One day as I came into my office, I noticed a single yellow plastic frog. He was posited strategically on my desk. His location required my detecting him upon my arrival to begin the day’s work. This creature’s presence puzzled me and caused me to do some research. Once I had determined his origins, I thanked my benefactor.
Ms. Pam informed me that not only was I welcome to the frog, but that I should be cautioned: if one has only one frog, one is okay, but if one has two frogs then one should know that those two frogs would certainly multiply.
At this point I had a frog and I had a thought to ponder. After a week or so, I purposely addressed Pam with these words, “My frog is lonely.” Within the week I had a second tiny glow-in-the-dark amphibian neatly placed next to my first yellow friend.
Frogs of every description have been arriving in my office for ten years now. I have plastic, wax, pewter, paper, Styrofoam, clay and tin frogs. I have glass, fabric, ceramic, chocolate, greeting card, and candy frogs. My collection includes wind up, bean bag, origami, candle, key chain, fan fob, and stapler frogs. I am the owner of frogs for Christmas, and frogs for doing office work, and frogs that entertain. One of my frogs is for swatting flies. Another frog has the regal purpose in life of holding paper in its mouth. Still another frog is a toy water squirt-gun. And all of these occupy space in my office because sometime ago a friend brought a silly little gift to cheer the day.
Pam and I have not spoken recently, but it is impossible for me to think of my frogs and not think of her. I cannot look at the shelves graced by my green buddies and not consider her friendly act of long ago. Her benevolence toward me has led directly to the kindnesses of many others who have expressed their friendship in this same way. The generosity of one woman has been multiplied in my life a hundred times over.
You and I do not know the outcome of an isolated expression of love. What you do for another may have achieved all it will do in a single moment. But some of what we do has a life which exceeds the moment; it brings joy and pleasure over and over again. A simple act of friendship may warm a heart for years, bringing light and health and connection and affirmation to a grateful soul.
I am grateful for the gift Pam gave and all of Pam’s frogs. There is a very real sense in which every frog received has its origin with her. What a lesson in giving! What we choose to do for others blesses. Give. And know it will be multiplied in this act or in some other, but God will surely use your generosity to enrich others. Repeatedly.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Margin
Your sixteen year old just got her license? Could she call me before she leaves your driveway? I want a fifteen minutes head start! This seems a reasonable request to me.
Have you seen the driver who cuts in line at the exit ramp, initiating a sudden string of red brake lights? I used to be him. I have reformed. Having taken the dive on multiple occasions for open shoulder space from farther back in the pack, I’ve learned to arrive a bit more patiently. I see gaps between vehicles while in traffic as protective cushions now where before they were opportunities to get ahead.
Road warriors are not the only ones in need of margin in their lives. You and I have this need in more areas than we commonly acknowledge. The life without space on the edge of the page is headed for trouble. The day will arrive when you have no room to scrawl yourself a needed reminder. There will be no space for a note of caution and then things will go badly for lack of the assistance found in a few needed words. On that day you will know what I meant here.
Allow me to point out one quarter where we must maintain a little wiggle room in our schedules. Let’s call it Christian service. If you routinely find no time in your schedule for service to God and others, you are way short on margin. Your life may be lived in the fast lane, but constantly over-revving that engine will lead to a major repair bill later.
Instead of wearing yourself out prematurely and becoming driven, selfish and course, you could set aside time, energy and focus for the needs of those around you. You could listen for the voice of God as He leads you into compassionate responses that heal others and soften your core. For you over-wound and over committed types among us, just this thought: preserving service margin may just be the godliest exertion you pursue. This is one place where a step or two back from the edge would provide a welcome and wholesome cushion.
Keep a little to the side. As a matter of fact, you will need some reserve soon. And having a ready reserve will feel great!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 19, 2009
Have you seen the driver who cuts in line at the exit ramp, initiating a sudden string of red brake lights? I used to be him. I have reformed. Having taken the dive on multiple occasions for open shoulder space from farther back in the pack, I’ve learned to arrive a bit more patiently. I see gaps between vehicles while in traffic as protective cushions now where before they were opportunities to get ahead.
Road warriors are not the only ones in need of margin in their lives. You and I have this need in more areas than we commonly acknowledge. The life without space on the edge of the page is headed for trouble. The day will arrive when you have no room to scrawl yourself a needed reminder. There will be no space for a note of caution and then things will go badly for lack of the assistance found in a few needed words. On that day you will know what I meant here.
Allow me to point out one quarter where we must maintain a little wiggle room in our schedules. Let’s call it Christian service. If you routinely find no time in your schedule for service to God and others, you are way short on margin. Your life may be lived in the fast lane, but constantly over-revving that engine will lead to a major repair bill later.
Instead of wearing yourself out prematurely and becoming driven, selfish and course, you could set aside time, energy and focus for the needs of those around you. You could listen for the voice of God as He leads you into compassionate responses that heal others and soften your core. For you over-wound and over committed types among us, just this thought: preserving service margin may just be the godliest exertion you pursue. This is one place where a step or two back from the edge would provide a welcome and wholesome cushion.
Keep a little to the side. As a matter of fact, you will need some reserve soon. And having a ready reserve will feel great!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tie One On
I really don’t know how many weeks or even months I let this tussle go on, but it did. I replaced a sad pair of old brown dress shoes with a new pair. Clean and completely unsullied with shiny uncracked uppers, fresh soles, and waxed laces.
That was the problem-waxy shoe strings. Those slick laces would not stay tied! Tug and pull all I liked, no amount of effort seem to matter. They would not snug down. I put them on and a few hours later the laces were loose and my feet were slopping around in my shoes.
Then one day a thought occurred to me: Why don’t I double-tie each knot? And why hadn’t I thought of this sooner? So I tried it. Success! Glory! Because it worked, I’ve worn them double-knotted ever since.
The moral of this story is this, “Be alert to options that end your failure.” I find it so easy to keep doing what I have done, even when I am unhappy with the outcome. I think it is in part the result of knowing there is an emotional price tag or energy expenditure to making many a switch. Doing what I am doing is cheaper in the short term over making immediate change.
That is all true. But my singular concern is not just this moment. My life is full of tomorrows, too. I have a fiduciary responsibility for days not yet contemplated and hours not yet spent. My life is more than now, and my alertness in this sliver of time may move me from repeated failure to ongoing success. I have to pay attention. It is my duty to myself and to my God.
I will consider my life as I am living it. I will look for ways to do it well. I will end these fiascos and begin my victories when the opportunity is there. I will tie one on for success!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 11, 2009
That was the problem-waxy shoe strings. Those slick laces would not stay tied! Tug and pull all I liked, no amount of effort seem to matter. They would not snug down. I put them on and a few hours later the laces were loose and my feet were slopping around in my shoes.
Then one day a thought occurred to me: Why don’t I double-tie each knot? And why hadn’t I thought of this sooner? So I tried it. Success! Glory! Because it worked, I’ve worn them double-knotted ever since.
The moral of this story is this, “Be alert to options that end your failure.” I find it so easy to keep doing what I have done, even when I am unhappy with the outcome. I think it is in part the result of knowing there is an emotional price tag or energy expenditure to making many a switch. Doing what I am doing is cheaper in the short term over making immediate change.
That is all true. But my singular concern is not just this moment. My life is full of tomorrows, too. I have a fiduciary responsibility for days not yet contemplated and hours not yet spent. My life is more than now, and my alertness in this sliver of time may move me from repeated failure to ongoing success. I have to pay attention. It is my duty to myself and to my God.
I will consider my life as I am living it. I will look for ways to do it well. I will end these fiascos and begin my victories when the opportunity is there. I will tie one on for success!
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 11, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Fussy Wise
As we grow older (read here “as we mature”) we view the details of life differently. Things that we used to be adamant about, sometimes even down right fussy over, no longer seem the least bit important. And conversely, matters we never thought about are now somehow extremely vital to us.
More safety equipment, less reckless abandon. More interest in family, less interest in global politics. More preparation for the future and more appreciation for the past. These would be on my list.
What is going on here? Are we just losing it over time? Or does maturity change our priorities? Candidly, some of us are simply going nuts by degrees. And some of us are finally wising up.
If as we age and mature physically we make changes, why shouldn’t we do the same spiritually? It does make sense. Spiritual maturity will by necessity alter what we value and by extension who we are.
My guess is that St. Paul would call the maturity we are describing a ‘transformed mind’ or a ‘living sacrifice.’ I hope you are in that ongoing Romans 12 process of transformation. It lends promise to the process of growing older. It is one thing to be fussy; it is entirely another to be fussy about matters of great unimportance. Let’s grow up not just old.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 4, 2009
More safety equipment, less reckless abandon. More interest in family, less interest in global politics. More preparation for the future and more appreciation for the past. These would be on my list.
What is going on here? Are we just losing it over time? Or does maturity change our priorities? Candidly, some of us are simply going nuts by degrees. And some of us are finally wising up.
If as we age and mature physically we make changes, why shouldn’t we do the same spiritually? It does make sense. Spiritual maturity will by necessity alter what we value and by extension who we are.
My guess is that St. Paul would call the maturity we are describing a ‘transformed mind’ or a ‘living sacrifice.’ I hope you are in that ongoing Romans 12 process of transformation. It lends promise to the process of growing older. It is one thing to be fussy; it is entirely another to be fussy about matters of great unimportance. Let’s grow up not just old.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
South Haven Baptist Church
Belton, Missouri
August 4, 2009
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