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Your Wealth - Stewardship & Money Management "Honor the LORD with your
wealth,
with the firstfruits of all
your crops" - Proverbs 3:9
Don’t Make
Me Say It!
by Ellie Kay
Mrs. Higgs chatted with her second grade class as
she guided them from the playground to the classroom.
While the girls scrambled for the coveted right to hold
her hand, the boys admired her from afar. Jonathan, a
sweet little guy, made her a special cupcake the month
before. It had a candy heart on top proclaiming, “I love
you.”
The beloved teacher laughed as she kidded the
boys, “How come none of you want to hold my hand?”
They were uncomfortably silent as she eyed them.
“Michael” she asked, “Why don’t you hold my hand?”
The boy blushed and quickly hid behind Jonathan, who
became the next target. “Don’t you like me, Jonathan?”
she asked sweetly. The seven-year-old replied with a
toothless grin, “Gee, Mrs. Higgs, you got my cupcake
didn’t you?” He whispered, “You know how I feel about
you! Just don’t make me say it!” With that, he
dashed into the classroom.
~********~
You may think the inability to say “I love you” is
a guy thing, but it’s not. Sometimes we get too busy,
distracted or careless to remember to say those words.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day provide an excellent
opportunity to “just say it.”
You don’t have to spend a lot of money and strain
your family finances to make those days memorable for your
parents or special people who are like parents. Here are
three ways to say “I love you” without saying “I’m over
budget—again!”
Simple
Pleasures –
Last Father’s Day I found a coupon for $3 off a photo mug
from our local drug store. Rather than use a family photo
with grandkids, I decided to use my kindergarten photo.
When Dad opened his present that morning, he saw the
“apple of his eye” from thirty years ago smiling back at
him. He and my mom fought over the mug so much that I’ve
ordered one for Mother’s Day this year!
The
Tribute –
I first heard of this idea through the FamilyLife
Conference. Take the time to write some of the values
your mom or dad gave you, specific lessons you learned and
happy memories you have of your childhood. Even if your
parents made mistakes, this tribute can be used to bring
healing to yourself and to them. Print it with a nice
computer graphic or have it written in calligraphy and
frame it. It will be a priceless treasure.
The
Coupon Queen –
This is my TV and radio nickname because I feed a family
of seven for only $250 a month--using coupons. Why not
make a coupon book for the big day? The key to meaningful
coupons is to think and pray about those things that mean
the most to the one you love. My children give coupons
for hugs & kissies, free babysitting, or chores. Add a
pound of gourmet chocolate and flavored coffee and you’ll
have a gift fit for royalty! It is good to be
queen, don’t cha’ know? Even if it’s only for a day!
Ellie Kay, America’s Family Financial
Expert ®
Ellie Kay and Company, LLC © 2004
PO Box
902286
Palmdale,
CA 93590
661-274-2008
Fax
661-575-0850
E-mail:
ellie@elliekay.com Web Site:
www.elliekay.com |
