We've all heard the term, Pay it Forward, and we all have ideas of what it means. Maybe you think of that time when you were in the drive-thru at Starbucks, and the person in front of you paid for your order.

But, what's the difference between just doing something nice, like paying for a stranger's coffee, and Paying it Forward? What is it that we're paying forward?

Well, here's what I think.

I believe that it means giving something to someone else, that you've been given. So when someone pays for your coffee at Starbucks, the next time you go through the line, you do the same for the person behind you.

The thing is, Paying it Forward will cost you. And sometimes, people just don't want to be bothered. Hey, sometimes I don't want to be bothered myself.  It's nice to receive that free cup of coffee, but do we really want to pay for someone else's coffee the next time around?

Recently, I was given the opportunity on two separate occasions to offer my time as a mentor to new writers.  The cost in this case is my time. In both cases I reminded myself that, at one time, someone else offered her time to be my mentor. I wouldn't be experiencing some of the successes I am, had she not given of herself in that way.

I have a friend who has an eight month old baby. She sometimes needs a babysitter. Now, I happen to be head over heels in love with the little mushy face, so I enjoy doing it, but again, I also remember the days when my children were little and I needed help.

But most of all, at one time, I needed forgiveness of my sins. I needed someone to stand in the gap between me and God. Someone to stand up for me and say, "It's okay. I paid for her."  And I was given just that. If anyone ever paid, it was Jesus.  Sharing this gift is the ultimate way of Paying it Forward.

So, as you go about your day, take time to observe those around you. What can you Pay Forward? Does someone need a cup of coffee? Maybe they need a little of your time, or maybe they need to know Jesus loves them?  And guess what - that  cup or coffee, or that time you offer - just may be the way you show them that He does.                                      

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’   Matthew 25:40

Happy New Year!

I'm always conflicted on New Year's day. Actually, I'm conflicted about 20 minutes after the Christmas gifts are all opened.  

Christmas is my time of the year.  I love it!  I'm not a summer person. I don't like heat. I don't like to sweat. I'm an 'indoor girl'.  I learned the hard way, from a very young age, that my fair skin and the sun do not make good friends. I also get migraines from the heat. I get heat exhaustion faster than anyone I've ever known. I don't know how to swim.  Shall I go on?

These are the reasons that as soon as the calendar is turned to the month of September, I start to get excited. Even if it is still warm out, I know the temps are going to cool soon. Leaves start turn and fall.  Football is on its way (Go Niners!) Nice chilly, rainy days, when I get to hunker down in my comfy clothes, indoors.  The holidays are on their way. My sons birthdays are coming. It's a good time of year.

And then BLACK FRIDAY!  I get together with my bff and we hit the stores. I get positively giddy. Christmas music, sparkly decorations, picking out the perfect gift, decorating cookies. I love every moment of planning and scheming and cooking and baking and stressing out that it won't be perfect..

But after all that fun and excitement, it's over in, like, two hours.  And it's a whole year before I get to do it again!  And I have to go through another summer to get to it!  

And then there's the uncertainty of a new year. Will it be the year when everything works out and all my dreams come true? Or will it be a struggle to get out of bed every day?  It seems to stretch out before me like a tunnel to nowhere. 

But then . . . I look back on the year that just ended. And I am humbled at how God saw me through the days of struggle. How he made dreams come true, kept my family safe, and provided for our every need - plus plenty of wants.  I think about how, every year I say "It's Christmas time already? It seems like it just happened!"  and I know, I will feel that way again. The same magical, giddy, feelings will return.

And after all this contemplation, I can sit back, enjoy the fact that it's still winter, look forward to mine and my husband's 26th anniversary this month, what I will do for my family and friends for Valentine's day, what I will put in their Easter Baskets. . .and before I know it, I will find myself at an outdoor concert on a warm August evening, enjoying good friends. . .and in the blink of an eye it will be Christmas again.

I'm ready, Lord! 
Let's begin Adventure 2015!