Happy Thanksgiving!

On Sunday, we had a teacher and preacher from Nigeria worship with us and bring us God’s Word. He was charming, witty, and genuine, and he had some real words of wisdom for me personally and for the whole congregation. He shared stories of the explosive growth the church is experiencing in Nigeria, so much so that one pastor serves 36 different mission districts or worshipping communities. He spoke of ‘raw’ faith and witness, a passion and a desire to make the cross of Christ known in all the world. And it is that one cross that unites people in all corners of the earth under the same banner. Yet we seldom ‘feel’ that divide in our lives as we go about our days. Maybe we experience it a week out of the year with a trip to Jamaica, Kentucky, or some other mission field where we unite under the cross of Christ, but inevitably we return home and the feeling can fade. I think we can find a mission field right in our own backyard, or kitchen, or community center. Start with kindness, make it your mission to improve the day of everyone you encounter. Why not start today? Or tomorrow?

It really is too bad that we need to mandate a day of the year and call it the day of thanks. We should take a note from the emotionally sappy mom, grandma, or aunt that always asked the question at the dinner table, “What are you thankful for today?” Make that question and the answer a part of your daily routine. Make giving thanks a daily habit.

Make Thanksgiving just an excuse to get together with family and eat turkey because giving thanks is a joyous experience of everyday living…

Because of them...

I just got back from Washington DC late last night. Jess had a conference for work and so I decided to tag along and enjoy the nation's capital. I hadn't been there since 9th grade and I honestly can't remember that trip at all, so I was due for a trip back. It was a profound experience, thinking about all that goes in to creating and sustaining this great nation. I think what struck me the most was the honor and respect given to those who made this country what it is. From the Jefferson memorial to the Lincoln and Washington memorials, I was struck by the size of the statues. But it is only fitting, for these men were truly giants. I mourned a little knowing that the days of those giants is likely over. The modern political battlefield leaves very few healthy enough to take on such monumental struggles.

It was later in the evening when battlefields came to mind in a different way. We were visiting the WWII memorial, a truly overwhelming experience that I knew would have an impact on me. I know I'm a little late for veteran's day, but the deep appreciation and gratitude I have for those who have served and do serve is truly humbling.
As we entered into the interior oval of the memorial, a large group of schoolkids was gathered, waiting to enter. They were rowdy and I grimaced as I noticed the "Quiet, Respect Please" sign near the entrance. I knew it wouldn't be a great mix. Jess and I were a quarter of the way around, caught up in the experience, when I heard some splashing. One of the jr. high aged kids was trying to splash water at his friends from one of the reflecting pools. I stopped and turned and stared at the kid, giving him a look that could have frozen that pool over. I waited for him to get it and turn and run after his friends before I turned back to Jess. I remember saying something along the lines of, "These kids don't get it, why even bring them here?" Jess, always the level headed one, reminded me of the undeveloped brain of the adolescent, but I was already feeling some reality sink in.
It was because of them. Our men and women fight and die so kids can be kids. Here I am getting after some kid I don't know because he is being who he is supposed to be. They get to run and laugh and be naughty because of the freedom that has been won for them.
I guess I needed to be reminded of a history lesson that night as well...
Thank you veterans, for the gift of freedom.

Opportunity cost...

I'm not an economist, but I play one in real life. What I mean is that every day I leverage my knowledge against the market. Work, family, friends, leisure, these things all make a claim on my most limited resource: Time. That said, I've come to embrace the concept of opportunity cost. Like most things in life, opportunity cost dwells in a place of tension between two extremes. The first extreme is to be unable to say no. Any request made of you receives an instant and enthusiastic yes. "Can you help me paint my house?" "We need new windows, who will replace them?" "Can you help me out by taking on this extra project at work?" "Can you make it to my school play?"
Saying yes to everything guarantees that we will over-commit and under-perform.

The other side of the coin, of course, is to say no to everything. "Can you help me paint my house?" "We need new windows, who will replace them?" "Can you help me out by taking on this extra project at work?" "Can you make it to my school play?"
Saying no to everything guarantees that people will leave you alone.

Since I consider our time on earth best spent while living out our Godly calling community, we have to find our place of tension, where the request and the response take into consideration our priorities and our aforementioned calling.
For example, I am often asked to attend evening meetings, some of which are on my calendar, others of which fall under the category of, "It would sure be nice if a pastor was there..." That said, I try to limit the number of evenings I'm away from my family. For each meeting I commit to, I sacrifice time at home putting the kids to bed, connecting with Jess, etc. So, the opportunity cost involved with attending a meeting is that I am away from my family. Attending a meeting "cost me" the opportunity to spend time at home.

I used to love gardening. Correction, I still love to work outside, planting, nurturing, etc. But, I don't do it anymore. Something has to give when you have kids. The gardens are a mess, stuff doesn't get mulched or weeded or watered. Oh well. My family is awesome. I love playing with the kids, date nights with Jess, taking walks or going to the park. My gardens are a mess but my house is in order...

It turns out that if you manage your finances, you can pay people to do things that would otherwise make you sacrifice the things you value.

Opportunity cost will live in a different place for each of us as we set priorities, balance a budget, and work overtime either at home or place of business during seasons in our lives. My wish for you is that you might take the time to consciously consider what you give up in order to do something else in your life. Our busy lives often force us to do one thing at the expense of the other, and I think we need to take some time to evaluate and re-evaluate those decisions and really be assured that we've put them in the right order.