40,000 Dow

The Dow Jones stock index is closing in on 40,000 points.  As a teen I remember seeing 12,000, sitting on the floor while my dad watched evening news. And in my 40s I remember a picture of an investor in the news wearing a t-shirt with the printed message, “30,000,” eagerly anticipating breaking through that threshold. I wonder where that guy is now—is he content or is he wearing a “40,000” t-shirt?

Our best indicator of wealth has risen tremendously, but ironically a key “happiness index” has just reported last week a drop in US happiness levels. 

I think it was Ryan Holiday who asks the insightful and penetrating question (of anything in life), “How do you think that will make you feel when you get it?”  When ancient cultures set up idols on hills to worship, God told them through the prophet Jeremiah, “An illusion comes from the hills.  Today we could say, “Hills even made out of money are an illusion.”  But we keep yearning, not able to see through the mirage. Not until we come to know that Jesus became poor for our sake, in order that through his poverty we might become rich.  But look over there—someone just printed a 50,000 shirt.  Wow, I can’t wait. 

Home

I love songs with deep and meaningful lyrics.  Even if you hate country music, Miranda Lambert's The House That Built Me will take you back to your childhood yard.  I've been back to my granddad's in Daytona a couple times over the decades.  His initials and a smiley face are still engraved in the concrete poured under the outdoor shower.

Lambert writes, 

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here, it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself

Why is 'trying to find ourselves' ending in disappointment such a universal experience? St. Augustine wrote some 1,600 years ago--that's a long time ago, "Our hearts are restless..." But he knew the answer and continued, "...until we find our rest in you, God."  Maybe the house that built me is not 2144 Windsor Hills Drive but is actually my God from his heavenly abode.  We were made to be like him and live with him; not in the world in its current broken state--to which I have contributed.  The fact is, even if you had a 'perfect' childhood and could go back, you would be disappointed.  No, the reason this world will never fully satisfy is because we were made for another world (C. S. Lewis): We were made by God, for God, and to enjoy his presence forever.  Jesus even said he is "preparing a place" for me in John 14, and for all who put their trust in Him.   

  

Counseling

 

I guess an "abundance of counselors" in Scripture does not mean trained therapists, but of these I have had my fair share (Prov 11:14).   A couple of my counselors over the years were great, most were good, some were ok, and a few were not.  One told me I was not very good at being a counselee, which was true.  Some years ago, I went with a loved one to see a counselor; not for them but for us.  I had fallen into a deep, dark hole that took some years to crawl out of, and--wouldn't you know it--it impacted our relationship.  No matter what part of the problem is yours, it is all too easy to blame the other.  But look around the world; can we not all agree with G. K. Chesterton that you and I are at least part of the problem?

Usually, one benefit of seeing a counselor with a spouse or child is simply the presence of a third party, or it may be learning new communication tools and insights.  But there is one benefit that is almost absolute and universal, one that makes it worthwhile regardless of the help given.

The priceless benefit is that your loved one may think to themselves, "Huh, I guess he/she must really love me.  He did some research, made a call, set up an appointment, took the time, pushed through the discomfort of asking me to go along, and in the process is humbly admitting that he/she needs help themselves.  And with all this, they would gladly drop $100 for just the hope and possibility that our relationship might improve.  

Even if the counselor is worthless the above may be a game-changer.  I'll bet many humble, awkward drives together to the counselor's office have soften hearts.  God, help me humble myself in your sight (James 4:10).  Lift my loved ones and me up that we would move closer together as we are drawn closer to you.  

In our case the counselor was really helpful.  Or was it the drive?