Tithing With a Twist

'Reversible Cable Shawl' - Ruth Thompson
The Prayer Shawl Comapnion

I've been tithing money (giving 10% of my income) through my church for many years now -- close to twenty, I think.  Today, though I was  watching the daily Joyce Meyer broadcast on the computer (I do this most days with my morning coffee).  She was taking Q&A about giving, with her assistant, Ginger Stache (pronounced 'stocky').  One viewer had written in about tithing time and talents as well as money, and that got me thinking.

I enjoy knitting prayer shawls and items for our Mitten Tree at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, but I've found that I've been shrugging off this activity in favour of other so-called priorities.  I have a pair of mittens, a toque, and a cabled prayer shawl all on the needles...destined to stay there for months if I keep on like this.

I also enjoy reading the Divine Office four to six times a day with Macrina Wiederkher's Seven Sacred Pauses.


Now, as Joyce responded to her viewer, suppose I assume I'm awake 16 hours a day.  In  a week, that would be 112 hours (16 x 7).  Ten per cent of that would be 11.2 hours a week (let's make that 11 1/4 hours for simplicity's sake).  Well, 11.25/7 = 1.6 hours per day, or 1 hour and 36 minutes per day, or 96 minutes per day.

If I use a full six Daily Offices (dawn to dark), that would work out to 96/6 = 16 minutes each during which I could complete the given Office and meditate on it while I knit on a prayer shawl or Mitten Tree project.  Who knew?  A tonic for the soul, and work from my hands that will actually get finished!

Oh -- and I'd still have 6.75 hours (405 minutes) each and every day in which to eat, bathe, exercise, nap, go online, work in the studio...

Thanksgiving Thoughts


One of the people I am thankful for is the inspirational teacher and preacher, Joyce Meyer.  Last week, on one of her broadcasts (I watch and listen on my computer), she was talking about enjoying life -- living life to the fullest -- in Part Nine of her series on "Power Thoughts".  About a week before the event at which she was speaking, she'd had her 64th birthday, which got her to thinking about time, and how she -- and we all -- use it, and she got out her calculator.

Well, I had my 58th birthday just over a month ago. Following Joyce's example, I decided to figure out a few things:

I've been alive 58 years and 1 month (give or take), which translates to 21,200 days, OR 508,800 hours, OR 30,528,000 minutes.

1. Let's assume I'll live to 94, like my late Aunt Alice, from whom I inherited my short stature, my overall health, and my love of quilting, among other things.  That would mean that I have 35 years and 11 months (give or take) left to live...and that translates to 

13,110 days OR 314,640 hours OR 18, 878,400 minutes.

Oh boy.  That's not much!  

So.  I've made a decision and you, Gentle Readers, are my witnesses:  I have decided to honour my Creator, to whom I am thankful for this precious life, by enjoying every moment I'm given, henceforth!  

Thanksgiving blessings to all...may God be with you.  :-)