I’ve decided that I want to be one of those old guys who say wise things.  Can I actually plan to do this?  I wonder if there is “wise sayings for old guys” training at some point in life.  You’re about 67 years old and these guys in grab you and bring to a dark, mahogany-lined, ancient book-filled library with leather couches and they hand you the book of wise sayings.  That’s how I hope it happens!  The best thing about wise old guys is that they don’t over talk a situation or topic.  They say what needs to be said, listen intently, knod approvingly as you ramble on and on and finally they take a breath and say something like…”Promise little and do much.”  So much said in such a short thought.  You may go on and on about your life, what you want to do, your career, things you want to try, your concerns, education you might need, struggles that might come, yada, yada, yada…then the old man patiently listening says…”You may delay but time will not.”  WHOA!  He could’ve said, “Just do it. I think Nike said that.”  He chooses instead to cut through the limitless over-analyzing with 7 wise words.  Someday, I hope that God gives me the insight and knowledge to be a wise old man.

I was just thinking yesterday about all of the little things that pass me by each day, which I take for granted.  You know the situations or happenings that could really brighten our day, even our week, if we had the sense to look outside of our narrow, daily grind to see them?  Each of these could be a post in itself (which I might do later) but here’s the abbreviated version:

1- Sunshine.  Not just the Sun, but a beautiful unhindered Sun wrapped in a clear blue sky.  Doesn’t it just warm your heart as much as your skin?  That is one of the best parts of California…I get to wake up that almost every single day.  What a blessing!

2- “I love you.”  What powerful words.  We need to say them more often to the people we care about the most.  In this situation, I’m not talking about husband/wife love…I’m talking about the Agape Love.  Love for a good friend or family.  It says that they mean so much to you and you’ll be there for them.  Use and appreciate it!

3- Good Conversation.  Have you ever left a conversation where it was totally give-and-take?  You’re soaking in what they’re saying and they do the same?  You ask good questions, they’re allowed to share freely and they respond in kind… I have a number of good friends who are great at this and I thank God everytime He gives me an opportunity to talk with them.  Soak those up and don’t take them for granted!

What would be in your top 3?  Leave a comment.

Have you ever moved away from pretty much everything you’ve ever known?  Have you ever had to “start over”?  There are many definitions and specific situations which could relate to these questions.  I’m referring to primarily the social aspect of life.  Your parents may have moved for a job, you went to live with relatives, you went to college, marriage, new job, etc.  Many people say kids can “adapt well”…you could now be closer to family…possibly your spouse or significant other came with you…or you’re a Skype fanatic and so are all of your old friends… Whatever your circumstance, lonliness can happen when you don’t have the physical presence of a loving, trusting community.  I’m not talking about homes, buildings or the nice McDonald’s drive-thru window worker.  Community to me is the group of people you can depend on, call, share life, eat, laugh, cry, borrow from, support and pray.  After talking with friends and family all over the world, and now having moved myself, I’ve realized that the most important thing is a Christian Community.  When people live in relationship with each other through the scope of their relationship with Jesus Christ, all are filled and loved.  Honesty, trust, and confidence are developed, because you can truly be yourself and rest upon the solid foundation of our Lord and Savior.  Emily and I have been welcomed into Grace Lutheran, just as we were at Trinity Lone Oak and friendships have been and are being formed which will last forever.  I pray for friends who have not experienced or allowed themselves the opportunity to experience a loving community like this.  Now I know why Jesus was always among people, eating with them, talking with them, loving them, touching them, listening to them.  We are called to be in relationship.  Sometimes people on the outside call churches inwardly focused cults.  Some may seem like that, but I pray that all would be reaching out with their arms extended to bring more people into the fold of Christ’s Magnificent Love.  Relationship.Community.Faith.Hope.Love.Jesus.