A180 View & A Giveaway!

How do you do with the 180 view? You know... instead of just looking at those people directly in your line of sight, being intentional to look side to side and "see" others. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own "stuff" that I miss others around me. Today we're headed to the Vanderbilt Voice Center (I appreciate your prayers!) to see what we can find out about the challenges with my voice; it's easy to just see our own needs/pains when we're in a trial. I was reminded this morning that following Jesus means we don't just get stuck in direct line of sight. We "see" the 180.

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised" (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

It's oh, so "me" to live for myself. In this season of Thanksgiving, I'm asking the Lord to help turn my eyes to those in my 180. Will you do that with me? Who are they Lord? What do they need? Where are they? How can I love You by loving them?

Today Hearts at Home is asking what 5 things our families give us so we can "have more." It sets us up to have more available, so we can respond to the needs of those in our 180. Here are the 5 things that came to mind from the Sanders family:

1. Car #3 - Despite the fact that it would be helpful with teens, we are car sharing. I'm finding it's keeping me "at home" more, and that's a good thing!
2. Gadgets - We are not the first (or 2nd ... or 3rd ...) to get new gadgets. I appreciate the simplicity it adds. I'm not sure the kids would agree. ;)
3. Room Makeovers - Resourcefulness is our friend, but we are not ones to devote a lot of money or time into making our HGTV visions become a reality. 
4. Clothing Trends - I'm not saying godly should be frumpy ;) but we have chosen not to be in the habit of regularly shopping or of shopping where it takes a lot of resources.
5. Pocket $ - Ahhh, we have teens, and this is a challenging one. We "turn the wallet faucet off" so it doesn't drip dollar bills and 5$ bills day after day. Little things can really add up.

These are just 5 things we save on, so we can do more ... like saving up for meaningful experiences together, regularly tithing, being part of what's going on in missions, and having "generous spaces" in our budget so we can give to those in our 180.

GIVEAWAY:   What are you doing to save so you can have more of what matters?  Leave a comment to win a copy of Jill Savage's book "Living Less So Your Family Has More."   (I'll announce the winner Saturday!)