analogies

An analogy is a comparison between two different things to explain or clarify a concept by highlighting their shared similarities.  Here are a few stories that happened in my life recently. I encourage you to form a personal analogy reflecting the meaning of them to you from your own life's experiences.

We had happy hour with friends of Jeanne who just sold their house and had to get rid of all their stuff as they radically had to downsize. They told us, no one wanted their stuff that they thought was soooo important (i.e. not even their kids). They had to give it away (i.e. and they said—it was really good stuff).

The Takeaway is...! A couple on our mission team in San Angelo was in the milk business in TX. They milked about 3,000 cows. I asked them a lot of questions. One I asked was if she was involved in the business—yes, I did all the record keeping—did you keep records on every cow—sure did, we have very complete records on every cow—If they don’t perform, they are culled and go to slaughter. We keep only the above average ones! And your personal analogy?

Another guy on our team told us that he was conceived in Holland but born in Canada, they were immigrants.  When his mother delivered, the doctor said here is the first one and here is the second one. She didn’t know she was having twins. That increased their family to 6 people all living in a garage.

A long-time friend from MN, who sits with us in church, told me that she didn’t sleep well last night, I slept for two hours and then couldn’t sleep again until 5. What’s the deal?  I ate toooo much chocolate I think. You better cut back on the chocolate!  No way, I like chocolate!

There are winners and losers! I talked to a guy in our 55+ park at the mail box who has lived here for 30 years. He has lost his wife 10 years ago but had a girlfriend for the last 6 who recently has passed on. He told me he’s lonely and will start looking for a new one soon. He is 89. Soooo I asked him if the park has changed a lot in 30 years—yes it has, more folks from CA with a lot of money and different attitudes that I don’t much care for. I talked to a land developer who really likes CA folks who have a lot of money: I can put up with their attitude if they have the money! And your analogy is?

We visited Big Bend National Park on our way back from San Angelo and a couple at our motel said that they really enjoyed the park—sooo what did you enjoy about the park—the vastness was spiritual; the hike along the Rio Grand River in the Santa Elena Canyon was really magnificent and touching as well. Sooooo we hiked it. Sooo what is your analogy?

We had the opportunity to listen to the complete Handel Messiah by The Phoenix Symphony and Choir. It was long but beautiful. If I understand it right, it tells about Jesus Christ from prophesy to resurrection. It has been popular since Handel wrote it in 1741. The place was packed and the folks really enjoyed it and it seemed to affect folks (i.e. and most paid big bucks to experience it). Sooo what is your analogy to the Handel Messiah in your life. Oh, Leonard Bernstein, the late New York Symphony conductor, once said that the most difficult position in the orchestra is the second fiddle. Do you have an analogy for that?

We ate breakfast in Study Butte, TX population 173 at Chilly Pepper Café. Jeanne and I shared the Mexican omelet which had prickly pear in it chopped that morning. We really enjoyed the locals especially Ben and Shirley. Ben is 89 and Shirley is 76. They came here 20 years ago and liked it sooo well that they bought 20 acres and built a stone house. We like the quietness, few people, warm weather. We come to Chile Pepper Cafe every morning for breakfast. Shirly told us she was the town’s ambulance driver for 10 years. You seem very comfortable here—we are very content. I asked them if they are believers—Ben said, we sure are. They were a hoot! Soooo what is your personal analogy that fits this story?

Now this gets a high 5! I read this in one of my devotions that was very interesting to me and maybe it might be to you—"My children are grown. They’re not the adorable babies and toddlers I sang over all those years ago. My relationship with them hasn’t always been easy, but they’ve never stopped being my children, and I’ve never stopped delighting in them.” Do you have a personal analogy for this?

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

A New Year Thought from my second cousin once removed a.k.a. The Other Warren from Omaha--Yesterday is a cancelled check  --- tomorrow is a promissory note --- today is cash.  Use it "wisely".