3.17.2012

Crash Pile

On bad weather days, my kids still need physical activity. So, one of the things we do is set up a "crash pile".  We pile up pillows and blankets on the floor in front of the couch and they are allowed to jump off the couch onto the pile. This is the one time they are allowed to stand up on the couch, which makes it a double treat. 


The first time we did it, they were fairly cautious. They kinda hopped down and landed on their feet, not really trusting that this was all ok. But, as they continued trying, they got wilder and more fun to watch. They jumped higher, twisted around and landed in a heap. 


They were a testimony to the safety of the "crash pad." 


Have you jumped onto your "crash pad" lately? Are you not really trusting that this is all ok? Are you fun to watch? Are you a testimony to His safety? 


Jump higher! Twist around! (It's ok if you land in a heap.) 


"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 (emphasis mine)

3.06.2012

Drive with your brake, not your horn!


     When my Dad taught me to drive, I heard this many times. "Drive with your brake, not your horn!" I guess it stuck, because the other day, as I was driving into town to run errands, someone cut me off on the freeway. I got a little flustered and started to hit the horn, but I heard my Dad's voice in my head and my foot hit the brake instead. 


     It's funny, but if I had hit the horn, I know I would've stewed about it the rest of the day. As it was, I felt like I was the "better" for my behavior and left the situation feeling pretty good about life. I extended grace to my fellow driver and remembered some of the times I had, inadvertently, cut other drivers off.  


     It occurred to me that this is a pretty good principle to practice throughout all of life. 


The Bible puts it this way: 
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2: 3-4


     So, the next time you get "cut off" either on the freeway, or just in life, why not try "hitting the brake" instead of "honking the horn"?


I promise you'll feel better for it.