But they're good for you.

I hate vegetables.

When I was a little girl, my dad claimed he could determine the nutritional value of any food with a simple test. If I, his daughter, liked it, it was unhealthy.

For many years I wondered why this test worked. It always seemed unfair to me. Why wasn't I allowed to eat cookies all day? Why did ice cream taste so much better than brussel sprouts?

And then, how much longer does it take to clean the dishes than to get them dirty? Why is it easier to tell a lie than to confess the truth? Despite our greatest efforts, why do our bodies get older and weaker until they eventually collapse?

One day I found the answer in science class. (I've always hated science because it's hard to understand. I'd rather study something that comes easier to me.)

The second law of thermodynamics, also called the Law of Increasing Disorder: natural processes will spontaneously move in one direction, unless an outside influence interferes. They will move toward entropy; e.g. disorder.

It was a law of physical science, and I knew it was true. Not because the science people said it, but because I'd seen it every day of my life. Nature will take the simplest route requiring the least amount of effort. This path leads us down a road to destruction and chaos.

Naturally, spontaneously, and in keeping with the second law of thermodynamics, even humanity continues in the right direction.

In other words, the natural direction.

In other words, precisely the wrong direction. Toward increasing disorder.

Family units disintegrate, morals are more loosely defined, absolute truths are no longer considered absolute. Immediate gratification, sense stimulation, entertainment, and easily obtained prizes become our priorities; we want minimal effort to reap the greatest rewards.

But no matter how many "Get-rich-quick" and "Lose 20 pounds this week!" schemes we fall for, the true way to get somewhere is always uphill. Always. It's always the hard way that we reach our goal.

We will feel our biggest nostalgia, our greatest pride, and our deepest happiness after the long race we ran or the righteous fight we dedicated every ounce of our strength to. We will learn the most because of a struggle. We will find joy at the end of the strait and narrow. We will be saved because One Person faced every agony, every anguish, and every ache.

To achieve, we have to keep climbing. That's why life is a test. That's why life is hard. And that's why life is good.

Unfortunately, that's bad news for me. It means broccoli for dinner.

Important Announcement

I accidentally married the best husband in the world.

Okay, so I know what you're thinking--how could I just "accidentally" stumble upon him? And then once I found him, to snag the best husband in the world would take brains, money, and some serious good looks.

I know it's improbable, but it really was an accident. It just happened, and now there's nothing I can do about it. I mean, what would you do if you realized you were married to the best husband in the world?

I'm just trying to live my life one day at a time, now that I know. It's tough, but somehow I've made it so far.

It's hard though, because the best husband in the world outdoes even what you'd expect of a guy with that kind of a reputation. He stays up all night just to talk with me, even when he has to get up early the next day, work full time and go to school. He walks on eggshells to keep me from getting emotional, and then takes responsibility for it when I do anyway. He rubs my tummy when I have cramps. He rubs my head when I have a headache. He laughs at my jokes. He eats my cooking. He takes out the trash without saying a word. He tells me he loves me. He makes me soup when I'm sick. He teaches me things kindly, even when everyone else in the world already knows how to do them....

I'm really sorry if this news makes any of you other ladies feel indignant, bewildered, or just plain hopeless. I'm sorry he's already been taken. Truly I am. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

But please believe me when I say that it really was an accident! A stroke of good luck.

Las Mentitas

He stood there, his body supported by crutches and his only leg. His lips were badly blistered from standing in the sun all day waiting for the light to turn red so that he could hop from car to car, peering into the windows to sell his Mentitas.

One day I noticed him standing there and I decided that I would buy me a package of Mentitas. Poor guy.

We weaved through the stopped taxis and buses to where he stood, and his face lit up with eagerness and surprise.

"I want those ones," I announced, pointing to the shiny green package of mints in his hand.

"1 sol," he replied, giving me the Mentitas.

My companion shaded her eyes from the sun with her hand while I fumbled in my shoulder bag. I stomped my foot.

"I can only find a few cents...oh wait, here's a 5-sol coin," I said.

But the man shook his head to indicate that he didn't have change for 5 soles. I realized that he probably hadn't sold much that day, and something within me ached for the man. 5 soles meant five packages of Mentitas and it also meant lunch. How many soles did I spend thoughtlessly in one day?

I made my decision. What a kind girl I was.

Smiling, I handed the man my 5 soles. "For you," I said. "That's okay that you don't have the change. Don't worry."

But my coin dropped to the ground with a clink. It bounced on the asphalt before settling in front of my newly shined shoes. Bewildered, I looked into his face.

He shone with determination and a gleam in his eye.

"No," he said. Then he gestured with his hand toward my missionary nametag. "We are fellow servants of Jesus. Keep it."

His blistered lips stretched to reveal a smile as the sudden deafening noise of carhorns, screeching tires, and old motors drowned out any attempt I made to reply.

The light had turned green.

I walked away that day with Mentitas in my hand, but Christ's love within my heart.

Metamorphosis

So one day I woke up and suddenly I had a new favorite color. I know what you're thinking-- how could this happen? Is there any loyalty, truth, or integrity left in the world? But believe me, I was just as surprised as you.

Really, think about it. How would you feel if your favorite color suddenly switched on you? If you suddenly realized that everything you knew about yourself up until now was teetering on a dangerous precipice of falsehood?

It wasn't easy to come to terms with, but I can gratefully say that I am a stronger person now.

My favorite color is green. I think.