Follow Up To "Things I Wish I Knew Yesterday"

I am finding more and more of these type moments.  My wife, Meredith, just wanted to go shopping for Mother's Day.  No fancy lunch, no flowers, nada, nothing.  She just wanted some grown up time to replenish the wardrobe.  So she ventured out to her favorite clothing store Maurices.

Now my wife can shop.  She doesn't leave the store with it without it being a deal.  She is evolving into an extreme couponer.  So much to her disgust today in the mail, wouldn't you know it, a 20% off total purchase coupon!

Things I wish I knew yesterday (or at least last Sunday)!  Guess we will never stop learning the lessons that our yesterday's teach us.

My Best In Babylon

I think that everyone is familiar with the story of the Daniel in the lion's den.  If not, here is the non-flannelgraph short version.  Daniel is thrown in with some big felines because he broke the law praying to God when a decree had been issued to pray to no one other than the king.  God shuts the mouths of the lions, Dan is A-okay!  Yeah, God!

Now back on track.  I was reading this story again when I was captured by something new I have not really ever taken notice of.  Now Daniel is an Israelite that had been taken hostage to Babylon.  Not by choice is Daniel where his, but more by the circumstances of life, especially life ala 5th Century B.C.  Now here is what is so interesting is the first few verses of the story:

² The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. ³ Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

Daniel is working in what has to be less than his dream job, don't get me wrong it is a good gig. Eating off the king's table was high dining. But working in Babylon is not what he had dreamed of as boy back in Jerusalem.  Here is what impresses me about Daniel, his character. 

He could have releagated himself to mourn or pout or just be mad about his life circumstances.  But Daniel continued to be Daniel.  Daniel did his job, as a matter fact did his job so well the king was about to put him over the entire empire! 

So the economy is bad, so you are working an unglamorous job somewhere in the Babylon of your life.  This "recession" has left you laid off and you have gone from God's promised Jerusalem to the captivity of a new career.  But are you giving your best while you are there?  Don't miss out on what Daniel did.  He gave the king, his boss, his best even in the position he did not choose to be in.  And guess what, God blessed Daniel even in Babylon.  Give your best and God can bless your Babylon.   

Things I Wish I Knew Yesterday

In the classic 1990's movie about the 1980's, The Wedding Singer, Robbie (played by Adam Sandler) offers one of the most quotable lines in the film.  In the aftermath of being stood up at his own wedding, he is told by his fiance that she is not in love with this Robbie, but she still burns for the rock 'n roll Robbie.  And then it happens, the quote, as Adam Sandler shouts out "things I could have known yesterday" at his estranged bride to be.

I think we all have had these moments, moments when we wish we knew yesterday what we know today.  So here are the things I would go back and tell myself:

- Your freshman year homecoming date is going to ask you to order for her.  Find out ahead of time what her favorite food is.
 - In college you will have on field pre-game press passes to the Chicago Cubs, don't ride with Chris, he does not know where he is going.
 - Spend less time worrying about fitting in, more time enjoying the moment.
 - You will not play major league baseball, just sayin'.
 - While incredibly unforgettable and forgettable at the same time, using college loan money to fund spring break is not a good idea. 
 - People come and go, but true friends will add the most value to your life.
 - Home is less about where you hang your coat and more about where you hang your heart.
 - Don't spill you coke on your prom date, really bad idea!
 - When you are standing in line on the first day of college, don't be ashamed to hug mama good-bye.  While immensely proud, her heart is breaking.

While if I gave it another hour or two, I could probably come up with twenty more.  Retrospect always allows for clearer vision. So what are things you might go back and tell yourself?  What lesson do you wish you knew then?  Maybe I would change them, maybe not.  Maybe those moments have shaped the who I am now.  But at the least, would definetly have not spilled the Coke (sorry Katie). 

Tuesday's Tune May 10th

In college, the commander of cool musically was a guy I worked with named Christian Mann (yes it was his real name and I do recognize the irony).  Christian always seemed to have music before anyone else was hearing it, not sure how it happened since we lived in Southeast Tennessee nestled between the mountains and at night the faint echo of banjos could be heard.  Never the less, Christian was my introduction to bands like LifeHouse, Vertical Horizon, BareNakedLadies and this week's featured band Hillsong United. 

Pre the illegalization of Napster and when you put cd's in the cd rom drive to listen to music I was introduced to a youth worship band from Austrailia with hits like "Jesus is my best friend" and "I live for you." Joel Houston and the gang have once again launched out with a new album titled "Aftermath".  I am amazed at the constant evolution of Hillsong United musically yet the ability to stay true to their roots of worship.  If you get a chance to see Hillsong United live, do it this summer as they tour the US.

So here is the title track from the 12th Hillsong United album "Aftermath".