Four Dollars and Eighty-Nine Cents

I was in Chicago yesterday and Jesus came up to me and commented on my blog! I'm not being flippant either. I seriously met the logos yesterday.

I arrived at McCormick earlier than usual to finish up some paper-work for my Senior Review. I went to the third floor lounge and started pulling out my prepared folders and organizing the papers. There was someone else in the lounge just reading the bible waiting to visit with one of the faculty members. We nodded to each other but not much more than that. I was well dressed that day with my tie, jacket, and pressed shirt and slacks. While I was filling out an evaluation form for the Master's level office, the gentleman stands up. I don't see this as I'm engrossed in the evaluation form but I did notice when he stuck his hand out and gave me a wad of money. He said to me, "God just told me you need this money." "Are you sure," I responded. "Yes, God just led me to... I wish I had more," he said as he reached into his pocket to draw out all the change he had. Remembering my sermon on how it is our holy service to accept the service of others just as much as we are to offer service, I accepted the money with a, "Thank you sir!" The gentleman left for the bathroom after that and I finished my paper work and distributed my Senior Review folders. Woah! The total sum was $4.89.

As I was reflecting and sitting at a table with a stream of sun beaming down on me, I realized that the reason God told this man to give me all of his money was so that God could comment on my Random Disgruntlement entry. "No David, not all of Chicago is selfish. In fact not even most people in Hyde Park." "Yes, Jesus, you are right and that makes me happy!" The story is not over yet!

While I was sitting in class after my Jesus moment I composed an email requesting prayers for strength to finish off this semester well. I talked about my two jobs, my internship, my recent reasons for disliking people in Chicago, my senior review, my candidacy examination, and my school work on top of all of that. Moments after I sent the email one of the list members from California responds back to me personally with words of encouragement. The email was wonderful but what flabbergasted me was the quote at the end of the email.

Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. -E.B. White (1899-1995)

This quote is the same quote (well not verbatim) that is used by the person who sent me into a downward spiral of distrust of Chicagoans. Jesus thinks he's funny!

The day is not ever yet. I went to my senior review at 4:15pm and while we started I was told that these things only take maybe an hour and I had nothing to worry about. The meeting lasted for two hours! I had a great time! The best part was when we went over my statement of faith. One of the faculty members present is an Old Testament scholar and Hebrew expert (He's also the person I procured the name of this domain from). Couldn't stop saying, "Woah!" when I explained what I was doing with the hebrew words. Then we engaged in a 20 minute conversation about the implications of such a usage and a need for a footnote directing readers to the special meaning I was giving the words. It was so wonderful to discuss the statement for real. Every other person who has requested to see the statement has praised it but never said more than, "It's beautifully composed." I need some constructive discourse! At any rate, I have officially been recommended to receive a Master of Divinity Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary--pending completion of the require courses. All I need to do is finish this semester and complete 5 more courses!!! You can start calling me Reverend at your leisure. Dr. John Nichols and Dr. John B. Egan have been for the past year now.

Jesus wasn't done yet. When I arrived home after my senior review, I called Maura and asked if she wanted to go to dinner and celebrate my senior review recommendation. While we were sitting at the pub the waitress totally complements me on how good I look. Tells me that shaving my head and growing a beard was a good move.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!