Island Time

         No man is an island. And I do agree to a degree.  We need each other.  We tend to crave togetherness.  It is the way God made us.


          But I persist that every man or woman deserves a little "island time" every now and again.  By this I mean that one needs to escape all responsibility or reality for just a while, every once in awhile.  I know if you are reading this and have small children at home, this is almost laughable, as the toilet isn't even a secluded, sacred experience as it used to be. The very little spare time I get is spent cleaning, or catching news/weather on an iPad... It's probably a similar story for most busy folks.

            My suggestion is to have a real breather DAILY.... for a minimum of 10 minutes.  Have nothing in front of your eyes, and nothing to accomplish.  Just breathe.  Go outside.  Lay your head down. Allow thoughts to come and go.  Talk with your Maker.

             Biblically speaking, you can and should count on the Sabbath as an escape day... But what about daily island times? It might seem indulgent, but I see it as necessary.  The pace of life that most of us keep is ridiculous and unhealthy.  We believe, "the busier, the better."  We can probably look at our weekly schedule and find we have fewer free days than days already spoken for.  Why the nuttiness?

              I urge you to say 'no' to the next person/organization/activity commitment.  There will be plenty more yeses to oblige to.  You will fill your schedule again....count on it. But this week- live purposefully to regain peace, strength, and order by getting some island time for yourself.  Detach daily.

This Side of the Grave

       Cemeteries are fascinating places... I usually have the same thoughts each time I pass one.  Some may believe merely speaking about cemeteries is morbid but, I find myself wondering as I go by about the contribution and influence each life made in this world.  (Yes, I sentimentalize most things to a fault.)

     Just as a drop of water creates rings that reach further and further until their ripple effect blends into the rest of the pond, each and every individual, no matter how young, old, rich, poor, etc... has made an indelible impression in this world.  Their reach may have been within a very small circle of friends and family or perhaps they were well known and changed many lives just by being here.  It is crucial to remember as we spend our time on earth, that we should be living on purpose.  We don't need to discover the next planet or become the new reality star.  We need to invest in people.  So that brings me right back to those headstones.  How many lives were made better by knowing one of these departed souls?  A cemetery truly holds so much life, not death.

      Sure, a graveyard is a reminder to us that we are not immortal.  But it should also encourage us to live while we can! One of my favorite books is Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. In it, one of the characters says, "You don't have to live forever. You just have to live."  Isn't that what God would say as well? You are His creation, and as long as you take up space in this world, make it worthwhile....not just for your own enjoyment and indulgences, but for others as well.
God's word says,

•  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
•   "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10

     The questions that I press upon my self are these: What will my impact be?  For how long will that impact be felt...years? Decades? A generation or two?  I won't ever fully know on this side of the grave, but there is Someone who does.

Just Doin' Dishes

      Not so many evenings ago, I was washing up dishes at our sink and finding myself drawing an unlikely but true parallel.  A plate or fork is not useless because it is dirty.  (I know, so deep, right?) It can be used again, and will be used again if only washed clean.  Each has a specific purpose. Each awaits its next task, which may be the next morning, next week or next holiday.

       You and I are not much different than the dishes in the sink.  We all need washing from time to time.  We all have seasons of pain or hardship whether it be from our own mistakes, or from trials brought about by simply living the human experience.  These could be described as our 'in the sink' moments.  We aren't at our best.  We aren't fruitful. We feel useless.  But from any situation, God can make a thing of beauty.

          My mom is 'in the sink'-so to speak, right now.  She has dealt for over a year with pancreatic cancer and all the treatments, appointments, discouragements , and surgeries that go with it. But you know what? At this very moment as well, she knows she won't be left untouched, unwashed by our Father. He has proven himself faithful in her battle and I know she has more to do after all is said and done.  She will be cleansed for her purpose here on Earth.   She will be useful again.  She will enjoy her grandbabies.  She will encourage others, cook for others, pray for others.

      Just know that you, too, will be purified, and made whole, if you believe in "He who is able to do more than you can imagine" (Eph. 3:20).  You may have to wait on Him...and it may take longer than you wish, but your days 'in the sink' will not outnumber the days in which you will fulfill your purpose.   You only need to look for the One who will cleanse and prepare you for what lies ahead.