The Games People Play: Solitaire Series

Well, today we begin a new series called the games people play. Over the next two weeks we’ll take a look at some popular games and see how they relate to our lives. Today we look at the game Solitaire. Oh, the hours that have been wasted playing solitaire. In my seminary classes I take notes on my laptop and I admit that I’ve played a few games of Solitaire. You know you’ve played it at work sometimes. Whose played it at work on your computer, be honest raise your hand. I am so ashamed of you guys! I can’t believe that. Seminary classes are one thing but company time! Just kidding! We’ve all done it, those of you who didn’t raise your hand probably have a problem with lying.

I don’t know if its true, but I heard that the entire work force in the government offices in Virginia had Solitaire removed from their computers in order to increase productivity.

Solitaire is a good way to pass the time when things are a little slow. Think about the game for a moment with me. You play it by yourself - obviously. You can play it for hours. You can cheat and no one knows. And if you do win there is no one for you to give a high five to.

David Letterman is King of top ten lists. Number seven on his list of the Top Ten signs you have no friends is if you are an expert solitaire player! If you get right down to it. Solitaire is a great game to play, but it’s a terrible way to live. It’s not God’s plan for you either.

We belong together

English writer John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, separate unto itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”

John Ortberg tells a story of a friend of his that was introduced to grits for the first time. He was traveling through the south and stopped for breakfast. He noticed that everything came with grits. Being born and bred a yankee he had no idea what grits were. So curiosity got the best of him and he asked the waitress, “What exactly is a grit made of?” The waitress responded, “Honey” (that’s a job requirement of servers in the south, they call everybody honey). “Honey, they don’t come by themselves.” She was on to something. That is just the way grits are, they come with friends. They come in little communities. Never by themselves.

What about you?

Who are you doing life with?

Life is always better when you don’t do it alone. I’m not talking about romantic relationships, though those are great. What I’m talking about is deep spiritual friend relationships?

Do you have friends that are committed to helping you along in life?

I hate lawn care. I can’t stand to mow the grass. Don’t get me started on landscaping! There’s nothing I like about it. I don’t have green thumb. I don’t have anything green. Including my lawn! April and I have lived in our house, going on 6 years now. I’ve struggled with our lawn that entire time. Pete and Tara Seidel are good friends of ours that go to our church. Pete works in the sound booth and duplicates tapes and CD’s. Tara is in the information center and also helps out in the nursery. And they have a beautiful lawn. The kind of yard that just makes you sick. Do you know what I’m talking about? But Pete, being the servant that he is. Helped me install an irrigation system. I guess I should say I helped Pete install an irrigation system. It’s probably the last time he will ever do anything like that again. Pete kind of became my lawn mentor.

Finally, this year, my yard was starting to look pretty good. I started to think maybe I do have a green thumb. Maybe I am a yard guy!

This was not to be the case. Earlier this year I got greedy and put some weed control and fertilizer down, and to make a long story short, I used way to much and I killed the entire lawn. Completely dead. By the way, don’t tell Pete he doesn’t know yet. Let’s just keep that our little secret! And, I take that back it’s not completely dead there are some green patches here and there. And those patches that are there - they look really good. Very green.

I’m the laughing stock of my neighborhood. I see people drive by my house they slow down and they make these faces. What was that guy thinking? Some people just shake their head. It’s embarrassing. I can’t even show my face, I’m so ashamed. When I go out to get the mail. I sneak out make sure no ones coming – then make a break for it!