If I Had A Million Dollars............

If I Had A Million Dollars,  I'd Buy You A House.

Bare Naked Ladies sang that right?  

Maybe I remember this tune so well because I Jazzercised to it.  I  remember listening to it in the car as well and thinking "If I had a million dollars,I'd____________________________, fill in the blank.  Depending on my mood as to how I filled it in.  If it was Winter, living in snow country just south of Buffalo NY, I would wish to be some place warm.  Other than that, filling in the blank was about what others needed.  So many folks living on the edge.  Many just a paycheck away from losing it all.  The working poor.  Doing all they can to make it but never able to put anything aside for a rainy day.  I've certainly been there and done that.  Scary place to be. 

Serving or investing in others lives brings unlimited rewards.  The fear for many of us in the U.S. is growing older alone and unnoticed.  Becoming invisible.  Serving others is great insurance against loneliness.  Ever heard about the lady who went to her Pastor and complained of loneliness and depression?  Her Pastor asked her what she did well.  She couldn't think of anything.  She had put all of her energy in raising her family and taking care of her husband before he passed, hugely discounting all she learned during that season of her life.   The Pastor continued to probe.  The woman finally said she was a good baker.  The Pastor said, "There you go.  Go home and bake 5 dozen cookies a week for one month.  Give a dozen cookies to folks  your know and others you would like to know better.   After a month come back and see me."

A month later the woman came back to see her Pastor.  He  was excited to see the difference in her.  She walked a bit faster, stood a bit taller and was much more animated. Heck, she was even dressing in primary colors! The lady told the Pastor about all of her new friends, the invitations she was receiving and how much better she was sleeping.  Even better, how much more she was looking forward to each day.  She was no longer dreading the days and counting down till her physical body died and her soul moved on.  She was writing engagements on her calendar and trying to squeeze it all in.  

The Pastor while not surprised, was no less excited for the woman than he had been for the very first person who had taken his advice.  Or we might say "God's" advice.  Isn't that what the scriptures asks of us?  All true religions command that we serve others.

So, "If I Had a Million Dollars", I'd buy you a house, or at least a good meal.  :-)