Well, I'm sure V-Date Day went well for most of us. And now, what to our wondering eyes do appear? Green little things all there and here!

At the Food Lion grocers, I donated a shamrock for something. Same at the gas pumps. Ditto at Girl Scout cookies. My church needs another 8 ft ladder. The commercial on TV says almost giving did not provide housing for a family sleeping in their car. There's a TV preacher saying if I have faith enough to send him $1500.00, my dreams will come true. 

I like green. I was actually born in March. I'll be 52 this year. I was thinking of going to Savannah GA, just to see green beer. I feel good when I give to a worthy cause. I feel good when I see so many volunteers reaching out to others. But, I have to draw a line at whether my good giving will bring riches to me, or the TV.

Every week, we all get many requests for many worthy ideas. Where does the line between guilt and neglect and charity and selfishness get drawn? Do I feel guilty when a child is missing a meal? Yes, especially one of mine. 

I must confess that if I am busy during the day, I sometimes don't even think about eating. When my first two were with me, when they were children, round about 3:00pm, they would slide next to me and say they were hungry. I would feel like a dope. Thank goodness the last two will remind me much earlier in the day. 

I have a choice of when I eat. I have a choice of whether to eat. I have a responsibility to feed my family. Then, I have a responsibility to feed God's children. For years, I heard a tithe was ten%. Lately, I hear pulpits saying that 5% of your earnings should be earmarked for your church and then give elsewhere. 

God tells us that there will always be poor people. People who need our time, our energies, our talents, and our money. He also said that personal time with Him was more important than the poor. I think He even indicates that time with family is very important. (Part of the Ephesians stuff about Fathers do not provoke your children to anger.)

When we think of St Patrick, or Mother Theresa, or this Easter holiday, the thoughts should be of how can we best help each other. These guys are called Saints because they cared for their neighbors. Yes, there are certainly more opportunities than pockets. Still, find your ponies and ride them. Just because there are too many worthy causes does not excuse us from helping a few. 

One thing I like about the UMC, (and many churches) is that you can earmark your donations, or just give a lump to their general fund, where it gets divided among a lot of things. You can give to your church and specify what you want to help. There will be enough people to favor each cause, so don't feel so guilty about where your money goes. Just check up on the administrative percentages!

Anyway, for the remainder of March, Cultured Cowboy has agreed to donate $1.00 per T shirt sold to our local 4H groups. Many of you need a T Shirt anyway. Don't ya just feel good knowing that $1.00 of what you would spend anyway is going to help make future leaders! Mention 4H when you call in and we will earmark your $1.00's. 

Tell all your friends about this. We need all the help we can get. And the credit will be given to the customers of Cultured Cowboy, not just the store!  

Time Passes...

I did not make it to Savannah. Instead, I was wrapped in the passing of my Grandmother, and a renewal of my marriage.  

Today, I was reminded that St Pat's Day has come. As I reflect, I think of how plans or expectations can change really fast. When family called, I was happy to spend time with them. Funerals are for the living; not for the dead. 

Week before last, a huge wind came and tore down an old favorite plum tree. I was really upset about it and wrote another song. The words came faster than many. This week, tornados and hail pummeled the South. Friends had windows busted. Hail came through roofs.

I think St Patrick understood the gift of time on earth. Most of us just rush and rush. Rush is not all bad, as long as you enjoy the rushing. I think God gave signs and lyrics and comfort to again remind me that life is good. Yes, good, even in the midst of its storms.  Lydia held my hand Sunday evening, as we walked the farm to see what needed repair from the winds and hail. And I thought about how a child's smile could change disaster into a time of love.

OK, here's the song:

Tree in Bloom.

That old tree blew down last night. One day I will too.

I’m bending in the winds of life. Don’t know quite what to do.

I ate the fruit of that plum tree – fifty years – sweet blooms and fruit.

Seems time is so brief.  And me? What will my life be?

  (slight pause)

One hand on a Bible, one wrapped around a beer,

One minute facing heaven, the next I’m facing fear.

Trying to learn all I can about this crazy life,   before my life is through.

Trying to be the kind of man that Jesus wants me to.

  (2 measures music)

We’re given many chances.  That tree broke from its roots.

This might be the last stance. When will the wind call you?

One hand on a Bible, one wrapped around a beer,

One minute facing heaven, the next your facing fear.

Trying to learn all you can, before your life is through.

Trying to be the kind of man that Jesus wants you to.

  (up tempo - 4 climactic measures)

Seems mind's eye is so brief, what will our lives mean?  

Life calls. How do we respond?  Will we respond at all?

  (slight pause)

One hand on a Bible, one wrapped around a beer,

One minute facing heaven, the next we’re facing fear.

Trying to learn all we can, before our life is through.

Trying to be the kind of man that Jesus wants us to.

   (musical pause - slowly, softly)

       That old tree blew down last night. One day I will too.

C Taylor, Jr
03/09/2008

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