Everyday lessons in little things

So, I learned something from NCIS last night – I know, popular TV and it had an education wake-up moment.  Abby was feeling really down, wondering if she was doing any good when all she saw was all bad.  Gibbs told her that “the things you do mean something to people” and pulled out the fortune from a cookie that she had given him when they first met.  It read – today’s friends are tomorrow’s family.  Just how awesome is that?!?   Made me think of a song by Casting Crowns – Prayer for a Friend.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.
Complicated circumstances
have clouded his view.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won't have the words
that he needs to hear.
I pray for Your wisdom , oh God.
And a heart that's sincere.
And Lord I lift my friend up
to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
My best friend in the
world, I know he means much
more to You.
I want so much to help him, but
this is something he has to do.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him.
But You know where that leads.
He's becoming a puppet of the world.
Too blind to see the strings.
And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I also loved the phrase that Gibbs used – you don’t see the hit and runs.  That phrase, hit and run, has negative connotations most of the time.  But stop and think a minute.  Hit and run like Gibbs meant, you have just a glancing contact with someone and what kind of impression do you leave?  We don’t see the hit and runs, we don’t always know what kind of impact we might make in someone’s life. 

There was an email that circulated for a while about a kid passing someone on their way home from school.  The kid was a nerd, and he was loaded down with books for the weekend, and the first kid, let’s call him Tom, thought, “what a bummer, all that homework this weekend.”  He then saw a group of other kids go rushing past, we’ll call him John, and knock all those books all over the ground.  John slowly bent down and picked them up, didn’t offer any kind of fight or argument.  Tom went and helped and carried part of that load home.  He told John that even with all those books, he hoped he had a good weekend and he went home.  The two eventually became good friends, and it came to pass that John graduated top of the class.  In his speech, he mentioned this incident.  He then looked Tom right in the eyes and said that he had planned on committing suicide that weekend and was just cleaning out his locker for his parents so that they wouldn’t have to.  But Tom coming along and helping and a friendly word changed his mind.  Hit and runs.  I like that phrase now, and I want to try and practice more positive hit and runs.  How to do that?

"Somebody Tell Them" by City Harbor

You can see it on the TV

Or in the middle of a crowded room

There's a sea of broken hearts, that are longing

To be washed away by an ocean of truth

Chorus

Somebody tell them that the lost are saved

Somebody tell them that their debt's been paid

And let them know love is calling out their names

Somebody tell them, they're the child of the king

And there is an end to this suffering

And hope that never fades through grace that's made a way.

Somebody tell them, somebody tell them now.

Oh somebody tell them, somebody tell them now.

·         Smile at whomever you pass along your day

·         Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to take the time to listen

·         REACH OUT!  It could save a life

 "My Own Little World" by Matthew West

In my own little world it hardly ever rains

I've never gone hungry, always felt safe

I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet

In my own little world: population -- me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church

I throw a twenty in the plate but I never give 'til it hurts

And I turn off the news when I don't like what I see

It's easy to do when its population -- me

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose?

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world

Stopped till the red light, looked out my window

I saw a cardboard sign said, "Help this homeless widow"

And just above that sign was the face of a human

I thought to myself, "God, what have I been doing?"

So I rolled down the window and I looked her in the eye

Oh, how many times have I just passed her by?

I gave her some money then I drove on through

And my own little world reached population two

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose?

I could be living right now

Outside my own little world, ooh, my own little world, ooh

Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose?

That I could be living right now

I don't wanna miss what matters

I wanna be reaching out

Show me the greater purpose

So I can start living right now

Outside my own little world, my own little world, my own little world

We are not alone in this world, there are others out there that have their own battles to fight, their own crosses to bear.  I also read in my daily devotional a few days ago (paraphrased) – Abba made this home for you, and He was willing to die (through His son) for you, so why would He make this place evil?  The world is not out to get you!

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

A couple of songs from one of my new favorite groups, Sidewalk Prophets.

"Live Like That"

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

"The Words I Would Say"

I'd tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord and
never give up hope.
You're gonna do great things
I already know
God's got his hand on you so
don't live life in fear
forgive and forget
but don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Remember, we were selected as family in the beginning of time.  WE WERE PICKED TO BE FAMILY!!!

"Should've Been Me" by Citizen Way

It should've been me
It should've been us
Should've been there hanging on a cross
All of this shame
All of these scars
Should've been stains that were never washed
Why do I hide
Why do you try
Over and over and over again
I guess it just leaves saying thank God
It leaves me saying thank God, thank God
For the should've been