11.20.11 outward appearances

Good morning sunshine! Lets start out with Robbie. (Right now, he is saying, yes, lets talk about me). The 19^th was his birthday. Happy Birthday to him! We were all gathered at my mother’s today to celebrate his birthday and I thought about my parent’s home. Never the cleanest, nor the nicest, and yet, it has always been a gathering place, a place for people to talk, watch tv, sleep – just be together. Over the years, many have called it home. Some for a few days and some even for years. My cousin, Anita, had one of those homes. It was like a rec center. There were always teenaged boys or girls there, walking in and out. Laughter could always be heard. Now me… I was always embarrassed because my house was always cluttered and dirty, not quite as nice as everyone else’s. Well, shame on me. A couple of years ago, Jim and I bought my dream house. Now I have the house I always wanted, its big and beautiful and somewhat clean. Yet it is empty. Summer never comes to visit but instead she would rather return to our old house. For it is the memories and the love that make a home. Why did I not realize that before???

So, the motto here is that outward appearances are unimportant. We should look to the inside, the heart of the matter to find the beauty. Who cares what you are wearing or the cost of your haircut? Who cares if you are thin or fat? Does love live in your heart? Do you share that love with others? Are memories being created? Are you the kind of person that comes over to a friend’s house and drinks out of a red solo cup or do you expect the good stuff? A true friend brings the coffee, coke, wine, whatever, … along with the red solo cups.

Today I encourage you to forget the trappings and concentrate on what is important. Turning that house into a home. Sharing your love with friends and family. We only get one chance at this, you know? …. Make an impact.

Bible verse of the week:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”

Love you! ~ terri