Family Reunion

I had a family reunion this week. While I was diverting my attention from what the in-laws were doing. I checked E-mail, and did a little work. A voice from behind the sliding glass door asks me to help with dinner.  Potatoes needed to be mashed. I could have put them off till Jimmy Buffet was done singing "It's five o'clock somewhere." My retreat into work related tasks was being challenged by dinner.

 I don't know if your like me, a master of mixed priorities. I find myself doing what's captured my mind, rather than what I need to do.

• In the short term, potatoes were turning to mush instead of mash. Children play at the pool without a parent. Long awaited snorkeling adventures put on hold-again. 

• In the long term an unguided mind does lots of things poorly. Children have a half present parent. Spouses settle for unengaged relationships. College years turn into memories rather than marketable skills. Great ideas fade into could've and should've.

We need time to work, time to play, time to love, and time to worship. Often various passions compete for attention. We forget to focus on direction rather than fickle thoughts of the mind. So here is what I learned while mashing mushy potatoes. Figure out what moment your in and live in that moment as best as you can. 

Training Video

Jury Duty

This week I have the privilege of serving as a juror. Yes I got the paper and showed up. I charmed my way right into the juror's seat. Before they select you, they ask a battery of questions. Most of which filter out people with biases. The court tells you that, serving in the Jury system is critical to what America stands for. When you walk in the room everyone stands in your honor. It's a pretty important roll. Here is the ironic part. When a case is being deliberated jurors must only consider evidence when rendering a verdict. We can NOT think about the further implications of our actions. Such things as will the defendant lose a job, or serve hard time. But at Relevant it’s like the roles are reversed. No one stands when volunteers walk into serve at church. But we are very much so deciding peoples fate by serving at Relevant. We must keep that in mind as we serve. The court battles for the jurors’ attention.  The hearts of the world are begging for attention. The question is, will we rise to the occasion.