Here's a fucked up story from work today...

I was wandering around helping people in men's today when I approached a lady and asked her if she needed a hand. She looked and me and told me that yes she did need a hand as she was shopping for a very special person. She was looking for some high quality polo shirts so I happily helped her select one. After we had selected one she stopped, looked directly at me and said I just have to tell you how we met it's the most beautiful story. She told me that she had just got back from her high school reunion in Los Angeles, because her father was American and her mother was Quebecois (I really don't know what this little tid-bit had to do with anything but it's there for you anyway). At the reunion she had met the most amazing, beautiful man whom she had had no idea even existed in high school because she had been a cheer leader and blah, blah, blah... She continued on with her story and told me how everything between the two just flowed and that she had found her soul mate. She was so happy. Now the only obstacle they had to overcome before their lives could come together was that they needed to tell their spouses that it was over. They had both become more like room-mates than lovers with their spouses so it was time to end it.

Let me tell you I was fighting to keep a bemused smile on my face. I really wanted to slap her, tell her she was a stupid whore that she was likely in the middle of destroying the lives of those around her that she loved, and push her out of the store. Instead of doing these things I smiled, realized a perfect sales opportunity and sold her three of the most expensive shirts that we carried! I was slightly surprised that when I asked her what his favourite colour was she said she really didn't know... I thought they were soul mates!

I'm now feeling somewhat sorry for selling her those shirts as it has been pointed out to me that her husband was likely footing the bill for the shirts. Why do people seem to be doing this sort of thing so often these days. Perhaps it has something to do with the lack of a moral grounding the boomer generation seems to exhibit.

I fear that I too may be headed on this path. Today at small group I hashed out a few things with my group leader who also is one of the Pastors at my church. As luck would have it we were the only ones that showed up for the group this week. We discussed the fact that I completely believe in God and that he directs our lives and has a plan for all of us. What I can't seem to grasp is the significance of Christ dyeing on the cross. I just don't seem to care.

I was told that it seems as though I need to place myself in spiritually windy places in order for my faith to grow. At this moment I don't understand how placing myself into positions that are difficult and painful will ultimately help me. As far as I'm concerned every time I go into a church I'm in one of the most difficult and painful places I could possibly enter. All those false plastic people in one place. So nice to your face and always preaching the good news that God and everyone there loves you so much... but then not acting on it. Maybe it's me?