T.O.Y. for this holiday

This morning's paper will filled with 3-4 inches of "opportunities" to spend my hard-earned money on "stuff." There's the newest TV, camera, tool, coat, skateboard, doll, phone...on and on and on. And what do you end up with? STUFF

I already have too much "stuff." I don't know what to do with some of my "stuff." So I think I'll take a little different approach this season.

The T.O.Y. in the title stands for "Think Outside Yourself." Our whole world, from the earliest preschool through college, from business to politics, and, unfortunately, in some of what we learn in our churches and sunday schools, is really wrapped around a very selfish attitude - what's it got to do with ME?

This week, our praise team had the opportunity to serve at the local mission/shelter. That's something that you don't always LIKE to do, but it's what everyone SHOULD do at some time or another. It was a relatively nice day for November in South Dakota, but for those who needed a place off the streets, the mission was the place to be. On the menu was Chicken BBQ sandwiches, veggies, chips, dessert - and love, acceptance, and respect for their situation from our praise team. -- T.O.Y.

(as an aside here, I remember well sitting in the back row many times at the Union Gospel Mission as a child listening to my Dad give a short talk to the mission's "clients" before the meal. A good example and excellent childhood memory.)

There was an article in the paper this morning about Bronco's Quarterback Tim Tebow, and the grief he's taking for standing up for his faith. The press doesn't know what to do with the fact that he'd rather use his money to build a children's hospital in the Phillipines than he would to build a mansion for himself to live in luxury. --T.O.Y

We have already determined, as a family, that we will get simple things for each other for stocking stuffers and some gift cards at favorite stores. Then, we will collectively decide on a family donation to a charity. --T.O.Y.

Time for you to step up and serve your neighbor(s) in some form or fashion. It matters not if you lean toward the Christmas/Christian belief, Chanukah/Jewish, Islam, Kwanzaa, or choose to ignore the hoopla surrounding this time - serving is NEVER out of style. We owe it to our children to set the example (like I saw in my life) that you need to always Think Outside Yourself.

Have a great holiday season in service to others.

What a day

Wow - What a day.

The day started out like any other day. I woke up and got my legs under me, scrounged around for some breakfast, and went to find my mother. She was already outside. The sky was lovely, with the sun just beginning to peek out. Only a light breeze blowing - a typical morning for this part of the world. Little did I know what would happen today.

I started to hear a commotion outside, so I went out to see what was going on. All of a sudden someone was leading me away from my home, my mother, everything I knew. All I had heard was a man say "The Lord has need of it." What in the world did that mean?

There was a crowd gathering, and I was almost afraid - I was only a couple of years old and had never seen anything like this from my little stable on a quiet street. Why was this crowd gathering? It certainly didn't have anything to do with me, did it?

Wait, why is this Man climbing on my back? That's never happened before, and I'm not sure exactly what to do. I don't even know who this Lord is, or what he's doing parading me up and down the street while He rides through the crowd. I guess I'll just make the best of it and walk as proudly as I can.

A King? People are shouting Hosanna to the King! They can only be referring to this Man riding on my back. And the people keep throwing branches - palm branches - on the ground as we go by. This Man on my back really must be someone special. And everyone seems to really love Him. They keep shouting and praising Him as the Chosen One.

And then, just as quickly as it started, He climbed down off my back and another man led me back home. Back to my stable, and back to the quiet street where I grew up.

What was that all about? I wonder if I'll ever see this Man again?

Wow - What a day.