We Need Each Other

We need each other.
There is this inexplicable need to reach out and share life. From family , co-workers , to the random smiling person I pass on the sidewalk. They all matter. They all make a difference to me.

What made me think of all this? Something silly really. I was washing dishes Friday afternoon when I encountered a sandwich spreader. Who would think a sandwich spreader dangerous? Well, I sure didn't before this. As I tried to rinse off the peanut-butter that innocent little sandwich spreader sliced open my thumb. I was about to yell over my shoulder for Mom but caught myself. Why in the world would I , a nurse who has sutured an arm , call my mom to save me from a bloody finger? Seems crazy, but I didn't have a hard time answering my own question. It's because I still like having a mom to doctor my cut fingers. I'll never out-grow it.


Doesn't matter how old , independent or capable I am. I'll always want second opinions from friends. I'll always look forward to telling Mom about the funny bumper sticker I saw. I'll always feel happier when I talk to the old man in the check out line. What would life be without the classmate that made me laugh or the elderly neighbor that told war stories? The bottom line is we never out-grow the need for connection.

When God said "It is not good for man to be alone" He wasn't just making a statement against singleness. I believe what He had in mind were all the relationships that bring color into our world. I think He saw friends making memories , classmates discussing , families camping and "4th of July"-like celebrations where everyone is together enjoying each other.

Look around you. Notice all the amazing connections you make everyday and feel blessed!

Tithing Time

When I woke up this morning I was given a check. It was made out to me and I can use it any way I wish. This gift certificate is good for "24 hours" and its all mine! Now what to do with it...

The author, Harvey MacKay once said,
“Time is free, but it's priceless.
You can't own it, but you can use it.
You can't keep it, but you can spend it.
Once you've lost it you can never get it back.”

Time is really one of our greatest gifts. Its more valuable than money and yet just as easily spent. There is no rich and poor in the land of time. Every person is given 24 hours in a day. However, everyone has a limited amount of time, whether they live to be 20 or 102. There is both so much and so little of it.

The way I use time tells a lot about me. Just like money, I spend it on what I think is valuable. Taking this into consideration I have realized I need to adjust my time-spending habits. Presently, my time-spending says I value food, sleep, school and socializing more than anything. Every one of these are important, but I don't want them to be most important. There is nothing more important than God!

Recently I heard of someone who chose to tithe their productive hours. I was intrigued by the idea, so I looked up some verses on tithing. What I found was that the children of Israel brought "in abundance...tithe of everything" (2 Chronicles 31:6) and that there is a incredible blessing promised to those who faithfully bring tithe to God (Malachi 3:10). The purpose of tithing was to remind us that everything we have is a gift from God.

I have decided to try tithing my time. Usually my days are 15 hrs long meaning a 10th of my time would be approximately 1.5 hours. This will be time that belongs to God: time to pray, study, sing, and meditate throughout the day. Even on my busiest day I need to remember who gave me the day in the first place. Or should I say, especially on my busiest day.

God has given me the gift of time every moment I am alive. Isn't it time I officially gave some back to Him in love and gratitude? It is so little, but here is the blessing...the more I give, the more I will desire to give.

Spring in Tennessee

Isn't it true that you don't know what you have until you are without it? This time last year I was in a dry, hot, sandy place that never has a Spring. April has always meant flowers, spring peepers and green...everywhere! An April of scorching heat and sun-baked sand just didn't seem right. It was then, as I sweltered in the African sun, that I promised myself I would never take Spring for granted.

All through the winter months I waiting, rather impatiently, for the first sign of Spring. Now Spring is here in full force and I still feel like pinching myself every time I walk out into my yard, wriggle my toes in the soft grass or get a whiff of honeysuckle!

Just last evening I was wandering around my garden, pinching off a lavender leaf to smell, tasting the chocolate mint and admiring our bed of white iris's. Everything was wet from a recent rain. There were clouds in the sky (which always makes me happy) and Willow was racing in circles like puppies are suppose to.

It was one of those moments when you're "pretty nearly perfectly happy" and feel incredibly grateful to be alive! What is even better is its only going to get better...we've got an eternity of Heaven and a recreated world to look forward to! It will make the beauty we've seen on this earth seem like nothing! I can hardly wait!

Puppy Love

I just think she is so precious! Had to share it!