BUYING TIME

"When we spend money on computers, we are literally buying time--the faster a machine runs, the more we have to pay."

Richard Leider & David A. Shapiro
Repacking Your Bags
Berrett-Koehler Publishers/San Francisco
p. 175

FOR MAT

"A high percentage of people who truly feel that they are living the good life, have work that uses their talents as opposed to a job they do mainly to earn money. Think about this: whose work more often inspires our deep admiration? That of the midlevel corporate executive who earns 6 figures for manipulating theoretical concepts, or that of the simple craftsperson who transforms raw material into useful beauty?

What is it about the craftperson's livelihood that so appeals to us? First, most genuinely seem to enjoy their work. They are immersed in it. Go to the house of someone who makes guitars for a living, and you'll probably see fretboards and tuning pegs all over the place."

Richard Leider & David Shapiro
Repacking Your Bags
Berrett-Koehler Publishers/San Francisco
p. 80

Though I don't see fretboards, strings, or cigar boxes all over his house, my son makes the most incredible musical instruments from cigar boxes, cookie tins, and soda cans completed by using some cast-off items to make them even more unique.

Suprisingly, I saved this quote way before his hobby started. Sort of fun.

Growing and Enjoying,
Lonnie

TATTLING ON MYSELF

"As a little girl, when my dad told me to hoe the garden, I was profoundly insulted that he would ask such a thing. I was mad too. So I cried as I hoed. Then I took a handful of dirt and rubbed it all over my face. I wanted to prove how hard I'd worked, how much I'd perspired, and how dirty I'd become by labor. Surely his pity would rescue me from further hoeing. It didn't."

Linda Anderson
The Too-Busy Book
Waterbrook Press  2004
p. 180


The truth doesn't always hurt; sometimes it makes me laugh.

 Mom and I used to share books. She didn't mind that I underlined in them--in fact, she rather liked my markings. However . . . it dawned on me, one day, that those underlines might tell more about me and my life than I wanted her to know. I suspect my note cards could do the same.

 So, when I pulled this anecdote from my collection, I smiled. That's telling, I thought. I could definitely see myself in that little girl. I could also see that I'd changed. To God be the glory.   

Hmmm . . . Take a look at your bookshelf. What does your collection tell about you?
EverGrowing With His Help,
Lonnie

HEART-FELT THANKS

"I've come to believe that only broken people truly worship. Unbroken people--happy folks who enjoy their blessings more than the Blesser--say thanks to God the way a shopper thanks a clerk."

Larry Crabb
Shattered Dreams
Waterbrook Press  2001
p. 57


Ouch! I'm not sure if I don't completely agree, or if I don't want to agree. I can tell you this: I long for a far closer relationship with God than I have with any store clerk. And to be honest, Crabb causes me to wonder how many of my thank-yous are courtesy (not a bad thing), yet how many are heart-felt and genuine.

If you were offer heart-felt thanks to someone in your household or workplace, today, who would it be?

Still Growing,
Lonnie

FRIENDS

"C.S. Lewis said, 'Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'"

quoted by Max Lucado
Cure For the Common Life
W Publishing/ Thomas Nelson  2005
p.79

Whoa, really? You like to write? You like to quilt, cross-stitch, hike, read? Let's meet for coffee -- oh, you "don't" drink coffee? That's ok, we can still make this work.

I worked at a Christian bookstore. Carla worked at a craft store next door. Boy, talk about the perfect combo. But it was to get better. Carla's husband had health problems. It was a "you too?" moment. Mine did too. Her hugs, true understanding, and laughter saved my sanity. Thanks Carla.

Do you have a "you too?" moment to share?

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

Homeless

"There is a beggar--I guess the politically correct term is "homeless person"--who I regularly hand a dollar to. I have taken the unusual step of asking his name and using it. Not that this makes me wonderful, but it does make him a little more real."

Julie Cameron
Prayers From A Nonbeliever: A Story of Faith
Tarcher/Putnam 2003
P. 104

How do you respond to the homeless? Ones playing music in the streets? Ones holding signs at the exit ramps? Ones hanging out at the malls or at McDonalds?

In our current subzero temps plus windchills, I can't climb into my warm bed without praying for them.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

Boxes . . . and Boxes of Notes

Louise told me to save it all. I did.

"If you think there is any chance that you will use a fact, quote, or anecdote in your writing, jot it down; along with Title, Author, Publisher, Copyright, and Page Number."

Eight boxes and several years later, I look at those boxes neatly stacked and organized in my closet. I've kicked myself more than a few times for the hours (months, years) I've spent handwriting those notes. But as I reread, with intention of weeding, I'm so glad I took the time, saved the wisdom and the inspiration.

Do you remember when Jesus fed the multitudes with a few loaves and a couple fish? And THEN they gathered leftovers? I love leftovers! These are mine and I'd love to share them with you.

They are Borrowed Words, and credited as credit is due. Enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts concerning the quotes and anecdotes; or add some of your own.

These posts will be short but, hopefully, daily. Stop in often.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie