Anatomy of a Story

I love to read.  Sometimes I forget that and go long spells in my life without reading.  Right now I am reading four books because I can't decide which one I want to read the most.  One is about prayer, one is about a man's life and writing a new story.  Another is a sort of self-help book about being brave.  The other is an audio book of the "The Shack."  The reason we like reading books is one thing - the story!  Even people that don't like to read, enjoy movies and other forms of art that employ a good story.  It is interesting to think about how many parts of our world revolve around a story.  From the Bible to advertisements to movies to even many business practices - all benefit from good stories.

If you think about it, a story has about 3 parts.  Plays sometimes literally divide the play into these 3 acts.  Act one always begins with the hero.  The hero is trying to accomplish something.  During Act 1, the hero sets out on his journey to save the princess or make a fortune or win a championship.  The heroes also usually does a lot of good things that make us root for them.  Just think of all the nice things Rocky did in the first part of the movie to make us want to be on his side.  But, right at the end of Act 1, it always happens - the inciting incident.  This is the place where the hero realizes it is going to be tough - picture the hero sitting on the bed with his head in his hands, feeling truly discouraged.  

Act 2 is where the hero tries all kinds of different approaches to overcome the obstacle, usually starting with the easiest.  But, the challenge doesn't go away - the problems only get more complicated.  The plot gets more complicated, the goal seems farther way, and the hero comes very close to giving up.  

Act 3 is when the hero realizes that there is only one way to solve the challenge.  They also realize that this may be the hardest thing they have ever done.  They may also experience some regret because they realize the challenge would have been much easier to overcome had they answered the challenge in Act 1.  We knew it all along, but they couldn't see it, even though they are the hero.  

In reality, the hero isn't made in Act 3 because most of us never make it to Act 3.  Most of us give up in Act 1 at the inciting incident.  We say "This is tougher than I imagined," "This must not be God's will" or "This is not fair!"  Substitute in your favorite excuse.  Heroes are really people that choose to write their own stories.  Heroes are the ones that push through the inciting incident and finish the story.  Have the courage to write a new chapter in your life, but realize you WILL face the inciting incident that begs you to give up.  Whether it is your marriage or career or other life goals, choose to accept the challenge and persevere!  Lean into the challenges instead of avoiding them.  It's always hard -- it's always has been.  But, that's what makes a good story!

How to Play Ball

My dog, Winston, is really smart!  I know it's one of those things you say about your kid until you realize you are just biased.  Kids are just amazing and they fool you into thinking they are geniuses.  If you are bamboozled very long, you will awaken to reality when they become teenagers and you use the words "bonehead" and "idiot" more than ever imagined you would.  When I say my dog is smart, what I really mean is he is like an above-average toddler.  I love him, but he still drinks out of the toilet doesn't know that grapes will hurt him.  He still runs into things and gets scared when it thunders, but wants to chase loud pickups.

He is good at fetch though.  He snatches tennis balls out of the air like a beast and chases the ball down with intense excitement and vigor.  Even on the hard wood floors he is able to calculate the slide ratio and still retrieve the ball without wasting a single motion.  The only part of the process he can't grasp is the dropping of the ball so I can throw it again.  He gets about an inch from my hand and then pulls back.  He seems to be calculating something in his head like "If I give you the ball, I won't have the ball.." (said in my dog voice).  Sometimes, when he looks really confused, I just snatch if from him.  Often, after a few catches, he will get frustrated and just go sit down and think for a while.

In a way, it reminds me of my relationship with God.  He invites me to play ball - an adventure if you will.  I approach, but I have trouble dropping the ball in front of him.  Like Winston, I get confused.  "How can I give God everything and still keep it."  "How can I submit, but keep some control."  As far as I know, God does not snatch things out of our hands - he just patiently waits - listens to us complain about not having joy - even let us complain that God won't play ball with us.   Adventure requires trust and vulnerability - it requires letting go!

My New View of Weddings and Heaven

For whatever reason, I developed a negative view of weddings.  Maybe because they were usually people that I barely knew.  Maybe it was the Greek Orthodox wedding that lasted 3 hours.  The only thing I remembered from that was "keep the marriage bed pure and have lots of children."  At least that's what I heard.  Even my own wedding was a "tell me where to stand" endeavor.  All of my perceptions changed about 14 months ago when I attended my first daughter's wedding, then my other daughters wedding in July.

Although the ceremony meant a great deal more and I loved walking my daughters down the aisle, the real treat was the second half - the party!  Our family is starting to gain a reputation for the way we celebrate at weddings.  Laura has 2 sisters that love to dance along with their mother in law (who obviously gave them the dancing gene).  None of my brothers and sisters can dance, but they have been inspired to "do their thing" any how and even the kids get involved.  It's a sight to see - I think it surprises the general public!

With all that excitement, I often pause to notice the other half of the crowd just observing.  You have to wonder what is going through their mind.  I don't really have to use much imagination - I just hearken back to church and remember the things people often say when they are not living in joy!  It takes a lot of focus and determination to be miserable so I just leave them to it.  I'm always happy when we convert a pew sitter to the joy side!

The Bible talks about heaven is several ways.  But, one of the ways it describes it is as a marriage feast - not the ceremony - the party!  Jesus first miracle was at a wedding - and get this - he turned water into wine!  I'll leave you to make all the connections there.  Just rest assured heaven is not going to be a place where we all sit on our hands and talk about what everyone else is wearing or criticize those that allowed themselves to be happy!  It's a place of joy and maybe a little like a Forehand wedding!

Dodging the stones,

Karl