"Do you ever just want to stay longer?"

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A friend who listens to life with us through our newspaper column recently told me about his daughter visiting him with her two daughters. They’re from out of state so they don’t get to see each other as often as they’d like.

Well, it was Sunday—the day for the granddaughters to return home. They were obviously reluctant to go because they wanted to stay and visit with their grandparents.

Their mother went outside for a walk. My friend, their grandfather, said to the girls, "Let’s lock her out. You want to?" Now remember, he’s talking about his own daughter.

And the girls said, "Yea, that way we can stay longer!"

Now I know Mother’s Day is this weekend, but there’s just something special about grandparents, don’t you think?

Family is such a great gift from God. Be sure to include as a part of your making a life this week taking the time to let all of your family members know how blessed you are to enjoy life with them.

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"Seen any woodpeckers lately?"

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I told you about my having "one of those days" several weeks ago, and I asked God to send me a sign. God sent the most beautiful red-headed woodpecker you’ve ever seen and not just on that day, but every day since then.

Then a couple of weeks later, I told you about how I heard him hammering on the metal bird feeder, and thought, "Well, he’ll figure out he can’t get in on the side and stop." But he didn’t and I went out and discovered that the feeder was empty, teaching me another lesson as I listen to life.

Well, this sign-from-God-woodpecker is still showing up every day at that feeder. Only he’s not alone. He brings friends with him. In fact, he is joined by four other species of woodpeckers. They take turns munching from the feeder by hanging on the tree and leaning into the back of the feeder. One of them is small enough to hang from the feeder itself.

And I’ve noticed all of these woodpeckers flying over our farm. I guess they were there before, but I just didn’t notice them. So when you ask God for a sign, be prepared to get more than one!

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"Who do you know?"

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I was talking with one of my radio syndicators for the first time. You know, kind of a getting-to-know-you call. He had placed my show on a station and I called to thank him.

Now I don’t know about you, but when I’m talking with someone for the first time, I’m a little unsure of what to talk about. There’s no common ground. So I usually listen carefully and search for something we have in common. And I offer up life stuff about myself to prompt conversation.

Well, this time, I mentioned that my wife raises yellow Labs and knew immediately I had hit the paydirt of common ground here. He has a yellow Lab, Mitzi, whom he just adores. She has a great disposition, and don’t tell her that she’s a dog. She believes she’s a person!

And of course I then had to talk about Princess, Dutchess, Tessa, Lucy, and Jake—our yellow Labs. And after that it seemed like we were old buddies.

You’ll probably meet someone new today. Search for common ground. And know that God has been ahead of you to create your relationship.

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"Do you have room?"

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A three-year-old girl was waking up one morning. Her mother heard her stirring around and went up to tell her good morning. The mother found the little girl still in bed, struggling to open her eyes.

So she wished her a "Good Morning!" and told her, "Daddy is fixing breakfast for you. Are you hungry?"

The little girl immediately threw back her covers, and pulled up her nightgown. She pointed to the side of her tummy and said, "I have room right here."

I’m a lot like her. I can make some room in my tummy when it’s time for breakfast and someone else is cooking. Can’t you?

But what about your heart? Can you make room in your heart for someone when they’ve got a problem to share and you’re in a hurry?

Or what about your mind? Can you make room in your mind for someone else’s concerns and you’ve got so many of your own?

Make room in your day to listen to life and make a life, not just a living.

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"Do you stake out your position?"

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I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, "stake out your position." Ever wonder where we get that phrase?

It actually is derived from the ancient Aztec Indians. In times of war, when their homes were under attack, the Aztecs would go outside the village to defend it. The men would tie one end of a rope around their leg with the other end attached to a stake. They used a hammer to drive the stake in the ground then threw the hammer out of reach. And there they stood, weapons in hand, having staked out their position, ready to fight to the death, or until they drove the enemy away and a friend would release them.

What are you willing to die for? Anything?

What position are you willing to stake out and never compromise?

Sure, we all have to give and take to get along in the world, but it seems to me there are some things that are non-negotiable. What are yours? What would you die for? Think about it as you listen to life today for what God has to say and make a life, not just a living.

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