anonymi-TEA

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, (Matthew 6:33, NIV)

Pay it forward. Random Act of Kindness. (RAK) These contemporary terms describe unselfish giving of gifts. No thank you note required when the donor chooses to remain anonymous. 
At Hattiloo's Overton Square grand opening this past weekend, I noticed lots of "big" Memphis names and corporations who were etched into the wall of this black repertory theater's entry. But....what caught my eye was the simple one, "A Friend of Hattieloo." No fanfare. No accolade. No strings attached.

Such a gift was "downright" biblical. (Matthew 6:33) In the area of black arts, there has been a tremendous need for a platform for many Memphis actors "of color," as a former HHS student of mine shared with me.  Not just on the stage, but behind the stage expertise as well. So a "shout-out" of "Hooray" to that "friend of Hattieloo."

In the spiritual realm, anonymous giving is more than just a way to reignite one's faith in human kindness, it's a way to follow the examples set in God's word.

Certainly a cuppa anonymi-TEA in gift giving can brighten the day of the recipient or recipients, but it can brighten the "givers" day as well.

Nif-TEA-Gif-TEA

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8, ETV)

So many advertisements this week are for perfect "love" gifts. Yet, what most folks really want is love itself. Those acts of love that express that deep feeling. Sometimes it's easier to buy a gift than to pass on love.

Actually, apart from God, the author of love, we can't do it----even on this love-proclaimed day, our actions speak louder than those Hallmark sentiments and bouquets of red roses. Share the love. Give of yourself. Pass it on.

 "Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, love isn't love 'til you give it away," came to mind when I saw this tea store sign but "integri-TEA" had me google it. Two sources were given. I choose the older one. (Oscar Hammerstein II)

Heart shaped little cakes were baked in a pan given to me by Julie C.
I "passed on" to the Parlows--even the dog got one, by his own devices.
Sorry Tim, Edgar beat you to it!

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS…….

7/11/12….We all know that old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That’s another way of saying, “make the most of those “bad” situations that life often sends your way.” Mary Poppins also added sweetness to life with “a spoonful of sugar.” That spoonful which helped us benefit from something which, on the surface, was down right stinky.

Often things that appear hard or bad can teach us valuable life lessons when we choose to learn from them. There are so-o-o many old sayings to help us through the “bad” spots. But……what about the good spots? The blessings?

In Cherkassy, Jordon Fichthorn wanted to make cookies to take out to the camp. Someone had blessed us with a chunk of chocolate, so Shirley got busy making chocolate chips, which are obviously a rarity in Ukraine. Chocolate. A good thing. A blessing. So where’s the adage for that?

My thought is…..”When life gives you chocolate, make chocolate chips; put them in cookies and share with others.”

It’s a pay it forward idea. Pass it on. Whatever phrase reminds you, just do it. Bless others as you are so richly blessed. It might come right back attcha in the form of a warm cookie.

WAR EAGLE!!

1/10/11 This is really NOT a blog about Auburn being in the BCS championship tonight. Though the game will certainly be viewed on our TV, our son, Buddy (Auburn, class of 92) and his “almost” 9 year-old son, Nathan (an avid Auburn tiger fan and future Auburn wannabe) will be in section 444, row 13, seats 3 & 4! Our son is a pastor in Allen, TX. He and his wife, Day, strongly believe in building relationships with their kids, all 5 of them, as well as sharing their heritage. This requires quality time and often more money than I assume a pastor’s earthly salary might provide----though he’s never mentioned a word to me about his salary or financial needs. (Wow---he doesn’t sound like my son, does he!) But God…..

Last month, a member of his church presented him with 2 tickets to the championship game. The game where this year’s Heisman winner will be on the field playing for Buddy’s alma mater against the team with the Heisman runner-up. The dream game!

The dream tickets---provided by a man who just a month before had buried his “almost” 9 year-old daughter. A man who knows the value of time spent with one’s kids.

To this I say, WAR EAGLE! To Auburn fans it’s a battle cry for their football team. To me it’s a battle cry for the importance of time spent with family, and for those who, even in the midst of pain and struggle pay it forward.