2.17.2009

I haven't done this in awhile



My so called preconceived coffee immunity is just that, so called. It is now 2:34 in the morning and after 4 shots of espresso in various forms, I am lying in bed awake listening to the acoustic version of Yellow on repeat. I find it funny my sense of clarity and emotion at this hour, and how staying up this late really prolongs thought. I've been thinking a lot about faith lately and what its floors are made of. The foundation has obviously been paved but I've been so caught up lately in how to lay the floors, which I should tear out, and what do I need to do to replace the old boards. Its an odd cycle, as many things in life often are. And as cliche as it sounds I'm sure you've heard this one before. The ol' we shouldn't focus so much on the floors but on the foundation. And its true. We need to hear it time and time again not so that we learn it, but so that we live it.

Sadly, I think that stories have lost their vigor and saltiness. For generations storytelling has been a way to prolong tradition, culture, knowledge, and habit. Stories were once adventure filled road maps and colorful portraits of inspiration. Websters defines the word story as the following:

1.
a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader; tale.
2.
a fictitious tale, shorter and less elaborate than a novel.
3.
such narratives or tales as a branch of literature: song and story.
4.
the plot or succession of incidents of a novel, poem, drama, etc.: The characterizations were good, but the story was weak.
5.
a narration of an incident or a series of events or an example of these that is or may be narrated, as an anecdote, joke, etc.
6.
a narration of the events in the life of a person or the existence of a thing, or such events as a subject for narration: the story of medicine; the story of his life.
7.
a report or account of a matter; statement or allegation: The story goes that he rejected the offer.
8.
news story.
9.
a lie or fabrication: What he said about himself turned out to be a story.
10.
obsolete
11.
to ornament with pictured scenes, as from history or legend.
12.
Obsolete. to tell the history or story of.

Now.. if we agree on a few things, the first would be that these terms or definitions that declare what a story is sound pretty modern day. And the second, a rather obvious one would be that the majority of the definitions declare a story to be some sort of falsified version of the truth.

With these in mind, we take a look at the greatest story ever written. It is human nature whether consciously or subconsciously to deny what happened. We might even say we believe it, but do we just say these things because we decided that some time ago when we heard these stories come alive for the first time. How can we expect our flesh to carry on a belief daily without reminding ourselves why we chose it in the first place? When surrounded by what the world would call just a falsified version of what actually happened we lose all sight of what did ACTUALLY happen.

Father God, I thank you for never giving up on us messed up ridiculous sinners. You did ACTUALLY die for us and is now our turn to die for you every single day. I pray that we may. I pray that the stories we read about come alive again and again so that we may breathe the life you wrote into them to all people who walk this earth. Let us rejoice in the times you bless us with, and let us rejoice in the times we feel are hell on earth, for you are right beside us holding us up. How great alone is hearing that again, you are right beside us.

Who needs floors on a solid foundation?
-original photo credit tonx