"to whom much is given"... I thought as I signed a check for $47.00 - the total for a haircut on my lunchbreak

"to whom much is given"... I thought as I popped into Jack's for a sandwich to go and slid $4.71 across the counter

"to whom much is given"... I thought as I haphazardly traded a swiped debit card for $30.00 in fuel


"much is required"... as I watched, unnoticed, a student at my University count quarters to purchase gas

"much is required"... as I watched a family, so proud of their son, brother, husband - live his dream (their future)

"much is required"... as I watched you - hurt and cry and mourn and carry a burden so disproportionate

'Tis the gift...

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.