There is a time for cutting grass, and a time for not cutting grass. Today was not the day.

Last week the grass in my yard needed cut. I intended to do it in the morning on this day, my day off. But, always open for free entertainment, I took our three kids to the free movie that our local theater offers during the summer. We got home around noontime. I then sat outside with my wife and talked for a while.
Then we all came inside and had a nice lunch, and the grass still needed cut.

After lunch my son wanted to show me a new video game and wanted me to play it with him, which I did. After that, my youngest daughter brought me a book and wanted me to read to her. The afternoon was continuing, and the grass still wasn’t cut.

My son and I then played one of his favorite computer games, after which my oldest wanted me to see her website she had just designed and read her latest blog. Then, we all played a few board games as a family. The afternoon turned into evening and my two youngest picked out books, I read to them and put them to bed.

I went to bed that night and the grass still needed cut.

I got thinking that a lot of people would have said that I didn’t accomplish anything that day. However, I would rather have weeds in my yard, then weeds in my family relationships. I have read that people spend the most time on things that are the most important to them. I have known men who clean and polish their cars, but their family is rusting.

Now, there certainly is a time for cutting grass and yardwork, but today was not the day. The grass can wait.

I didn’t think too much more about it until the day after our “family day”, when the neighbor girl asked to come over and wound up staying for supper and playing with our kids. I always wanted our family to be an example to others, but I was unprepared for what happened next. After a few hours at our house, the neighbor girl said “I wish YOU were my brother and sister!.” She was saying “I wish I could live here.”

I know she sensed something different in our home. I am hoping it was love, commitment, security, and a family that loved God and each other. She saw a mother and father who was first and foremost a husband and wife that were committed to God and to each other.

I learned something through all this. I was reminded to invest time where it really matters.

The little neighbor girl wanted to spend time at our house, even though the grass still needs cut!

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge - Tony Dungy

"This year, dare to be uncommon every day." This book consists of a years worth of devotionals for men, one page for each day. It is meant to be started on and day of the year, and continue on. There are seven themes throughout the book, Core, Family, Friends, Potential,  Mission, Influence, and Faith. This book is a continuation of his previous book, Uncommon.
 Even though I am not a football fan, I have a lot of respect for Tony for being so open about his faith and being such a public figure. This book will appeal to anyone who wants to start or end the day with inspiration from the Bible. Each page per day includes a Bible verse, and an uncommon key, plus an interesting story or observation from Tony. Several websites are also available including, www.uncommonchallenge.com, www.coachdungy.com and www.daretobeuncommon.net. It is good to see successful  high-profile sports pros being so open about who they are and what they believe.

More Lost Than Found - Jared Herd

Finding a Way Back to Faith. The author grew up as a pastor's kid, then after his parent's divorced, he began to question everything about the institution of the church and what he believed as a child. This is an honest search for answers to questions that a lot of people, even Christians, are asking. Jared serves as Creative Director for XP3, a division of the Rethink Group, and a well traveled speaker. There are discussion questions to be used in a group or individual setting.
I enjoy reading an author's honest search for the truth, but was concerned about references to Rob Bell books.
Jared makes a point that secular entertainment and ideas sometimes contain kernels of truth that can be helpful to  even Christians. Too many Christians are too isolated in the fishbowl for fear to be contaminated by "the world."
I'm reminded of a Steve Taylor lyric that states "I'll bet you only drink milk from a Christian cow."
Some interesting titles to chapters are, Tylenol and Duct Tape, Painting Over the Mona Lisa, and Christian Soup for the Christian Soul, which will bring some readers in just to see what it's all about.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is asking questions about our culture and Christianity, and how it is related.