My Weekend

I was really looking forward to an evening of comedy with some co-workers on Saturday. It turned into a comedy of errors or, depending on how you look at it, a tragedy. Our plan was to catch a stand-up show in Vancouver and then head for the Shark Club. We were chauffeured by a driver there and back in a snazzy SUV limousine. Of course, booze was involved and therein lies the source of our troubles.

I believe I know my limit and since I was driving a couple of my co-workers home after our night out, I didn't want to drink much. A few people did not have the same limit and as a result, there were more than a few awkward moments. All is not a total loss, as I did have fun when there was fun to be had, but I don't think the night turned out as well as we all had imagined.

Later that night, after I dropped into bed after 2am, I dreamt that I was walking through an one-storey dilapidated house. The wooden floor was smothered in filth of broken toys, shredded paper, dirty clothes, shreds of drab cloth, shards of glass (from the broken windows), dust, dirt, and leaves. I felt very sad. According to my dream books, a dream that features a house that looks destroyed predicts anguish and depression; the books suggest that the personality or body of the dreamer is in search of better health. A low house is a sign that my work relations in my workplace are about to break down. (Hm...)

I woke up Sunday morning feeling lousy and not because of alcohol. I didn't know what to make of what I experienced with my co-workers last night. I felt deflated, frustrated, sad, and disappointed. I went to church in this mindset and God met me there.

Suddenly, my spirit was uplifted! The sermon was particularly meaningful. The pastor spoke from the book of Romans and how sin separated us from God, but how God has given us a way out through the redemption of His Son. We have all fallen short of the glory of God, but He has given us hope, forgiveness, and grace. I realize that I must learn humility because in spite of what my co-workers did, I am, in some ways, no better. I have done things that I am not proud of, but when I come before the Lord, I am forgiven. There's no hiding my sins, my shame, my guilt. The Lord's mercy and grace has set me free! This inexplicable joy has lifted me out of my slump. Even in my feeling of excitement, I get the urgency again to share the good news of God's love to those who need it and I wished that my co-workers could have received the same message as I got today. At the end of worship, one of our pastors announced the engagement of his son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. They are such a cute couple and I feel tremendous happiness for the two of them; they are in my care group this year and I look forward to knowing them both better and support and encourage them in this new phase of their relationship. As a congregation, we sang Happy Day (Tim Hughes) and I couldn't help but raise my arms and sway to the music (I would've jumped up and down instead of hop, but I didn't want to accidentally smack the people beside me).

It felt so good to be with people who are happy and don't need alcohol or drugs to be that happy. This is the joy that only God can give and nothing in this earth can replace it.