A Bit of Clarity

A friend of mine from high school, actually elementary school, IMed me last night. Matt Robison. He's been my friend since the fourth grade. He wore a campaign sign for me when I ran for treasurer in the fifth grade; my mom basically loved him ever since then. Matteo was and is a brilliant writer. I remember reading his writing in the fourth grade and being blown away. It's funny to think about our friendship because we're so different. He started a punk band when I joined student council. That's just the beginning of our differences. Yet, we always adored one another. Now, he's in New York after graduating from UC Santa Cruz, working at a bookstore, applying for an internship at Harper's. He wants to work in publishing. He's going to try to go to NYU to get his master's in creative writing. It's absolutely perfect for him.

This week has been such a blur, partly because of lack of sleep and partly because I've been in a peculiar mood and probably mainly because I've been listening to weird music. I've been an errant leaf easily swayed by the breeze of thoughts.

Today is much better though. First, I slept well last night. Second, I am quite encouraged by the Word. I'm still reading Isaiah and whenever I read hopeful passages about the future and heaven, I can't help but think of Africa and get uber happy.

• They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them and will guide them to springs of water.
• Isaiah 49:10
  

I imagine the beautiful people of Africa not hungry or thirsty. They are smiling and their white teeth that shines through their dark skin is blinding. All I see are smiles - a sea of smiles.