Portland 4th of July

Last weekend's Forth of July was a little different than I'm used to. Laurie was in California with the kids while I stayed in Portland because of work. I can't recall the last time I've spent a holiday or birthday by myself. Three days with nothing to do; that sounded somewhat enticing. Even the dogs went to California so my only responsibility was Oreo, Smoky and Rosie, the feline part of the Park Family.

Each 4th of July in Portland, the city hosts an annual blues festival as a fundraiser for the city food bank on the riverfront green. This years goal was to raise $600,000 for the cause. Without family to hold me back I decided to make the trek into the city. This 4th was extremely hot for Portland, not like Chico mind you, but still hot.

I thought I might stay for a good amount of time and maybe into the evening to catch the fireworks.

Somehow my big plans did not work out quite the way I had anticipated. It just goes to show how you can convince yourself one thing but if "it's not your deal", it's really not your deal.

Over 20,000 people were having a great time with three stages of live blues. Any normal person would have joined in the celebration, knocked down a few drinks and made some new friends. I only lasted 30 minutes before I found the exit. Somehow surrounding myself with my home, my spouse and my kids for 25 years had made me very out of place. Opportunity lost....

I know that Jesus never had the social problems we "Christians" do. This was his type of crowd. This was a huge celebration and Jesus would have joined in by turning water to wine and getting to know the tax collectors and prostitutes (there may have been a few of each in attendance). Joy permeated almost everything that Jesus did. He was magnetic. Why else would the crowds follow Him everywhere and hang on His every word? Could it have been just for the free fish and bread the disciples might be handing out?

Why can't I be more like Him instead of the stuff shirt I have become? Pious, legalistic, stuffy and frustrated. I've become a lot more like the Pharisees, but not a lot more like Jesus.

30 years of stumbling in His footsteps and I still can't get it right.