I just did it for the first time in 2009, excuse me 2010.  I seldom write checks, but wrote one today for a pension initiative of the denomination for pastors outside the states and I began to write ’09 instead of ’10.   I figure that’s pretty good, considering it is already the 18^th of the month.   I realize that writing checks is quite antiquated, but there are a couple things I still need to use them.  Even here I wouldn’t have to, but I have a disability when it comes to matters around creating automatic withdrawals, which the Board of Pensions would prefer, so I am left writing checks.  I am so grateful for debit cards – the world seldom has to decipher the writing on checks anymore that come from my check book.  Speaking of checking accounts, I had to take care of a matter concerning automatic withdrawal for my giving to the church on Saturday  (have mercy on the church checking account and join the others who give this way, please).  The bank guy, who used to live in Oregon from where we came, after my comment about not balancing my checking account confessed that he doesn’t either.  I felt affirmed and worthy of having a checking account after that.  I love to tell that fact and watch all you “to the penny people” squirm.  An inherited trait from my mother besides the frustration I feel when doing it.   My guessing how much is in there is less stressful than trying to balance it.  And besides, Julie goes on line periodically and checks both of ours, so it isn’t as dangerous as it sounds.   Wow, has this rambled a long way from where I started with the date of the year.  Oh, by the way, do we say twenty ten or two thousand ten?  I am afraid, like my rambling, the year will ramble away too fast  and I’ll have to start writing 2011.  Maybe I should just get a head start for next year and start writing 2011 now.  I’ll bet God doesn’t have to worry about which year to write on checks from the grace account.  

Till next week…h

P.S.  The final touches are being put on the church roof today – God is good.