Lemons

"be transformed by the renewing of your mind." ~ Romans 12:2

Several years ago, as a white elephant gag gift, I gave my nephew a bundle of sticks for Christmas. I'm sure I gave him another gift earlier in the day, but he only remembers the sticks and this season told his mother that the worst Christmas he ever had was when his aunt gave him sticks. At the time, nobody said anything to me about it as it was in the spirit of the giving at that time, but I sure heard about it through the grapevine this year!

 

As I thought about it, I wondered if perhaps his focus on the negative aspects of the sticks was a reflection of some guilt on his part. I also thought of the opportunities he wasted because he only focused on the negative instead of the positive. How many times do I do that too, when somebody hurts my feelings?

 

You've heard the saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!" As I pondered this, I wondered what wounds I could sweeten up? I could open my hand and let the negative flow out and turn my hand to make something better from it. Humm! Sticks, creative opportunities here! They could be burned to keep me warm, made into a log-type birdhouse, made into chew toys for rodents or large birds, chipped to make paper for cards, etc.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for forgiveness and grace between nephew and me. Renew our minds too. Amen!

 

 

Today's Quote: "I'd like to encourage you take off your blinders and see the whole spectrum of possibilities." ~ Annie Lockhart.

This Little Light of Mine

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16

I’m reminded of a song and prayer I learned as a child – “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine (repeat); Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine. Won’t let Satan snuff it out. I’m going to let it shine (repeat), Let it shine (repeat twice more); and “I see the moon, the moon sees me, God bless the moon, and God bless me.”

I have two choices in life – I can join the worldly crowd and do what they think is cool which often leads down into the seamier side of life or I can be virtuous and please God. We’re teaching our kids in Sunday School that heroes are ordinary people who do the right thing.

As an artist/crafter, I can reflect my Lord’s light like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden or a lamp on a stand in the product of my hands. I can pass on His light to everyone. I may be the only Bible someone reads. May my work and I be worthy.

Prayer: In this new year, Lord, remind me to reflect your light like the moon and shine on the pathway to your Son. Please give me creative ideas and projects that make you and the righteous life attractive. In His name, Amen!

Today’s Quote:

“She creates things that touch your heart. Her drawings have that nice quality. Crudeness and vulgarity hit us in the face everyday. Mary’s pictures capture something that we love and are losing fast.” ~ Mary Lois Engelbreit, mother of the greeting card illustrator, Mary Engelbreit

The Light of the World

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . And God said, ‘Let there be light and there was light. God saw that the light was good.” ~ Genesis 1:1,3,4a

As we headed to the cashier at a thrift shop to pay for our items, I overheard a argument between siblings about God creating the day and light. While it may not have been the most appropriate place to have the argument, it was refreshing to hear one about the Bible, knowing these children probably had a good foundation in the Word already by that time. I wondered if they knew that this light primed the world for the Light that came as a baby 2000 years ago to die for my sin.

Later, I picked up a book that caught my eye at the library about two brothers, Bob and Joe Switzer who invented the Day-Glo colors which helped to win a war, brighten everyday life, and save people’s lives. They mixed paints with fluorescent chemicals to make colors that glowed in the dark. But they had two problems – the colors only showed up under an ultraviolet lamp and daylight faded their paints. They kept experimenting, eventually mixing their dye with alcohol which made the colors glow intensely in daylight, too, without fading.

Prayer: Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for flashing your light in the dark regions of my heart, then washing it clean, and saving my life! Amen!

Today’s Quote:

"St. Nicholas visited many children in Europe on his feast day, December 6th, or the eve before, especially in the Netherlands. He, in centuries past, questioned the children on their knowledge of the Bible. For the correct answers, the children were rewarded with fruit, nuts, and sweets." ~ Barbara Hallman Kissinger.

A Two-Way Street

“another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. . .They provoked the Lord to anger because they forsook him. . .” ~ Judges 2:10b, 12c

I got angry several times this week because certain persons in my world talked about me behind my back instead of talking to me about a problem. As I processed my anger, I realized why I was so mad. I was feeling devalued.
Used to, I would fly off in a tantrum and have a pity party for one. But because of the admonition in the word about not sinning in my anger (Eph. 4:26;31-32), I knew I must forgive (Mt. 6:14; Col. 3:13) and continue on. The above scripture came to mind. My Daddy Lord got angry too! Somebody failed to communicate! And He was disregarded by ignorant Israelites bent on worshipping other gods.
Communication is two way. I throw the ball in their court, they throw the ball back into my court. At this point, I can continue the conversation or stop. Last month’s devotion was a gentle reminder of my own failure to communicate with my students. I stopped throwing the ball too soon, in fact, I failed to throw the ball at all.

Prayer: Father forgive me. Give me the grace to forgive both myself and others when we fail to communicate with each other. Thank you, Lord, for loving me and not condemning me for my past failures. In Jesus name, Amen!

Today’s Quote:

"While it is hoped that the members of a parish are important in one another's lives, that kind of relationship doesn't happen automatically. Church members must make an effort to strengthen the ties between them." ~ Sue Banker.

A Care Bearing

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~ Matthew 6:21

Our pastor gently reminded me that my students need to know how much they are cherished by me, their Sunday School teacher when I admitted that I was slacking off sending cards during a recent Sunday School teacher's meeting. I was no longer on the same page with Christ because of my disobedience. I repented at that moment and later spent time reading his love letter to me.

As I thumbed through the books of the Bible, a verse I had memorized some time ago came to my mind, so I turned to the reference in Galations 6:9. After I reread it, the two verses above it leaped out at me. I reap what I sow. I applied God’s wisdom to my situation - if I show I don’t care for my kids and their families, I will have few or no students. Big and little people are attracted to real love like bees to honey, so if I please the Spirit by obeying His nudges, showing by my actions that I care for them like He does, then I will make Sunday School attractive. And perhaps some day, reaping an investment of love, my students will spend eternity with me in heaven if I don’t give up doing good to them.

Prayer: Daddy Lord, I am weary and weak; please refresh me. You said your yoke was easy; please make your burden light too. Keep teaching me Lord about shepherding your lost sheep alongside you. Pull me close into your loving arms and then push me to obey. In Jesus name, Amen!

Today’s Quote:

“We are all pencils in the hand of God writing love letters to the world.” ~ Mother Teresa. 

When God Doesn’t Make Sense

“the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” ~ Isaiah 57:1.

Two different friends’ extended families lost nearly everything they owned in one of the tornadoes that ripped through our part of the country recently. It’s gut-wrenching when somebody we love is affected by natural disasters.

Recently we were discussing their plight over dinner and a story was relayed about God’s hand of protection concerning one of them. Everything nearby was swept away except for the walls surrounding the woman, clearly a miracle to us. Then a question was raised, so how do you answer people who ask how God can protect one person and not another when their loved one was killed. Where’s God’s protection in that? I answered, while I don’t know all God’s reasons for protecting one on earth and allowing another to die, there is a verse in the Bible that comforts me when the unexpected happens. If the person had lived, perhaps something far worse was in their future, like terrible suffering of some sort.

I’m an ant; only God can see the big picture and perhaps he protected the loved one who died, only not in the way we desired. We have to trust that God knows best and hold on to our faith!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for your protection. Be with the families who have lost loved ones. Give them peace like a river & strength to keep going. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Today’s quote:

"A card ministry team can be vital to the communication system within a church, a community, and beyond. Each member of the group is truly a missionary, reaching out to people in all phases of life, sharing God's love." ~ Sue Banker.

S.W.A.K

“Greet one another with a kiss of love.” -1 Peter 5:14

Beth, our pastor’s wife, helped her mother clean out her garage and ran across a box of letters her parents wrote when they were courting long distance. Her father was in the navy and stationed in a state some distance away from where her mother was living at the time. Beth said she learned much about her parents that she didn’t know before from reading their letters. For instance, she found a new-to-her acronym within her parent’s letters – S.W.A.K. “sealed with a kiss.” She also learned her mother has always loved to applaud people through praise notes.

Peter begins his letter with this greeting, “To God’s elect, strangers in the world,” and goes on to remind the receivers of his letter of who they are in Christ. He also writes that they can put their hope in a living Christ and that they must persevere under trials. He writes this way to remind them of who they are, God’s elect and that they are receiving the goal of their faith, the salvation of their souls!!! Peter ends his first letter with an agape S.W.A.K., love and peace from the Christian brotherhood.

Prayer: Dearest Lord, help me today as I write my little notes. Remind me of who it is that I’m writing to. As an extension of your hand, ink in loving, kind and encouraging words to strengthen their hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Quote:

"I didn't choose Christianity; I chose Jesus Christ. I am painting and writing what God shows me. I don't know much about the religions, but I know this: God looks at our love." ~ Akiane Kramarik.

Building Blocks

“Train a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6
“You, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. . .”
1 Peter 2:5

Ever watch a mason build a brick or stone wall? He starts with a strong foundation, usually of concrete, which is poured into a molded form inside of the ground. He lets it cure or get hard and then slaps on the mortar, the glue that holds the bricks together. After that, he places the bricks into place one at a time, building them up until they become a wall of a house.

I’m a mom, teach a preschool Sunday School class and believe this age is the prime time to build those disciplines (habits) children will need all their lives, such as kindness, taking turns, patience, looking out for brother, knowing how to read and write, Bible verse memorization, etc. As a teacher, it’s my job to help model those values, too, and to tell the children when they’ve done well. I make ATC’s (artist trading cards) as rewards for attendance and send cards periodically to let the children know they are thought of and loved. I’m helping the parents build a strong foundation under their children for their future, for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, remind me that it’s too important to let those building blocks slide. Remind me that children need to know they are cared for and loved. Help me be a good model, kind, but firm when needed. In Jesus name, Amen!

Today’s Quote:

“People long to belong. To be remembered strengthens one's sense of identity and purpose. . .To be seen, known, appreciated between sessions, send postcards, call, e-mail participants. Soon they may begin to be significantly attentive to one another as well." ~ Norma Cook Everist.

Let Your Fingers Do the Talkin'

"Comfort, comfort my people." ~ Isaiah 40:1

When I miscarried my much-wanted first baby, the thing that helped me the most was a card from my sister that said my baby was in heaven. Somehow, I could picture my baby being carried in the arms of Jesus which comforted me.

Then when my father passed away suddenly, the letters we received from people writing about some incident that they remembered about him (he was such a prankster), helped us know that he wasn't forgotten and we could laugh through our tears.

The compassionate cards, letters, and photos we received are the things we remember best; tangible items, many of which we have kept, knowing somebody cared about our hurt. My dad received flowers at his funeral, but I don't remember now who sent them and they have faded away.

My mother has compiled many photo scrapbooks and she said, although it was hard to document their life together, at the same time it was healing too. She was able to remember, let go and say goodbye through the process.

Prayer: Show me one person today that you care about in need of an encouraging word, some comfort, some cheer. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Today's Quote:

Let us dare to read, think, speak and write. ~ John Adams, 1765

Choke-Cherries

"get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger . . forgiving each other. . ." Ephesians 4:31a, 32b

Yesterday, in my late teen's, I took art classes at the local Junior College and made some artsy collages with found materials I had at hand (assemblage). My favorite one had as a foundation, a wooden fruit crate. I wove a yarn blanket across the inside back and hung trinkets here and there. And I had also gotten crafty with a pair of my grandfather's blue farmer overhalls. He died the year before, so when my grandmother gave away his clothing, I requested a pair he wore almost constantly. To make them more feminine, I embroidered flowers across the top and down the sides of the bib. I felt connected and close to my grandpa when I wore them.

One weekend, after a sleep-over at a girlfriend's, I came home to a sterile bedroom. My mother had entered my private sanctum, less than perfectly clean, and hauled all kinds of trash out of there, as she put it. AACK! My favorite collage was gone and my overhalls were too! Man, I hurt! I guess she didn't know how much those cherished treasures meant to me

Since my mother didn't see beauty the same way I did, I have felt since then, nothing I created was worthy. I've nursed hurt instead, allowing a grudge to choke creativity out.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for showing me the sin I was hiding in my heart. Pluck the anger & blame game out; shine joy on me instead. Confirm my value to you. Grow my creativity forward. In Jesus name, Amen!

Today's Quote:

"The harsh critic within (self-doubt and judgement) are all-too-familiar thieves that keeps creativity stuck in our souls." ~ Annie Lockhart.

Posh-ibilities

"with God, all things are possible. ~ Matthew 19:26"

I read a book from the library: "Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women." By Jo Packham. Sterling, 2005. Dee Gruenig's favorite quote was listed and I just had to find it in the scriptures. To my delight, in the book of Matthew, chapter nineteen, I found Jesus comparing the kingdom of God to needlework: "I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (v.24). Jesus created a word picture for his disciples, many of whom were fishermen and well aquainted with a needle for mending their nets. Now here was something I could identify with too -- needlework craft!

I tried to imagine pushing a camel or old money bags through a needle. Would have to be a mighty big one! And then, I remembered the mechanical puzzles we used to play with – like the one where we had to figure out how to get a small ring off the chains welded between two horseshoes.

Isn't it amazing how God can see the possible solutions to the puzzles in my life, like how to design a card to theme for a magazine, etc.

Prayer: I praise you, Jesus, for your ability to captivate your disciples then and now. Thank you for the solutions to our puzzles. Thank you for the gifting of the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). I praise your name!

Today's Quote:

"Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then [you] reassemble those floating bits and pieces into enticing new possibilities." ~ Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

A Script

"Always be prepared to give an answer . . ." ~ 1 Peter 3:15

A soldier is said to have an automatic response when faced with firing from the enemy. He has been trained by constant practice with his firearm to shoot quickly and straight at the target.
Was my face red when I couldn't explain my Christian beliefs and our basic church doctrine to a group of ladies during a recent card-making gathering. I drew a blank until I returned home and remembered what I should have said. Now it was too late to go back and redo it. I lost my chance to make a great first impression, because I hadn't rehearsed what I believe in my mind for the moment I needed it.
It won't do any good to beat myself up about it though. I will learn from this experience and practice an answer that should have been there for next time.

Prayer: Father, forgive me. Thank you for not holding my failure against me. I pray for wisdom and ask for your help in my daily life. Help me put together words so I'll be ready. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Today’s Quote: Outreach to the larger community is essential to the mission of the church. There are churches that exist separate from their own neighborhoods, islands of Christians closed off from the people outside the church doors. This is not what God intended, and it is not good for the long-term health of the church. We are called to be a beacon to the world, announcing and celebrating the love of Christ. A card ministry can, in its own quiet way, be one of the threads that draw us closer to one another, and thereby to God." ~ Sue Banker

Devotion: Believe

"He will not forget your work and the love you have shown." ~ Hebrews 6:10

When I was reading Stormie Omartian’s book "The Power of a Praying Woman," I recognized a BIG problem of mine. I am uncertain about my ability to write well on a professional level, to design impressive cards and fear that Jesus won’t show up when I need his help with either of those things. Stormie identified my trouble as lack of faith and trust in God which is sin. Pure and simple.

Thwack! Smack me upside the head! That hit me right between the eyes. And not only do I have a lack of faith, but then my enemy, Satan uses my insecurity about those things to intimidate me into backing off from all God has planned for me. He would thwart and divert me from ever relying on the Lord, thus keeping me enslaved and being an effective witness for Christ.

Prayer: Father, forgive my sin of disbelief and trust in you. Reveal to me what you see in me. Nudge me toward acknowledging that You are the one in control and that You have the power to give me the words to write and good designs for cards. Enable me to be more confident in you. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Today's Quote:

"Let intimidation take the day off." ~ Annie Lockhart.

Devotion: Christmas Greetings

"Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:21

They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Sir Henry Cole, director of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in Britain, in 1843, decided that there must be a better way of sending holiday greetings to his family, friends, and business associates than the colossal chore of handwriting holiday letters to each, so he commissioned an artist friend, John Calcott Horsley to create a card with a simple message that could be duplicated and sent to all his acquaintances. Horsley lithographed and hand-colored 1,000 copies of this first commercial card. It was a three-panel card – the center panel showed a family celebrating and the two wing panels depicted people feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. The card bore the simple greeting, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You,” which would become the standard sentiment of commercially mass-produced Christmas cards.

After 1890, Christians, wanting to focus on the reason for the season in their holiday postings, favored religious Christmas cards.

Prayer: Happy Birthday, Jesus! Thank you for loving me so much you would come to earth to be born in a humble village to bring me the good news of God’s saving grace! Remind me to pass forward the message of Christmas joy when I select my cards this year and to greet all in your name.

Today’s Quote:

“ Old Christmas card collections may relate little of importance to the material of ordinary history books, but certainly reveal and preserve almost every other aspect of life and atmosphere, fashion and the changing panorama as seen through the eyes of their contemporaries, and thus provide a realistic background to the appreciation of the more momentous events of the period.” ~ George Buday

Devotion: An Attitude of Gratitude

"give thanks in all circumstances. . . " ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I was ranting and raving in my prayer closet about the latest series of letters from our town's Neighborhood Services about our tall grass. I was feeling put out and persecuted because we have had a couple of lawn mowers stolen recently and it's rained too, which has put a damper on mowing. It was hard to be thankful in those circumstances and I was letting God know my feelings.

In the children's book by Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna plays the glad game. She finds something to be glad about despite the circumstances. Her father, a missionary, began playing the "game" with her when after requesting a doll, the missionary barrel contained only crutches. He said that she should be happy (thankful) she didn't have to use them.

So as I was standing, praying at my kitchen sink, the thought came to mind that perhaps I should thank the Neighborhood Services Department for doing their job. What? Me thank the Department? No way, that was too radical!

Prayer: Lord I'm not feeling very thankful at the moment for the employees of the Neighborhood Services department. Show me where my attitude has gone wrong and renew a right spirit within me. And may the card I made bless them. In Jesus name, Amen!

Today’s Quote: “At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, I can hardly think of a disappointment that you can’t turn around into a good situation. It sets you off on a different track, & there’s nothing wrong with that. It just makes you look at things differently.” ~ Mary Engelbreit.

Devotion: God is Our Source

"a kind word cheers him up." ~ Proverbs 12:25

As I was thinking on kindness, I remembered a certain rubber stamping website I visit frequently in which members enjoy surprising others with RAKS (random acts of kindness). RAKS usually contain a beautifully decorated card and sometimes, small gifts such as sample-sized artist supplies. It gives the RAK-giver joy to share a bit of cheer with someone. It's kinda like sharing a cup of cold water with the thirsty (Mt. 10:42). I know as I've been on the receiving end a time or two!

Prayer: Daddy, I need your help today. I don't come by kindness naturally and I know you delight in it. When I moan and groan about the "exercise clothes" I must put on to follow you, gently remind me that I'm yours, dearly loved. Season my words today with kindness to make them a reflection of you. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Today's Tip:

“Lighthearted color and upbeat, positive imagery emphasize the supportive writing of the Religious card.” ~ Eva Szela.

Devotion: Sentiments

"Grace be with you." ~ 1 Tim. 6:21

We invited a storyteller to our church to perform the story of a boy and the lunch he shared with Jesus (John 6:1-13). During the course of his presentation, he said as we greet each person, we should bless that person with words of life such as "Shalom" (peace) or "Joy" to build them up in Christ. Almost immediately the thought crossed my mind that I could sweeten the greetings on the front of my cards by carefully choosing a sentiment to do the same.
Apostle Paul wrote two letters to Timothy, a young man he had befriended. He opened his first letter with these sentiments: "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." (1 Tim. 1:2) and closed his second letter to Timothy with "The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you." (2 Tim. 4:22) Both letters contained encouragement to continue living like Christ, using the Word of God in his ministry.

Prayer: Thank you for providing us with your word, Lord God, so we know how to live. Continue teaching us to be holy and to spur others on to holy living too. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Today's Tip:

“Make every card you send a standout! Personalize each one to convey the message in a very special way.” ~ Sandi Genovese.

Devotion: A Shot of Peace

“Is there no balm in Gilead?” ~ Jeremiah 8:22

Gilead was famous for its healing ointments and the ancient spice merchants traveled through this area near the Holy Land regularly. I hope and pray that my card ministry will point the way to the Great Physician's healing balm for wounds. He’s the only one that can heal hurt, give peace, and bring comfort to battered bodies.

Prayer: Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. ~ A Prayer attributed to St. Francis.

Today’s Quote:

"The Greek word for peacemakers is eirenepoios, which can be interpreted as "peace poets," suggesting that peace is a thing to be crafted or made. We need to seek ways to be not just "peacekeepers" but to be engaged "peacemakers." In such a definition, peace (or the Hebrew word shalom) is not simply an absence of war but a thriving of our lives, where God uses our creativity as a vehicle to create a world that ought to be." ~ Makoto Fujimura.

Devotion: Greedy Guts

“You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
~ Exodus 20:17.

I was shocked the first time I looked into the advance copy of the rubber stamping magazine I was published in at the envy I felt looking at all the wonderful ideas. I wanted all the ideas to be my ideas. I was jealous of the inventiveness God had given the other card crafters. Whew, I had the greedies BAD!
Ephesians, chapters four and five, have been my life verses for many years. In chapter five, it says that a greedy person is an idolater (v. 5). I had become a bit proud of myself! Through the word of truth, He showed me that I should put off the sin of selfish pride and thank Him instead for the gifts of grace he has apportioned to each artist--crafter. As a dearly loved princess, I want to be an imitator of my Daddy King; gentle, kind, and good; not a beady-eyed, self-important braggart I was in the danger of becoming if I continued to think of myself more highly than I ought (Philippians 2:3).

Prayer:Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your wise distribution of talents and for my portion of your abundant creativity. Forgive me as I put off greed, purify me from it, and clothe me with humility and the other graces of a princess. Amen!

Today’s Tip: “Ugly is easy to come by and hard to get rid of.” ~ Sandy Lyman Clough.

Just Knuckle Down and Do It!

Just Knuckle Down and Do It!

“ for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

I was diagnosed with A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder) by Dr. Grace Ketterman, M.D. several years ago as an parent of a child with the same. One of the pitfalls of this condition is I struggle with procrastination.

I tell myself, ‘I don’t feel like making cards today,’ so I fill my day with other things. I didn’t get the cards done, reasoning there’s always tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and somehow, I still didn’t get them made and sent again. God, in a still small voice behind me says, “Come on, just knuckle down and do it!”

I read somewhere that procrastination is really disobedience. James says in his letter that if anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (vs. 4:17). That means I’m being selfish and disobeying God when I delay. Somebody might not get the lift s/he needs to keep going one more day. Ouch!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your understanding, grace, and forgiveness. Keep nudging me in the right direction towards obedience. And help me serve others with a smile. Amen!

Today’s Tip:

“Try to set aside a little time on a consistent basis for card creation. If a given time is scheduled, you are more likely to get to it.” ~ Sandi Genovese.