Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Valentine’s, the day of love. I am so blessed because I got to do exactly what I wanted to do all day long. Well, almost all day. After sleeping late, messing with the horses and making some glass pieces, I grilled beef kabobs for dinner. Then, husband and I watched one of my favorite movies, Pretty Woman, but after that, it was time to knuckle down and pay bills.
Most of our monthly bills are due by the 18th, and today was the last day to schedule electronic bill pay and have them posted on time. Even though it was Valentine’s Day, it had to be done. It was timely that I should be going through the check book. Our Sunday School teacher says that our checkbook and our calendar reveal the things we truly love. So, what do I love?
I love having air conditioning, lights, hot water and appliances so I paid the electric bill. I love running water and someone to pick up my garbage so I paid the water bill. I love having telephone, computer service, and television so I paid the telephone bill. I love being able to go to the dentist (no, not really, but I want healthy teeth), glass supplies, and a son who will graduate high school in May and needed a cap, gown and announcements so I paid the credit card bill. I love another son so I paid the monthly payment on his student loan. Mixed in with those bills were purchases at the grocery store because I really love to eat, horse feed, dog food, gas for my car, Valentine’s Day gifts for all three of my “boys” and a blender so youngest son could make smoothies and a huge mess in my kitchen.
From there, I looked at my calendar which reminded me to call a dear friend to wish her happy birthday. Today is my college roommate’s birthday. We have been friends for thirty three years now. More than half our life. She shares my addiction to glass so we talked techniques and prices of supplies while she fixed supper for her family.
The calendar also showed an upcoming visit from another friend that I am excited about and several doctor’s appointments that I am not excited about though they show I am trying to take better care of myself. Though Monday is a holiday, the week will still hold several meetings at work and church. Next Saturday, husband and youngest son are going to the annual father son trip to the Monster Trucks.
So, my checkbook and calendar reveal that I love my comforts, my hobbies, my family and my friends, not necessarily in that order. Finally, they also show that I love my church and that I love God, though sadly, according to my checkbook and my calendar, not as much as I love myself, others and things.
So, what do you love? Get out your calendar and your checkbook and see what they show.
Cathy, I haven’t read your blog before, but I love your insight. Our Sunday School teacher is one smart lady. It seems like our check book reflects the many items of necessity that we must have. We too like to eat and spend much on that luxury. When I look at my Calendar I see lots of work and though not scheduled I know I have lots of time with my family. I am grateful to have them here with me, except of course my mom and Dave in Tennesse and my brother.
I will check back on your blogs to see your wisdom for the day. Thanks for the blessing and the words of encouragement that you present in your blog.
Lesli