January 12, 2018
Graceful Flight
I’m about to embark on a roller coaster ride from Los Angeles to New York –> to Virginia –> to a funeral service then –> back to New York and –> back to Los Angeles. At the time of this writing, I am finalizing my flight itinerary. I’m hoping I get the quickest ride at the cheapest rate.
I can see myself sitting in the airplane. I gaze at my fellow travelers and I imagine price tags dangling on people’s faces. This gentleman with the suit — he got his full thousand dollar ticket through his company. This lady with the 3 excited kids — they got a family discount. That scrawny kid with the backpack wearing a wide super grin — I bet he knew how to work the system and only paid a $20 ticket. Different fare prices yet here we are — all breathing the same air, watching the same in-flight videos and arriving on the same plane.
Some super sensitive whinny types (and there are a lot of them nowadays) would say “there’s a little injustice going on here, we need transparency!” Really? Sometimes, If JUSTICE is all you’re after then you may need to check your motives and need to understood the word GRACE. GRACE dictates that even if you have the right to demand something, you give it up because you’re the better person. GRACE says “I value our relationship too much to get into a fight with you.”
Sometimes justice isn’t the best solution to the ails of society. What if a weirdo programmer, with a warped sense of social justice, develops an App to “improve” travel data transparency so that passengers will be treated fairly according to how much they paid for the flight. Imagine the havoc if passengers really wore their ticket prices on their faces.
Excuse me, Mr. Window Seat passenger, can we switch places? My $250 ticket trumps your $125. I have more rights to sit over there.
Excuse me, Miss, I know you’re about to burst but my $50 gets me to go to the toilet ahead of your $45 ticket.
Excuse me, Madam, but you and your boys need to wait till all the passengers have boarded the plane because you got your tickets for free.
No food for you, Sir. You only paid for this bottle of water.
Awww, you poor thing with the wheelchair. I’m afraid you’re going to have to start walking; but, to show that I’m on your side, I’ll help you pray for a miracle.
Yup! Equality, justice, transparency … the “good” things people demand may not be the solution. In a marraige, it isn’t 50-50. Each spouse should give a 100% and try to out-give the other. When in doubt about who/what is right or wrong, let’s consider the alternative — GRACE.
“Honey! May I do the dishes again today?”
TGIF people!
If I Die First
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA
TGIF Videos
Bad Lip Reading
Sent by Mike of New York
I might have sent this earlier but when Mike sent this video I started laughing again so I’m hoping you’ll find it funny as well. It’s political in nature but both sides are treated equally bad.
Parting Shot
Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who provided this photo
Religious Grounds
TGIF Reader
March 2, 2018 at 5:08 pm
FUN! Twist of where I thought your column would go!
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Mo & I have spent honest time with this portion of scripture as a strong light into our (self)righteous living. The more we read, the more we find it is a reflection of our God. Father (act justly), Son (love mercy) Spirit (walk humbly with your God).
Always good to hear your thoughts, may God inhabit your time & presence as you pay tribute to your friend.
All the best,
Melanie
TGIF Reader
March 2, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Good morning Raoul,
Once again I have enjoyed your thoughtfulness and your inspiring newsletter. I truly enjoyed your addition last Friday because it was such a nice tribute to Bob and I have prayed for Bob’s family and for you and all those who grieve his loss this week. I will continue to pray for you as you journey to the funeral and for the comfort of those with whom you will share this time.
Blessings,
Jennifer
TGIF Reader
March 2, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Thanks hope you survive the plane rides and calculations. The Lip Reading is really funny and amazing .
Tom
TGIF Reader
March 2, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Loved it all.
Heather