So, blogging has been light of late. Here’s a brief update:
My wife and I bought a new house. We sold our old house much faster than anticipated (my wife happens to be a very good Realtor). That created a challenge: we had to complete an extensive cosmetic renovation (new kitchen, baths, refinish floors, even move some walls) within 8 weeks.
We lucked out, and the buyer of our house gave us an extra two.
But even 10 weeks is just not enough time for everything to come together perfectly. Through some unfortunate mistakes (one big one of our own doing), we moved in to our house without a complete kitchen. We have a range, a refrigerator, and a microwave, but no counters or sink.
So we’re roughing it a bit. It’s hectic, but our house will be awesome when it’s completed and furnished.
Anyway, Seth Godin asks a good question in his blog post yesterday; what if instead of being in a hurry to finish, you are in a hurry to be generous.
I experienced this twice during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. First, I met a new neighbor out walking the dog. We chatted, she asked how things were moving along with our unpacking, I told her we were without a full kitchen.
Without hesitation, she asked if we would like to join her family for Thanksgiving if we didn’t have somewhere to go.
Nice. Neighborly. Generous.
But this is someone who knows a little about me; knows I can afford to live in her neighborhood, knows what kind of car I drive.
The second example was far more meaningful to me. I was checking out at Target on Tuesday, buying several quick easy frozen meals (mostly these, which are really good!) The clerk at the register gave me and my purchase a look, and asked with uncertainty if I was ready for Thanksgiving.
I told her (briefly) that I was buying all this convenience food because we were in the midst of a renovation.
She asked me if I had plans for Thanksgiving dinner, because if I didn’t, she would bring me a plate.
The checker. At Target.
She didn’t know anything about me. But this sweet person offered to bring me food on Thanksgiving.
She was in a hurry to be generous. I’m touched and I’m humbled by her.
But I also notice something. Something about Target.
Think about that.
Windy Recycling Day 