Jack Spratt Syndrome

I asked our younger daughter to sort out what kitchen goods I could pack now and which ones should stay available for a little while longer.  She did the job by putting post-its on each cabinet door and drawer and I’ve just gotta share this one that was stuck to the refrigerator: 

“(You) May pack ALL magnets on the fridge & what they are holding up.  WARNING: Pack it ALL!  If a scrap, no matter how ugly or small, is missing Mom will miss it & you will hear about it!” 

I see the world, and my work, in broad, general terms.  My wife, on the other hand, sees the details.  Sometimes that brings us into conflict, but most often, between the two of us, we do a splendid job of things.  I call it the “Jack Spratt Syndrome.” 

This only works if the two parties are somewhat disinterested in having their own way, and believe me, this can change from minute to minute. 

So in my conversations with other people over the four forbidden topics (politics, money, sex, religion), I have to keep reminding myself that no two people see the world in the same way, and behind these forbidden topics lie powerful passions both positive and negative. 

The God I now know does not demand conformity to a belief system.  Rather, to do good and to love (genuine) justice, and to walk humbly sums it up with simplicity and hands us a life of challenge and infinite love.