Crossing T's

I am left handed. I will say things are much better now from when I was growing up--that, or I've adapted. I couldn't cut things at all. Scissors were definitely made for right handed people. I wonder if I had been given the same opportunities as others, maybe I would be more gifted in making crafts or maybe I would have learned how to sew. When you can't cut anything, it kind of slows you down. Later in life I got left handed scissors. It's great to be able to cut--simple pleasures.

I haven't been bothered much by a right handed world in recent years until last week. I bought this new type of correction tape that I saw someone use. It looked nicer than white-out. I was anxious to try it out. I looked at the directions--you had to press down as you guided it over the part to be covered. Well, it didn't take me long to realize that it is designed to be held in the right hand. That is not good for me--have you ever tried to draw a straight line with your non-dominant hand?

My worse memory of discrimination for my left-handedness came in 3rd grade--maybe it was 4th, I can't be sure because I had the same teacher for two years in a row--and it was two years of torture for me. I would have quit school if I could have. My only day ever of playing hooky was that year.

Anyway, in retrospect I am not sure my dilemma was due to being left handed or that I was just different. Nevertheless, the teacher told my parents at the conference that there was a problem. I would not cross my t's from left to right. I always did it right to left. Yes, this is a true story. Fortunately, my parents thought this was foolishness, as I did, and stood up for me. I guess I should be grateful that the teacher didn't slap me with a ruler every time I did it. To this day I cross my t's from right to left and I'm proud of it. To me it's a natural movement to catch it on the way back and you wouldn't know if I hadn't told you. I defy anyone to look at a piece of paper and decipher which way the person crossed their t's.

I've been thinking about t's this year. It started with my Christmas cards. I thought it was neat to put a star over the "i" in Christmas to represent the star that the wise men followed and I crossed the "t" up high to represent the cross.

As the new year started, I decided that this year (perhaps a resolution), I will cross all my t's high like a cross. This is helping me to daily remember Jesus and what He did for us. It reminds me that He should be in my life every day. It takes a conscious effort to do it, but I am enjoying the challenge and appreciate the chance to find God in all I do.

I would like to challenge all Christians out there to do the same. I think it would be neat for the word to spread and for people everywhere to be seeing the subliminal message being sent with all the "crosses" in our written words. In a world where God is being omitted or neglected, let's bring Him him back in even the littlest ways, such as crossing t's--and it doesn't matter whether you do it from left to right or right to left.

A Challenge For You

Here's a challenge for you.

I've worked at the same place for 28 years. Over that time I have waited on some of the same customers that long. They have always lived in town and I have seen them either every work day or at least once a month, depending on the customer.

I have learned various things about different customers. We have learned the hobbies of some and know who to ask questions about different categories.

There are ones who I have become friends with and have expanded our relationship to out of work. But something interesting happened last year.

I got involved with a Bible study group with this couple who I have waited on forever. I always treated them like a customer but never knew them very well. Last year I had such a treat in getting to really know them. I was so glad I had that opportunity. It was such a treasure that was under my nose the whole time. Look at all the years that I wasted not really knowing them.

I wonder how many other treasures are out there that we all pass by every day.
Here's a challenge...take the time to find out a little more about someone who God keeps putting in your life. Perhaps there is a reason that they are on the outskirts of your life all the time--whether it be a regular grocery bagger, a bank teller or a friend of a friend that you keep seeing--take the time to know a little more about them. You may get the greatest treasure--a new friend. I know I got so much richer from having those two new people in my life. (Not to mention a couple of other customers who I connected with and have become friends with--but that was a more logical evolving). Go out on a limb and ask that person about their kids or their home or what movie they've seen recently--show an interest and you may find yourself richly blessed. I hope you do.