ago.

Today I was reminded that sometimes the reminders come from other people, not from the factors of aging. In a conversation with someone I have not seen in awhile the question was asked, "so, are you thinking about retirement these days?" Now, why would someone ask me that? Don’t answer. It’s kind of like getting the senior discount without being asked if you are eligible – the person just assumes you are by simply looking at you. "You just looked so . . . . mature."

Part of the problem with this is our culture. We’re infatuated with youth, doing everything that we can to stay young and/or to keep looking young. No expense is too great in the effort to cheat age, or at least to be deceitful about it.

It is not the case in other parts of the world. One of my good friends is from Ghana, West Africa. His name is Christian Dogar. He is a church-planter in his home country and is a delightful and humble man. I remember him telling us the story of being on a bus and having a younger person say to him, "Here old man, you can have my seat." It brought tears to his eyes but not for the same reason it would bring tears to our eyes. You see, in Ghana, it is an honor to be considered old. Older people are treated with great respect. To achieve an age where others consider you old is to reach a time of life much anticipated. Christian’s tears were tears of incredible joy and achievement.

It’s kind of sad that in America we ship our elderly to nursing homes at the first sign of any illness or handicap – physical, mental, or emotional. In America, "Here old man, you can have my seat" is more like a death sentence hinting that you’re just one step away for the old folks manor. And in so doing we are cheating ourselves and our culture of the wisdom, experiences, and stories of the oldest generation.

We’re not very smart when we do that. [And retirement is not even close to being in the picture.]

The trauma of the high school locker combination . . .

Last night I had a dream. It’s a dream I’ve had many times in my life. I was back in school and trying to find my gym locker and realized I could not remember which locker was mine. So I went to the office to find out which locker it was and was reminded that it was #513. Happily I left the office and started back to the gym only to get halfway there and realize I could not remember the combination for that locker. . .

What amazes me is that it has been 40 years since I’ve had to worry about a locker and a locker combination. It must have been quite a traumatic experience back then, because buried deep in a file in my mind is a video that replays with slight variations in my dreams at night.

Then there is the dream of waking up in a college dorm and realizing that I had a final exam I had not studied for. Usually to complicate things, it is also a class that I had skipped the whole semester. And usually it is a subject like German or Spanish and I realize since I had not been to class all semester this was going to be a pretty difficult exam. The irony is that I was not a student that skipped many classes. And I was always prepared for finals. Must have been the trauma of final exams that has caused a short circuit DVD that keeps replaying from time to time . . .

Finally is that dream of being unable to get to a certain place on time because I can’t find something. In my dreams it is often a Bible and sermon notes that have been lost and I’m desperately trying to find them as the minutes tick by and the service is proceeding toward that moment I am to preach. Each minute makes things more desperate. Then, when I finally find them, I go running to the church only to find out I’m still in my pajamas. Obviously, none of this has every happened to me. But I am a stickler for schedule and starting on time. Must be the trauma of the minute hand which has created make believe scenarios that haunt my nighttime dreams . . .

None of this will solve the dilemmas of our national debt or the war in Afghanistan but it is much more fun to read about.

Sweet dreams.

And they want to run healthcare too . . .

Talk about a delightful headline to start the day with: "Millions may have to repay part of stimulus tax credit". It seems like the legislators and the IRS, when putting this tax credit package together "overlooked" what they are calling "complications" to the rebate package.

The first "complication" mentioned – some couples both work. Huh? You live in the United States of America in 2009 and you "overlook" that fact that both husband and wife have an income? Isn’t that pretty much the norm?

The second "complication" mentioned – some people on Social Security also have a job. Another ‘huh?’ You are running the country and you don’t know this?

The Los Angeles Times article stated, "The [IRS] agency estimated that only 65,000 people would face penalties." A giant "huh?" We were given stimulus money to spend so that the economy would be stimulated, and now that want it back, and they may penalize some people on top of it.

In the LA Times article, a CPA manager says, "I’m concerned about those people who are spending those refunds, which in fact they might not be going to receive." Change of plan folks – don’t spend those tax credits – store them away so that Uncle Sam can collect them!

And this is the government that wants to run health care!

Currently In Constant Prayer (The Ancient Practices) By Robert Benson see related

24 Questions . . .

It used to be so easy to shop. You went to the store, gave the cashier your money, got your change, and left. Not any more. Now, every transaction produces what can only be called "24 questions."

I went to Sears today to buy a coat. For all of you who know me well, let it be said that I went by myself to purchase a coat that I liked without Judy. You immediately recognize that this could all be futile in the end – if she doesn’t like it, don’t put your money on me. But it did produce the following scenario.

Cashier: Would you like to put this on your Sears charge card?

Me: No maam.

Cashier: Do you have a Sears charge?

Me: No maam.

Cashier: If you apply for one today you could get $15 off your coat immediately, even if you are turned down for it.

Me: No thank you maam. The last thing I need is another charge card.

Cashier: Oh there’s no obligation and there’s no finance charge. You’ll still get $15 off whether you ever use it or not.

Me: No thank you maam.

She rings up my coat.

Cashier: That will be $59 – but if you open up a charge account today you could have it for only $44. Are you sure you don’t want to do that?

Me: Yes maam.

Cashier: You understand we do have to ask you all this.

Me: Yes maam.

I give her my money.

Cashier: (Picking up a card of some sort) Would you be interesting in joining our "shopping club"? [It had a fancier name than that, but I can’t remember it.)

Me: No maam.

Cashier: You can earn points for everything that you buy and you could begin accumulating them with this coat.

Me: No thank you.

Cashier: Its very easy to join. Are you sure?

Me: Yes maam. I’ll send my wife into join.

She gives me my change.

Cashier: [picking up something from the counter and swiping it through the machine]: Since you spent over $50 today, you are eligible for a free gift card.

Me: Thank you maam.

Cashier: It is worth $10 but can only be used on these dates.

Me: Thank you maam. I’ll give it to my wife.

She bags up my coat.

Cashier: Oh, did I give you an invitation to our "Family and Friends VIP Night?"

Me: No maam.

Cashier: [picking up a flyer] Here it is. You are invited on Sunday between 6 and 9 pm for a special sale just for our important customers. Here, let me put it in you bag for you.

Me: Thank you maam.

Cashier: Now, is there anything else I can do for you today?

Temptations and Prayer . . .