a rainy morning in the desert

This morning when I woke up, I knew almost instantly that the sun wasn't out.

(this picture is from a few days ago, on the way to school in the morning)

I hoped that it wasn't a sandstorm.

But I did know that I couldn't see out my windows for the mud and water! It was raining!

I didn't even NOTICE the wind until I looked outside my living room door and saw the trees blowing and the waves on the Gulf!

On Saturday mornings, we like to walk to Second Cup before getting groceries. Today...we decided against it, and instead we took a taxi. But on the way to get a taxi, we saw that the wind storm was a little mean to some of the cars on the street. This one in particular:

...was completely covered in veggies.

...totally veggified.

The wind was very intense and it whipped our hair around like crazy.

After Second Cup, instead of getting groceries, I hopped in a taxi and headed for Church, where there was to be a speaker visiting, Jamie Galloway. When I got to the Church compound, it was very empty. A few people here or there, but it was very empty.

Normally, on Friday mornings when we arrive, there's a service just letting out and a sea of people packs into the compound - so many people that you can't walk straight at all.

I saw less people that I could count on one hand. It was...eerily quiet. The ground was wet. It was empty. But it was...peaceful.

I found the Fellowship Hall, thanks to some friendly people. I saw Katie G, and sat with her. And I thoroughly enjoyed the talk from Jamie for the next 90 minutes. I didn't really want it to end, but I'm sure he was exhausted after an entire weekend of speaking to the church (we did hear him speak yesterday at both 11am and 12:30pm...this was more of a training/understanding session).

When we left the Fellowship hall, it was sunny and it was warm. It was still quiet.

We went for lunch at a little Indian restaurant - our entire meal ended up costing 2.750KD - which is equivalent to 12$! It was delicious and perfectly spicy, and the company was fantastic.

Can't every day be this good?

Each Day (Max Lucado)

It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep.

The day is coming.

In a few minutes the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.

For the next 12 hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose Love...

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose Joy...

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose Peace...

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose Patience…

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose Kindness...

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose Goodness...

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose Faithfulness...

Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose Gentleness...

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose Self-Control...

I am a spiritual being....
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only to joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will see his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

-- Max Lucado,
When God Whispers Your Name