Making Time Count

Each day gifts us with 24 hours/1440 minutes/86,400 seconds; no more, no less.  Whatever is not used cannot be carried over to another day, thus the importance of using time wisely.  The Thanksgiving holidays offered opportunities to intentionally take advantage of being purposeful about how I spent my time.

As the Christmas Season approaches, making time count can offer its challenges.  Some important reminders to ponder and act upon:

 * There may be times I need to forego the good so I have the time and energy to pursue the best.

* Sometimes it’s good to stop and sit so you can enjoy, wave to and cheer on the ones in the parade as they march by.

* Love takes time.

* Will what I choose to do or not do make a difference in 5 years?

* Time may need to be sacrificed in order to do what’s best for others.

* Take and make time to gift others with a kind word of gratitude and appreciation.

* Giving and spending time are expressions of love.

* Since I have no guarantee of the number of days I have on earth, I want the ones I do have to make a difference.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-14, 17

From a Grateful Heart

From my earliest days, I remember being expected to express thanks for a kindness, gift, or help.  We were taught that words of gratitude were to be said as well as written.  That was a lesson that was important enough to also pass down to our sons and now during these days to our grandchildren.

At home and at church we were also taught the importance of expressing gratitude to God.  The story of Jesus and the ten lepers, in Luke 17:11-19, made quite an impression on me at an early age.

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

The busyness of the holiday season is already upon us.  What a great reminder to slow down, stop, and take the time to express gratitude to God for his love, presence, provision, and care.  It’s also a great time to express appreciation, especially for the people who perform the everyday tasks that we sometimes take for granted.  Oh that our words would be a gift of encouragement and blessing during these days and in the year to come.  May our thanks living become so much a part of us that it doesn’t take November or a holiday to remind us to express our appreciation from a grateful heart.    

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:11, 18

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

Psalm 118:21

Faith Not Fear

Supposedly there are enough “Do not be afraid” or “Fear not” scriptures in the Bible to have one for each day of the year.  In our Fall Bible Study, The Quest, Beth Moore reminded us that, “Biblically speaking, fear and faith fight for the same space.  Each is territorial.  Each desires to occupy expansive square footage in the house of your soul.  Any square foot or inch where Fear abides in your life is the precise ground Faith exists to occupy.  Fear and Faith cannot be roommates.  They will not coexist.  The one assigned authority automatically elbows the other off the space.  Fear can’t stand on a carpet of Faith.” 

I saw this truth displayed last week when Larry and I joined Scott and his kids for dinner, while Abby was at a meeting.  It was Princess and Pirate night at Chick-fil-A so it was a fun and lively evening.  Mary and Daniel both waved, spoke to and enjoyed seeing the pirate as we entered.  Since the pirate was wearing a costume, an eye patch, but not a mask, he was safe to acknowledge.  The cow was a different story.  On previous visits, when the cow has been present, Mary would wave to the cow from a distance, but did not want to shake hands, get close to, or speak to the cow.  Even though Daniel would high five and shake hands with the cow when he was younger, he now follows Mary’s lead.  For this special evening the cow was wearing a princess dress.  Surprisingly, when Mary saw the Princess Cow she immediately spoke to her and gave her the first of many hugs for the evening.  Daniel still wanted to have nothing to do with the cow.  He had Scott pick him up until we arrived at the table.  In order to be furthest from the cow as she walked by, Scott sat Daniel closest to the wall.  During the meal, Daniel continually wanted to know the location of the cow.  As we finished our meal, the cow walked by and Mary asked if she could hug the cow again.  Daniel watched, but still wanted nothing to do with the cow, princess dress or not.  When it was time to leave, Daniel bravely held Scott’s hand as we were walking past the cow one last time.  He watched Mary give one more hug.  I watched with interest as Daniel slowly let go of Scott’s hand, stopped and looked, and then took a few steps to stand in front of the cow.  Knowing his daddy was close by, he gently leaned in to hug the cow’s leg.  Realizing what he had done, Daniel had a huge smile on his face.  Larry took pictures of the encounter.   Daniel has already asked to see and show the pictures of when he was brave and hugged the cow.

Every day I have the opportunity to choose faith over fear.  It helps knowing that my heavenly Father is always close by in every situation.  And when my focus is on Jesus, I can be brave and allow my faith to overcome my fear. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Even though I walk

   through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

   For you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

   they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

So do not fear, for I am with you;

   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the LORD your God

   who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

   I will help you.

Isaiah 41:10, 13

He (Jesus) replied, “you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 8:26

He (Jesus) said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:40

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:36

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7