ROM1218

I drove behind a vehicle with that license plate today and came home to look up the verse.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Lovely verse and sentiment, but I wonder why the driver put it there. Is it a reminder to him about the way that he should live his life? Is it a plea for others in the world around him to live at peace? Or maybe it's a check...a way to keep him honest. If I was driving with a bible verse as my license plate would I be more aware of how I acted towards others? Would it be easier for me to forgive the person who cut me off or was tailgating me if I knew that verse was out there for all to see?

Commensurate with my values

So my reddit secret santa match this year was hard. He gave me a list of his interests and I stalked through his comments, but there were lots of things that were out of my depth (car speak is like greek to me) and what I did understand...I didn't like.

He's a big poster in r/trees which is the subreddit for marijuana on the site. Not only do I not support people doing illegal drugs, I'm not a supporter of people using marijuana for medicinal purposes. I've watched as people medicate with the drug and I don't believe that it helps any more than regular pain medication. Plus there are all hosts of issues with safety, regulation and not to mention the increased hassle for police who have to deal with the added frustration in states where it's legal.

In trying to shop for my match, I was struggling with what to buy and how to do so in a way that means he still gets a cool gift and I feel like I've not compromised my values. It wasn't easy. Even his shipping instructions (draw Jesus on a unicorn) felt like it would be pushing what I felt was appropriate and I almost just gave up. But then I realized that a) I made a commitment and to go back on that was lame and b) just because I didn't care for some of his choices doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve a present.

So I found some fun gifts, a little bit random and not as specific as the last few matches I've done...but still good. (also, chocolate...because who doesn't like chocolate?!) I hope that he enjoys his gifts and the awesome sombrero-clad Jesús on a narwhal that I drew on his box. I know that I'm a lot happier about shipping his gift out today when I know that it's something that I feel good about giving.