Another Lesson to Learn

I decided when Dan and I got married that I was going to take his last name.  I love the idea that we're starting this new life together and I feel that changing my name shows that new state in life.  In order to have your name changed, it has to be changed through the DMV and the Office of Social Security.  If you've ever been to either then you know that there are much better ways to spend your time (to put it nicely). 

Dan and I are doing an Advent reflection by Henry Nouwen.  On the first night of Advent, the reflection was about beginning to see others the way that God see them, so that we can love others as God does, unconditionally.  The places that I have been taken to change my name have allowed to to take off the judgment glasses and put on glasses of love. 

We live in a small suburb of a larger city.  On my first trip to the DMV, I went to the one in the "big" city.  Mistake number one was not bringing all of the correct paperwork with me.  After waiting for over an hour, I was informed that more paperwork was needed.  I gathered the paperwork that was needed and decided to go to the small town DMV in a neighboring town.  The wait was about the same, but this time was a bit more frustrating. There were workers standing around doing absolutely nothing.  There were drivers who had taken a number and then noticed numbers in a garbage can (obviously from citizens who got tired of the wait and decided to leave), so these said drivers took the numbers out of the garbage and ended up being attended to well before I was even though they came in long after me.  See them like God sees them!

This morning, during my off period, I decided to try to go get a new social security card.  In order to have a debit card on our banking account, they need proof of SSN with my new last name.  So down to the Office of Social Security I went.  I should've known by the full parking lot that this would be no short trip.  As I got in to take a number and sat down, I realized there were about 20 people ahead of me in line.  In the hour that I was there, ONE new number was called.  See them like Jesus.

To make myself feel a bit better, I stopped in at McDonald's, which is something I never do.  In fact, I haven't eaten at McDonald's since September of last year.  But somehow their fries make the world a bit better.  However pulling into the parking lot, I waited for another car to pull in as well.  However, this car didn't want any of the other empty spots, just the one right in front of the door.  Love them like Jesus!

Needless to say, I am without a new SSN card or debit card, but what's some official documents when you have french fries in your belly!  Merry Christmas! 

God works in funny ways and often asks us to practice a virtue instead of simply granting it to us.  Happy Advent!  If only the world was full of people who could love like Jesus!