Good stewards.

I'm not ashamed to say I represent what is portrayed in the photo above. I hate to throw anything away that might still be useful and have product in it. Pressing an old thin bar of soap into a new bar is standard practice and I will roll and squeeze every bit of toothpaste out of a tube I can get. I'm not cheap. I just don't like to waste anything.

Growing up in the 60s and 70s in a one income family provided many teachable moments on the fine art of conservation. We didn't throw away much and we probably did more recycling before it became hip and conscientious to do so.

If I had a penny for every old board we rescued from some garage or house structure, if I had a penny for every used nail I would have to straighten, I could be running for president.

Many words come to mind when I consider this way of living and consuming things.

frugal - conservative - mindful - stewardship - responsible - conscientious - caring

The above descriptors all fit into my schema for using resourses wisely and making them last; however, there is one commodity that I possess that needs to be used recklessly and without measure. Love.

Love, for the Day Is Near

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his

fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8, NIV)

Love is one thing I don't ever want to conserve.

Love will drive me to help someone sitting broke down alongside the highway.

Love will drive me to talk to the 20 something strung out on an illicit drug.

Love will drive me to seek justice for single mothers and unborn children.

Love will drive me to strike up a conversation with a total stranger.

God is Love. Our life is of God and therein means my life needs to be godly in expression. Using a transitive property then, my life needs to be loving.

I will use every ounce of energy I have to share the love of God with another person. I will not conserve this gift nor will I sequester it in some storage unit.

If there is one thing in short supply in our world, it would be godly love. Love that gives unconditionally, love that heals broken hearts, and love that holds accountability at the forefront are needed more than ever.

Today, when you brush your teeth, think of the ways you can show godly love to a world starving for meaningful relationships. How can you change the course of another human today simply because you chose to love and not ingnore.