Today is the last day of the London trainee who worked with us here in Shanghai for about two months. Well, technically his last day is Wednesday, but we have Monday through Wednesday off for May holidays, so...
The trainee is one of two Christian co-workers here at my firm. He is younger than me, but I feel like he is wise beyond his years - at his age, I was a lot more confused and lost than him. I feel like God has really blessed me with the opportunity to talk to a fellow Christian lawyer about the struggles we both face in our profession and our firm. In truth, my other Christian co-worker also affords me this opportunity, but he is married with a kid, so his priorities and struggles are slightly different from mine.
I will likely not see my London trainee friend again anytime soon. We may have an opportunity to continue working together, but it is highly unlikely that the firm would ask him to relocate to Shanghai - and he's pretty sure Shanghai isn't the place for him. As for me, I know I will probably never move to London or the Middle East to practice. Nevertheless I am thankful for the opportunity to have met him and gotten to know him. And, in faith, I know I'll get to see him again, someday, in the Father's presence.
I think relationships (of all types and forms) are fragile things that can hurt and scar us, but, on balance, I think they are worth pursuing, if only to get to know one of the Father's beloved creation (and someone for whom Jesus shed His blood) better. I pray and hope God will continue to bless and protect my friend on his journey through life.
Thank you.
Thank You.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Timing
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (NIV)
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Thank You lord, for your awesome timing.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Render unto Caesar
I am super paranoid when it comes to taxes. So I did the most prudent, conservative thing a person could do when it came to filing my Chinese taxes. I parcelled my filings to the tax bureau the day I got my completed filings from E&Y (my firm's accountants).
A month later (yesterday), I find out the parcel company never delivered my tax filings... and they only managed to return my undelivered tax filings to me yesterday. Thankfully, I went to the tax bureau today, hand-delivered my tax filings, and everything got sorted out without a hitch - pretty amazing given China's penchant for bureaucracy. I also found out that the tax bureau does not accept parcels.
So really, if I wasn't that paranoid about my taxes, this problem would not have actually occurred, as I would have just used the normal post office to deliver the tax filings and the tax bureau would have received my tax filings on time.
Give thanks in all circumstances - even when trying to render unto Mao.
A month later (yesterday), I find out the parcel company never delivered my tax filings... and they only managed to return my undelivered tax filings to me yesterday. Thankfully, I went to the tax bureau today, hand-delivered my tax filings, and everything got sorted out without a hitch - pretty amazing given China's penchant for bureaucracy. I also found out that the tax bureau does not accept parcels.
So really, if I wasn't that paranoid about my taxes, this problem would not have actually occurred, as I would have just used the normal post office to deliver the tax filings and the tax bureau would have received my tax filings on time.
Give thanks in all circumstances - even when trying to render unto Mao.
Guns
I like guns. I own a gun (back home in Texas). I think people should be allowed to protect their loved ones with guns.
I also believe in the sacrificial love of Jesus. The man who died so that I may have eternal life.
To me, the gun debate boils down to a simple question. Should society give me the right to choose that my life is worth saving more than the "evil people" trying to kill me (and presumably others)? If yes, then I (and every other "non-evil" person) should be allowed as much access to guns as possible to protect ourselves and thwart "evil people". If no, then I (and every other "non-evil" person) should be restricted from access to guns.
Attendant to that simple question, I think about how all sin is sin. How I am undeserving of grace. How even if I die, I will spend eternity with God. How I would do anything to protect my loved ones.
Too simplistic, perhaps, but it is the way the gun debate boils down for me.
Thank You that this question will be moot in Your [current] eternity.
I also believe in the sacrificial love of Jesus. The man who died so that I may have eternal life.
To me, the gun debate boils down to a simple question. Should society give me the right to choose that my life is worth saving more than the "evil people" trying to kill me (and presumably others)? If yes, then I (and every other "non-evil" person) should be allowed as much access to guns as possible to protect ourselves and thwart "evil people". If no, then I (and every other "non-evil" person) should be restricted from access to guns.
Attendant to that simple question, I think about how all sin is sin. How I am undeserving of grace. How even if I die, I will spend eternity with God. How I would do anything to protect my loved ones.
Too simplistic, perhaps, but it is the way the gun debate boils down for me.
Thank You that this question will be moot in Your [current] eternity.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Consumerism
I typically don't spend that much money. But every once in a while... I go a bit overboard.
Brooks Brothers had a sale this weekend. I found out about it an hour and a half before the sale ended. There was a bit of a scramble to find out what exactly my dress shirt measurements are, and I kind of got caught up in the excitement of shopping and ended up with a pretty large bill.
Just another example of how God's been spoiling me. These past few days, God has been reminding me of how amazing of a creator He really is; I've been deriving a lot of pleasure from interacting with and appreciating the things that He's created - be it the weather, food, items, and even people. But the pleasure I draw from these things are no longer limited to the things themselves. These good and pleasant things have been serving as a reminder of how creative and wonderful my God is. On top of that, these good and pleasant things have also been reminding me that they are but a taste, a shadow, a hint of the good and pleasant and perfect things to come at the feast of Isaiah 25:6. On that day, there will be perfect weather, perfect food, perfect items, and yes, even perfect people, and they will all reflect the glory of the Creator perfectly.
Christians can (and should) be hedonists if their hedonism is centered on deriving pleasure and satisfaction from God. In fact, that's largely the premise of John Piper's Christian hedonism - "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." (props to my friend for reminding me of that quote this past weekend.) In Christian hedonism, it is our duty to find satisfaction in God so that He may be glorified - a pretty awesome command, IMHO.
Life is a choice. Will I live to give glory to whom glory is due or will I choose to give glory to something/someone/someplace else? I don't ask myself this question enough, but at the same time, I hope one day, after much practice and discipline, I will never have to ask myself this question again.
Thank You for giving me hints of the perfect things to come. And thank You for creation (including me and including you).
Brooks Brothers had a sale this weekend. I found out about it an hour and a half before the sale ended. There was a bit of a scramble to find out what exactly my dress shirt measurements are, and I kind of got caught up in the excitement of shopping and ended up with a pretty large bill.
Just another example of how God's been spoiling me. These past few days, God has been reminding me of how amazing of a creator He really is; I've been deriving a lot of pleasure from interacting with and appreciating the things that He's created - be it the weather, food, items, and even people. But the pleasure I draw from these things are no longer limited to the things themselves. These good and pleasant things have been serving as a reminder of how creative and wonderful my God is. On top of that, these good and pleasant things have also been reminding me that they are but a taste, a shadow, a hint of the good and pleasant and perfect things to come at the feast of Isaiah 25:6. On that day, there will be perfect weather, perfect food, perfect items, and yes, even perfect people, and they will all reflect the glory of the Creator perfectly.
Christians can (and should) be hedonists if their hedonism is centered on deriving pleasure and satisfaction from God. In fact, that's largely the premise of John Piper's Christian hedonism - "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." (props to my friend for reminding me of that quote this past weekend.) In Christian hedonism, it is our duty to find satisfaction in God so that He may be glorified - a pretty awesome command, IMHO.
Life is a choice. Will I live to give glory to whom glory is due or will I choose to give glory to something/someone/someplace else? I don't ask myself this question enough, but at the same time, I hope one day, after much practice and discipline, I will never have to ask myself this question again.
Thank You for giving me hints of the perfect things to come. And thank You for creation (including me and including you).
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Bad News
I received some bad news this morning. Whenever I hear bad news, my mind starts going into "damage control" mode. What can I do to make the situation better? How can I help?
But I can't solve these problems. They are beyond my control. So I pray. I pray that God will use these problems as an opportunity to show His grace, His provision, His power, so that one day these problems will just become part of my testimony.
And I hope that God will grant me enough faith so that one day, when I do hear bad news again, my initial reaction will not be to go into "damage control" mode, but it will be to pray. God will build that trust with me.
Thank You for faith, for enduring faith, and for Romans 8: 28.
But I can't solve these problems. They are beyond my control. So I pray. I pray that God will use these problems as an opportunity to show His grace, His provision, His power, so that one day these problems will just become part of my testimony.
And I hope that God will grant me enough faith so that one day, when I do hear bad news again, my initial reaction will not be to go into "damage control" mode, but it will be to pray. God will build that trust with me.
Thank You for faith, for enduring faith, and for Romans 8: 28.
Communication
Speaking the truth in love is not the same as loving to speak the truth.
Efforts have to be made on both sides for communication to be effective - both sides need to be effective communicators and effective listeners.
Communication is the foundation to any relationship.
Effective boundaries need to be established and maintained for healthy communication and relationships.
Just some of the lessons God has been teaching me about communication - with Him and with other people.
Thank You for speaking and listening to me.
Efforts have to be made on both sides for communication to be effective - both sides need to be effective communicators and effective listeners.
Communication is the foundation to any relationship.
Effective boundaries need to be established and maintained for healthy communication and relationships.
Just some of the lessons God has been teaching me about communication - with Him and with other people.
Thank You for speaking and listening to me.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Guilt
I felt guilty putting socks on this morning. I felt guilty that I still had legs.
I don't deserve legs. It's a gift. Our bodies, our health, our very existence is a gift of grace. The fact that we get to choose how to steward our lives, our bodies, our time here on Earth is also a gift.
Out of His infinite love, God created the world (and me). He saw the human condition we placed ourselves in and He did not despair. He had a plan - He sent His son.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV).
I didn't fight against the guilt this morning. I let it touch me, let it wash over me, but I did not let it linger in me. Even the guilt I felt this morning was, for me, proof that the Holy Spirit resides in me. So I didn't resist it, but at the same time, I felt no need to dwell on it. If I continue to focus on the problems of this world, I tend to forget and discount the fact that He has already defeated the grave.
While I still draw breath, I am hoping, by grace, to not focus on what the world, the flesh, or the devil say to me. I choose to remember the lover of my soul emptying Himself on the cross for me, for you, for God the Father and His resurrection.
Thank You for the peace that surpasses understanding.
I don't deserve legs. It's a gift. Our bodies, our health, our very existence is a gift of grace. The fact that we get to choose how to steward our lives, our bodies, our time here on Earth is also a gift.
Out of His infinite love, God created the world (and me). He saw the human condition we placed ourselves in and He did not despair. He had a plan - He sent His son.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV).
I didn't fight against the guilt this morning. I let it touch me, let it wash over me, but I did not let it linger in me. Even the guilt I felt this morning was, for me, proof that the Holy Spirit resides in me. So I didn't resist it, but at the same time, I felt no need to dwell on it. If I continue to focus on the problems of this world, I tend to forget and discount the fact that He has already defeated the grave.
While I still draw breath, I am hoping, by grace, to not focus on what the world, the flesh, or the devil say to me. I choose to remember the lover of my soul emptying Himself on the cross for me, for you, for God the Father and His resurrection.
Thank You for the peace that surpasses understanding.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tragedies
I believe the world was not built for tragedies. It was not built to sustain sadness, hopelessness, or bitterness. God created Eden. Sin entered and Eden turned into the current human condition.
I woke up this morning and checked Facebook briefly - and learned about the bombing that took place at the Boston Marathon. I actually naturally woke up around 7:15 (a lot earlier than I normally wake up). After reading a bit about the event, I knew I had to go run.
I'm actually not a very good runner. I am not very fast, I don't have much endurance, and my form is probably all messed up. But I really enjoy the solidarity of it. On days when the Shanghai air is too polluted for me to brave, I enjoy running on my treadmill at home. Running is one of my favorite ways to clear my mind. And this morning I had to clear my mind.
Thankfully, the air this morning was actually pretty good, so I decided to do a few laps around the compound. As I ran, I kept thinking about the people who were touched by evil at Boston. I wanted God to explain Himself. To explain to His children why? To what end? For what purpose? While I kept demanding answers from God, another part of my mind couldn't shake the thought that God is always pleased/satisfied with Himself. In the past, the "constant" in those two train of thoughts would be the former - that God 'had' to have a good reason for allowing these things to happen. And if He didn't have a good reason, then He couldn't possibly be pleased with Himself. But as I continued running and thinking, it dawned on me, that at some point in my life, the "constant" in my two train of thoughts actually switched. Now the constant was that God is always pleased/satisfied with Himself - that He stands beyond time and knows/has seen/has experienced the fulfillment of all of His promises. I don't know if there is a single good reason for the bombings at the Boston Marathon. But I know He is my only refuge in my time of need; indeed, for me, He is the only refuge that cannot and will not be shaken. Only He is able to provide a good enough answer. And more and more, I suspect His answer to all of the questions I plan on asking Him (including why tragedies are allowed) will either be, "because I am who I am" or I will completely forget to ask the questions in His presence, being completely satisfied in Him.
After my run, I still didn't have any answers. But for some reason, the pain in my heart seemed lessened. It is still a tragedy. But it is not a tragedy that can defeat or depress our God. My God wept. My God weeps. My God mourns. But my God is also infinitely satisfied in Himself. He knows the answer. He knows He is the answer.
Thank You Lord for being my refuge, our collective refuge, our salvation, and our hope.
I woke up this morning and checked Facebook briefly - and learned about the bombing that took place at the Boston Marathon. I actually naturally woke up around 7:15 (a lot earlier than I normally wake up). After reading a bit about the event, I knew I had to go run.
I'm actually not a very good runner. I am not very fast, I don't have much endurance, and my form is probably all messed up. But I really enjoy the solidarity of it. On days when the Shanghai air is too polluted for me to brave, I enjoy running on my treadmill at home. Running is one of my favorite ways to clear my mind. And this morning I had to clear my mind.
Thankfully, the air this morning was actually pretty good, so I decided to do a few laps around the compound. As I ran, I kept thinking about the people who were touched by evil at Boston. I wanted God to explain Himself. To explain to His children why? To what end? For what purpose? While I kept demanding answers from God, another part of my mind couldn't shake the thought that God is always pleased/satisfied with Himself. In the past, the "constant" in those two train of thoughts would be the former - that God 'had' to have a good reason for allowing these things to happen. And if He didn't have a good reason, then He couldn't possibly be pleased with Himself. But as I continued running and thinking, it dawned on me, that at some point in my life, the "constant" in my two train of thoughts actually switched. Now the constant was that God is always pleased/satisfied with Himself - that He stands beyond time and knows/has seen/has experienced the fulfillment of all of His promises. I don't know if there is a single good reason for the bombings at the Boston Marathon. But I know He is my only refuge in my time of need; indeed, for me, He is the only refuge that cannot and will not be shaken. Only He is able to provide a good enough answer. And more and more, I suspect His answer to all of the questions I plan on asking Him (including why tragedies are allowed) will either be, "because I am who I am" or I will completely forget to ask the questions in His presence, being completely satisfied in Him.
After my run, I still didn't have any answers. But for some reason, the pain in my heart seemed lessened. It is still a tragedy. But it is not a tragedy that can defeat or depress our God. My God wept. My God weeps. My God mourns. But my God is also infinitely satisfied in Himself. He knows the answer. He knows He is the answer.
Thank You Lord for being my refuge, our collective refuge, our salvation, and our hope.
God's unique sense of humor
After the last post, I was just browsing around at some of my old posts... remembering the events that led me to post what I did...
I had my headphones on the entire time, with the music on a very low volume setting. For some reason, the lyrics to the song seemed really appropriate. And that's when I realized it was the song that inspired me to start this blog. Thank You for Loving Me - David Crowder*Band
I had my headphones on the entire time, with the music on a very low volume setting. For some reason, the lyrics to the song seemed really appropriate. And that's when I realized it was the song that inspired me to start this blog. Thank You for Loving Me - David Crowder*Band
Honesty
I think honesty is important in relationships - in any relationship.
In retrospect, I have not always been a very honest person. Not in terms of telling others outright lies; my lies have present themselves in more subtle, but no less damaging ways. The subtlety comes in what I choose to show people. In the peer counseling course I am taking, the material continues to ask people to look for the "hidden message." Finding the "hidden message" is one of the keys to helping the client realize the healing that God has for them. There's an entire section devoted to this - to listening to what the client isn't saying and to seeing behind the mask that the client wears.
I like to be in control - of my own life, of my own choices, etc... But control requires effort, and unfortunately, effort does not always equate to true control. Most people would even say that the most that effort can yield is the image of control (the mask I wear for others). And we are a society obsessed with image/masks. To the point that it's rare nowadays to find people who are genuine and not obsessed with their own image.
I was walking around today, and the idea that I actively try to hide certain aspects of my life from God suddenly popped into my head. I was walking back to the office after stopping at my bank to run an errand, and all I could think of was how much I dreaded going back to the office and having to work. But as soon as I thought those things, guilt crept into my heart and I immediately tried to convince myself that I should not be anxious because God would take care of it. The latter point is true enough (and I do believe it) but it seemed comical to me that I was actually trying hard to convince God that I was okay. As if my convincing the Lord that I was "not anxious" would actually lead to me really not being anxious. The thought floored me - it was pathetic yet incredibly comical at the same time. It seemed hilarious that I would, (i) that God relied solely on the information I gave Him for Him to ascertain my well being, and (ii) that I could actually convince God that I was fine.
Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Free to not wear masks anymore. Free to go to the Father and, in all honesty, say: "I am anxious. I know I shouldn't be. I know I have no right to be. But I am very very anxious." Because if I can't say that to the Father, if I feel like I have to convince my Heavenly Father that I am fine, if I feel like I can't be honest with Him, then our relationship will always suffer. Honesty is important in relationships, and He has always been honest with me. He has always spoken the truth, in love, to me.
I'm thankful that His honesty allows me to trust and, in response, be honest with Him.
In retrospect, I have not always been a very honest person. Not in terms of telling others outright lies; my lies have present themselves in more subtle, but no less damaging ways. The subtlety comes in what I choose to show people. In the peer counseling course I am taking, the material continues to ask people to look for the "hidden message." Finding the "hidden message" is one of the keys to helping the client realize the healing that God has for them. There's an entire section devoted to this - to listening to what the client isn't saying and to seeing behind the mask that the client wears.
I like to be in control - of my own life, of my own choices, etc... But control requires effort, and unfortunately, effort does not always equate to true control. Most people would even say that the most that effort can yield is the image of control (the mask I wear for others). And we are a society obsessed with image/masks. To the point that it's rare nowadays to find people who are genuine and not obsessed with their own image.
I was walking around today, and the idea that I actively try to hide certain aspects of my life from God suddenly popped into my head. I was walking back to the office after stopping at my bank to run an errand, and all I could think of was how much I dreaded going back to the office and having to work. But as soon as I thought those things, guilt crept into my heart and I immediately tried to convince myself that I should not be anxious because God would take care of it. The latter point is true enough (and I do believe it) but it seemed comical to me that I was actually trying hard to convince God that I was okay. As if my convincing the Lord that I was "not anxious" would actually lead to me really not being anxious. The thought floored me - it was pathetic yet incredibly comical at the same time. It seemed hilarious that I would, (i) that God relied solely on the information I gave Him for Him to ascertain my well being, and (ii) that I could actually convince God that I was fine.
Galatians 5:1 says "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Free to not wear masks anymore. Free to go to the Father and, in all honesty, say: "I am anxious. I know I shouldn't be. I know I have no right to be. But I am very very anxious." Because if I can't say that to the Father, if I feel like I have to convince my Heavenly Father that I am fine, if I feel like I can't be honest with Him, then our relationship will always suffer. Honesty is important in relationships, and He has always been honest with me. He has always spoken the truth, in love, to me.
I'm thankful that His honesty allows me to trust and, in response, be honest with Him.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Triumphant Return!
About a month-and-a-half ago, my friend e-mailed me and told me that she missed reading my blog posts. Apparently, my last post was over a year and a half ago... That's a long time - especially in a city like Shanghai.
In that time span, my sister got married, some of my best friends have left Shanghai, and I've come to learn a little bit more about myself and the God I serve.
But Christ in me, the hope of glory, remains. And I want to continue thanking Him each and every day for His new mercies, His providence, and His blessing.
So let me share a little story about God's providence. At the expense of my beautiful sister on the night before her wedding day.
On the day of the wedding rehearsal (which was one day before the wedding day), my sister went with her bridal party to go get manicures. For the manicure, she took her engagement ring off and tucked it into her jean pocket and promptly forgot about it. As she was running late for the actual rehearsal - literally making the pastor and everyone else wait - she changed quickly in the empty parking lot of the nail salon and was driven to the church by her maid of honor Christine.
About three hours later, we were done with the rehearsal and were heading to Rudy's for dinner. Christine walks up to me, pulls me away from my friend, and tells me: "Your sister can't find her ring. We searched my car and it's not there. She thinks it may have fallen out while she was changing in the parking lot." Christine was surprisingly calm while she told me this - my sister, on the other hand, was actually a little pale. Quite an accomplishment, really, because me and my sister are actually pretty tan (much to the chagrin of my Taiwanese mother).
So my sister starts insisting on going with Christine and me to the nail salon to try and find the ring. No dice. She has to stay at the restaurant and host the rehearsal dinner with my brother-in-law.
Christine and I pile into her SUV, start driving to the nail salon... only to figure out 15 minutes later that we were going west on the highway when we should have been going east. In the meantime, my sister keeps calling and asking us if we're there yet and continues to insist on taking her car to join us at the nail salon. My job, during this entire time, is talk my sister into staying at the restaurant. In my head, all I can think of is trying to picture what the ring looks like and where I can go buy a similar one at 10 pm on a Saturday night. I quickly give up that thought and start praying. Please Lord, let us find that ring!
30 minutes (but it really seemed more like an eternity) after we left the restaurant, Christine pulls into the parking lot, and as soon as her car's headlights hit the parking lot pavement, I see something shining. I jump out of the car, grab the ring (not even checking whether it's Shan's or not) and we start driving back to the restaurant.
The entire time we're driving back to the restaurant, all I keep saying is: "Thank you Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you." It's just a rock, but He knew it was important to Shan and her family.
In that time span, my sister got married, some of my best friends have left Shanghai, and I've come to learn a little bit more about myself and the God I serve.
But Christ in me, the hope of glory, remains. And I want to continue thanking Him each and every day for His new mercies, His providence, and His blessing.
So let me share a little story about God's providence. At the expense of my beautiful sister on the night before her wedding day.
On the day of the wedding rehearsal (which was one day before the wedding day), my sister went with her bridal party to go get manicures. For the manicure, she took her engagement ring off and tucked it into her jean pocket and promptly forgot about it. As she was running late for the actual rehearsal - literally making the pastor and everyone else wait - she changed quickly in the empty parking lot of the nail salon and was driven to the church by her maid of honor Christine.
About three hours later, we were done with the rehearsal and were heading to Rudy's for dinner. Christine walks up to me, pulls me away from my friend, and tells me: "Your sister can't find her ring. We searched my car and it's not there. She thinks it may have fallen out while she was changing in the parking lot." Christine was surprisingly calm while she told me this - my sister, on the other hand, was actually a little pale. Quite an accomplishment, really, because me and my sister are actually pretty tan (much to the chagrin of my Taiwanese mother).
So my sister starts insisting on going with Christine and me to the nail salon to try and find the ring. No dice. She has to stay at the restaurant and host the rehearsal dinner with my brother-in-law.
Christine and I pile into her SUV, start driving to the nail salon... only to figure out 15 minutes later that we were going west on the highway when we should have been going east. In the meantime, my sister keeps calling and asking us if we're there yet and continues to insist on taking her car to join us at the nail salon. My job, during this entire time, is talk my sister into staying at the restaurant. In my head, all I can think of is trying to picture what the ring looks like and where I can go buy a similar one at 10 pm on a Saturday night. I quickly give up that thought and start praying. Please Lord, let us find that ring!
30 minutes (but it really seemed more like an eternity) after we left the restaurant, Christine pulls into the parking lot, and as soon as her car's headlights hit the parking lot pavement, I see something shining. I jump out of the car, grab the ring (not even checking whether it's Shan's or not) and we start driving back to the restaurant.
The entire time we're driving back to the restaurant, all I keep saying is: "Thank you Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you." It's just a rock, but He knew it was important to Shan and her family.
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