Originally posted on August 18, 2012 at www.spiritualvitamin.blogspot.com
While I look at those things, I often neglect the blessings
currently existing in my life. I am lucky to have a cell phone period, as there
are some cultures in this world where a cell phone isn’t a necessity for a
twelve-year old, but rather a privilege for the wealthy upper elite. As for
being able to afford dining out more, at least I’m not starving. I’m fortunate
to have a kitchen where I can try and fail with delectable masterpieces like
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole. (For all you Lutherans it goes great with beer.
For all you Mormons/Baptists, it goes great with Kool-Aid also.)
Some may find that comment amusing, others won’t. But there
are nations on this Earth where I could be thrown in jail for making any type
of political or religious statement. For example, like posting on this blog.
I’m no legal expert, but I’m pretty sure there isn’t a clause in the Patriot
Act that restricts freedom of speech.
I think way too much. It’s part of being a writer. Thursday
night I wrote a six-page short story just from a brief daydream. Often times,
my fantasies revolve around being a famous writer who can afford not to work
for “the man”. These daydreams are what fuel my gambling addiction to lottery
tickets. I bought one for the $327 million Powerball drawing this week. And
while I pondered what life would be like if I won, I always think to myself…is
this what God would want?
Somewhere, probably within a five-mile radius someone else
is purchasing a lottery ticket for the same jackpot thinking, “I hope I win so
I can buy clothes for my children.” or, “If only I had the money to pay the
water bill.” There are so many people who have it far worse than me. I truly
believe that if those people out there are Christians, then God will provide.
Maybe I’m misinterpreting the big picture. Whenever I
daydream about winning the lottery and realize others need it far worse than I
do, I think God is trying to say, “Give that money you are gambling away to
those in need.” The Lord has already met mine because last time I checked, I’m
breathing. (Just double checked and confirmed and, yes, I am still breathing.)
I didn’t begin to tithe until last year although I have been
working since 2004. Despite incurring several unexpected financial obligations
since then, I can still afford to pay my bills. It makes me wonder what that
ten-percent had been going towards the previous seven years. Most likely it was
going towards material possessions that didn’t honor God.
I’ve always been taught to pray according to God’s will. I
pray every night for God to continue to bless my passions and gifts and yes, I
will admit I do pray for the Lord to help me find the means where I can write
for a living. I forget that even though I do still work a forty-hour per week
job, I’m sitting on a laptop right now doing exactly what he’s wanting me to
do…and that’s glorifying him.
It kind of sounds like the ultimate win-win. I like those
odds better than one in 176 million.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas
Meisinger was born, raised and educated in Chicago's southwest suburbs. He
began performing stand-up comedy in 2009 while in college. You may have seen
him at The Comedy Shrine, Edge Comedy Club, and other establishments he doesn't
like enough to give free publicity. If he spent as much time filling out job
applications as he did writing jokes during his last semester, he would
probably have a better paying job. Currently residing utterly alone in
Missouri, he has since shifted his focus to writing.
He spent a year
working on his first novel, The World Is Shallow; That's Why I Never Learned
How to Swim, which is currently available on all major eBook retail sites. The
humorous fictional autobiography has received rave reviews from family,
friends, and stray cats wandering his apartment. Meisinger’s favorite hobby is
people-watching at coffee shops but let's face it, he really just has a staring
problem.
Meisinger currently writes
four blogs: Penguins are Pretentious (www.penguinsarepretentious.blogspot.com)
is a collection of Meisinger’s ideas, opinions and experiences. Bacon, Eggs,
and Whiskey (www.baconeggsandwhiskey.blogspot.com) is life from a bachelor’s
point of view. Spiritual Vitamin (www.spiritualvitamin.blogspot.com) contains Christian-themed
reflections. Dear Grandma Margie (www.deargrandmamargie.blogspot.com) is a
series of fictional letters Meisinger wrote to his real grandmother. He hopes
to honor her by self-publishing those letters by her 88th birthday, March 24,
2013.
If you must,
"Like" Meisinger's Facebook Fan Page, follow him on Twitter at
#TomMeisinger., or check out his website at www.funnythomas.com.
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