Every Sunday my 8-year-old son “Huckle” puts 8 cents in the church collection plate. This Sunday, as he held his coins (loudly trying to keep them quiet) in anticipation of the offering plate passing, I wondered what the deacons think every Sunday when the ‘takings’ end in $0.08. My experience with that deacon duty was the small change could be an irritation – it took a long time to count considering its meager value. I know, I know – as soon as that thought entered my head, I would remember Jesus pointing out the widow and her two small coins (Luke 21:1-4). I know these thoughts are sinful. It’s not about how much is given but about how it is given, the state of the heart.
But now I recognize the value of these coins as going even beyond the current state of the giver’s heart. My son’s eight cents is a tithing of his seventy-five cent allowance. So his offering is symbolic of a heart in training -- training for a lifetime of the discipline, obedience, and joy of giving back the first-fruits to the Giver of All Good Things. I pray that he will always acknowledge the One from whom all blessings flow and will offer all aspects of his life, not just his money, to God’s service. I pray that his small change that will become big change.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Need to Write
I've taken a long break from blogging. But, oddly, in the meantime I've grown in my desire to write. I've started (but not finished) journal entries, short stories, and books for kids. I even took an on-line fiction writing class. But I'm so disappointed with my meager skills! And I don't just say that from modesty -- that's blatant honesty.
Why would I be given a passion for writing without being given the skill to do it well? I've struggled with that in my head even though the answer is obvious: most gifts do not come fully formed but need constant use to be of use. Musicians practice for hours a day to perfect their music, artisans work years to perfect their art. And so do writers. I think of Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers, in which the authors says that those who are truly considered gifted have typically put in 10,000 hours of practice. Whew! Okay, maybe by the time of 80 if I keep at it. But I'll never achieve anything without consistent attempts, so it's time to just plunge in and write.
So here I am again, trying to grow in skill and comfort. Lord, if this really is a gift You can use, please give me the courage to keep trying and guidance in its use for Your glory.
Why would I be given a passion for writing without being given the skill to do it well? I've struggled with that in my head even though the answer is obvious: most gifts do not come fully formed but need constant use to be of use. Musicians practice for hours a day to perfect their music, artisans work years to perfect their art. And so do writers. I think of Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers, in which the authors says that those who are truly considered gifted have typically put in 10,000 hours of practice. Whew! Okay, maybe by the time of 80 if I keep at it. But I'll never achieve anything without consistent attempts, so it's time to just plunge in and write.
So here I am again, trying to grow in skill and comfort. Lord, if this really is a gift You can use, please give me the courage to keep trying and guidance in its use for Your glory.
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