HURRY UP

“Hurry up, we have to go!” I yelled.
I ran out onto the back porch with my baby in my arms racing to get into the car and all of the sudden I tumbled, crashing to the ground. I checked out the baby and, miraculously, no injuries.
My toddler came running up with a panicked look shouting “Mom are you okay?”
“Thank goodness we are fine” I spoke with a bit of reassurance in my voice. This could have been more serious. With resolve I said, “Listen to me. Let’s agree right here, right now we will not say the H word any longer.”
“What’s the H word, mom?” Nick asked peering at me with his cute inquiring eyes.
“Hurry!” I explained. “We were divinely lucky this time, but if we continue to hurry every time we go somewhere one of us may get hurt. All hands in!”
I had us put our hands all in on top of each other like the ball players do when they come out of a huddle, and we cheered, “No more hurrying!”
It felt good when we came to an agreement. No yelling. No screaming. Just teamwork. Yay for our team!
The Bible teaches that we are to submit to one another and be team builders. Jesus selected the twelve disciples, taught them and encouraged them to work together. One day the disciples came to Jesus and said, “‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat’” (Matthew 14:15-16 NIV).
Jesus made a plan, the disciples responded and obeyed therefore Jesus was able to create a miracle, which resulted in order, peace, joy and contentment. Teamwork!
This New Year you may prayerfully consider this question “How can I intentionally and deliberately build better teamwork into important relationships in my life?” Wait and trust the Holy Spirit to answer this meaningful question.
You may be tempted to call a teambuilding meeting where you get dreary looks and meaningless head nodding. Consider trying this instead:
1. Get a package of Three Musketeer’s candy bars.
2. Attach a note to the candy stating your desire to build team work in the New Year.
3. Include the motto “All for One, One for All.” Certainly that will pique their taste buds and interest!
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21 NIV).
PRAYER: Father, thank- you for a New Year. My desire is to be deliberately intentional in my relationships this year so that I can build a team like you did, Jesus. (Name the team members) Help guide us all with clarity and unity. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

OPPORTUNITY

Dear Friend:

2014  Happy Day calendar day 1 "The door is wide open--step on through to a brand new year!
Reflecting on the word OPPORTUNITY for the New Year. Al Mighty (Morgan Freeman) from the movie Evan Almighty asks "if someone prays for patience do you think God gives them patience or does He give them the opportunity to find patience. If a person prays for courage does God give you an opportunity to be courageous. If someone prayed for a family to be closer. Do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings or does he give them opportunities to love each other."
What will you pray for?
Be ready the possibility that God will be creative in answering it?
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