BobbySlug says—I have previewed this “It’s
Saturday” and I think it’s “blimp worthy.”
Well, thanksamillion BobbySlug but you are the same guy that thinks “money
grows on trees!” But, BobbySlug, I will cut you some slack a.k.a. be kind to
you since it’s Christmas. BobbySlug, I
realize you have an ethos of kindness; it shows.
***“You cannot do
kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our nephew-in-law wrote this in
their newsletter--A couple of weeks ago the pastoral staff at Grace went on an
overnight retreat. As part of the retreat we each took turns sharing "Life
Turns," which is a major event that changed the trajectory of
your life. As part of this exercise we were also to take a step back and
look at these Life Turns as a whole to see if there is a theme to
what God seems to be doing in our lives. For me my theme was that I've
been forever changed by those who paid extra attention to me when it
wasn't expected or required. My day-care lady brought my brother and I to
church at a young age. Several teachers, especially my 6th grade teacher,
pushed me to do more than what was expected. Many coaches laid out a process
and helped me even though I wasn't very athletic. My youth pastor reached out
to me when I hadn't been to church in years. In college a guy on my dorm
stuck with me even though we weren't (and still aren't) very similar. A
mentor showed up and continued to invest in me despite my sometimes overt
hostility towards him. Several pastors regularly mentored me and have
taught me more than I even know. This theme is the passion for my ministry. I
want to be a part of a church that is focused on remembering the forgotten, of
caring for the abandoned.
A few weeks ago I didn’t know what a battery
tender was. I was talking to a friend
and he asked me if I have put my Yamaha XT250 away for the winter—ya, I guess
soooo; did you put a battery tender on it—what’s a battery tender—it’s a little
charger that you leave on during long periods of non-use; it keeps the battery
charged soooo it doesn’t get damaged over the winter. Soooo he gives me one (i.e. this is a kind
guy). It is unique in that it charges
the battery only when it needs it and other times just goes in the storage
mode. This battery tender reminds me of
kind people (i.e. many of you guys).
Saturday question—Are you a kind person, a regular battery tender?
***I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on
it--During this Christmas season, you’ll hear one word more than any other.
It’s not “merry,” “tree,” “Santa,” or even — unfortunately — “Jesus.” It’s
“gift.” The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). Now that is being pretty generous folks. Saturday question--Are you a generous person?
KindHeartedRenee says--This
year, as you make your holiday lists—whether grocery lists or gift lists—make
one more list. Think of a few people for whom the holidays might be kind of
tough. And then do something about it (i.e. just don’t talk about it).
HonestPete says--Well KindHeartedRenee, I struggle with buying things that
folks don’t want, with money I don’t have to impress folks I don’t like. Ya, we have a tendency to like to spend a lot
of money on folks that really don’t need it (i.e. impress the peer group). Crazy, aren’t we! But it’s reality. Probably not as astounding as Edison’s E=mc2! Saturday question—Who are you, really folks,
who are you really (i.e. not your phony side when you are trying to impress others). ItchieBitchie says—A little kindness goes a
long way; can you imagine how far a lot of kindness will go? Have others ever been kind to you? How did it feel? That is what I thought.
***I read this in a book of the “Book” but I don’t know who actually the Teacher is (i.e. there
is differences of opinion on that)—I know that there is nothing better for men
than to be happy and do good while they live.
MissPerfect says—Kindness is like
magic! I had a magical event, well,
anyway it felt like magic to me. I
goggled—how to clean the glass doors of our fireplace to clean off the smudge
and smoke and crap (i.e. it’s hard to get off).
It said—Use some ash and water.
Ya, right, that is toooo simple.
It was incredible, just amazingly easy and it really worked. And I never heard of it before and was
totally surprising. I wonder if kindness
could be that surprising to someone (i.e. someone who would least expect
it). Does that make any sense to
you? That is what I thought.
MissPerfect says-erv, opinions
and suggestions belong on the opinion page (i.e. that is just what they are;
opinions and suggestions). For some of
you, this talk about being kind to others might make you feel like an awkward
prom dance! But if you go ahead and
decide to do some act of kindness, I would like to make a few suggestions. I suggest you do it without
self-glorifying yourself (i.e. if you want to be praised for your act of kindness--work
on your approval rating), then it’s a business deal and you aren’t any
different than “Self-gloryingDuaneTheWorm.”
Another suggestion—After
you do an act of kindness (i.e. if you decide to do that), forget about it as
sooooon as possible (i.e. like immediately). Then, start thinking about your
next act of kindness. Suggestion—Don’t
try to impress God! AverageJoe says—That
is about enough suggestions,
erv; you make me nervous; remember, erv, you are only a little farm boy from a
mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. and don’t you forget it! GeorgeTheCook
says—No one likes to be preached tooooo, erv!
Get off your high horse, you sound like you think you know something;
you don’t! I hate that when folks shrink
up my ego and put me where I belong (i.e. it’s very humbling). Hey, but I feel a lot better now (i.e. it’s
like finally accepting that bossing your neighbor’s dog around ain’t working). Such is life.
Forensic
psychologists think that I might be dissociated from reality. Talking about feeling better. I had a great experience the other day—I fell
playing pickleball. I reinjured my knee
a little (i.e. nutten toooo bad—old high school football injury) but “once
again” it was something that helped me to put my life in proper perspective
(e.g. why am I playing pickleball anyway—how important is it in my total
life—pickleball is not my life). It
really did help me see the big picture a little better. Here is something that was sorta kinda a
negative which really turned into something positive. Great timing toooooo. I
wondered why the pickleball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. Such is life.
I was in Hy-Vee getting some Christmas
groceries. There was a guy standing by
his kiosk touting his popcorn. He gave
me a sample. It was good. He told me he raises it just south of Dollar
General (i.e. a local grower). How many
acres do you grow—about 40—is popcorn growing a good business—can be but it’s
based on supply and demand; when the commercial corn price is low, farmers grow
more popcorn soooo this year there is a large supply; you have to have a place
to market it (i.e. raising it isn’t hard but selling it is somewhat harder). I think he was saying—its’s easy to preach or
write a book, but the key is to have folks listen or read it and then apply it
(i.e. they have to buy into it). Sooooo
there you go! I bought a bag of his
popcorn; I liked it.
***GoodHearted,KindKelly says--Small acts of kindness matter. Because the gift might not be small for
the recipient. The small gift might, in fact, make all the difference.
Some of you tell me
that you like it when I’m personal.
Well, here is something personal.
Our daughter, Heather, posted two posts on Facebook. I read the first one and cried. I read it again and I cried again. Here it is:
Heather Mellema Woodworth I’m about to embark on something crazy. A
marathon and fundraising for Alzheimer’s Association. Both sound daunting. More
to come.... I will be asking my friends and family for support. I hate asking
people for money, but know that donations go directly to the cause. I am paying
my race registration and travel costs. If each of my Facebook friends
donated $5, I would be nearly to my goal. That’s one trip to Starbucks.
Donations big and small are appreciated. I’m doing this for my mom and everyone
else who is slowly fading away with this disease. She loved to sing and play
the piano- she can no longer do either. She baked the best cookies - she can’t
even turn the oven on. I’ll be posting a link to my donation post.
***The greatest example
of kindness is Jesus. No question!
He is the true gift. I read it in
the Bible soooooo it must be right--Jesus is the reason for the season.
Saturday question—What kind of folks were most of Jesus’ acts of kindness given
toooooo? Were most or all of his acts of kindness on earth pretty special? I think soooo. How about his acts of kindness
he promises; are they pretty special? I think soooo!
 |
| No AZ this winter! |
Have a FUN day my
friends unless you have other plans. (-:
We appreciate your Christmas greetings, pictures, and acts of kindness. Thanksamillion
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