Will it Matter in 10 Years?

The upcoming weeks, like these past few, have the potential of being very busy ones.  Once again, there are decisions to be made about what to do or not to do.  Sometimes all events and projects can be accomplished; other times I need to give my full attention to what is best which means sometimes giving up some good things along the way so the best is achieved.  Making decisions is not always the easiest thing for me to do.  Through the years, it has been helpful for me to ask myself if what I decide will matter in 10 years.  Because if it does, chances are the choosing to do it will be worth it.

If it matters in 10 years:

*It will be worth the investment of time, energy, and effort

 

*It will help me define my priorities

 

*It’s something that will help me be more like Jesus

 

*It will be worth giving of myself and resources so others can be blessed

 

*A good attitude will be important

 

*It will make a difference in someone’s life as well as mine

 

*It will involve my heart

 

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

I Samuel 12:24

 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 4:10-11

The Ultimate Valentine

 

I Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter” in the Bible.  Periodically, I take the characteristics described in this chapter and concentrate on one attribute for a day.  It’s a good reminder of what love should look like.

Love…

Day 1:   is patient

Day 2:   is kind

Day 3:   does not envy

Day 4:   does not boast

Day 5:   is not proud

Day 6:   is not rude

Day 7:   is not self-seeking

Day 8:   is not easily angered

Day 9:   keeps no record of wrongs

Day 10: does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth

Day 11:  always protects

Day 12:  always trusts

Day 13:  always hopes

Day 14:  always perseveres

 

And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.              I Corinthians 13:13

 

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

The Broken Hair Dryer

On Thursday, when Larry was blow drying my hair, the dryer stopped working.  Larry checked the switch and the reset button to see if the dryer had tripped the breaker and shut off.  That wasn’t the problem so he moved the cord around and it began working again.  Then it stopped.  If Larry held the dryer a certain way, it would continue to blow for a while longer.  Finally, as he was trying to start the dryer again to finish the last section of hair, sparks shot out.  I quickly announced that I thought my hair was dry enough for the day; thank you very much.  Larry says I was a little more animated than that.

 So now it’s time to shop for a new dryer.  Surely there is a lesson or two I can learn and apply from this experience.

*Every once in a while it’s good to stop, evaluate, and think through things that are routine that I often take for granted.

*Just because something is working, is it working at its best potential?  Is it still what I need to be doing or has it served its purpose?

 *It’s good to try out different ways and methods when something does not work like it used to or is supposed to.

*Sometimes it’s better to get rid of the old and familiar that I am comfortable with and start over brand new.

*And sometimes the new dryer, idea, or process is better than the previous one.

Out of the generosity of my heart, I did let Larry be the first to use the new dryer to dry his hair.  That short test passed inspection.

This is a verse that I pray often these days.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

Taking Time to Smell the Roses

Sometimes life gives you a gift in disguise.  Before the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis made it a challenge to keep my balance and have enough strength, I pretty much took walking, activities, teaching, schedules, and life at full speed ahead.  My calendar stayed pretty full, especially with church, school, and the boys’ activities.  Because of being so busy, there were times that I didn’t take or make the time to stop and smell the roses, to fully enjoy and appreciate someone or something that was happening.

One of the blessings of MS is that it has caused me to be more deliberate about my priorities, what I choose to do, and how I spend my time.  Slowing down has allowed me to sit and listen more, enjoy little things that I would have raced past before, and notice God’s gifts in the little as well as the big things.  I’ve learned to be grateful for people, abilities, and life that I took for granted before.  Progress and regained abilities are cause for gratefulness and celebration.

So for the record, some day when God restores my balance, there are some lessons he has taught me through MS that I still plan to be part of my new “regular” life, as well.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10