the best kind of phone call

yesterday i received a call from a friend. not really the "long lost" type, but one i hadn't had a chance to chat with in a while.
by "a while" i actually mean only a few weeks, even though i had actually seen and talked with the person. we just haven't had our usual good conversation. blame it on vacations and summer schedules and kids' activities, etc.
but, the best kind of phone call is then he called and said, "i haven't seen you in a while and want to make sure everything is OK." we didn't talk for long, but it was long enough to know how i can rely on and who i can count on and who really cares.
so, george, thanks for the quick call. you may never know how much it boosted my day.
thank you, Lord, for placing george in my life.

reliability

pet peeve: "yes, i'll do it. no, i won't."
pick an answer and stick with it.
i understand that there are always situations that arise that require a change in plans. but, if you make a commitment, stick with it.
this is an area that i'm sure i need to learn more compassion, but here is a to-do list of things that need to happen before, during and after a commitment

1. think through the time-line. are you able to fulfill your commitment?
2. think through the project. are you able to accomplish the commitment?
3. combine #1 & #2. are you able to complete the project in the given time-line?
4. examine your motives. are you willing to participate once you commit?
5. anticipate obstacles. are there things that will/might get in the way of your commitment?
6. to commit or not to commit. make your choice now.
7. begin the work early and review often--don't put it off to the last minute.
8. don't change your mind. even if you do, stick with it. you made a commitment afterall.
9. be diligent, seeing it through to the end.
10. if you found reward in honoring your commitment, do it again soon and often. if you found only distaste and drudgery in your commitment, don't do it again.

simply stated, Jesus Christ taught us that it is better to say "no, i can't do it" but then do it then it is to say "yes, i can do it" but then not.

no wonder we have such a hard time trusting. many people aren't trustworthy.

Jesus, to You, i pray. grant me the patience to work with those with low value of commitment. empower me with encouragement and guidance for them as they learn. give me patience with those who do not honor their commitments and stamina to honor mine.

human nature

i'm not one that's quick to attribute every (or any) negative or undesired behavior to "human nature." i think that too often, people use that as an excuse to be lazy and not allow the power of the Spirit of God to overcome the failings of humanity. (we've been granted victory over sin--claim it and be adapted to it).
but, i've been challenged in my perspective this week.
my 4-month old son has been granted permission from the pediatrician's office to begin eating cereal. for those of you who've been through this before, you know that's a big deal. for those who haven't experienced it, it's a big deal.
well, as expected from my genius child, he does really well with the spoon and swallowing. the problem is that we can't shovel it in fast enough for him. after about 10-15 bites, he starts to get angry and impatient.
so, is impatience wired into us? i can't imagine that he's old enough to have developed that yet. (give him at least a few more months before i'll admit that he's picked it up from me.) so, where is the line of nature and nurture?
on a tangent note: 4-months old getting angry is actually quite funny. he's actually trying to yell; he's not screaming or crying--pure anger. it's hard to be serious and comforting while holding back the giggles from within.
maybe it's a part of us or maybe it's learned. either way, it's our challenge, opportunity and responsiblity to allow God to help us overcome it.
Dear Lord, teach me patience and let me demonstrate it to others.