Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Set A Spell

Luke 2:46 (NIV)46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

The phrase "set a spell" has been running through my mind lately.  Probably because of family visits lately to the hospital and rehab, etc.  I also thought it was at the end of the Beverly Hillbillies TV show too.  It was (I had to check the lyrics...and now THAT'S running through my head....it's a busy place up there!).

I think with technology and social sites spreading as fast as they are, we as a society and families are losing the fine art of setting a spell...taking time to slow down and listen to people....face to face....not Facebook or MySpace.  

When my mom was in the hospital in Utah years ago, a local church sent a lady through one of their ministries to come visit with us.  I was kind of worried about what we would find to talk about to a complete stranger.  We ended up having a very nice conversation.  

When we would visit our grandma at the nursing home, she and the others at the home were full of stories.  They appreciated having someone listen....and most of the time, we got a living history story.  

Sometimes we don't even need to fill the space with conversation, just having someone near us is enough. 

Talking, writing, a status update or a tweet can all equate to setting a spell.  However, I urge you to take the time this week to sit down (without the TV and computer or other distractions) and truly have a conversation with the people in your house, someone you work with who needs a friend, or even just taking a quiet time to listen to the small voice you only hear when you get quiet.

And just in case you would like the theme song running through your head also:  Sung at the end of the show:
Well now its time to say good-bye to Jed and all his kin.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in.
You're all invited back again to this locality
To have a heapin helpin of their hospitality
Hillbilly that is. Set a spell. Take your shoes off. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

We Are Family.....

Our family has had a lot of stuff going on lately. Our extended family (aunts, cousins, etc) have been going through stuff as well. Probably not any more than most people, but it just seems to be sinking in more as I think about it.

When bad health or trouble comes our way, we have two choices. It makes us closer....or pulls us further apart. Even in the same family, we all handle stress differently. Sometimes it's birth order or personality that dictates our handling. Sometimes it's our faith in God. Sometimes we just each do our part to muddle through.

Our families can be small....or large....birth....or adopted....or friends that feel like family.

When our daughter was baptized, I did the message for children at church that day. There was a little boy baptized as well. I started with, "Congratulations! You have a new brother and sister. To the relief of your parents, they will not be going home with you." I went on to explain that when we are believers, we gain brothers and sisters in Christ. We become a bigger family.

Bigger families can mean bigger problems. However, it can also mean a stronger base of assistance when stuff gets tough.

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

So start looking around, your family doesn’t stop at your front door.