Fitted Sheets and the Soapbox I Can't Seem to Avoid

I honestly thought I was going to be dishing and gushing about Stardish Radio's live interview with Robin Strasser tonight but guess what?  I have a whole lot of stuff to talk about and, unexpectedly, fitted sheets factor into it all.  Insane, I know.

I've gotten into the habit of taking notes at church, because I want to remember the things I want to repeat or talk about, but today I should have taken notes all day.  I know I'm going to leave something out.

Fitted sheets.  My sister and I were at my grandmother's house cleaning yesterday and she said she couldn't fold a fitted sheet.  We were laughing about it and I showed her how to fold a fitted sheet -- which is when I just ignore the fact that there are no real corners and keep folding it until it is a funny looking, oddly shaped, folded up sheet.  It won't really wrinkle like it would if it were just wadded into a drawer but it is really silly.

Bear with me.  This is an odd story but it will come full circle.

On the way to church this morning, as I always do in the car, I had an urge to sing.  My voice, for some reason, was very clear and not its usual raspy morning state.  My dear friend/mentor Elizabeth had me sing "There's Something About That Name" at church - and she really wanted me to sing it very very much.  She worked with me on it before I sang it, going over the lyrics line by line and talking about the feelings and dynamics of the song.  One line that really struck me as she talked about it was "...like the fragrance after the rain...."  So this morning, I got the urge to sing that song.

I told Elizabeth I was singing it to her, and I heard her in my mind telling me that I should not sing it for her, but for the Lord.  So, of course, I had to agree to that, but it was really for her.  So I sang the song in the car on the way to church.

I wrote down what our Sunday School lesson was about, but it slipped down on the priority list of things to talk about here.

I was very turned off by the beginning of the sermon, but it turned out to be a great lesson, as usual.  I didn't agree with all of it, but all people aren't always going to agree.

Notably, I just don't know what to think when people start talking about "the mark of the beast" as it pertains to technology, social security numbers, bar codes, etc.

And I know how very controversial it is for me to say this to Christians, but I really disagree extremely strongly that getting involved with Buddhism, Muslim, etc. is inviting in demons.  I find that highly offensive.  The Christian perspective on that is that because people have to be "politically correct" all the time, they are not free to practice their religion in the United States without it being taboo these days.  They can't pray in school, they are afraid to mention Jesus in public, and they feel they have to fight for "Christmas."  I, personally, do not feel that way at all.  Because I know that if I respect the way other people believe, they will respect me.  Unfortunately, people from all religions are taught to believe that their god is the only god -- and it has led to many wars and will continue to for many more years because people cannot just love other people no matter what.  So, my Christian friends, if I am inviting in demons, you might want to avoid me.  I'm sorry.  

I love people, and I have a desire to learn and to grow, and that involves other religions.

Shall I put my soapbox away now?  Well, I'll keep it handy.

A really great thing that was brought up was the question, "Who are we identified with?"

So I was sitting there asking myself about my identity and what I am identified with.  Of course, the point was that you should be identified with Jesus, but I was sitting there thinking, I am identified with a TV show?  That's bad.  That's just very bad.

I can easily justify it and talk about the uniqueness and greatness of soaps, acting, making a difference in the world, and many other things that make it not just about a TV show.  But I'd have to climb back on my soapbox.  Maybe I'll talk about that some other time if you are truly interested, but something tells me you aren't.  Sadly!

I liked that the point was made that in the Bible, more often than not, the poor people who are searching for God or are close to God are identified -- with a story or name -- and the rich people who are aligned with worldly possessions are used as examples and not identified.  Don't get me wrong.  I have nothing against "rich" people and would love to have more money than I have.  The point is that people's value is not measured by their money, but by what is in their heart.  I flipped through the Bible during the sermon and found the verses in Matthew 19 in which a rich young man told Jesus that he had followed all the laws and commandments and didn't know what else he could do, and Jesus told him that he needed to sell all his possessions and give to the poor.  I'm not rooting for people to have to lose everything in the world, but that was definitely a test of what that man considered to be more important -- his money or other people?  See that?

Still, I heard the name George W. Bush come up, and to me, mixing politics in with my worship is a total turn-off.  I understand why Christians do that -- I get it -- I know it is important to them; but it just isn't me.  It doesn't speak to me.  I was also sitting there staring at the alter after collection was taken up, with the opened Bible in the middle and a plate full of money on each side.  Again, don't get me wrong.  I fully support my church and the good things they do!  I want to give them money!  But as with politics, I do not want the financial end of it to be part of my worship.  I also think it makes poor people who are in the congregation feel very bad.  Yucky yuck yuck.  

Oops!  Soapbox!  Behind me!

Well, guess what song we stood up and sang at the end of the service?  Actually, we sang it two times.  Just guess!  Of all the millions of songs I could have sang on the way to church ... I just happened to sing "There's Something About That Name," and that just happened to be the close of the service.

Hello, Elizabeth!  Did you catch that!?  Wow, God.

I met up with my darling boyfriend after church and sat in the car listening to Robin Strasser's newly recorded hotline while he bought some cough drops.  She was really moving and then got out her soapbox and talked a lot about the state of our economy and helping people and I don't ever say, "Amen!" in church but I would've said it to her if I'd been in the room when she recorded her message.  She has a huge heart and she is definitely about helping other people - particularly her neighbors.  She's very open and forthcoming about her personal issues, too, and I sort-of wish I could share my own story with her without sounding pathetic.  I respect her immensely and would love to work with her someday in some capacity, so ...  I'd rather hide from her than have her think less of me.

I tuned in to the live broadcast of her interview tonight and JoAnn -- wonderful JoAnn -- at Stardish asked her for me if she had started her autobiography yet.  She insisted that she would, not only because she has to share her stories from her perspective, first hand, but also because she needs the money!  Oh, my goodness!  Really, that's sad!  

Money is just so stupid.  I'm sorry, but it is.  And we are brought up in an environment where we are essentially forced to make it our first priority.  Pathetic and sickening.  Forced.  Our heart can be in the right place, but that doesn't get us anywhere, does it?

Oh, hello again, soapbox....

So guess what became a big topic of the night?  Of all things?  Fitted sheets.  No one can fold the stupid things!  Apparently, Hillary B. Smith can, so fans agree that we need some household tips videos on YouTube from our favorite actresses.  Hillary B. Smith can teach the world to fold fitted sheets, and Robin Strasser can teach us her excellent ironing techniques.  She said one of her first theatre jobs was ironing in a bathroom for Shakespeare in the Park.

I'm pretty much anti-domestic.  I was in 4-H for years and had to learn how to sew, iron, make candles, take care of children, etc.  It was all very useful, educational, and dare I say fun?  But being forced to do all those things and later realizing I don't really have to do them, combined with having a boyfriend of six years who is a Certified Culinarian ... I'm sort-of anti-domestic, I'm afraid.  I find sewing frustrating, I hate ironing (though it is incredibly easy), and cooking?  Forget it!  Washing dishes by hand?  I'd rather eat the food I try to cook!

Give me a pen, a pad of paper, a computer, a car, a holy place, whatever, and something I care about and I'll work my you-know-what off for it.  I'll even work for free if I love it enough.  Heck, I write for pennies - literally - as it is.  Give me a break!

In conclusion, I again ask, "Is there such a thing as coincidence?"  Do I read into things too much?  You have to admit one or two coincidences a day or a week would be one thing, but several?  I don't kno-ow!