Every Breath

While out running errands today, I found myself sitting in my car at an intersection, staring past the red traffic light at the blue sky beyond, singing along with the radio to a worship song.

It was one of those moments of reflection that I experience more frequently as my thirties wax toward the forty mark, when I realize that life is fleeting, that there's nothing I can do to recapture those seconds marked off by the beat of my heart and the breaths of my lungs. Someday I will be gone, the way of all living things, and the individual moments between now and that point in time, whenever it may be, are precious, whether I savor each one or not.

Every breath is a gift from the Lord, and those used to worship Him are never wasted. What better use for them, than to send them back to their Source on the wings of praise?

The Splits

This morning, my seven year old was teaching her little brother how to do cartwheels and round-offs like she learned in gymnastics. He found this great fun. Then she sat down and showed him how to do stretches and splits. He eyed her in a split position, then turned to me and said, "Well, I don't think I want to do the splits, because that would hurt."

Respect or Lashon Hara?

In the original Hebrew, the word for gossip is lashon hara, and it's more than just talking bad about someone. The implication is that you murder a person with your words when you participate in it. Even more, the original Hebrew implies equal sin in the hearing of the hurtful words as in the speaking of them. And when wives rip apart their husbands on Facebook or when talking to girlfriends, they take lashon hara a step further. This pastor brings it right out and shows what disrespect for your husband will do in your home and family. Hard word for the ladies, but it's truth. Make any excuse you want, but you will find absolutely no Scriptural support for slandering your husband.

My Valentine

Tonight, my husband came home with a bouquet of two dozen roses for me. They were beautiful, greenish white on the outside, and pale pink inside. He said, "Is it okay that they're a day early? I was afraid the stores would run out."

Of course!

A few minutes later he said they reminded him of the roses on our wedding night.

I do believe I am married to the sweetest man alive.