Tag: Home

The First Ministry

The first ministry starts at home. Not sure where I first heard those words. But they seem to make sense.

How often am I tempted to want to do this helpful thing or volunteer for that important thing? Often, right?

Sometimes, well, I feel like I need to stop, catch my breath, focus for a minute and say the magic word, “No.”

Today is one of those days.

Was feeling guilty until I realized that saying “no” to one thing, means “yes” to my Family.

Fall Is Finally Here

Fall. Back to school. Cooler temperatures. Colorful leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Sweaters. Swimming pools “closed for the season”.

Growing up in south-central Pennsylvania, these are the memories of Fall. An exciting time marked by dramatic changes from Summer.

Well, in central Florida, these changes from Summer to Fall are much less distinct. In fact, they are almost invisible.

Attempting to share some of our history and traditions with our son (9), a native Floridian, I had to find small ways to tell big stories.

So, the first night the temperature starts with a six instead of a seven, well, that’s when I officially declare Fall has arrived. We haven’t seen a day or night temperature below 70 since April, until today.

As we go through our busy lives, it’s these little things that make life more interesting, more “alive”, for me.

Do you have small ways to tell big stories? Want to share any here? Please feel free. But I’ll completely understand if you’re too busy.

A Good Cry?

ABC, Extreme Makeover – Home Edition. This show can humble me beyond belief.

Last night was no exception. Why?

Have you not seen the show?

It makes me cry every time I watch it with my family, which is almost every Sunday night.

I cry, not so much for the featured Family’s situation, as I do for the way the people who help are impacted.

The builder from last night’s show – looked to be 50 to 60 years old – said, “I’ll never do anything the same”.

Let’s assume he was already a good man. What is the significance of a good man saying, “I’ll never do anything the same”?

To see a fellow human being be so moved by a simple act of compassion, almost always makes me cry.

A good cry, to be sure. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂