This time of year is always busy. I am in sales and as the year winds down, many companies are looking to wrap up the year so they can kick off the coming year with all of their agreements in place. It is also busy because of the holidays. No matter if you are Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, there are traditions and things to do. If you have gifts to buy or parties to attend, you have that much more to do.
That is why it is so refreshing to see a little girl here in Charlotte building out what I believe will become her legacy. Her name is Katie Greene and she is 8 years-old. Three years ago (yes, I said 3 years ago) she started a toy drive for kids that are in the hospital over Christmas. That first year, she was able to raise a few hundred dollars and provide presents to kids at one hospital. This year, she has raised over $9,000 and will be able to provide multiple gifts for kids in 4 hospitals. What an amazing story.
What is special to me isn't the fact that she is only 8 years-old, although that is amazing in itself. No, what is special to me is the giving spirit Katie has. How she looked at others and thought of them first. How she didn't ask for herself but for those she felt had a stronger need. How she knew that deep down, she could help those that needed her and asked for nothing in return.
Yes, Katie Greene is one special young lady but what a great story to tell about doing God's work.
Merry Christmas Katie but I think you have already received your gifts.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Being Thankful, Even in Difficult Times
You've heard the saying there is always someone worse off than you are. But when you are in the middle of difficult times, that saying doesn't bring you much comfort. Oh sure, we feel a little better knowing that somewhere out in the world there is someone facing bigger challenges than we face but we still have to face our own challenges, so we don't feel that comforted with this little bit of knowledge.
Still, inside this saying is something that is really close to home and does give us sense that no matter what we face today, we will come out better once it has passed. What I am talking about are all of the blessings you have received and how altogether good your life really is. If you are going through a job loss but you still have your family, your friends, a roof over your head, food on the table, you are blessed. No, you aren't in the lap of luxury but you are still warm, dry, and fed. That is so important and such a blessing. Of course, it is easy to see how this challenge is a big deal and it is a big deal, make no mistake about it. But God is still in control and we should give Him praise for what he has already given. We were never promised an easy life but we are promised a good life and that can never be bad.
So, take a moment today to give thanks for all your blessings. Things like your family, friends, the things God has provided to you, which is everything. By realizing what you have, you don't regret what you may not have.
Still, inside this saying is something that is really close to home and does give us sense that no matter what we face today, we will come out better once it has passed. What I am talking about are all of the blessings you have received and how altogether good your life really is. If you are going through a job loss but you still have your family, your friends, a roof over your head, food on the table, you are blessed. No, you aren't in the lap of luxury but you are still warm, dry, and fed. That is so important and such a blessing. Of course, it is easy to see how this challenge is a big deal and it is a big deal, make no mistake about it. But God is still in control and we should give Him praise for what he has already given. We were never promised an easy life but we are promised a good life and that can never be bad.
So, take a moment today to give thanks for all your blessings. Things like your family, friends, the things God has provided to you, which is everything. By realizing what you have, you don't regret what you may not have.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Luke 2: 1-20 The Birth of Jesus
This morning, our minister "introduced" us to the tax collector from Luke chapter 2, the Birth of Jesus. It was a really unique way to share the birth of our Lord, from the point-of-view of the tax collector. What that makes me think is how we all have a point-of-view on things but in particular, our faith.
I freely admit to being a bucket of goo. What I mean is that I can find something warm and emotional in very simple but touching moments. But "hearing" the tax collector talk about his own life and how the birth of Jesus touched him was very moving. It was a great way to see this miracle from another vantage point. Can you imagine how you would have reacted to the events that winter night so many years ago? Would you have been in awe or would you have been a skeptic? Would you have stopped what you were doing long enough to find out what was going on or would you have hurried on your way to get out of the cold and damp night? When Mary shared her new born son with you, would you have accepted his message or written it off to just another false profit? No matter your reaction, that night so many years ago, in a land so far away from here, literally changed the world.
God gave his only son so that we might live. What a great story of hope, love, and peace.
I freely admit to being a bucket of goo. What I mean is that I can find something warm and emotional in very simple but touching moments. But "hearing" the tax collector talk about his own life and how the birth of Jesus touched him was very moving. It was a great way to see this miracle from another vantage point. Can you imagine how you would have reacted to the events that winter night so many years ago? Would you have been in awe or would you have been a skeptic? Would you have stopped what you were doing long enough to find out what was going on or would you have hurried on your way to get out of the cold and damp night? When Mary shared her new born son with you, would you have accepted his message or written it off to just another false profit? No matter your reaction, that night so many years ago, in a land so far away from here, literally changed the world.
God gave his only son so that we might live. What a great story of hope, love, and peace.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Weclome to My Everyday Faith!
Hello and welcome to My Everyday Faith. My name is Tommy Crawford but my friends call me Tc. Over the past few years, I've been on a personal journey, rediscovering my faith. I'm not a minister. I am not a theologian. I am not one to be at the church every time the doors open. I am a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, and friend. In short, I am an everyday guy just like you.
And here in lies the reason I wanted to write about My Everyday Faith. I was on a flight back from Denver, Colorado and had just finished reading a book by Mitch Albom called "Have a Little Faith". As I sat in my seat thinking about this great book (I highly recommend it!), deep down inside, I felt that I too wanted to explore my faith. Now considering that I am not what society would call a religious person, I felt that there had to be more people out in the world like me, everyday folks that are ready to have a closer relationship with God. The reason for the blog is that I can share my journey but also, share what I have learned about myself. And if I can help someone else rediscover their faith in the process, then my small contribution will have made a difference and that is more rewarding than anything money can buy.
So, again, welcome! I sincerely hope we become friends and family in Christ. I hope to share my thoughts on the journey and rediscovery of a life closer to God and all it means to me. Please let me hear from you and let's continue this grand and wonderful trip together.
Tc
And here in lies the reason I wanted to write about My Everyday Faith. I was on a flight back from Denver, Colorado and had just finished reading a book by Mitch Albom called "Have a Little Faith". As I sat in my seat thinking about this great book (I highly recommend it!), deep down inside, I felt that I too wanted to explore my faith. Now considering that I am not what society would call a religious person, I felt that there had to be more people out in the world like me, everyday folks that are ready to have a closer relationship with God. The reason for the blog is that I can share my journey but also, share what I have learned about myself. And if I can help someone else rediscover their faith in the process, then my small contribution will have made a difference and that is more rewarding than anything money can buy.
So, again, welcome! I sincerely hope we become friends and family in Christ. I hope to share my thoughts on the journey and rediscovery of a life closer to God and all it means to me. Please let me hear from you and let's continue this grand and wonderful trip together.
Tc
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