I live in the San Francisco bay area where most people, especially those with education, credentials, or money, are in a hurry. The culture of individualism colludes with materialism, making reaching for my self-set goals seem like the highest priority.
On Sunday morning John Ortberg's message challenged this with his diagnosis of the "hurry sickness" - a condition of the heart, distinct from being busy. (found on www.MPPCfamily.org). I've been pondering the principles John gave.
On Wednesday I was anticipating the housekeeper "Maria" coming. She likes to talk and she's a pleasant person whom I enjoyed talking with. But I was feeling quite pressed for time since I hadn't been able to keep my goals for my novel the previous two days and resolved to not elicit conversation,as I had done the last time she came. Then I thought of Sunday's sermon and the "hurry sickness" and decided I would make eye contact and ask her how she was.
I did that and she unloaded a story of how her newly adopted foster child, Desdee, doesn't want to go to school because a girl there her age has said, "I don't like you" (her words for the envy she feels of the new clothes Desdee wears, gifts from one of the clients of Maria).
Maria was quite upset and had no idea what to do. She had already tried telling the other child that she was beautiful and tried talking her own child out of her feelings. I prayed silently and then asked Maria if she'd be willing to give some of Desdee's clothes to her jealous friend. "Sure!" Then, ask Desdee is she's willing go, then talk to the mother of the other child about it and explain that all the beautiful clothes are gifts, and then ask the mother and her child over to you home for them to pick out a few.
Maria was elated and so was I. Much better than getting one more page edited.
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