We’re not asking if you got your wooden round tuit that we handed out on the first Sunday of our "Round Tuit" sermon series or from the basket at the back of the worship center. Instead, we're asking if you've gotten around to doing that task, service, apology, or whatever you've been putting off. Have you gotten around to getting it done? Have you gotten around to doing whatever you need to do?

Thus far, we’ve hit a variety of topics in the series. That first week, we talked about prayer. Have you gotten around to improving your prayer life? Very few of us pray as we should. Plus, we often feel the need to pray more or give more time and thought to prayer. So, have you gotten around tuit: praying as God wants you to pray? 

Next, we talked about our witness for Christ. Actually, we went beyond simply being a witness because many view witnessing for Christ as merely living as Christ lived. But there's more to it. Are you telling others about Jesus? Are you following Jesus's command in His Great Commission, as found in Matthew 28:18-20? Go into all the world and tell them about Jesus, which begins with your family, neighbors, community, state, and country, and then to other countries. It means doing more than only giving to missions. It means you and I going and telling others. Have you gotten around tuit: telling others?

On Mother’s Day, we talked about getting around to being kind. We don’t mean only being kind to other people that are your neighbors, co-workers, cashiers, servers at restaurants, and others. We also need to show kindness to those nearest and dearest in our lives: our immediate family. If Christ were to secretly sit in a corner of your house, what would He see of your kindness toward your spouse? Your children? Your parents? Are you intentionally kind to them, or are you unintentionally unkind to them? Do you go out of your way to demonstrate your kindness and love for them? Remember that lashing out at our immediate family inside your home seems much easier and more common. Have you gotten around tuit: kindness toward others, especially your spouse, kids, and parents?

And then we talked about getting around to letting go. What sins are you hanging onto? What bad habits did you bring into your marriage, job, or other areas of your life? Are you still hurting others because you cling to things and habits of your past that perpetually hurt others? What thoughts or memories do you need to let go of and lighten your burden? What grudges are you still harboring? What beliefs have you planted in your mind that are outdated or never held any relevance or need? Have you gotten around tuit: that is – letting go? 

Have you gotten around to wanting to be well? Huh? Now, you need clarification, but after you hear our May 28 message, you'll understand. Did you know that being well carries responsibilities? Let's say you have quadriplegia. You cannot use your hands, arms, legs, or feet. What do people expect of you? Very little. Right? But if Jesus healed you so you have full use of your hands, arms, legs, and feet, what would people expect of you then? They'd expect you to clean the house, get a job, wash dishes, cook, mow the yard, earn a living, or any of a thousand things. Why? Because you’re now well and have the full use of your body. Yes, you have the freedom to run, dance, play, drive a car, and many other privileges, but you also have responsibilities. So, if you're sick or injured in some way and God heals you, you have responsibilities. Do you still want to be well? This analogy also applies to our Christian lives. When we accept Christ, He spiritually heals us from sin. But we also gain spiritual, mental, and physical responsibilities. Have you gotten around tuit: deciding to truly follow Christ and be healed?

Forgive. These topics in our "Round Tuit" series are challenging – especially this one. We often talk about forgiveness but don't do well carrying it out. We frequently hear people say they’ll never forgive someone or that they'll forgive but hold a grudge forever because of some neglectful or cruel act. That’s not forgiveness.  Yet when it's an offense against us, we sometimes find trouble in forgiving the offender. We’ll address this topic in our June 2 message. How about it? Have you gotten around tuit: forgiving others?  

This series could go on forever because of the many, many things we fail to get around to doing. Cain did not get around to setting aside his jealousy and seeking God's forgiveness over his brother, Able. David did not get around to seeking forgiveness from God for his adulterous affair and murder of Bathsheba's husband – until God stepped in. Jesus told a parable of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite did not get around to helping the badly beaten Jewish man. Many of the religious leaders in Jesus' time failed to get around to accepting Jesus as their Savior: their Messiah. The examples are countless. What are you failing in getting around to do?

Let’s tie this in with Father’s Day as we did with Mother’s Day.  On these perspective days, we try our best to honor our fathers and mothers, so please, let’s each do at least one thing, and let’s do it soon. Let's get around to appreciating our fathers and mothers. Maybe it's too late for you because your dad and mom have passed. Yet it's not too late if your parents are living. If you still have your parents, tell them you appreciate them. Even if you’ve had a tough relationship, find something positive to verbally and lovingly give them.  

Some of our parents can be pretty cruel, even when you attempt to love them. Try anyway. Give it your best. You don't have to stay long or talk long if it's extremely difficult. And if your parents have passed, go to God in prayer and talk with Him about the troubled past relationship. Time often heals, and maybe you’ll find it easier than before. Love them and find it in your heart to forgive them.  But that's supposing you’ve had a difficult past.  

Let's assume you love your parents, and you have a wonderful relationship with them, when is the last time you've told them how much you love and appreciate them? You may remember some seemingly insignificant event from the past that they didn't think mattered, but it did to you because you've remembered it. Tell them. Senior parents, or even young parents, love to talk about the past, especially their fond memories. Love them. Appreciate them. Especially this month, tell your dad. Get around tuit before it’s too late. Tell him before he's gone.  

Happy Father's Day

Love you,

Kenny