Elevator Games

I don't know what it is about an elevator, but it usually brings out the ornery side of me. If you know me well, you know that I'm a prankster at heart. When I first got out of pharmacy school, I worked in a hospital where I used elevators all day long. So here's a list of some of the pranks I've pulled while in an elevator, some of them involving my friends:

1. One time I walked into an elevator and didn't turn around to face the door. I just continued to face all the people. It definitely created an "uncomfortable moment" because everyone in the elevator didn't know what to do!
2. One time I got on an elevator, and as soon as it started going up I said real loud "I'm too young to die!" I said over and over until the elevator stopped.
3. One time I got on an elevator on the very top floor. It was crowded. I rode it down one floor and got off. Then I quickly ran down the stairs to the next floor and when the elevator doors opened I was there waiting and got back on. You should've seen the looks on everyone's faces!
4. One time I got on a crowded elevator. As I assumed the normal "elevator posture" (you know, facing the door, looking up at the numbers) I looked at the total stranger next to me and said in a loud voice "I've got new socks on!" Their facial expression was priceless.
5. Another time I got on an elevator and there was someone in there about my age. I quickly got excited and said "Hey, it's great to see you! I haven't seen you since high school! You haven't changed a bit!" It was so great to see them squirm and fake their way through the conversation as if they remembered me.
6. One of my best all-time great gags was one I pulled on my best friend. He and I got into a crowded elevator on the ground floor. We were going to the fourth or fifth floor, so we were going to be in there a bit. In a loud tone, I asked him "So dude, how's your rash doing?" Immediately, everyone in the elevator got super quiet. My buddy's face turned beet red, but I didn't let up one bit. I continued with "So are you still super-contagious or what? Should I be standing this close to you?" By this time, people were squirming and trying to move away from him as discreetly as possible. At the next stop, EVERYONE got off the elevator! I laughed so hard I nearly wet my pants!

What about you? Got any fun elevator gags?

Thinking of "Joe"

"Joe" was one of my best friends (I'm using a pseudo-name for privacy). I say "was" because our relationship is not what it used to be.

I met "Joe" my freshman year at college, and we immediately connected on many levels. Sports. Love of the outdoors. Politics. Zest for education and broadening our horizons. Living life for all its worth. Leadership. Cigars. And especially, Christ.

"Joe" introduced me to Rich Mullins - the first Christian musician who truly impressed me. He challenged me to pour myself into my daily quiet times. He reminded me a lot of King David - a warrior poet, a true renaissance man. He was a major player in my spiritual growth and development. Iron sharpened iron.

I don't know when or where or how it happened. Maybe it was from his overbearing father's unmet expectations. Maybe it was on his 100-day-trek across Europe the summer after he graduated from undergrad. Or maybe during the other trips he took to other countries. All I know is somewhere, somehow "Joe" lost his faith. Somehow his view of Christ as Savior, Redeemer, and Lord became blurred and compromised and "narrow-minded." Silver tarnished. Iron rusted and became brittle.

Our last conversation (via email) ended like this:

I respect you and your faith. All I ask is that you respect my new outlook on life. Please respect that I have put a lot of thought into this decision. If you want to continue our relationship, please keep your thoughts about Jesus to yourself. You can not change my mind. "Joe"

Today I fasted from sunrise to sunset. Mainly to prepare and to reflect upon Easter. As I did so, I was reminded that Easter is a celebration of Resurrection. Despair gave way to Hope. Gloom took a backseat to Joy. Death exited. Life triumphantly took center stage. And I prayed for "Joe" that this Easter would be the Resurrection of his faith in Christ.

May He truly become ALIVE in YOU this weekend!