Next Newspaper Article

Unfortunately, I 've been a bit uninspired lately. Thus the lack of inspiring words on my part. However, I had to dig deep last week to whip out my next article for the KC Star which will run December 20. I'll give you a sneak peak if you promise not to tell anyone!

I saw an advertisement the other day for “maintenance free living”. Although I’m aware that the ad was directed toward seniors, I had to laugh at what I believe is quite a misnomer. Surely a place like that just doesn’t exist, not even in my white-haired future. My current, crazy life is far from effortless. My lengthy to-do list reflects all the items I must maintain. Presently, I must maintain my family’s schedule, my checkbook, my car, my health, even the highlight job on my hair. The level of maintenance varies along with the frequency of upkeep but it’s still there demanding attention from time to time. I certainly believe my life will always require maintenance no matter my age. This also includes maintaining my relationship and faith in God.
Faith can be one of those things that get lost in the shuffle. Life throws so many distractions our way. Those distractions can come in various forms, whether it’s devastating disappointments or hard earned successes. Even everyday life has a way of stealing our focus. We sometimes lose sight of what we’re living for. And just like our lawns and our to-do lists, our faith can quickly become neglected.
Another thing I know is that it is much easier to maintain something than it is to go back and fix something that has not been tended to. It is better to carefully protect and attend to the things we deem important as opposed to procrastinating and saving their upkeep for another day.
We have choices everyday. We choose to embrace or ignore opportunities countless times every hour that we’re awake. The decisions we make are quick, sometimes without thinking. We decide things big and small like spend or save, worry or trust, look someone in the eye or look away.
Maintenance free? I think that is better at describing home siding than it is living. Someday cooking, lawn care and snow removal may be something I am no longer responsible for. But maintaining my faith and my relationship with God must always be a priority.