A Parable of Common Sense

Further proof that David Brooks is one of the most astute observers of our society.

As a pastor, what he describes about the government rings way too true in our houses of worship.

Perspective

It's been quite a bit stressful over here of late. The wife-to-be has been out of work and is having to job hunt in the worst economy of our lives without really being able to know where to focus the hunt. We are trying to sell a Decatur condo in the midst of a housing recession, and of course, like all UMCers under appointment, are waiting on pins and needles to see if we are staying or going while also trying to explain increases in health and pension costs to our churches, who live in a county facing 15-20 percent unemployment.

So, in the midst of all this, I took half a day off Monday and went to Johnson City to get my haircut. This might surprise some of you, but I really haven't been able to replace my Salon Red cut easily in the land of the farm. So, I went to the mall to get the cut and started talking to the young hairdresser. She was telling me about her boyfriend, all of 19, who she had been dating for six months. For four of the six months he has been serving in Afghanistan and recently told his girlfriend that he wanted to make a career of it in the military. Awesome.

It turns out my problems aren't so bad.