What we do matters!

So, how do you spend your day?  What do you focus on?  What do you give time to?

I have been reminded again and again that what we do matters….and it is usually years after a deed (good or bad) is accomplice that I will get an email letting me know what an impact that particular event had on the person. What we do and say matters.  It matters as a member of the family of Christ.  Our words and our actions reflect our true character….our faith.  It stays with all of us....it becomes part of who we are.

This holiday I read several books, and the last one is written by Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy- Playing for Keeps.  “What you do this week matters”.   It is written for parents or Small Group Leaders.   This book speaks to how we spend our time.   I talk about how if we give quality to our time with, a small group, our children, etc.  We will respect the time more.  This book blocks our time into 7 ways:  times, love, words, stories, tribes, and fun.

TIME MATTERS- It takes time over time to make a History worth repeating…..When you visualize Time you can , count it down, measure it out, Mark it up (birthdays, holidays, vacation, special events).

LOVE MATTERS- think of music….we can see that love matters…without love, we would not have:  Aretha, Madonna, Lady Gaga….the blues would make no sense….Country Music will be only about beer and tractors, the world would not be a good place without love.  We have to prove our love over time….by showing up, knowing who they are, and never running away.   Love is not comfortable.  This is why we have the blues. 

WORDS- We say an average of 10,123 words per day.   So, how can they matter…..we all know that they do.  A few select words over time can impact someone’s direction in life.  - How?  

Learn another language- I am not taking Spanish or German, but a language that you can focus and communicate- faith language, a emotional language, Weigh what you say- Notice the important moment and be careful with your words Recycle Big Ideas- We all learn from repudiation…..repeat the big stories, talk about them….We need to hear good things again and again, so that are apart of who we are.

STORIES MATTER- Kids need stories from grandparents, stories from fiction, and stories from the bible- Stories over time can move us to imagine a world beyond ourselves.  We need to be agile to amplify the story- discover the arts, capture the story line, get in the action.

TRIBES MATTER- Tribe shows us how we belong.   Basically, people need people, and kids need a tribe.  We as adults define ourselves in tribes: reader, biker, mom, student, and pirates.  We can do this simply by “going in circles”- keeping our friends and family close.  This helps us with keeping traditions, eating meals and saving a seat for each other.

FUN MATTERS- This is my favorite one…..the one that I at time over look…..fun matters.   When you are spending time with your kid doing homework that is good, it is important, but don’t forget to play games also.  Fun makes friendships go deeper- we all need to learn how to loosen up, to learn what we like and to lose the agenda.

So, Time, love, words, stories, tribe and fun…..this is how we make our words and actions matter.  Sounds simple….I recommend that you start small, focus on one aspect…add another, then another, and then this is part of who you are.

See you soon,
Kim