aldenswan.com

Today is my birthday. It has been my habit for many years that I take some time on my birthday to get alone and contemplate my life. It has always been a beneficial practice, so much so that I should probably try it more than just once a year, but then, I’m not one to go overboard.

My favorite “alone” spot was the beach at Del Mar, California. Check it out, and you’ll see why. There’s even a Starbucks nearby. Now, living in Oregon, that isn’t practical. I could try the coast here, which I do like, but it’s not the same. Again, visit and you’ll see why.

Today, I first went down by the Willamette River, then to a park where I walked through some woods down to a little creek that was so shallow you could actually walk into parts of it without getting wet. It was a good day.

I have lived 50+1 years on this earth so far, and today, as I look at my life, I conclude that I am a very lucky man.

I have an extremely attractive, sexy, wise, loving wife, with whom I am in love as much today as I was 25 years ago when I decided I wanted to marry her. I find that I spend a lot of time simply looking at her, and much of the rest of the time thinking about her.

I have accomplished great things: I have three wonderful children. To say that I am proud of them is an understatement. We have a peaceful and happy household, which I think says a lot. I could go on, but I won’t. You’ll just have to trust me, when I say that I am, indeed, a lucky man.

Certainly there are problems. Life isn’t perfect. As one of the songs I referenced in the title says, “I can’t complain, but sometimes I still do.”

But, on my 51st birthday, I am convinced that I am a lucky man.

We, especially those of us in the good ol’ U S of A, love convenience. We’ve been raised believing that convenience is the sign of world domination. As long as we can get ours, fast (and at a reasonable cost), we’re leading the world. After all, it’s important that we get what we need, whether gas, breakfast-in-a-bag, or our drive-through venti iced soy mocha. That’s how I know we’re winning the war on terror.

Speaking of convenience and coffee, last night I ran a quick errand to our local Target, with the convenient Starbucks just inside the door. I needed some coffee beans, and rather than having to drive a couple of miles out of my way to go to my regular dealer, here was one right in front of me as I came through the check-out!

So, I drifted over to the bean display, and was glad to find the variety I was looking for. I took my selections to the girl at the counter, told her how I wanted them ground (ok, so I’m really lazy), and then I realized the true cost of convenience. These pocket-sized Starbucks, as convenient as they may be, are no substitue for a real, full-sized store. If anything, they are Starbucks “light.”

On one other occasion I had dared purchase a bag of beans at this particular store, and as is my usual habit, requested the beans be ground for a paper cone filter. I’ve done it for years. The girl replied, “what’s that?” I knew I was in for trouble, and I was right.

So, I should have known better, but again, this was convenient. Besides, I had carefully examined the machines at the other Starbucks, and now knew which setting I wanted the beans ground on. So, I walked up to the counter with self-assurance and made my request, only to discover that these mini-stores don’t have the same grinders! Ooops.

Convenience has its costs. You can’t always get what you want. There is no free lunch. And, you can’t get a properly ground bag of coffee at a mini-Starbucks. I think at some point the Starbucks Corp. will have to realize that these “express” are a corporate irresponsibility, and it will cost them… unless, they know the real truth: that their coffee contains a secret addictive ingredient, and they’re assured that you have to have their coffee, no matter how badly the beans are ground.

So, count the cost of convenience. I am, as I sit here typing, drinking my morning coffee made from poorly-ground Sumatra beans. But, I have to go now; my cup is empty.

Over the past couple of years I have read a few things by Jewish authors, both fact and fiction, and have found them fascinating. As Christians, we seem to forget that Jewish theologians and philosophers have something to say about God; after all, they’ve worshipped Him for a few thousand years more than our own traditions have. Certainly we believe they have misinterpreted some things, especially concerning the Messiah. However, they still have some important thoughts about God and how He relates to the world, things that could possibly enhance our own understanding of God. (I particularly find Jewish perspectives on science and God interesting.)

Rabbi Marc Gellman has a lot of things to say, as those of you who are familiar with him know. Yesterday’s article, Remember Amalek - What the Bible says about fighting terrorism, was outstanding (in my not-so-humble opinion). It’s so good, I’ll shut up now and just let you go read it.