Do You Love Me?

I read today's Gospel through tears of joy. I was profoundly touched by the conversation between Jesus and Peter. I was moved to tears by the gentleness and compassion Jesus shows to Peter, and to us if we but ask.  The gregarious, outspoken disciple is finally humbled by the Lord and recognizes, maybe for the first time, that Jesus truly loves him, trusts him, forgives, and forgets all of Peter's failings and weaknesses. This passage is moving but we would do well to first read the entire 21st Chapter of John, a mere 25 verses to really understand how the relationship between these two men has moved to an entirely different level. John brings his Gospel to a close by taking us back to the very beginning of the relationship. Back then, Peter was out fishing all night, catching nothing, before his first encounter with the Lord. Here too, Peter, who is at this point confused, wrestling with emotions of hope and guilt, joy and sorrow, is out fishing all night catching nothing. Ag

Our Homebrew Prayer Group

It finally happened! I was elected "Extreme Male" by the guys in my homebrew prayer group. The prayer group is comprised of a group of friends who get together to pray and exchange recipes, beer recipes that is. After prayer, and a few samples of the brew of the night we exchange stories about family, work, and life in general.

After some sampling of the Hahn Hoppy Red Ale there arose a contest of sorts with the gentlemen of the group working to one-up each other with our manliness. Of course the whole thing sprang from a discussion about the recent deer gun season.

Steve told us that after waiting in the driving rain all day Friday he shot a 12-point buck. He had to drag it out of the woods by himself. This is no small potatoes and we were all impressed. However, Josh mentioned that one time he was out turkey hunting and was attacked by a wild boar that he eventually killed with a Bowie knife he was carrying. Many of us were doubtful about the truth of this story and wondered if the Hoppy wasn't just making him happy.

The discussion went on for quite some time when I decided to pull out the trump card. "I change my boy's diapers," I said in a firm voice while lighting my pipe.

Matt gave a laugh, "we've all changed diapers Jim, not a big deal tough guy."

I knew this would be the reply so I continued, "they're cloth diapers not disposable." I blew out the match and placed in the ash tray.

Josh slowly lowered his bottle from his mouth and said, almost shuttering, "you don't mean what I think you mean, right? I mean...you...don't actually..." He was at a loss for words.

"Yes, that's right fellas," I replied as I took a slow steady puff. "I change cloth diapers. Which does mean...I..."

"Don't say it Jim," pleaded Matt. "I won't believe it, I can't believe it."

I took a drink of the Hahn's Hobgoblin Pumpkin Porter and turned and looked at each one. "Yes, gentlemen, I change cloth diapers and then I sit down in front of the toliet and dunk them and clean them out. After that I squeeze them and toss them in a pail."

A gasp rose from the group as they sat staring in awe. They looked at me and then at my hands and then back at me. No one stirred. I took a long puff on the pipe and asked, "do I win?"

They began to fall all over themselves in their effort to name me the "extreme male" for the group. I suspect I'll have the title for quite some time. Actually, I can't see a chance of me loosing the title unless some one else's wife switches to cloth diapers. In that case I have a back up plan, birthing large farm animals. But until then we'll continue to meet pray, taste, and boast

Comments

Anonymous said…
Read it and weep, ladies...that's right, he's all MINE! HA HA HA HA!
Sarah Reinhard said…
I'm laughing so hard I can barely type...

And oh yes, I'll be linking to this, oh yes. Nicole, I don't know whether to congratulate you or...well...I don't know. I'm laughing too hard to think clearly...
Anonymous said…
Now I'm even hesitant to taste your beer...
bro'-in-law
James M. Hahn said…
Nicole, I know you really wanted to say that I change like one or two a week!

Sarah, I'm sorry you had to be exposed to such manly antics!

Anonymous, so should I not bring the beers down for Christmas? Fine by me!
Anonymous said…
J O K I N G!! Just a joke. No harm intended. Just having a little web fun ya know? I was only pulling yer leg. Givin' ya a little ribin'. That was all. Seriously....bring the beer.
Anonymous said…
I really enjoyed reading this, James!! :)
It takes a REAL man to do what you do. (And a SUPER Mom!) It's so refreshing to hear families making choices for their own family's needs and not just going along with the everyday norms. That says a lot about you and your wife!! I love the nativity pictures, by the way. It's obvious you and your wife are in a controlled state of remission from Adultitis.