Wise Energy Use

 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.                 – Isaiah 40:29

I ripped open the envelope from the electric company, and there it was again, another Home Energy Report. I remembered once asking my mother if she received these reports. 

“Yes,” she had said with disgust, “I don’t like them. It’s like a report card I didn’t ask for.” 

I had to chuckle. I could see where she was coming from. 

Each report includes an assessment entitled, “Your Electricity Use at a Glance,” with an arrow pointing to your “grade” on a bar scale. Mine was marked fair, not good, and certainly not great. Beneath my grade was an explanation of the assessment: “You likely used more this period due to changes in your home or energy habits.” Isn’t that obvious? 

And as if that weren’t enough, the report also includes a part on how you compare to others with a bar graph showing energy use by efficient homes, similar homes, and yourself. I had used significantly more than both of those categories. Of course I understand the purpose of this report. The electric company is promoting energy conservation. Tips to reduce home energy use are also given.  

That's Me!

 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11:1

One of Luca’s frequent sayings is “That’s me!” At just two years old, he is quick to see something in others worth emulating. Whether it’s the main character of one of his favorite PBS shows or the lead singer in a music video, he wants to take on their persona. Sometimes he assigns a role to me too. Usually I just play along. 

When Advent arrived, I pulled out my What God Wants for Christmas play & learn activity set. I used its boxes containing the characters of the Nativity to tell the Christmas story to Luca – over and over again. Soon he recognized the characters and began opening the boxes himself, identifying each one as he went. One day when he pulled out Baby Jesus, he said, “That’s me!” In a split-second, something felt wrong, sacrilegious even. I couldn’t let him think he’s God. I blurted out, “No, you’re not Baby Jesus!” 

Flowers of the Holy Spirit: Pointing to Jesus

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.—Matthew 5:16

It caught my eye as soon as I entered the store. I swooped it up and paid the cashier. When I returned home, I placed the stunning red poinsettia in the center of my dining table. Immediately its cheery color brightened the room. As I gazed at its beauty, I wondered how it became a popular Christmas decoration. I knew it originated from Mexico, but that was about all. Could its name have been derived from its pointed leaves?

A Match Made in Heaven

 

“With God all things are possible.”

—Matthew 19:26 

On this date three years ago I received an email that would change my life.

I had received the email notification from Match.com, a dating site I had previously subscribed to. After too many years of not meeting “the one,” I canceled my subscription, but apparently I failed to hide my profile.

Out of curiosity, I read the email – only three sentences long.