I want to do something different and invite you to join me. In honor of Mother's Day, I'm going to post a tribute to my mother and I invite you to post one to yours as well. You don't have to give your name or your mother's name if you don't want, but I wanted to extend this opportunity to everyone.
My mother is the cornerstone of my family. Growing up, she was the one we sought out for refuge. My dad was the provider and the leader of the family, but mom was the backbone. She was the strength that held my family together and pushed it forward. Her prayers for me and my siblings have made us what we are today. My mother gave up a lot for us, for me.
My mother was a faifeau's child, like me. Her dad was the faifeau of one of the big villages back home. She was the youngest of 12 children. And at the ripe old age of 16, she became pregnant with me. Imagine that, the youngest daughter of a faifeau, pregnant out of wedlock. I can't fathom what she must have gone through. But thanks to loving parents, and to my dad, she had me. Against all odds, she had me. I was an "unplanned" child and could have met the fate of many other "unplanned" children. So I thank God... and my mother... for having the strength to have me. The easy thing to do was... well, let's just say how eternally grateful I am.
She dropped out of school to care for me. Fortunately, my parents married. Again, a very hard decision. But she stayed home to take care of me. She went to night classes to finish high school. I remember her taking me to typing class. I don't know how old I was, but her friends carried me around and gave me candy. I think that's the genesis of my weight problems. :-)
There are so many memories and stories that I have of her, but I'll share just one. I was in elementary school in Fiji. We had a class party and I was to bring something (I don't remember what it was). All I know is that we forgot to buy it. I was balling and refused to go to school. I must have been six or seven and walking in without something was just not cool. I refused to go to school. My mother, ever so patient, calmly asked me to go and that she would buy it and bring it. I didn't believer her, but went to school anyway... she had threatened me with the belt. As the day started, the skies opened up and it began to pour. My heart sank. No way was she going to be able to get me my snack. She'd have to get on a bus, go all the way into town, come all the way back in the pouring rain. But as I sat in my school room, I saw an umbrella heading towards the school. I was saying to myself..."who the heck is out there in this driving rain?" But as the umbrella got closer, I recognized it. Yup, it was my mom. I know, I know. It sounds like one of our sappy White Sunday plays. But it's true. That's the most vivid memory I have of my childhood. My mom walking in a driving rainstorm to get me my things for the party. We didn't have a car. We didn't even have money. We were poor but she found a way.
I know many of you have similar stories about your moms... don't worry dad...we'll tell dad stories on Father's day. But I just wanted to let the world know that I think the world of my mom. We almost lost her a few years back, so every time I see her I consider it a blessing from God and I cherish every moment of it. My prayer is that God continues to use her in whatever capacity He sees fit. I always believe that children are a person's best legacy to leave the world. It's one of the driving forces in my life to do the best that I can, to ensure she has a good legacy. I owe her that much.
I love you mom. Happy Mother's Day.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Build your house on the Rock
I'd like to share my thoughts on Tama's message on Sunday. He spoke about putting things in order and prioritizing your life. The scripture verse for the sermon was Acts 4:11. "He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone." The scripture was referring to Jesus and how the elders and the priests had rejected Him, yet now He was the foundation of life.
He went on to mention Jesus' sermon on the mount. He talked specifically about His parable about the wise man building His house upon the rock, while the foolish man built His house upon the sand. The "rock" Jesus was referring to was Himself, the same "rock" that Peter told the people in Acts that was rejected, yet is the cornerstone of our faith.
The main theme was that we should invest in things that are solid and will not be blown away by the winds of this world. As we see our investments dwindle away in the market, as we see our retirements disappear before us, it's a reminder to put all our strength and energy into things that last, eternal things. Often times, this world teaches us that true happiness and success is measured by our possessions and material gain. But the words of Jesus contradict that, as is His want. He says that those things will be washed away with the storm. Only a house set on a firm foundation can withstand the winds of this world. That foundation is Jesus and the eternal life He offers free of charge to all who accept it. All you have to do is accept it.
Many people are depressed because their worldview is limited to this life. As Christians, we are not confined to that perspective because our view is eternal. When all is lost in this world, our hope is not lost because our hope lies in the next life, with Jesus in heaven. Our life does not end when we die, but is just beginning. So even if you've been battered by the storms of this life, whether they be financial, health, relational, professional, know that because you've build your faith on Jesus, on solid rock, you will not despair. You are not hopeless.
He went on to mention Jesus' sermon on the mount. He talked specifically about His parable about the wise man building His house upon the rock, while the foolish man built His house upon the sand. The "rock" Jesus was referring to was Himself, the same "rock" that Peter told the people in Acts that was rejected, yet is the cornerstone of our faith.
The main theme was that we should invest in things that are solid and will not be blown away by the winds of this world. As we see our investments dwindle away in the market, as we see our retirements disappear before us, it's a reminder to put all our strength and energy into things that last, eternal things. Often times, this world teaches us that true happiness and success is measured by our possessions and material gain. But the words of Jesus contradict that, as is His want. He says that those things will be washed away with the storm. Only a house set on a firm foundation can withstand the winds of this world. That foundation is Jesus and the eternal life He offers free of charge to all who accept it. All you have to do is accept it.
Many people are depressed because their worldview is limited to this life. As Christians, we are not confined to that perspective because our view is eternal. When all is lost in this world, our hope is not lost because our hope lies in the next life, with Jesus in heaven. Our life does not end when we die, but is just beginning. So even if you've been battered by the storms of this life, whether they be financial, health, relational, professional, know that because you've build your faith on Jesus, on solid rock, you will not despair. You are not hopeless.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Don't forget about Monday
Last Sunday, we were late in picking up the Sunday School kids. One of our dogs decided to run away from us as we were leaving the house. But we were already running behind because I had to look for my Bible. I looked everywhere. Couldn't find it. When we finally got in the car, there it was, right where I left it...last Sunday. Then it hit me. My Bible had been sitting here all week. (In my defense, I have access to an online Bible which I use most of the time.) Still, it opened my eyes about things.
God is very popular on Sundays. Millions of people around the world go to His places of worship and worship Him. People spend their Sundays around Him. From childhood on, Sundays were God's day. In Samoa, it was a WHOLE day. But for many of us, when Monday rolls around, we put our Bibles away until Sunday, like in my case. We only worship God on His day. We tend to compartmentalize our lives. And one of the compartments is that worshipping God is reserved for Sundays.
But it shouldn't be that way. Worship shouldn't be reduced to just the worship service. It should be a way of life. It should be infused in EVERYTHING we do. From going to the store, to working out at the gym, you can worship God while doing all those things. Worship isn't a location. It's a condition of the heart. It isn't only singing, or reading the Bible, or hearing the Word. It's taking a walk and being in awe of God's creation. It's standing on a hill and being mesmerized by a sunset, or looking out at the rain and hearing the thunder in storm. God's majesty is all around us. It's hearing the cries of a baby, or the bloom of a flower. If you appreciate those creations of God, you are worshipping Him. It's being greatful for every day we have, for every hour, for every BREATH. When we live our lives in total appreciation of the gifts that God surrounds us with, we are worshipping Him. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. But I'm learning to love Monday too. Slowly, but getting there.
God is very popular on Sundays. Millions of people around the world go to His places of worship and worship Him. People spend their Sundays around Him. From childhood on, Sundays were God's day. In Samoa, it was a WHOLE day. But for many of us, when Monday rolls around, we put our Bibles away until Sunday, like in my case. We only worship God on His day. We tend to compartmentalize our lives. And one of the compartments is that worshipping God is reserved for Sundays.
But it shouldn't be that way. Worship shouldn't be reduced to just the worship service. It should be a way of life. It should be infused in EVERYTHING we do. From going to the store, to working out at the gym, you can worship God while doing all those things. Worship isn't a location. It's a condition of the heart. It isn't only singing, or reading the Bible, or hearing the Word. It's taking a walk and being in awe of God's creation. It's standing on a hill and being mesmerized by a sunset, or looking out at the rain and hearing the thunder in storm. God's majesty is all around us. It's hearing the cries of a baby, or the bloom of a flower. If you appreciate those creations of God, you are worshipping Him. It's being greatful for every day we have, for every hour, for every BREATH. When we live our lives in total appreciation of the gifts that God surrounds us with, we are worshipping Him. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. But I'm learning to love Monday too. Slowly, but getting there.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Doing the unnatural thing
I recently went through an experience that was very revealing to me. I was attacked by a person I care deeply for. To make matters worse, I felt the attack was unjustified; that it wasn't warranted. As I sat there as this person was ripping into me, many thoughts went through my mind. The first was to defend myself, to lash right back. I felt I had the facts on my side and that I had every right to defend myself. It was unfair to sit there and take this. I was ready to respond, to pounce back. But as the attack went on, which in hindsight was a blessing, another thought slowly seeped into my head. It was the words of Jesus..."turn the other cheek." I quickly tried to get rid of this thought. I wanted revenge. I was being attacked. But then another thought came in, the words of Solomon who said a gentle word turns away anger. As I sat there contemplating these two competing emotions, anger and forgiveness, I said a prayer to God. His answer was to seek peace.
Many times, God tries to teach us do things that are counter to our human nature, unnatural is the word that jumps to my mind. I thought of a lesson that my class had in Sunday School last week. We were studying the prophet Micah and he told the people of Israel that God desired three things from them: seek justice, be merciful and walk humbly. In other words, God desires for us to seek justice, even when we're wronged. Even when we have every right to hate, He wants us to do what is right. He wants us to be merciful, to have compassion, even for those who don't deserve it. He wants us to walk humbly, even when we have a right to puff out our chests.
Jesus expands this line of thought in His sermon on the Mount. He says, "Blessed are are the meek ...Blessed are those that mourn... Blessed are those that are poor in Spirit..." He tells us to turn the other cheek when we've been wronged. He says we should embrace our trials. All these things go counter to our nature. They are, again, unnatural responses for human beings. But God teaches us to have these qualities. God wants us to exhibit them for the world. At first glance, they might be a sign of weakness. But when you take a look at it again, they are the opposite. They're a sign of strength. Anyone can be patient when the going is good. Anyone can be compassionate when they're not the one that needs it. The true measure of a person is how they respond to adversity. God wants us to trust Him in those times so we should embrace adversity. We should welcome it because its an opportunity for our faith in Him to grow.
Many times, God tries to teach us do things that are counter to our human nature, unnatural is the word that jumps to my mind. I thought of a lesson that my class had in Sunday School last week. We were studying the prophet Micah and he told the people of Israel that God desired three things from them: seek justice, be merciful and walk humbly. In other words, God desires for us to seek justice, even when we're wronged. Even when we have every right to hate, He wants us to do what is right. He wants us to be merciful, to have compassion, even for those who don't deserve it. He wants us to walk humbly, even when we have a right to puff out our chests.
Jesus expands this line of thought in His sermon on the Mount. He says, "Blessed are are the meek ...Blessed are those that mourn... Blessed are those that are poor in Spirit..." He tells us to turn the other cheek when we've been wronged. He says we should embrace our trials. All these things go counter to our nature. They are, again, unnatural responses for human beings. But God teaches us to have these qualities. God wants us to exhibit them for the world. At first glance, they might be a sign of weakness. But when you take a look at it again, they are the opposite. They're a sign of strength. Anyone can be patient when the going is good. Anyone can be compassionate when they're not the one that needs it. The true measure of a person is how they respond to adversity. God wants us to trust Him in those times so we should embrace adversity. We should welcome it because its an opportunity for our faith in Him to grow.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Bear witness...never let them forget
I'm a Social Studies teacher and whenever I teach European History, I always show a movie about the Holocaust called "Escape From Sobibor." It's a story about the only successful mass escape that concentration camp prisoners ever made against the Nazis. At the end of the movie, the leader of the Jews gets up in front of the prisoners and tells them, "for those of you that make it out of here, bear witness. Let the whole world know what has happened here. Never forget. Never forget." These Jewish prisoners put up with such unspeakable horrors, not because they wanted to survive. It would have been much easier for them to die. It would have spared them so much suffering. But they put up with it to bear witness. To tell the stories of the millions that died at the hands of the Nazis. They reasoned that if they all died, no one would tell the story.
Today is Holy Communion Sunday. Two thousand years ago, Jesus also gave us a testimony to tell the world. He told the disciples, "this is my body and my blood, broken and shed for the remission of your sins. Do this in rememberance of me, for as long as you shall live." In essence, He told His disciples to do the same thing the prisoners were told. He told them, "Go tell...go tell the world what you have seen here." And thankfully, they did.
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel about the courage of those disciples and to the millions of brave souls that have risked, and many gave, their lives to follow Jesus' command. I think of Paul and Silas. Of John and Peter. Of Timothy and James and Andrew. They too put up with unspeakable horrors to let the world know. Many of them died cruel and painful deaths because they "went and told." I think of the British missionary John Williams of the London Missionary Society. Who braved the open seas and travelled thousands of miles to the South Pacific. Because of them, the Gospel reached our shores in Samoa. I think of our anscestors who did their part, and went into the jungles of Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Some died there. All to let the world know and to never forget.
We live in a country that is truly blessed. We enjoy the freedom to worship and witness without fear. I sit at a computer and type words on a keyboard. The most stress I put up with is carpal syndrome. I am truly awed and humbled when I reflect on those extraordinary human beings. And there are thousands still out there today, sowing in fields all over the world. Keeping the Great Command.
And while we honor and thank the messengers, let us never lose sight of the message. That on Calvary two thousand years ago, our Lord shed His blood for us. As we partake of that rememberance, let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice. The one done for you and me. Let me leave you with the words of a classic Samoan hymn...E Manatua
E manatua, le togiola
Le na maliu i Korokota
Talu oe ma ita sa nofo pologa
Lenei ua maua le sa'olotoga
O le pale tuitui i le Ao
A'ao na tu'ia i fao
Ae fa'alogo ia i le upu
Lenei ua taunu'u
E leai se mea ou te mafaia
Pe a aunoa ma oe
O lo'u lea fa'amoemoe
E fia fa'atasi pea ma oe
Le Fa'aola e ua ou sau nei
E leai lava o so'u lelei
Ae fia tia'i le masesei
Ia e alofa mai
E leai se na alu a'e
Na o le na afio mai
Le fa'aolataga mo ita
Lenei ua ou teuina
Lo'u loto lenei ua sagisaig
Le manai fou mai le lagi
Uso e o la'u lea auniga
Lou pale nei avea e se tasi
P.S. If any of you who are tech savvy know of a way I can put music on this blog, please post it or email please. It would be awesome to include a song of the day or something like that as we visit. Be blessed.
Today is Holy Communion Sunday. Two thousand years ago, Jesus also gave us a testimony to tell the world. He told the disciples, "this is my body and my blood, broken and shed for the remission of your sins. Do this in rememberance of me, for as long as you shall live." In essence, He told His disciples to do the same thing the prisoners were told. He told them, "Go tell...go tell the world what you have seen here." And thankfully, they did.
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel about the courage of those disciples and to the millions of brave souls that have risked, and many gave, their lives to follow Jesus' command. I think of Paul and Silas. Of John and Peter. Of Timothy and James and Andrew. They too put up with unspeakable horrors to let the world know. Many of them died cruel and painful deaths because they "went and told." I think of the British missionary John Williams of the London Missionary Society. Who braved the open seas and travelled thousands of miles to the South Pacific. Because of them, the Gospel reached our shores in Samoa. I think of our anscestors who did their part, and went into the jungles of Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. Some died there. All to let the world know and to never forget.
We live in a country that is truly blessed. We enjoy the freedom to worship and witness without fear. I sit at a computer and type words on a keyboard. The most stress I put up with is carpal syndrome. I am truly awed and humbled when I reflect on those extraordinary human beings. And there are thousands still out there today, sowing in fields all over the world. Keeping the Great Command.
And while we honor and thank the messengers, let us never lose sight of the message. That on Calvary two thousand years ago, our Lord shed His blood for us. As we partake of that rememberance, let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice. The one done for you and me. Let me leave you with the words of a classic Samoan hymn...E Manatua
E manatua, le togiola
Le na maliu i Korokota
Talu oe ma ita sa nofo pologa
Lenei ua maua le sa'olotoga
O le pale tuitui i le Ao
A'ao na tu'ia i fao
Ae fa'alogo ia i le upu
Lenei ua taunu'u
E leai se mea ou te mafaia
Pe a aunoa ma oe
O lo'u lea fa'amoemoe
E fia fa'atasi pea ma oe
Le Fa'aola e ua ou sau nei
E leai lava o so'u lelei
Ae fia tia'i le masesei
Ia e alofa mai
E leai se na alu a'e
Na o le na afio mai
Le fa'aolataga mo ita
Lenei ua ou teuina
Lo'u loto lenei ua sagisaig
Le manai fou mai le lagi
Uso e o la'u lea auniga
Lou pale nei avea e se tasi
P.S. If any of you who are tech savvy know of a way I can put music on this blog, please post it or email please. It would be awesome to include a song of the day or something like that as we visit. Be blessed.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Fear of the swine flu
The news this week has been dominated by news of the swine flu. It seems like whenever we turn on the news or go on the internet all they talk about is the flu. When I go to work, flu seems to be the hot topic of discussion. There are school districts in Texas that have closed down because of fears of the flu. All our athletic events and extra-curricular activities have been put on hold until further notice. There's even whispers about not having graduation ceremonies this year because public health officials want to discourage large gatherings of people.
The underpinnings of all these things is fear. More precisely, the fear of death. It's a big deal because people are afraid of death. Death is the number one fear for people. As a Christian watching all of this, I'm hit by the reality that many people fear death because they don't know what happens to them after they die. All they know is the present, the here and now. As Christians, we are assured a home when he leave this life, whether due to swine flu or any other reason.
In these uncertain times, it's natural for us to think of death. Living around an army base, we hear of death almost daily from Iraq and Afghanistan. When we look to scripture, we are assured by the psalmist that our lives are in God's hands. Psalm 139:16 says that "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." What an awesome promise. Before we were even born, God knew the number of days we would be on this earth. God's timing is perfect...even in death. If we're believers in Jesus, we can be assured that death is an open door to eternal life with Him.
That doesn't mean that we live carelessly, or do not hurt when a loved one dies. But it gives us the assurance that when we die, that will not be the end of us. We are comforted by the knowledge that God knows the number of days He has ordained for us. So take all the precautions against the swine flu. Wash your hands and keep proper hygiene. But we shouldn't be shackled by fear of death because Christ died to free us from that fear and opened the door to everlasting life for everyone that accepts Him as their Lord and Savior.
The underpinnings of all these things is fear. More precisely, the fear of death. It's a big deal because people are afraid of death. Death is the number one fear for people. As a Christian watching all of this, I'm hit by the reality that many people fear death because they don't know what happens to them after they die. All they know is the present, the here and now. As Christians, we are assured a home when he leave this life, whether due to swine flu or any other reason.
In these uncertain times, it's natural for us to think of death. Living around an army base, we hear of death almost daily from Iraq and Afghanistan. When we look to scripture, we are assured by the psalmist that our lives are in God's hands. Psalm 139:16 says that "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." What an awesome promise. Before we were even born, God knew the number of days we would be on this earth. God's timing is perfect...even in death. If we're believers in Jesus, we can be assured that death is an open door to eternal life with Him.
That doesn't mean that we live carelessly, or do not hurt when a loved one dies. But it gives us the assurance that when we die, that will not be the end of us. We are comforted by the knowledge that God knows the number of days He has ordained for us. So take all the precautions against the swine flu. Wash your hands and keep proper hygiene. But we shouldn't be shackled by fear of death because Christ died to free us from that fear and opened the door to everlasting life for everyone that accepts Him as their Lord and Savior.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Ou te ala sa'ili
How many of us get up every morning and the first thing we do is praise God? Or seek Him? Often time, the first thing I do is hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. And when I finally get up, our routine is so hectic that I don't get a chance to just be still, as the psalmist says, and praise my Lord for giving me a new day.
One of my favorite worship songs right now is "Oute ala sa'ili" sung by Elijah Tavai. That song has a deep resonance with me. I know my family knows this because its on constant repeat on the IPOD in our living room. The chords, the arrangement, the slack key guitar, the vocals, all of it is just perfect. But what really resonates with me are the words. It starts of saying, and I'll translate, "I wake up seeking you, I wake up longing for you my God." "Ou te ala sa'ili ia te oe lo'u Ali'i, ou te ala naunau ia te oe lou Atua". Simple, yet majestic words. Words of a soul that yearns for his Lord. And when does this happen? When he wakes up. That must mean that he thinks of the Lord even in his sleep if he wakes up seeking him. What a beautiful testimony. He's saying that Christ is not a spot on his schedule, not an appointment to be kept, not an alloted time slot on the calendar. Christ is the center of his life because he begins everyday seeking him.
How many of us take the time out to thank God for the sun that rises every morning? Could you imagine a world without the sun? Yet, we take it for granted everyday that it will be there. In these uncertain times, with our country at war, with our financial system in a mess, and now with the threat of a pandemic, it is even more important to set our priorities. And what should be more important than seeking God in our lives first and foremost.
The second verse of the song says that I prepare my heart heart for your arrival, that I get ready always for you my Lord. May you be praised above all things. Your glory I do. "Ou te tapenapena mo lou afio mai i nei, ou te sauniuni pea mo oe lo'u Matai, Ia vi'ia Oe i mea uma, O lou vi'iga ou te faia". What a testimony. What a mindset, a way of life.
I will end with a story I read in a magazine. It's about a college professor that did an experiment. He brought a pound of large rocks, a pound of pebbles and a pound of sand. He also brought a glass jar. He challenged his class to fit all those items in the jar. After trying unsuccessfully to put the items in, the students told him they didn't fit. The jar was too small. The professor assured them that there is a way, and that all the items fit in there. After trying some more, the class gave up. The professor marched to the front and proceeded to put the large rocks in first. That filled the jar. Then he poured the pebbles in. The pebbles fell between the cracks of the big rocks. And with amazement, the students saw the professor pour in the sand last and the tiny particles found a place among the rocks and pebbles. The professor asked the class what the secret was. Someone in the back yelled, "its the order." The professor smiled. His job was done.
I think of that story every time I have to prioritize my life. Make sure you put the big rocks in first. Everything else will fall in place. They will find their way in the cracks and crevices of the big rocks. And there's no bigger rock in our life than our relationship with God. Then my family. And one of the most important parts of your relationship with God is to constantly seek out His will for your life. You can begin everyday doing that. Seek God the first thing in the morning. Ou te ala sa'ili...
One of my favorite worship songs right now is "Oute ala sa'ili" sung by Elijah Tavai. That song has a deep resonance with me. I know my family knows this because its on constant repeat on the IPOD in our living room. The chords, the arrangement, the slack key guitar, the vocals, all of it is just perfect. But what really resonates with me are the words. It starts of saying, and I'll translate, "I wake up seeking you, I wake up longing for you my God." "Ou te ala sa'ili ia te oe lo'u Ali'i, ou te ala naunau ia te oe lou Atua". Simple, yet majestic words. Words of a soul that yearns for his Lord. And when does this happen? When he wakes up. That must mean that he thinks of the Lord even in his sleep if he wakes up seeking him. What a beautiful testimony. He's saying that Christ is not a spot on his schedule, not an appointment to be kept, not an alloted time slot on the calendar. Christ is the center of his life because he begins everyday seeking him.
How many of us take the time out to thank God for the sun that rises every morning? Could you imagine a world without the sun? Yet, we take it for granted everyday that it will be there. In these uncertain times, with our country at war, with our financial system in a mess, and now with the threat of a pandemic, it is even more important to set our priorities. And what should be more important than seeking God in our lives first and foremost.
The second verse of the song says that I prepare my heart heart for your arrival, that I get ready always for you my Lord. May you be praised above all things. Your glory I do. "Ou te tapenapena mo lou afio mai i nei, ou te sauniuni pea mo oe lo'u Matai, Ia vi'ia Oe i mea uma, O lou vi'iga ou te faia". What a testimony. What a mindset, a way of life.
I will end with a story I read in a magazine. It's about a college professor that did an experiment. He brought a pound of large rocks, a pound of pebbles and a pound of sand. He also brought a glass jar. He challenged his class to fit all those items in the jar. After trying unsuccessfully to put the items in, the students told him they didn't fit. The jar was too small. The professor assured them that there is a way, and that all the items fit in there. After trying some more, the class gave up. The professor marched to the front and proceeded to put the large rocks in first. That filled the jar. Then he poured the pebbles in. The pebbles fell between the cracks of the big rocks. And with amazement, the students saw the professor pour in the sand last and the tiny particles found a place among the rocks and pebbles. The professor asked the class what the secret was. Someone in the back yelled, "its the order." The professor smiled. His job was done.
I think of that story every time I have to prioritize my life. Make sure you put the big rocks in first. Everything else will fall in place. They will find their way in the cracks and crevices of the big rocks. And there's no bigger rock in our life than our relationship with God. Then my family. And one of the most important parts of your relationship with God is to constantly seek out His will for your life. You can begin everyday doing that. Seek God the first thing in the morning. Ou te ala sa'ili...
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