Taking Time to Listen

Sometimes I hold back words of advice and just listen to my kids talk. It gives them a sounding board without feeling they are going to be judged. I find that when they are given that time, they'll get my opinion about some things that they are contemplating. It feels good to know they will ask.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and increase learning; and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. 

Last night was nice because my 16-yr-old son was in a talkative mood. It was late and I needed a shower, but those times to just talk are fleeting and I was not about to give it up to stay on a schedule. We sat in his room for over an hour chatting about school, friends and future plans. He's one of the most focused people I know. He has big plans for college, but knows life has no guarantees. He has contingency plans if things don't follow the path he has envisioned. It's incredible seeing that drive in someone so young. I feel blessed to have been able to spend that time with him.

Have To or Get To?

Do you 'Have To' or 'Get To'? It's a simple question that you could apply to anything and everything you do in your life. Think about what you say when you are talking to someone about what you are doing. Here are some examples. How would you fill in the blanks?

I _____ to go to work. 

I _____ to go to the beach. 

I _____ to go to the doctor. 

I _____ to drive to the mountains.

I _____ to spend time with my family.

I _____ to do the laundry.

I _____ to exercise.

I _____ to go to church.

I wonder how much happier I would be if I made the effort to say and believe 'I Get to' in every situation? 

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Stone Mountain

When I was a kid, we often spent a day at Stone Mountain. We'd climb up, wander around, climb down, then have a picnic lunch. It didn't matter what we ate because we were always starving after the trek. Good memories.

I realized my 11-year-old had never experienced it, so I set aside Wednesday to make up for my lack of adventure with her. She didn't want to climb the mountain, but being the cruel mother I am, I told her we must! And we did! She loved it and gave me a high five at the summit. :) It was peaceful just to sit and relax.

The remainder of the day consisted of a picnic lunch, driving over a covered bridge, riding a train, seeing a 4D movie, riding the sky lift back up and down the mountain, and watching a fabulous LaserShow after dark.

Psalm 72:3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

We made it home 15 hours after we left, but oh, what a fun time we had!

Treasures

We had a guest speaker at church today. His name was Sujo John. Although I had never heard his name, I won't soon forget it. He was born in India, studied business and moved to New York in early 2011. He and his wife found jobs at the Twin Towers. He was on the 71st floor of the North Tower when the first plane struck the 94th floor. Fires began almost immediately because of the jet fuel flowing down the elevator shafts and ductwork. It took him 80 minutes to climb down the stairs. No cell phones were working. He reached the ground and headed to the South Tower in search of his wife. He watched that tower collapse.

Sujo told those around him to call on the name of Jesus and be saved, He kept praying and made his way to a store. A woman there took his phone and called his wife. She answered. She had been late to work and arrived minutes after the first plane hit, so she left the immediate area because someone noticed she was expecting and told her she needed to leave to take care of the baby. They reunited and soon Sujo began touring the world talking about how God had saved them both.

One thing he said really stayed with me. Sujo was talking about not pursuing stuff, but rather doing what God planned for you. When you die, you can't take money, clothes, jewelry, toys, etc.

He said, "The only thing you can take with you is people."

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Rain and Reunions

We've been dodging raindrops for a week. I genuinely love rain, but I don't want to get caught in it too often. For me, it's best enjoyed when I can sleep late or curl up with a book. However, one afternoon, my friend and I were caught in a sudden downpour. Even with our umbrellas, we had to go back early because of the wind helping the rain soak us.

I was able to fit in a bike ride Saturday morning before another storm came that afternoon. Even today at a family reunion, we were trapped by a deluge that went on for 30 minutes. It gave us more time to laugh and talk with out extended family; and we had fun trying to guess when the rain was lightest so we could make a run for the cars. 

My grass will need another cutting in a day or two, but I don't have to water my new rose bushes. There is always something good. Just look for it. 

Acts 14:17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.