Can you accept differences?
Are you willing to stretch your beliefs and traditions in order to consider someone else’s point of view or opinion?
And still like the person?

I recently heard rumors that there is a new trend in how to make your bed.  How to make your bed?!
How can there be a “new” way!?!
I didn’t believe it.
I couldn’t believe it!
But today it was verified.  By a loved one!
Here it is:
A top sheet – a flat sheet – is optional!
Whaaaaat?  You sleep on the fitted sheet and then get covered with only your blanket?!?
Yes indeed, that is what is going on in our world!  LOL!

But you know what? I didn’t try and change this person’s mind.  I didn’t argue.  (I actually laughed hysterically.)  And we lovingly moved on in our conversation to the next topic!  🙂 

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”  Colossians 2:14

Are you feeling hopeful these days?
The hope of warmer weather?
The hope of spring break?The hope of “normal”?
Maybe you even hope for a good parking place!  🙂

I love the instant gratification of things we hope for – things with a lower case ‘h’.  It reminds me of sticker charts used to motivate children to brush teeth/clean rooms/walk the dog.  Kids strive to get the chart all filled in with stickers so they can earn a special prize or treat.  And then what?

What happens when we have to wait longer?  Or try harder?  Or trust more?  Prayer, perseverance, and pure faith revolve around Hope with a capital ‘H’.  Hope in our never-changing, ever-trustworthy, all-knowing God of the Universe!

Would You Rather….hope in a dollar store toy?  Or Hope in Jesus?

“Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.”  Psalm 62:5

A baby doesn’t look like a full grown adult.
A duckling doesn’t look like a full grown duck.
A puppy doesn’t look like a full grown dog.
But elephants?!? I love baby elephants!
Even as a baby they look just like an adult!  They are just proportionately smaller!

Why do we expect immature people to look/behave/sound/react like mature people?  Emotions trip people up.  A spiritual walk may only be in the beginning stages.  Health can interfere.  The will to improve or persevere wanes.

Take a few minutes this week to consider the people God has placed in your life. He has a plan!  God is the Master of creating and trusting small things, teaching us the patience and nurturing required for mature love and growth. 
He shows us in the mustard seed:  Matthew 13:31-32
And sparrows: Luke 12:6-7
And even in the boy’s little lunch: John 6:9

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much”  Luke 16:10

What does it take to be a good listener:
– eye contact?- focus?- silence?- a counseling degree?
Probably, yes, most likely not, and no.

I learned how to be a good listener from my nephew.  I’m not mentioning any names, but it was my oldest nephew.  The one who introduced the large group of aunts and uncles to the amazing and engrossing world of Power Rangers.  Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers who battle all day every day.  (They don’t go to school or work or sleep…?) Imagine when a four year old comes running to you describing the battle….who won?…who lost?…who was defeated?…who narrowly escaped?…who can even understand the names of the characters?!?!

We didn’t need to understand the game in order to be good listeners.  All we needed to do was watch Matthew’s face.  Was he sad?  We were sad with him.  Was he ecstatic for his victory?  We were ecstatic with him!  🙂  His face and posture told us all we needed to know.  We didn’t need all the details of the battle, and we didn’t try and tell him how to battle better, but HE needed to know we were there for him to cheer him on or boost him up.

If you’d like to learn adult real-life examples of listening and loving well, pull up a chair and listen in at www.lunchtimeinrome.com weekly podcast.  

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  Romans 12:15

What brought you joy today?

A good night’s sleep? A new baby? (these first 2 don’t feasibly go together…)
A healthy check up?
A low balance bill?
No line at Chick-Fil-A?

Did you stop and give thanks to God for the gift of joy He gave to you?
Often we are quick to ask God – and each other – for help and for answers, but our thanks and praise often lags behind.  With each new joy tomorrow, will you first pause to thank God?  No great dissertation of impressive language….a pause, a smile, a lifting of your hands in praise….let’s honor God with our thanks!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17

What’s inside YOUR wallet?  Other than credit cards and maybe a teeny tiny bit of cash?I’m a pretty simple shopper and yet I found 11 different loyalty cards in my wallet!

Grocery stores, library, Panera, CVS, and a few gift cards from Christmas.
Other than weighing down my wallet, what purpose do these cards serve?

I belong.
I am welcomed.
People know my name.
I am worthy of value.

Hmmmm….sounds kind of silly to rely on a little piece of plastic to provide all that.Especially if I misplace my wallet (or if my purse dumps out and my cards go flying!) 🙂

Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we have all that and MORE!
And the benefits never expire!

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  I Peter 2:9

Twice in the past week I’ve watched the hands of time stand still.
Literally!
Both times a person was oblivious to what was happening and an object got tangled in the hands of a clock! Yes – An old fashioned analog clock with moving hands!

How are you doing with your management of yourself during this time?
Are you paying attention to the Lord first and most often?
Are you feeding your body and your spirit with things that are good for you?
Are you seeking Truth in all circumstances?

Don’t get tangled by the demands and constraints of today.

“My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to Him,
for God is our refuge.”  Psalm 62:7,8