Ruth and Boaz...but not in that way.

For Christian singles everywhere, there's one love story other than that of Jesus and the cross with which we are familiar. That is...*drumroll please*...Ruth and Boaz. However, I am not going to approach the story from its traditional angle but while re-reading chapter 3, and reading some commentary I saw the story from another angle.

If you've never read the book of Ruth before; you would need to read chapters 1 and 2 to get the context for chapter 3. In this chapter we have learnt that Boaz has expressed a love interest in Ruth and upon the advice of her mother-in-law, Naomi, (again, you will need to read the first two chapters), she meets him on the threshing floor, in the deep cover of night. As she lies at his feet, can you imagine what's going through her head. Could she bare to think with her heart pounding through her chest? Aside from that, it must have been cold, she might have been sweating. What would he think when he wakes up and finds her craddled next to his feet?

Alas, he awakes and she asks him to spread his skirt over her. Wow! Heavy stuff. You won't find this stuff in Mills and Boon- or whatever is in now. But, this was her 'proposal acceptance' of sorts, you kinsman redeemer you! Hubba, hubba.

Anyway, he acknowledged her and expressed his happiness that she chose him an older man and not one of the young tigers. Assured of her feelings, he lets her know that there's a kinsman nearer to him and she must wait to see how the matter turns out; as first thing in the morning he'll see if he (the nearer kinsman) is interested, and if not- he'll return to her and take her away to be his wife.

Boy this may have been nerve-wrecking for both Ruth and Boaz. Him being so close to love but so far, and her, having to wait to see the outcome.

However, the verse that took me aback is verse 9. See: "Ruth 3:9". In the Hebrew language it is said that skirt and wings derive from the same word. For us Christians, we say to God, spread your wings over me. I want to be under your care and protection. I want to be your bride. Hide me under your wing where I am safe (Psalm 17:8)- #mindblown.

Christ continues to pursue us. We have been through tough situations, life has beaten us 'round the head and oppressed. To which God responds, you are persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed 2 Corinthians 4:9. However, there's a safe place in God- in a covenant with God.

I don't know about you, but the topics of patience, faith, grace and dependence on God spoke to me and I thank God for His revelation.

For further reading view the Ruth 3 commentary by Matthew Henry.

Why there's a little Sheldon in all of us.

Okay. So I guess in order to write a post like this, one must have a certain love for "The Big Bang Theory" LOL.

So a series of unfortunate events has led me to believe that there's a bit of Sheldon Lee Cooper in everyone of us. Yes, I said it. If we are honest with ourselves, there's a bit of that obnoxious, awkward nerd with friends. I dare say, what we often dislike in others is often a reflection of what lies within us. Come on, have you ever stopped to think how on earth does Sheldon have friends? Like seriously? Perhaps, we are bit like that and either deny it or are unaware. Here are some examples.

• "Nobody touch my stuff"

For some of us we hold a certain value for our belongings that others may not necessarily share. Albeit, we might get a little hostile and defensive but hey, if you're like me, you have had enough broken toys in your past (broken by other people) to warrant this rule.

Perhaps, you're not a germaphobe like Shelly or Monk but there's a certain value attached to your stuff like your food and other belongings that should just remain off limits.  

• Nobody enter my room

Boldy go where no man has gone before must be how it feels to enter Shelly's room lol. I am not too sure what's so special about Sheldon's room, but I guess it has something to do with him being uncomfortable with displays of human affection and invasion of personal space- sorry Amy. This sacred zone for many teenagers is that place (in their parents' homes) that is off-limits! 

It's the only place that screams "me" and stores everything that's important to us from personal items to personal journals and diaries. For adults, "stay out of my room" is a must or that favourite scarf, blouse, watch or skirt turns up missing and would mean employing the services of the K9 unit to locate it. Face it, our room is our 'no through zone' and for good reason. So maybe Sheldon is on to something.

Are you convinced yet? No? Ok.

• Awkward relations with the opposite sex

Any avid watcher of TBBT is still trying to wrap their minds around Sheldon having friends or a roomate for that matter, much less a romantic partner- poor Rajesh. Sheldon and Amy (Shamy) are a phenomenon in and of itself. But, there's somebody out there in a relationship like this that other people are trying to figure out. It's interesting to see Amy show Sheldon a self-proclaimed superior specie how to be human. I am not sure if Amy is around because she doesn't think she

can do better or...well there really is no or in this matter. It just makes for good television. So here's to the awkward couples making it work!

• Oblivious to social conventions and sarcasm

I know that not everyone is a 'social animal'. Believe it or not even the advancement of the internet there are some people who do not know what is sarcasm lol. Conversely, many people are more confident talking to a screen than an actual human. It's funny seeing Sheldon navigate the waters of human interaction. From racist statements to sexist remarks, this is some interesting tv.

• Know-it-alls

If my friend you cannot identify the know-it-all in your circle of friends, it's probably you. I feel for Wolowitz who is often the butt of Sheldon's jokes because he doesn't have a PhD like his other friends and his wife. If you're not one with a high self-esteem this can hit you where it hurts. Although, I am not sure if Sheldon is unaware how hurtful his statements are or just doesn't care. If it's on his mind, he says it... which brings me to my final point.

• Word vomiters

Oh these people just say what is on their mind or what everybody is thinking but wouldn't say. Appropriate or not Sheldon really doesn't care. In TV land it makes for good comedy but not out here in the real world.

Of course there are other character traits of Sheldon that can only describe him,, but I still posit, that there’s a bit of Sheldon in all of us.

One day, I'd tell my children...

I usually like to utter these words of advice to my friends "You gotta know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away and know when to run". For the ole school heads, the new ole schoolers or those in between, this is a song recorded by the Country Music Legend himself, Kenny Rogers. Man I remember my auntie setting the radio dial to Cross Country Radio and you dared not move it! Hours of Country music pounded the airwaves as the lyrics permeated your membranes, took its place and never left.  Oh these were the days when the cassette reigned supreme! Know what am talking bout? Ohh you had to rewind that mug to catch your favourite lyrics and flip it over to the 'B' side to hear the continuation of the epicness. Lol.

I'd tell my children how, eventhough, by time I had made my entrance into the world, the 'Record' was on its way out, but I sure relished the experience of turning my momma's radio to 'Phono', set that record in, lift that needle through the air, cutting  through wind and crossing all barriers of time and space, laying it down to hear that scratch sound, scratch and sandpaper crumpling sound- but not quite, as it was much more delightful on the ears. Ohh man!

I'd tell them that I've loved music my entire life, possibly  since I was in my mother's womb, because  I remember my love affair with old dub and dancehall, roots, rock, reggae; ska, kaiso, soca, ragga soca! Ohhhh, man we had it going on with my young self. I remember the first time I sneaked my Uncle's cassettes out his bag and listened them old dubs and dancehall. I remember the riddims immortal 'Buy out', then 'Bookshelf'. I would tell them, back them when I was looking for an identity I found it in music, from wholesome to the downright degrading, but now, I found my identity in Jesus. I would tell them how to appreciate music and how to value the art of expressing one's self.

I'd tell them about life!

The things that make us individually beautiful.

It was shortly after church that I decided to greet my "old lady friend" at church. I find that I have a great affection for the older folk, filled with knowledge, wisdom and love. Anyway, after I had finished updating her on school and life, I said my goodbyes and was about to leave. Suddenly, she says, "That tooth you have makes you even more beautiful, it's like your own little unique thing". I beamed.

This tooth was not like the others, It didn't grow in line with them and started from a much higher region in my gum than the others.  I often thought it made my smile look off and I felt hella self conscious!

I remembered someone once told me that, but, it was a dude and quite frankly, dudes say stuff. However, hearing it again from someone who saw me like a petal in full bloom, her little "St. Vincent daughter as she would say". Someone who had nothing to gain by telling me that. Boy, a little compliment goes a long way.

Many a times, things which make us different from the rest, which make you stand out are often what makes you special. Things which you may consider ugly and useless make you beautiful in the sight of others and God.

Think what a dreadfully boring world it would be if all of us were the same- totally devoid of creativity and diversity- yuck!

Embrace your differences, difference is good!

Raining Faith?

It was a bright and sunny day and so, I decided to do two loads of laundry. The weather in Barbados (at least where I live) can become a bit unpredictable. It can start out hot like Chili peppers and then out of nowhere comes the rain and wash the spider out. Alas, as I was getting the second batch of clothes ready, I looked up at the sky and saw the rain clouds beginning to form.

Oh noo they didn't. Not on my sunny laundry day you won't. So I exercised my Christian faith and decided to pray and declare that the rain shall not fall today- No Sah!

Now I'm trying my best to keep my faith and checking the clouds from my bedroom window lol. Soon after, I decided to open the door which leads to my 'backyard nature-approved dryer' and behold, a felt sprinkles! Sprinkles? No not sprinkles on top of cake and fudge sundae sprinkles but rain sprinkles- eek( Excuse my brief Archie Comics moment there)!

Naturally, I did what anyone would do and I went to see which clothes were already dry. Child I snatched them up (i.e my all black load) faster than a piece of food that had fallen to the ground hoping the 3 second rule still applied! Huray for me! I took them up and placed them in the garage area to dry.

Surprise, Surprise! Hours after that sprinkle and small downpour not a single shower or mini-shower of rain came and the ones that had been left behind, are currently "getting it in" with the sun!

Smh! So was God trying to teach me a lesson in faith? Had I flunked it miserably, just a bit, or gotten a C?

Oh the joys of nature and the lessons it can teach!

FAVOUR DEY PAN ME

'ELLO WAT ONE  DAY ME HAD (Well, what a day I had)

I will start however, by giving God thanks for His daily provisions.

I said something last week at our Christian Association meeting, I said "God doesn't need us but we need Him- this is the self-sufficient nature of Christ".

So yesterday I was at the bus stop waiting to get a van to go to a class field trip and by God's grace I met my lecturer and she gave me a ride to and fro- thus saving me $4. Of course I was happy to keep my money in my pocket but never thought beyond that.

Fast forward to today.

Again, at the same bus stop, but this time on a different mission to another side of the country, I saw my friend who gave me a ride. For some this may be a series of fortunate events but when you often feel like Lemony Snicket in a series of unfortunate events you are beyond grateful for small favours. This reversal of fate, caused me to remember the words I uttered to my roommates about their luck in getting lifts to school- but now the favour had fallen upon me.

"But now the favour had fallen on me?" 

 

What am I saying the favour had never left me. Like, Elisah, Elijah, Paul, Jesus, Isaiah, Jeremiah, David and so on "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me, to bring good news to the poor and he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour" (Isaiah 61:1-2)

That's right- it never left me. I was so busy wallowing in my pit of self-pity that I forgot the promise He made to Us, to me. He said, "He will never leave nor forsake me". He kept His promise. Although, He didn't have to-He did. The word says:

"God is not a man that He should lie, or a son of man that He should change His mind" (Numbers 23:19). Therefore, His promises are sure!

"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the council of the ungodly...But his delight is in The will of the LORD and on his law doth he meditate day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2).

BUT D STORY NA DUN YET 'ELLO (The story isn't finished as yet).

As it turns out that God in His divine nature had already forseen today and made those provisions for me so that  having been almost stranded today at the bus terminal with exactly $4, He made it so I had enough money to get something to eat and get the two buses I needed to get home and even though, I had to stand for more than half the ride, I was able to praise God. I missed that feeling, the connection we had Lord, I loved every minute of it because out of it I got to tell this beautiful story and encourage someone else to HOLD ON. See I typed a note on Facebook asking my friends without licenses to acquire them ASAP at the end I signed "Almost Stranded" because I knew God's provision and favour wasn't over, He hadn't left me. I was not declaring that I was stranded, NO SAH NA ME NUN TAL', FAVOUR DEY PAN ME.

Guess what? Now I am at home typing this to you!!!

BE  BLESSED.

Nostalgia

So... :-). Living in the library is not so bad.

Due to my very gruesome course load, I've taken up temporary residence in the library- but is it really...temporary? Somehow I've managed to turn my midnight into a dawn of hope, so I can safely say like the legendary Aimé Césaire "Au bout du petit matin", enveloped in the fresh dew drops of sunshine of a brighter tomorrow, afresh! Yes that cheesy pun was intended.

Now, my recent experience reminds me of when I was growing up and my parents used to buy me lots of books, in which I sat for hours- amazed and bewildered as I imagined the scenes unfolding before my eyes.
Characters metamorphosed into visions of hope, catalysts of change, porte-paroles (spokespersons)  of ideologies and coffre-four's (safety boxes) that burst open revealing a hidden identity- the known became unknown but revealed itself in the inter-texts- between the lines for those who dared wonder-wander. This cataclysmic surge was my experience with Literature. 

Even when I put her down she was never at rest- well in my mind at least. With her arms wrapped tightly around me, she tucked me in at nights and sprinkled fairy dust on my cerebral matter, infiltrating and oft invading my dreams; sometimes poisoning my realities with charming Princes and Haute couture- a westernized worldview way before I knew what that was. 

In a way, I understand why she  constantly accused of presenting false hope with her vain ideologies.

For example: Feministic ideation involves the upliftment of women, the dominance of the female and rejection of stereotypical roles often emanating from Biblical stand points. Thus, the average Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty stories would definitely not tickle the fancy of Madame ou Monsieur Feminist. Nevertheless, it was my escape from the confines of this world and launched me into the orbit of the surreal.

Sadly however, I like many others conceded, well, succumbed to the gravitational pull of " El Televisor"- the sworn nemesis of the "book worm".  Alas, hope returneth ( this sounds amazing in my Legend of Zorro voice- the irony). After many years, a brand new Tablet PC and a library encounter, the flame has been re-kindled. Hopefully, my cloud storage of endless gigabytes is backed up and ready for the influx of knowledge soon to be downloaded to the server.


By the way, I found it very interesting that the French word for brain is "cerveau" and the quote on quote "brain" of the network is called a "server"! I won't tell you the rest, let your imagination run freer than wild horses on a prarie.

Adieu messieurs et madames.