The Adventures of Steward Little

Growing up, the six Windels boys got to hear lots of parental advice on stewardship :

“Who left the front door standing open? Are you trying to heat the whole neighborhood?!”

“No, we sure don’t have the money to buy you a new one, so you better figure out where you left it…”

“You had all weekend, and you’re just starting your homework NOW?!”

What my folks surely meant was this: “Dear children, we want you to know the importance of being good caretakers of what time, resources and opportunities are given us, so that all will go well with you.”

So, I wish I could tell you that I absorbed every “waste not, want not” lesson taught by my wise and loving parents, and never had to learn anything the hard way—but in my adult daily life, I have in fact been guilty of wasting, and later wanting. It turns out money does not grow on trees (at least not for youth directors); car engines actually do seize up if you forget to do regular maintenance; not investing enough time for sleep is bad for your health; and I am sorry I quit piano lessons in 9th grade, Mom. And I can’t even count the number of deadlines I’ve needed extended for writing projects (including those for church newsletter articles) after frittering away prime writing hours.

Of the many ways my life has been blessed, I have not always properly valued those blessings with self-discipline and with generosity to others — the natural consequences of poor stewardship can be regret, strained finances and relationships, and even some hiding from God because of guilt.

God is good and generous however, in spite of how often we may be unfaithful in our response. Grace, delivered by Jesus’ death, means when we fall short in caring for the planet and each other, He doesn’t love us any less—although I can picture God shaking his head and thinking, “Why do they make things so hard for themselves?”

As we focus this year on Faith in Daily Life, each day is a chance to share our gifts in response to God; by doing our small part to care for the environment, by teaching a skill to somebody else, by supporting a cause or a ministry with our finances, time and labor, and by recognizing and affirming the gifts of others (like at the upcoming Talent Show—hint, hint!) For every blessing we have, we are called to give glory to God by appreciating and sharing it.

It’s too early to write a meaningful article on all the things that my wife’s cancer is teaching me, but I’m definitely getting a better appreciation that life is precious and time together with the people we love should not be taken for granted. Nancy has always hoped to go to Hawaii for our 25th anniversary… but we’re making plans to do the trip 3 years early. Cancer has a way of getting your attention.

So, friends: what gifts has God given you, and how are you sharing them and cherishing them? I pray today that you will not look back with regret, but with gratitude that God led you to invest them well.