!Cinco de Mayo!  That's today.  I was reminded of that as I was offered a strawberry.  Ripe fruit "out of season" is still odd/awesome for me.  In-season being the northern mid-west season- like June through September for most things.  It's most likely due to the fact that my parents garden- growing wonderful delicacies such as asparagus and peaches.  It's not that we didn't buy produce from the grocery store, and we didn't live on a farm, but homegrown was so good, that nothing's come close (raspberries...).  So when I ate that strawberry this morning, I thought of all those things.  It's so fortunate that we can 1) eat fruit 2) ... out of season and 3) taste fruit!  I don't know anyone who doesn't like at least some variety of fruit, or that's allergic to them all.  When it's hot out, what's more refreshing than a fruit salad (for those of us who don't like lemonade)?

Not only is it Cinco de Mayo, it's also Friday!  For many of this, it marks the end of the work-week, the beginning of the weekend, and a break from the mundane or overly-stressful.  I'm sorry for those of you for whom that's not the case, unless you prefer it that way.  My dad relaxes/enjoys himself when he's busy- it makes him feel useful.  Enough of that...

I tend to listen to The Postal Service now when I'm spent emotionally/sad.  It used to be Vanessa Carlton or Boyz II Men.  They are all in the 'morbid' category to me.  They express the bluer of the emotions well, and settle that part of me- get it out.  In that sense, it improves my mood, releases it, but in another sense, it also keeps me stuck in the middle of it- doesn't get me past.  That's why at some point, I get over myself, and think about things that are going right or that I'm grateful for, and focus my attention outward.

God was in everything yesterday.  He is normally, but not that I often notice.  He was in my curling iron, reminding me that I can sense heat, and that if I'm not careful, I could really hurt myself.  God was also in my bathroom key (for work).  I sometimes take it home, and it was hanging on my door knob.  I almost forgot it 'til it gently rang.  It was like God's quiet voice pleading- "Don't forget me!"  Sometimes I need to turn the volume of life down in order to hear God.  Sometimes I don't want to- afraid of what He'll say.  Will He scold me or tell me to do something/go somewhere I don't want to?  It's easy forget that He knows what He's doing, and what's best for us, and the big picture.

I've found a city that really appeals to me in NJ.  I don't know why, but the fact that its malls, etc., are closed on Sundays is refreshing and attracting to me.  They are also doing cool, helpful things for others, such as raising scholarship money for their graduating seniors.  Maybe those are ordinary things, and I just don't notice, but I was so impressed with the things I found out about this place, that I was ready to move their if there was a decent job!!  But if it's more fast-paced than here, count me out.

Now for those of you wondering about the title of this particular blog, here you go:  When a messenger delivers breathtaking news, do you have the urge to kill or kiss him/her?  I do.  Whether it be a pastor or the flower-delivery person, I want to hug, or celebrate with him/her.  On the other hand, when someone uses somebody else to confront me on an issue, I get upset.  I don't normally get mad at the messenger, but they might see my glare or feel the steam, which isn't fair.  As Frank Delaney puts it in his book entitled Ireland,  "... he would have killed Brian's messenger, except that there was an unwritten law guaranteeing the safety of the messengers."  It's easy for me to forget about God sometimes- at least when it comes to people- I'll think, "He is such an amazing guy!" or "She is one of the most encouraging people in the world!"  Both may be true, but there's only so much we can make for ourselves, and I think the people that really stand out are the ones that are seeking after God, and not making a name for themselves, yet their lives are being transformed, and it shows.  It's like their glowing from the inside-out.

Tonight, Amber and I, and at least one person she works with, are seeing "Once Upon a Mattress" at a local middle school.  I don't remember ever going to a middle school play, so this'll be interesting!  I think the guy might like Amber, so I'll have fun finding out (but I'll have a good time regardless)!
Have a great weekend, all.