A reality show in the making

In case you don't remember, I moved my mother and her husband in with us back in June. Well actually into my trailer, as she doesn't want her animals to sleep alone. Another reminder, she brought two dogs and three cats (one of which was pregnant and had four kittens). Yes, you've done the math correctly, that is a total of nine animals living in my RV. Luckily I was in the process of fixing it up and had just pulled all the flooring out. Sunday, September 11, my father calls me (that is my biological father, in case you missed that entry as well, we were just reunited July 17) who tells me there had been a problem at his house, and he wanted me to pick him up. Once I arrived, I could tell he was really distraught, so I told him to pack a bag and he could stay at my house. Once at our house, he felt so relieved and able to relax that he slept for two days. After waking up on the third day, he decided to leave his home and take me up on an offer I had made previously to move into the room that the girls had just vacated just about four weeks ago. Tuesday, September 13 (our wedding anniversary) we spent the day moving my father into our home. Yes, my mother, her baby's daddy and her husband are all living at the same house. The last few days have been interesting to say the least. My mother is questioning why I'm doing so much for my dad, and why he has a cable box in his room and she doesn't have one in the RV. She wants to know what her $400 in rent includes. She has nine animals and two people living in my RV, they don't buy groceries or pay utilities and she's complaining about $400. My father works around the house, pays his share as well as gave me a new SUV that he pays the note on. I didn't ask my father for the car, but he can't drive, and he didn't want to send it back and mess up his credit. I don't think what I'm asking is unreasonable, $200/ person including utilities and food. I'm too exhausted to even address this issue right now, but I noticed these issues came up while I was away at work. I wish she would have brought it up while I was here. And by saying "I wish", I really mean "I wish she would...." I guess she has forgotten I had to move out at 15 years old, and she left when I was 18 years old to move out of state and didn't know what college her only child was attending. I guess she has also forgotten she was also hooked on crack most of my life after 9 years old either, and while it is understandable that I do absolutely nothing for her, I still honor her because she is my mother, and the Bible instructs me to do so. (Okay, I'm starting to rant). God give me strength. Pray for me ya'll.

Where are all the workers at?

Years of working with teenagers who have behavior disorders and problems, now working in detention facilities, I realize something that has taken over our society, no one wants to work anymore. Everyone wants things to come natural. They want to be dancers; but without taking additional classes, without risking pulling muscles or other injuries, and without even reading who Martha Graham is. They want to be athletic; and become an NBA star without rigorous hours of daily practice, without being team players, and without knowing Irving "Magic" Johnson was more than the owner of a Starbucks, TGI Friday's and movie theaters. We want booming businesses without having failed at business first, we want perfect marriages, without having gotten to the point of wanting to call it quits but yet remained. We want well mannered children, without having taught them the words "please" and "thank you." We no longer want to work for anything. I blame the microwave! Having the ability to cook a three course meal in less than 10 minutes has us walking on a new job the first day expecting a promotion. What are we thinking?

Life is full of two things, work and tests, the sooner we accept it, the sooner we will experience true joy. Everything we do in life requires us to work at it, things we do not work at ultimately fail. As Christians, there is a sense of worth we get from working, because we know who we are working for. In everything we do, we know why we do things in excellence. When you walk in your purpose, you begin to enjoy the work that you do, and it is most times pleasurable, but it is still work. 

Then there are the tests. We do not stop taking tests because we passed our exams to receive the highest degrees issued to man, but we are tested regularly. Our patience is tested, our emotions are tested, our faithfulness is tested, and only when we pass these tests can others see our true character. 

Today we shy away from work and tests. If someone tells you while you're on the alter getting ready to say "I do" it's gonna be work, some people would turn away and run back towards the exit. Even educational facilities have accommodations for test takers, but these examples don't represent life. Where are all the people who had chores as a kid? It was work, but it taught you how to be a responsible adult. Last summer I had a 16 and 17 year old girls who had no clue how to wash a car. They didn't know how to wash their own clothes, and had no real responsibilities at home. It's no wonder why no one wants to work anymore. George and I gave up the regular 9 to 5 and we find ourselves doing more work and working longer hours, but having more fulfillment than ever. If you are expecting to get through this life without working and passing some tests, good luck.