Flushing Sound

Today I was very surprised and delighted to discover that Japan has solved the puzzling problem of preserving femininity while using the restroom. In America, its not uncommon (at least not among the people I know) to run the water or turn on the fan when using the bathroom to cover any sound that may proceed from said activity. I have to admit I've done this too, especially when visiting other people's houses. There's just something wrong about advertising your bodily functions at other people's houses. Anything to cover the sound is always welcome. Haha... I cant believe I'm even writing about this in a serious way.
Today I was in a public restroom and on the toilet, next to the Bidet option, there was a button for a "flushing sound" (written above the music symbol)! There's even a volume adjustment!! So if you think its going to be a bad one, hit the button and crank up the volume. Wow, this was just too amazing to keep to myself. I think America would do well to follow the example of the Japanese and make life a little less embarrassing for everyone.
Also, if you look closely in the bottom right corner of this picture, there's an on/off button. I'm just noticing this now and I cant remember what exactly was written above it in English but what I can make out is "powerful deodo..." All I can think of from that is "powerful deodorant." If this is true, wow. How awesome would that be? They thought of everything. I'm definitely going to have to investigate this in the future. The possibilities...

CHASEing after the wind

I went to Chase bank today with a few friends of mine. As I was sitting in the lobby sipping the complimentary coffee and waiting for them to finish at the teller's desk, my attention was caught by a colorful poster hanging on the wall to my left. At the top was written - CHASE What Matters. Underneath, pictures of attractive, smiling people were arranged with the following slogans attached to them: Protection Matters, Being Rewarded Matters, More Value Matters, 24/7 Matters, (and my favorite) Control Matters, etc.

When I read that last one, Control Matters, I couldn't help but chuckle at the notion of entertaining thoughts of control given God's muchness and my smallness. Do my actions and words and even feelings betray my proclamation of the Lord's absolute sovereignty? Yes, frequently, to my shame. But I would be a fool if I chose to consciously pursue control as a desirable entity.

From these thoughts, a question surfaced. As revealed by my actions and thoughts, what matters to me today? Checking off another task on my to-do list? Getting to eat the food I want to eat? Feeling good about myself because of what I'm wearing? Saving face? Being on time? Being accepted? Or acknowledging the feelings of a friend? Telling someone that she has worth because God says so, regardless of how she feels? The poor choices being made by a friend? Being sure someone else has enough to eat? Telling the truth? Seeking the Truth? Being genuine? Telling the Lord how thankful I am to have Him in my life? Today, have I been CHASEing what matters?

When it comes to questions of what does or does not matter, my mind inevitably wonders to the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes. At one point, he writes:

Better one handful with tranquility
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind. (Ecc.4:6)

Too often I spend my days chasing things that are good, but that fall short of the best. Too often, I finally get the two handfuls but realize too late that one was more than enough. Too often, the things I truly long for slip through my fingers like wind because I forget what actually matters, what will remain when everything else passes away. Oh, that my heart would CHASE after Him and the spread of His magnificent kingdom. Oh, that my heart would find security in His sovereignty rather than in the dollars in my bank account. Lord, teach my heart to fear you, and surely I will walk in your ways.

This was for you, Dad.