The substance of life.

What is the substance of life? I’m having a hard time grasping it right now. Yes, I know that we have “life” in Christ. I know that we have the breath of God in us that He gave. I understand that God is the sustainer of all life. However, for some reason, I’m still confused. Maybe we’re supposed to be confused by all this.

I was at a funeral the other day. I was just running sound, helping out and stuff. But I glanced at the open casket. I glanced around the room. I try to read the face of the emptied tent – absolutely nothing. I peer through the eyes of those walk around in sorrow, looking for something different – I find hopelessness, but still life. Life is more than just electrons running through the body. Life is more than seeing, hearing, eating and feeling. It’s taken so quick. It’s taken so much for granted.

As I saw a young mother, holding her child in her arms, I watched her pass the man who wasn’t there. She stood there momentarily, looking for something. Not finding it, she took her seat. It occurred to me that there, for a brief second, life was almost summarized - Life in it’s newness, life at it’s peak, and then non-life.

Death – is it an event? Death cannot be a substance, but simply the absence of what was. Life doesn’t just leave, and death "moves in" forever. We start dying the moment we are born…

What a hopelessness one could have. I saw it in mass. A life that vanished. A search for a peace that couldn’t be found. Inside, they scream, “Why God?” or “Where’s God?” instead of “Oh MY God”.

Life. Death. Can I comprehend? Can I absolutely define? I only see the dividing line. I leave the rest up to the Most High, Devine!

15 things you learn as a poor single bachelor

1. Any color is your color when looking for furniture.
2. Every food becomes tasty, if received without cost.
3. Card-board is great for making sorting bins.
4. Paper clips are great shower curtain hooks.
5. Twine + cut and hooked bent hangers = shoe rack.
6. Twine + hooked bent paper clips = hat rack.
7. “No! Don’t through that chili can away, I can wash it out and use it as a cup!”
8. No matter how full you are, finish the food!
9. When there is no one to talk to, you start talking to your furniture and books.
10. If you hang up all your washed clothes everywhere in the apartment, you can save the dryer quarters for a whole other load.
11. Any job is a good job!
12. Lights? Who needs lights? Turn em’ off, save more money!
13. Toilet paper is on the top ten things to get when first moving into an apartment.
14. Having a church that will keep you encouraged is awesome.
15. Having a God that supplies all your needs, is even better!

Eyes with depth

People talk about different physical attributes that they notice first on people. Some will look at their face. Some look at hands. Some might look at posture and how one carries their self. The thing that catches me are the eyes in people. I can tell a lot about a person from their eyes. The more I come to know a person, the more I have a window into their lives, especially with their eyes. If I know you well, I can sense frustration, pain, fear. I can sense joy and happiness. Even if it's just a passing wave, a person can communicate a lot with just their eyes.

I look at some people, and I see a depth I can't measure with wisdom hidden behind them. A soft, yet stern look that shows character and experience in life. These eyes could include people like my dad, or Mr. Seymour or Mr. Preslar. All of whom are major figures in my life. Ironically, all also have a sense of humor that comes out through their eyes (although the senses of humor are completely different). When I see them, I feel safe.

Other people have a sensitive look about them. They are eyes that say, "Come, talk to me. You can trust me. I will listen." I feel a certain comfort around them that I can't exactly explain. It's a motherly look...perhaps that explains it? Obviously, my mom is included in this. Mrs. Seymour also has the same. Another person that comes to mind as well is Mrs. Preslar. Though I don't talk with her much, I see so much sensitivity in her eyes. They are eyes like these that make me feel better, even when life sucks.

With both of those groups, more people could be included. However this other "group" of eyes, few people can be included. They are eyes that pierce through me. Not stabbing pierce, but one of care and concern. They know when I'm hurting and when I'm happy. Some have come to read me so well that they know what I'm thinking, without having to ask (sometimes it's creepy [you know who you are, :-P]). I feel like I can't hide anything from them. They are eyes that can say, "I care about you", without having to say a word. They are those who are closest to me. People like my room-mate Stefan, or Bethany, or Steph. I feel myself around them.

A well known sayings goes, "The eyes are the window to the soul..." I agree whole heatedly....