Going to Extremes

I recognize that I have had a history of going to extremes—that is just my personality. I can get very passionate about new ideas. Then a few weeks (or hours) later, my viewpoint might be the opposite. For example, there was that time when I became a Preterist for a couple weeks. For anyone who doesn’t know what that is—it is someone who thinks that many of the prophesies of the New Testament esp. Revelation were fulfilled in the first century. I stumbled upon the view on the internet and there were some really interesting claims. I don’t agree with it now. The only thing I believe for certain about eschatology is that I know Christ will return as promised and I should live as if it were today.

Then there was the time I had a great conversation with an author at Borders and was interested in his research on the lost tribes of Israel. I was all excited about the history he was describing until I stumbled upon the fact that he was part of a group that supported British Israelism that seeks to identify Britain and her colonies (like America) as the true modern identity of Israel. Turns out it was a cult. (By the way you can find a list of cults at http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm ) I’ve saved it to my favorites so that I use more caution in the future.

My extremism was present at a young age. My family loves to mention the phase I went through in second grade when I would wear my patchwork dress almost exclusively. I wore it to school about 3 times a week because it could be worn 3 different ways—by itself, with a red vest, and with the reversible vest turned with patchwork side out. On one of the other days I would wear a pink gingham dress and on the remaining school day I would wear these pink shorts that had ice cream cones on them. I was obsessed with the patchwork dress mainly because it was so comfortable. What my family forgets is my 3rd or 4th grade year when I went to the opposite extreme. I took inventory of all my clothes. Then I created a chart where I perfectly spaced out the outfits over the entire semester. I posted the chart on the wall near my bed and followed it religiously.

Then there was my obsession with globes. I can’t really say why I wanted to collect them—it wasn’t a sudden interest in geography. I just liked the look of them. I had calendars, wrapping paper, journals etc. all with a globe theme and my favorite store in the world was the Globe Corner Bookstore in Boston, MA. I insisted on taking both of my globes to college my freshman year. It is hard to pack a globe because you can’t flatten it. I remember that I held one of my globes in my lap during the entire 5 hour drive from home to college since I refused to leave it behind. Now, I don’t have either of those globes and sometimes forget that I even went through that phase.

Oh, I also went through a John Piper phase. When I first began reading his book “Desiring God” I did not agree with him, but by the end of the book I was convinced by him. A few months later, I was back to disagreeing with his hyper-Calvinism. I just think the guy lacks balance when it comes to God’s sovereignty versus human freedom of choice. (I guess it is rather ironic that I’m criticizing someone for a lack of balance).

So as you can see, I do have a natural propensity for going to extremes. I’m sure that is what my older sister was thinking when I told her I was no longer going to attend a traditional church. It is pretty extreme for a seminary grad to pop up with that idea. That is one reason why I have been hesitant to even write about what has now been a 3 ½ month journey. I think enough time has passed to say that it is more than one of my short-lived phases. I will address this issue further in future articles.

Boundaries at the Checkout

I was just reading on my sister, Ruth's blog that one of the things she learned from me when I was visiting a few weeks ago was that it is rude to move items people are about to purchase when you are standing behind them in the line at the grocery store, Walmart, etc. I wanted to expound upon this pet peeve of mine. What started it was that while Ruth & I were at Walmart, the woman behind us had the gall to move my stuff forward! As is typical, there was no divider to put between people's stuff. Ruth had some purchases and I had some purchases, but I put some space between ours so the cashier would know when hers left off and mine began. Well, the woman behind us pushed all of my items up into Ruth's. I had to explain to the cashier what was Ruth's and what was mine. I was soooo steamed. When we got into the parking lot, I exclaimed to Ruth about how miffed I was that the lady touched my stuff, totally thinking Ruth would be on my side. She didn't understand. She admitted she has done this before, never realizing it might be rude. Although I don't think she ever understood why I was so upset, she plans to respect other's boundaries in the future.

The way I see it, touching other people's purchases is a total violation of boundaries. No matter how much you think they have done a poor job of stacking their stuff on the conveyer belt, you have no right to touch it. Be PATIENT. They have waited in line too and have every right to monopolize as much of the conveyer belt as they need. It isn't your business. Wait your turn. For all intents and purposes, those items belong to them now because within seconds they will be paying for them. If you touch their items it is the same as trespassing on their property. Would you want someone to put their cup on your car hood or lean against your car? It is the same thing. If you can't wait to put your stuff up on the belt until there is actually room for it, you need to take a chill pill or try online shopping. In fact, it would be good if your stuff is a hand's width away from mine if there is no divider. When you touch my stuff I feel violated. You are in my personal space. Besides, I have no idea when you last washed your hands. I'd rather you not handle something I might wear or eat when I don't even know who you are.