Matthew Robinson

There was a girl named Hannah at Target checking me out today.

And not all ooh-laa-laa like.

At the register, I mean.

And her nametag, well, it was on upside down.

So I said:

“Hannah, my name’s Matthew, and I’m one of those guys…

one of those guys who would tell you if there was something in your teeth.”

(And she put her lips over hers all self conscious which made me laugh.  Which made her try to hide even harder a smile that was trying to grow wider.)

“And, well, I just wanted to let you know your name tag was on upside down.”

She laughed some more.

And then said:

“Thanks for giving it to me straight–that’s attractive.  I think I like you, Matthew.  Come back to my line any time.”

Maybe she was checking me out…

Yesterday morning I was lying in bed during that I’m-not-quite-awake-but-know-I’m-not-going-to-be-able-to-go-back-to-sleep time when I heard noises at the front door. Followed by more noises in the house.  Followed by even more unrecognizable sounds.

Convinced a kidnapper was out to get me, or worse yet Sadie, or a robber had busted in to take all my earthly possessions, I began to freak out.

“Do I just play dead already if they come in?” (I’ve watched 24 folks…Jack Bauer’s got nothing on me)

“Do I pretend to be asleep and in a coma?”

“Do I scream like a  girl and wet my pants and just start crying?”

I was scared.

And I’m not often scared.

The noises subdued for a few minutes, and then started again.

(It’s about 7:45 a.m. mind you)

I decided I needed to escape.

Opening a closet door or wardrobe cabinet to get clothes would have been too risky.

Clad in my sexiest of boxers, I texted a friend to call in 5 minutes and if I didn’t answer call the police to come to my house.

(Really, I was scared).

I opened the window.  And since I am awkward and was nervous I couldn’t get the screen out.

So I busted through it (Jack Bauer style) and ran out of the house.

I walked around back.

And saw my friend Kayla through the window.

Some robber.

Not a kidnapper.

A dear friend with a key.

Who needed to make  a pit stop before work.

Who didn’t think I was home.

For all those concerned: I think my heart is in pretty good shape.

Because after a few choice words and belly roll laughter, it was still pounding through my chest..

I’m surrounded by greatness.

The people around me;

the one’s I’ve let in and who have let me in,

are some of the most amazing individuals I think I’ll ever meet.

I prayed for so long that I’d cross paths with friends

that I could do life with.

Friends who do and use what they’ve been gifted with so well.

Communicators, and

Musicians.

Teachers, and

Technicians.

Skilled tradesmen

and child bringer-upers.

Professionals, and advisers,

and artists.

Captains and managers and leaders

and lovers.

They all help me…they make me…a better version of me.

They make me saltier.

And brighter.

Surrounded by greatness.

And loving all those He’s brought into my life.

The chaos of any given day in my life is often reflected by the appearance of my desk at day’s end.  Today’s been a doozey.

He died.  And I did know who he was…I did a college undergrad project on him.  And tacked to my desk bulletin board is John Wooden’s Seven Point Creed, given to him by his father upon his own graduation.

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Pretty strong words to live by…

The better part of the last three weeks of my life has centered around playing the role of project foreman at the new Well Kids Storefront space.

The place, when we received the keys “as is,” was in a mess.

And putting the logistics to the vision of what the place would look like and how the space will be used had to be captained.

I have learned a TON these past few weeks through managing these on going efforts:

• When you’re installing door hardware (knobs, etc.) make sure you put the lock side on the inside of the bathroom, not the outside.
• Sanding dry wall joint compound sucks.  There’s no other way around it.
• Some people were made to roll paint.  Others think they were made to roll paint.  The former have had to go over all of the work the latter have done.
• People will help, will give of their time, and will step up if they’re simply asked.  5% of people will sign up on there own.  The other 95% will sign up if personally asked.
• You have to keep in mind the what and why and who…you’re doing this for!
• Color makes a huge difference.  And paint color names boggle my mind.
• People are skilled and smile widest when they’re using their talents.
• Skilled people have a whole construction vernacular that I don’t get.  Throughout the past fortnight, I’ve said more times than I can count “Huh?  Explain it a different way, please.”
• You can google and find a diy video on just about anything.
• Walls without baseboards look like crap.  I never realized how much of a difference the stupid baseboard makes.
• Nothing tastes better than a cold Capri Sun after a few hours of hard work.
• You’ve got to have a background track of music while you renovate.  I’ve heard more people sing along in the construction zone than I have on a Sunday morning or night at church.
• Paint gets and stays on you in the most weirdest of places.
• What mom said about the kitchen also works for the construction zone: clean as you go.
• I don’t see much progress in the things I do…rarely do I see clean starts and stops in my line of work.  Being able to stand back and say “that’s done and it looks great” is a new kind of satisfying for me.
• You’re never quite finished when you think you are…

Final touches are being done this weekend, including the laying of nearly 2,000 square feet of laminate flooring.  We need YOU this Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m.  Consider this your personal invitation and ask :)

At 4:52 p.m., 7 pound, 15 ounce, 13.5 inch long Ty Matthew Inserra made his debut!

Krissie, Dean, and now big brother Tommy are all doing well, are expected to go home late Saturday, and are thankful for the many thoughts and prayers these past few days of anticipating Ty’s birth.

Church family and friends: Dean and Krissie and Ty would love to see you once they return home.  Thanks in advance for your respect and love of their family time while they are in the hospital.

This is my friend Luke.

He’s 2 years old.

Luke and I get along pretty well nowadays.

But it’s taken some time.

Go back 10 months or so, and when I walked in a room, Luke would scream.

Like, at…  me.

Luke wasn’t a fan.

But I relentlessly pursued this kid.

I didn’t give up.

And now he’s my buddy.

I think he likes me now.

Maybe even if it’s just a little.

Tonight at my small group,

Scott lead us talking about faith.

“If I had more faith, I’d ______”

Fill in the blank.

Ouch.

Is it that you can’t?  Or you won’t?

(Chew on that…)

I gave little Luke something to chew on today.

I gave him his first taste of pizza.

And a Capri Sun.

(Jeremy and Beth are going to hate me).

And because I gave it to him,

Luke ate it.

(Okay, let’s be honest, he devoured it).

No questions asked.

No hesitation.

He.  ate.  it.

I’m thinking about Luke today.

About what “like a child” means.

Thanks, Luke.

You’re teaching this teacher a thing or two.

Whether you know it or not.

I took the Primary Colors Assessment Test Jovanna wrote about this morning.  Brass Band, that’s my color.  Here’s what it says about me.  Whatchya think?  My first impression: pretty dang right on.

BRASS BAND
Logic and analysis tend to be hallmarks of this color cluster. You are likely to be known as the “idea” person who comes up with new processes, approaches, innovative solutions and alternatives. While you may like structure (and, in fact, need it to be productive) you will thrive in situations that value your intellect and analytically abilities. Those with this primary color can be quite intense and focused when presenting or defending a new idea about which they are passionate.

People in this color area come in two distinct flavors; those who are very logical and base actions and decisions on facts and those who are equally analytical but make more use of their intuition and “gut feelings.” The latter will, never-the-less, tend to verify their intuition with facts and hard data. While you can work effectively with others and can be a good team player, you may prefer to operate as an independent contributor. Strategic planners can be frequently found in this color area.

At one point this morning, this is what my desk at work looked like:

A little too much technology infusion?  I’d say so…