When people say "geez," I think they could be referring to either of a couple things (probably without realization). It could either be short for "Jesus" or a lengthening of the "G" of "God".
Lot's of people "take the Lord's name in vain" even if they don't believe in "the Lord," that particular deity or any deity at all. Some consider it a sin, though, my personal perspective is it is irrelevant if it is a sin or not. If it is, so be it. If it isn't, I'm sure I've committed plenty of other sins besides this one.
Saying "Geez!" instead of "Jesus Christ!" or "Oh, Gee!" instead of "Oh, God!" is *I think* a method of expressing oneself in some sort of negative way (in vain- though the definition does not exactly encompass all negativity) without "taking the Lord's name in vain." However... if we really wanted to escape this phenomenon we would completely do without using "His Name" even in an abbreviated version. Why not say, "Oh, Daffodil!"?
For some reason, we really do want to refer to God or Jesus when we are upset. Another way of thinking of this is a sort of brief passionate prayer. Perhaps what we are really doing is not "taking the Lord's name in vain" (in vain- meaning lacking substance or worth), but rather calling upon God and/or Jesus for guidance, comfort, or strength.
I haven't really been thinking about the above for long. What I have been thinking about is Lent. About how difficult it has been to stay away from the three things I chose to cut out. As soon as I thought I had it down, the craving for coffee or graham crackers creeps up. I put myself in situations, like not packing anything to eat for work. Or not sleeping (not on purpose) all night and having to work the next day. I have managed to ward off these temptations. I don't see either product as evil (though.. I do see some wrong in unfairly traded coffee and the individual wrappers of the graham's at work).
As far as facebook goes- CONFESSION- I checked it AGAIN! After reading some more about Japan, I remembered that a college friend of mine had lived there for several years and recently married a lady from there. I don't know what city they were in, and I didn't know if they were back in the United States. Even though I don't keep up with Clint and have never met his new wife, I was still desperate to know whether or not he was alive. So, I checked. It appeared that he and his wife are in the U.S. so I clicked out quickly.
In retrospect, since I don't really know how Clint or his new family are affected by the explosion's aftermath, I don't I made a mistake. Sure, it's worth confessing because it raises a good question, but a sin? I'm not so sure.
The discipline of fasting shows me how transfixed I was on certain things. How involved those things were in my life. I got up and fixed coffee every day out of habit. I didn't always enjoy ever sip of coffee. I certainly didn't always need the "pick me up" the caffeine provided. Much of the time, my consumption was without purpose.
The same goes with graham. Graham crackers are always available at work and require no premeditated thought. They aren't even THAT filling, and though compared with a Little Debbie are more nutritious, aren't THAT healthy.
Facebook however, is sometimes useful. It's a quick easy way to get useful information. Even though checking and updating statuses a zillion times a day is obsessive and often NOT purposeful (except for an individual's eg0), it is often a good source for networking and sharing news (I love checking Taylor and Ravenna's links), and keeping up with my far-off friends (Leilani and Ally, I miss you) and family (all of you!).
I'm going to stick with my Lenten commitment even though I've failed twice now. I think there's a message herein as well. Thanks to the Hope in Transformation Christ shows us through his Resurrection, we can begin anew... in every moment of every day. So just because I screw up a few times... or... a zillion times... I can start over. Thank you Everlasting Everlastance.
PS- YOU can do this too... believe it or not ;)
1 comment:
Miss you too, lil lady! Sounds like you are doing good and don't have much to confess!
Side story that made me think of you recently and wonder how you were doing: I was in Fredericksburg with Kyle and my parents recently, and saw a family of three order fish and chips - I assume for purposes of Lent. How silly to give up meat and then stuff yourself with a huge plate of fried food!
I think your choices were well thought out, meaningful and specific to you. I am thinking of you and wishing you strong will! Keep postin'!
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