How I Had the Best Day Cleaning My Car



     I've had some amazing adventures in my "Shaquifa", my sporty-spice mini-SUV. Today, I decided to take the time to vacuum her and get rid of all the unnecessary clutter.

     A job that should have taken me 20 minutes, turned into 3 hours. I got caught up in Memory Lane. I would take long pauses as I sat to remember where I had been when I played a particular CD last, or staring at an old dinner receipt and trying to remember who I had shared that meal with. And let's not even talk about all the hidden treasure (a.k.a. Junk and Clutter) in my trunk. I replayed so many of my little adventures and memories as I took the time to clear everything out.

     Our lives have far more intricacies and beautiful detail than we'd like to believe. Sometimes, if we take the time to pay attention to those memories calling out to us, we may appreciate the journey a little bit more. It's been said, "You won't know where you're going until you know where you've been."


Wisdom's Knocking:

If you want to assess your life and your priorities, clean your house and/or car, and see what you'll find.

Yogurt Trickery

    


     Is anyone else bothered by the fact that they can make non-frozen yogurt taste like Oreo Cookies, Key Lime Pie, or Red Velvet Cake?

     Um, what? Last time I checked, there wasn't an actual piece of cake in my yogurt. They've lied to us. That is clearly not Red Velvet Cake that I'm eating. And I'm afraid to ask how they made it taste like Red Velvet and with 0 calories. This is sounding very suspect.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Often, things are not what they appear to be.



What the Nissan Z Sports Car Means to Me

     

     A bit like the mad scientist, when my dad gets around his beloved Nissan Z, he's like a kid in a candy store. Today, I helped him fix something--something to do with the clutch. I had no idea what I was doing, but by the end of it,  he made me feel so accomplished. It feels good to have a papa.

      Being a father is not merely making a child, but it's truly a posture of the heart. It's not about being a disciplinarian or provider first, it's about being willing to open your heart to loving someone more than yourself.

     I'm painfully aware that many of you reading this have either no connection to your father or you have an emotionally distant relationship with your father. But that doesn't have to be the end of the story.

     I pray that God brings true spiritual fathers to those of you that have felt fatherless over the years. And for those that have amazing fathers, take the time to cherish them. Time goes by so quickly, on this side of heaven.

 Wisdom's Knocking:

The heart of a loving father, is one of life's greatest blessings.


My Muse

Photo Credit: Anthony Chidi Njoku
 

     Today, I had the pleasure of sitting with one of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. We spoke of things past, how we've grown, and how we haven't.

     We basked in the glory of friendship and memory. My heart is now full.

Wisdom's Knocking:

Take the time to remember a beautiful memory, and make sure you share it with someone.

Cupid Fail



     Cupid rhymes with Stupid. Just an observation I made while getting ready to write this blog.

     One year, I was feeling particularly confident in my matchmaking abilities and decided to play the role of cupid with two friends of mine. I went all out, I was truly invested in this love story. I felt like they would be a perfect match. I was already preparing my cupid speech for their wedding reception--with appropriate laughs and pauses included.

     The week prior to their blind date, I kept everything a mystery for both of them. I only revealed clues about the other's personality and their favorites (Song, movie, etc.). On top of that, I never told them each other's name. They loved the suspense. And I was enjoying every minute of it.

     These two individuals had never met before and were now going on a blind date per my trusted recommendation.

     Their date was set to take place in a public place and since they had no clue of what the other looked like, or even a name--they would recognize one another by the objects they would be holding (of which I told them ahead of time).

     The night had finally arrived. I had crazy butterflies in my stomach all day.  I wasn't going to intrude on their date, so I had to wait until their date was finished to find out how it went.

     The time had come.

     Late that night, I received 2 text messages almost simultaneously. My two friends had hit it off miraculously! Like crazy good.  Their date had just finished (It had gone on for a few hours) and they had bid each other good night. They both texted me immediately after and almost at the same time. They couldn't wait to see each other again.

     I felt like an angel. I'm pretty sure I heard a choir singing. I did have the thought: "Will my mansion in heaven be bigger than yours, now that I've helped people find true love?" A month later, my two friends were already talking about long term life plans together.

    Fast forward to a few months later, and the relationship crashes and burns. Great pain and heartache were the lasting fruit of their relationship. I felt horrible.

     As badly as I wanted to see love and romance thrive, I couldn't manipulate it to happen. People are wonderfully unique and often messy. We are free to make our choices, and free to constantly change the course of our journey. While love is an open invitation, we cannot be forced to attend. We will always have the luxury of choosing.

     So for now, I have laid down my cupid sceptor (Yes, sceptor. I had considered myself high-ranking at the time). You'll be glad to know, I've also gained a bit more humility when it comes to thinking I know everything about love and romance. And yet, I somehow still hear a choir singing...maybe love is not too far off for either of us now.

      As always, the invitation still stands.  And Love will most likely ask you to RSVP when you least expect it.



Wisdom's Knocking:

You can't plan when you're to fall in love. Just stay prepared with an open heart.