Let it Soak

I admit. I am guilty of the lazy rephrasing of "Let it Soak." What began as a lesson from my mother became an excuse for myself to pawn of certain extra effort dishes to another time. The victims are my future self, my father, or my mother. What baffles me is that the dishes are such a hated chore. It's a simple and honestly satisfying task. Watching dirt be cleansed and the dish be made ready for use again. I mean first of all what in the repentance analogy. Second, I've had a revival of good attitude. Well, perhaps I am trying to revive a good attitude about chores. Shaelen will often state that she is happy to serve her family or roommate by doing chores. It's an amazing and humble attitude that I am trying to learn from. Third, any chore is fun with the proper company, attitude, or music. I mean who labeled them chores anyway.

Well here is what is stuck on the pan we need to soak:

Disc golf (great) grandpa: No this is not a story about an old man playing disc golf because I in fact am proudly a disc golf (great) grandpa. If you are confused by this statement, I will simplify it. I have passed on my love for disc golf to Jack & Hannah (my kids) who have passed it on to their family (my grandkids) who are starting to pass it on to their friends (my great grandkids). Honestly, I feel an incredible amount of joy for anyone who enjoys disc golf directly or indirectly because of me.

Shakespearean: If you know me it comes at no surprise that I am often dramatic. Sometimes it's pity seeking when I don't need it. Sometimes it's exaggeration of emotional or physical pain. Sometimes it's exaggeration of someone else's mannerisms to make a joke. Sometimes it's the way I talk. My point is Shakespeare wrote 10 tragedies. Today, an egg broke on my favorite pair of sweatpants while cooking breakfast. I will now be calling moments like these Shakespeare's 11th tragedy because I think that's freaking hilarious. Fear not, If thou wish to copy the words of my tongue, I shall not draw thy bow or bite my thumb.

Back at Bible Study: If you are in my Bible Study, skip this section because I'll probably reuse this on Monday. If you are not, keep reading. We discussed Evangelization on Monday and its definition according to us and goal. I was giddy when not a single person mentioned conversion as apart of evangelization. They mentioned invitation, friendship, sharing in joy, catering to basic needs. I find this to be really hopeful. Christ invited, became friends, shared in joy, and catered to basic needs as he taught. These things are an always will be part of evangelization. It's about bringing people a little bit closer to Jesus. Sometimes, it's about being Christ to another and not just talking about how great He is. I think of the way Hannah has helped women who have been trafficked. She probably doesn't read or preach to them the gospels, but I know she is Christ to these ladies who have gone a traumatic experience just by being their friend and making sure they are okay. (Jack and Hannah this is the part where you actually stop reading... I like to seem original). Next Monday, I hope to talk about the way prayer aids evangelization. To me, trying to evangelize or perhaps do any good without prayer greatly limits the fruits of your labor. I would argue that the difference is a branch compared to an entire tree. I think the same goes for trying to resist temptation.

Concrete: This sounds alien to any human tongue, but in a peculiar way construction and concrete make me smile. First of all, construction is the hope for a better place tomorrow. I think it sends a hopeful message and one of patience to the world. Second, a friend in the aforementioned Bible Study studies concrete and works for a construction company. It brings joy to his demeanor even with 4 textbooks about it. The joy spills over to me and everyone else in the group.

Venmo Luck: Inspired by Kobe Bryant's refusal for normalcy, a LinkedIn post, and the quote "Fortune Favors the Bold," I Venmo'ed an NFL Player in an attempt to get him on my podcast. The payment was his number and in the caption I explained that he shouldn't pay me but email me. Believe it or not it worked. Well in theory at least. He said yes but hasn't reached out to contact me back after the initial yes. Send some prayers and first podcast episode coming soon under the title "Not Just the Jersey."

PR Classes: I am thrilled to have classes this semester that seem so fruitful. My favorite teachers are ones who find their calling to teaching later in life after having work experience. The trend continues this semester as I have two teachers who quit there well-to-do jobs for the professor lifestyle. These professors are passionate and have real experience to give the class. I hope to follow in a similar footstep someday.

Apartment Cooking: I'm finally back at Purdue and one of my favorite things about being here is actually cooking on my own. I'm amidst bulking season currently so I'm eating a lot of food, but that's not the point. Anytime I cook something in with Jack around he hypes it up. Actually, in general, between Jack, Hannah, and I we hype up each other's cooking. Whether it be biscuits, or chicken, or sweet potatoes. It makes cooking a lot more enjoyable even if I don't always believe the compliments.

Disappointing Transition: I gave up my commitment as a director of PSUB for 2 reasons. 1 to spend less time on social media apps (an effort with some progress!). 2 To give more time to the Church. I decided to give my time to the Church in the form of a ministry called Justice With Peace. I joined two other interns and we had our first meeting Monday. Let me tell you: flat as far as attitude goes is almost an understatement. It just seemed like getting the minimum was all they wanted to accomplish this semester and that is frustrating for someone who joined eager to serve. Updates to come, I'm tempted to whip them into shape even if I am the guy.

Well now that you've let my words soak in, it's type for the scrubbing. My point of introducing let it soak was actually not to think of filth basking in water (how I feel about baths sometimes), but rather to introduce hot water. Yes, I first learned the power of hot water during my 8-year-old struggle to open a two-liter of Coke. My neighbor told me he learned from a cooking show his mom watched that running it under hot water made it easier to open. Sure enough, it did. Now, I understand the chemical reason behind it (brushes shoulders, pops collar).

Hot water is how we clean our hands, dishes, bodies, clothes, etc! It gets rid of difficult sticky substances and if you let it soak... even more difficult ones. For this blog I'm equating hot water to passion or joy. It's the reason I'm a great grandparent, the reason you might start referring to minor inconveniences as Shakespeares 11th tragedy (c'mon that's so witty), it's the reason concrete is something I smile at, the reason I care about trafficking, the reason I'm excited for class, the reason cooking is enjoyable, the reason a Venmo message worked, and the reason why Justice With Peace will fail unless I whip it into shape. Passion moves people. Okay, not the biggest revelation ever. But isn't it? We are led to believe by the News, Twitter, even TV dramas that darkness, drama as a result of brokenness, or "bad" news in general is what people are drawn to. But I have all this evidence in just the past two weeks of the way I've drawn others or others have drawn me toward joy in just the last week. To make it seem like a bigger revelation: passion is magnetic.

Hot water and passion have something in common: energy. Yeah, lazy bums like me, it will take energy to bring joy to others, but what could be more worthwhile. Here's the other thing, your passion doesn't have to be big or normal or generally accepted. If you love bird calls or if you are just really good at getting to know people or if you enjoy pipes or if you enjoy the way the pattern on a soccer ball effects its flight these things are awesome and create joy. And to be honest, energy + effort = success isn't 100% accurate sometimes it's to sticky to be moved. Or sometimes, you just need to let it soak. (You know I could let this analogy wander full circle about evangelization, so if you're Christian, take it there on your own. If not, let it be!)

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