Poor Dog

This post is just to prove to the entire world that I do have a heart.  This poor 2 month and a half old dog that my sister’s boyfriend bought just broke her entire paw.  She jumped off a chair onto the floor, and being so young and little, did not know how to land properly.  Sad times.  Oh might I add, this is a total cheater post.

Cheater Post = Post that took absolutely no work but will probably be just as effective if not more effective than previously completed posts simply based on the fact that some cute entity (IE: Caleb’s little brother or this hecka cute dog) is highlighted in the aforementioned post.  (Click here to see an example of a cheater post)

The Lottery

Every month starting from the day that I turned 18, I’ve thought about winning the lottery at some point during the month.  You may think this is funny, but this is no joke.  I’ve had dreams about it, literally prayed believing that one day the prophetic utterance I declared over myself would come true, and even at times waited on God to hear the confirmation that I indeed WOULD one day be the recipient of a winning ticket…for real, I thought this was God’s destiny for my life.  And the “reason” that I was going to become filthy rich was in order to “help others”, yadi yadi ya.  “God, there are so many people struggling, if I had this money…”  I’m sure at least SOME of you guys are familiar with this prayer!  DON’T LIE. 

There was one particular day that I actually waited on God for like 1 hour (sweating in anguish and in prayer about…evangelism, of course…*ehem*) and after 1 hour, I randomly got 4 numbers.  I took this as a sign that I was going to win the lottery (for some odd reason…) and NO JOKE, I bought a RANDOM lottery ticket and ALL FOUR NUMBERS were on there!  This was a miracle!  My heart leapt with joy, as I knew this was the appointed day I would win!  And what’s even better, the lottery was price tagged at about 71,000,000!!!  I WAS GOING TO NOT ONLY BE A MILLIONAIRE BUT A MULTI MILLIONAIRE WORTH MEEELLLEEYANNNS AND MEEELLEEYANNNS OF DOLLARS!  MUHAHAHAHA.   Seriously, I was so certain I was going to win the lottery that day that I started to regiment and actually think about how I would spend every dollar.  I calculated percentages…20% would go here, 30% there…I spent all day from the moment I got that ticket till the end of the day dreaming up how I would be such a good and faithful steward with all MY…I mean HIS money! 

The first rule I made to myself was that: #1. I would never tell anyone I won the money.  Why?  Because I don’t want to find any long lost friends that suddenly have a keen interest in me, or that girl that I liked YEARS ago suddenly finding me sexier than ever before, calling me for my number…or having to deal with even my family pestering me all day…no, no.  THIS WOULD BE MY SECRET. 

AND GUESS WHAT?  IT WORKED.  SUCKERS.  I’m A MULTI MILLIONAIRE, I WON THE LOTTERY THAT DAY.  I AM AWESOME.  MUHAHAHAHAHA.

Just kidding.  *Sigh*.  It was not meant to be so…I got the ticket, thought I won for sure, but when I checked the numbers…nada.

And so I sort of let the “dream” go and decided I had to do something with my life.  And omg has it been agonizing since I made that decision.  “I have to WORK NOW GOD?”  Ugh.  Winning the lottery seemed so much quicker, so much easier, so much more efficient.  All I would have to do is buy a ticket, and SHABAM.  I am a millionaire.

And so 2 weeks ago, I felt the CALL of God to be a millionaire.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but I did.  And when I felt that call, I was suddenly SURE ONCE AGAIN, that I WOULD WIN THE LOTTERY AND MY LIFE WOULD BECOME EXACTLY WHAT GOD HAD INTENDED FOR IT TO BECOME!  What numbers this time, God?  Should I use the numbers on the fortune cookie I just bought!  WOO HOO!  “PLEASE LORD GIVE ME DIVINE REVELATION FOR YOUR DESIRES FOR MY LIFE TO COME TRUE,” I proclaimed with a gleeful smile!

I was once again determined to define the terms of how I would fulfill God’s call for my life.  “This is obviously the most efficient and effective way, God,” I reasoned.  Obivously, my reasoning and logic is amazingly sound.  And I was completely sure that I had FULLY convinced Him that MY way was the BEST way. 

And that’s when it happened.  It’s funny how it always happens at random moments when you least expect it…when you don’t even know if you hear God’s voice anymore.  When you wonder if maybe He stopped talking to you.  And yet, there He is, loud and clear.  Gentle, yet firm.  Loving, and yet with a bit of scolding in His voice.  It’s a love/hate sort of thing.  You love to hear Him talking…but you hate to hear what He has to say.

“Sam, there are no shortcuts.”

And just like that.  It hit me. 

I am always looking for shortcuts in life.  I am that guy who thinks about the end and expects it to be NOW, and because of that, doesn’t even start with the NOW and am often dissatisfied with the now because I can only see the end in my head!!!  “God, give me a divine encounter with you so that I can love you more!”  And yet, He tells me “Sam, there are no shortcuts.  If you want to get to love me you have to spend time with me!”  I say, “God send revival to UCLA RIGHT NOW!”  And He says, “Sam, there are no shortcuts.  If you want revival you have to get on your knees.”  Finally, I say, “God, let me be good at the guitar and singing so that all the girls will like ME AND NOT CALEB!”  And yet, he tells me gently…”Sorry, not even I can do that…” (HAHAHA just kidding had to throw this one in there).

I know that might have completely ruined the moment, like when Caleb randomly busts out some song like “Come What May” during a very intense worship session…

But take away from this post more than just laughter.  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  And we all know how that prayer ended.

There are no shortcuts.  Only sweat.  Only blood.  Only tears.