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Thursday, December 21, 2006

"Who waits on you?"


‘Tis the season, isn’t it? ‘Tis the season to shop for the perfect gift, to crowd the shopping centers and superstores and malls in pursuit of the prize—a personal, just-right gift for someone special.

Well, as you’re pushing and perusing and pursuing, look up and see the person you’re paying. That person is most likely working a lot of long hours right now, standing on her feet day after day, trying to help you and thousands of others find the perfect gift. He’s probably been moving boxes of merchandise and unloading trucks until late at night.

If she owns the store, she’s praying that she’ll do well this season, knowing that she needs to do up to 50% or more of her annual business in about eight weeks. And he’s still expected to have season’s greetings for every customer. That’s a lot of pressure for anybody to be under.

So as you shop, look up and see the person you’re paying as a person, someone like you who’s doing the best she can to listen to life and make a life and a living…and smile and wish him Merry Christmas.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

"What if everyone could read your email?"


I get a monthly email update from a theater about upcoming shows. My parents like the shows so I like to keep up with what’s going on there.

Recently, I received an email from the theater and it sounded like an internal memo so I just deleted it…until the next one arrived. It was definitely an internal email wondering why someone wasn’t doing her job and she could get fired for that.

Next a lot of emails started coming in from other people like me, trying to alert the theater that their internal emails were blasting to everyone on their list. The incoming emails were also blasting out to the list. I weighed in and wrote, "Does everyone realize that whatever you email in is going to the entire list?" All of the emails stopped.

What if everyone in your business or family or neighborhood could read your emails? What would they learn about you?

Remember to say and write and think only those things that you’d want everyone else to know as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living today.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

"What words do you choose?"


A couple of months ago on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast, I shared with you a story about how even a year later, people are still giving of their time and energy to help rebuild that once enjoyable city and the lives of its residents. That story prompted an email from a woman who listens to life through our syndicated newspaper column.

She writes, "I read your column every day. I love it truly. But today it hit home, because I also was a victim of Katrina—emotionally. I was a tourist at the time that it struck. I asked God to wrap his arms around us and protect us and he did. You say people still go down a year later and help out. I’m here to tell you that your words [and others’ words] have brought me through many a day since I’ve been back. Through good people’s words and God, I am healing."

You never know what disaster someone else is going through, do you? That’s why it’s so important as you listen to life and make a life, not just a living, to share words of encouragement, hope, and healing with others. Your words are powerful, sent by God to a hurting friend.

Monday, December 18, 2006

"Remember Silly Putty?"


I listen to life every chance I can, discovering God in all sorts of ways. I recently learned 10 things about life while playing with Silly Putty. They are:

1. Sometimes in life the shape of the package has absolutely nothing to do with what’s inside.

2. We’re not always easy to work with, but with some effort we can be molded into all kinds of shapes.

3. When we fall, we bounce, but not always in the direction we wanted.

4. We are really flexible and can stretch easily.

5. We can stretch too much and break.

6. We can be put back together.

7. We pick up the image of those we come in contact with when enough pressure is applied.

8. It’s possible to entertain scientists and school children. Appreciate everyone!

9. You can be silly and still make it to the Smithsonian. Have fun being you!

10. What’s in a name?

Sunday, December 17, 2006

"What's a miracle to you?"


A friend who listens to life emailed me recently. She was feeding her preschool son in the kitchen when she heard a loud thump on the window behind her. She got up, went over to the window, and looked down to discover a small, chubby bird lying on his back. He was barely breathing. She didn’t know how she could help this poor little bird that some how had mistaken her incredibly dirty window as safe flying space.

So she prayed, asking God to help the little bird, and returned to feeding her son. When they finished his lunch, she went back over to the window and found the little bird still there, not moving. She prayed again and left the kitchen.

She returned about 20 minutes later, looked down at the bird, and he sat upright, shook his head, and flew away. She couldn’t believe it! It was a miracle to her and she thanked God for it.

Just then she looked down into her preschool son’s smiling face and realized that she sees miracles everyday, miracles from prayers God answers about birds, and sons, and other things you discover as you listen to life.