Intro to ME

Today, as I pulled into the Starbucks parking lot I encountered a typical situation that would usually cause me to become extremely irritated: three people trying to pull out of their spots at the same time; each one’s path in direct opposition with the others, and consequently my own. Rather than engaging in the typical New Yorker response to disdain at the skills of my fellow drivers (or rather, lack thereof), also known as the intense honking of the horn- usually initiated by the application of ones full weight on the horn portion of the steering wheel- I decided to just sit back in my seat and wait. I waited, as one car almost backed into another, pulled forward to re-adjust their wheel, and then repeated the same offense. I waited, as another car entered the other end of the parking lot and tried to park amidst the chaos- adding to the already full-blown mayhem. I even waited, as the driver in front of me came to a standstill, then turned to me and put her hand up to signal a command that is in complete defiance of the unwritten New York Citizen Code of Conduct: “wait.” You see patience is a virtue I’ve always lacked; a deficiency whose supplement comes in the form of the matter itself. Contrary to popular belief, patience is not some mystical spirit that descends upon the being and somehow immediately transforms them. Patience is a skill acquired through practice. My patience, which extended into Starbucks, was rewarded with a networking opportunity with one of the aforementioned parking lot accomplices. The moral of this story? Practicing character that honors God is always rewarding.

This being my first blog entry it is important to assert this fact: I am a Believer. A “Christian”, a “Disciple”, a “Fisher of Men”, “Follower of God”- you call it what you want- I’ll call it what it is: Faith. It is important to illustrate that being a believer doesn’t mean perfection- it means trying. Trying to please God by honoring His Word and loving one another. It really is that simple because as you commit to doing these two things, the rest follows in tune. Let me be very clear: The intention of my blog is neither conversion nor condemnation- that is not my mandate. It’s simply a glimpse into my life: my successes and shortcomings; my insights and feelings; my like and dislikes. But know, that at the core of who I am, is Him.

I Am a Christian by Maya Angelou

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my
mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s good grace, somehow.