Glitz and Glitter

            I love this time of year.  The holidays seem to bring out the best in people.   Thanksgiving is over and people are busy finding the perfect gift for each person on their Christmas list.  The airwaves are filled with beautiful Christmas music as people shop, wrap and anxiously wait for Christmas day.  Children are excited as all kinds of wonderful gifts cross their minds.  Trees are trimmed, houses are decorated, food is baked and all kinds of preparations are made for the ready.

            Yet, I find myself saddened a bit too.  There is so much stress placed on the purchasing of gifts and lists, that often the real meaning of Christmas is lost.  It becomes a reason for more of everything that Christmas isn’t!  It has turned into a “let’s see who gets the most or best gifts, and who can decorate their house and yard the best.” 

            Some years ago when my son was in the Marine Corps, his duties included a tour overseas during Christmas.  I was upset, as a mom, that he could not be with us for the holidays, but I understood.    He didn’t make it home until spring that year and I decided when he finally came home we would have another Christmas celebration.  So just prior to his arrival, we dug out a little tree, not quite a “Charlie Brown” tree, but much, much smaller than we use traditionally at Christmas; lights, the Crèche, and other decorations traditional for the celebration.  We wrapped presents and did our traditional baking, and even put a few lights up. There were those, I suspect, who wondered what we were thinking when they passed the house at night with our small lit up Christmas tree in the window.

            Our son was delighted with our efforts and we spent his time home celebrating the Savior’s birth and our gratitude that our son, who was a defender of our nation’s freedoms, was home with us.  His four siblings, (some coming quite a distance) along with nieces and nephews, also joined the celebration. Together we had the traditional Christmas meal with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pies and other sweets!  We were again a united family.

            So while I love the music, the decorations and the festivities this season brings, I cherish most that my Savior is what we really celebrate and the opportunity we have to bring those we love close to us. 

            I hope as you begin this Advent season, and continue your preparations; you will slow down and reach past all the glitz and glitter, and see the impact of that tiny baby born in manger so many years ago.  Jesus really is the “reason for the season.” 

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.   Matthew 25:1-5

A Thankful Heart

            We are in Thanksgiving week and I see so much for which I am thankful.  I am exceedingly blessed with a strong faith, a fantastic family, wonderful grand children, an amazing church family, a home, and the ability to see, smell, touch, speak, think and so much more! 

            There is much in this world that would like to challenge my ability to be thankful.  There is anger, greed, hate, wars, violence, substance abuse and any myriad of awful things that convolute all that is good.   In addition to man made problems, there are those over which we have no control: natural disasters and sometimes even health, although some health issues can be averted by diet and lifestyle.  To all the negative in life, I would like to say “you will not thieve me of a grateful heart!”

            I read once that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.  Somehow that seems bizarre to me since smiling and a happy heart seems a more natural response than an unhappy countenance.  Yet, people find it surprising, or occasionally, even disconcerting when they are presented with a happy expression.  This is such a grand time of year.  There is much reason for expressions of joyfulness.  I have been told I have a “PollyAnna attitude.”  While to a point this may be true, since I abhor the alternative, I do know that life is not always kind and is sometimes hard and cruel. 

            Still…the reds and oranges of the remaining leaves on the trees, the crisp almost cold air that bites at your nose if you breathe deeply, the rustling of the leaves on the ground as you walk through them, or the frosty landscape that at first glance makes you wonder if snow has fallen, reminds me we are indeed a blessed people, regardless of any crisis around us. 

            All that being said, my heart still hurts for those who aren’t as fortunate as I.  There are many still without electric or even a place to call home in the Northeast, because of the recent hurricane.  I hope, even in their unsettling and sad situation, they will have a heart of gladness.  We have God who remains steadfast with an unfathomable love.  Even in bad times, He is there, ready to lift us up even as we feel like we’re on the bottom.

            We are all on a journey, although never alone.  There are those who would tear down all that is good.  Still we are told to pray and be thankful for all people, even those with whom we disagree.   Each (even those with whom we disagree) has personal conflicts and issues that place us in the valleys of life.    Likewise, we each have opportunities to be on the mountaintop, where it is wonderful, beautiful and filled with all the pleasant things of life.   That being said, if we never experienced the valleys would we appreciate the peaks? 

            I pray this week, you will find your heart filled with thanksgiving even if you feel life has been unkind.  Remember that despite your situation, there is a God who loves you; who will sustain you if you allow him.

            Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  1 Timothy 2:1-2

Voices And Hearts

            Given the election results, I am nearly at a loss for how to respond.  I feel a bit shell shocked.   Between the drugs, gambling, homosexuality, greed, dishonesty, and lack of faith in a God of the universe in general, I believe, we as a nation, have gone far, far away from where God wants us to be. Our morals and ethics seem to have dropped to a point where I wonder if we will ever recover.  We have abandoned the very values this country was founded upon.

            There is a positive side, however: God is in control.  He knew how it was going to turn out before the election ever began.  I believe the stage is set for the end of time.  As we churn away in our own little worlds, something grander is taking place.  I have a Savior who uses all our bad choices for His good and there is peace in knowing that!

            As Christians, we may feel our voices have no credence here on Earth, as our votes seem trampled on and hidden beneath the rhetoric of those who are powerful and money hungry.  But we matter to God and power and money will mean nothing in eternity.  Our souls are at stake, not the material things we gather around us now.

            When I think about the loss the families in New York and New Jersey who were hit so hard from Hurricane Sandy are dealing with, I am reminded what we own in material goods, honestly has no value in the whole scheme of things.  There are families who lost not only their possessions, but their entire houses.  There is nothing left.  They are now at the mercy of family members or friends who were spared or who may not have been so brutally hit, FEMA who has limited funds, strangers who would donate from their “wealth” or insurance companies who are inundated with so many who experienced such total devastation, it will take years and years to get it all straight!

            Our voices are important as are our “hearts.”  Every time we share our faith with someone else, we have the potential to make a difference.  God is with us, despite our vulnerable situations and the crisis which this nation faces.   He is also, our Strength.  A relationship with Him is especially important, if we are to survive the next years.

            I hope each who reads this finds strength and peace today and in the next week, no matter what crisis the world sends you!

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  Matthew 16:26

Looking to the Interests of Others

            As I look at the devastation Hurricane Sandy created over this past week, it seems to me like something I would see in a science fiction movie!  Yet, I know it was real.  Our family was spared anything horrific so as I read the scripture for today, I asked myself how can I look to the interests of others?

            Ambition can be defined as one who desires to reach specific goals and when not added with greed, can be a good thing, because it drives a person forward.  Greed on the other hand changes the complexion of the matter.  During these times of great grief and personal loss, especially financially, there are certain to be people who are driven by greed and aim to take advantage of those who are facing tragedy.

            I did some searching for Katrina victims and learned there were all kinds of scams that targeted the victims.  People received emails from unknown sources wanting donations and financial assistance, even from what appeared to be reputable sources.  Then there are those who would loot the areas that are so devastated, making those who have already been harmed, injured even further, and this is just the tip of the iceberg!    Where does it stop?  It is this kind of ambition that destroys people; it is when people look to their own interests at the expense of another and that is just wrong!

            So what do we do?  Where do we go from here?  One of the Pastors from our church is from an area that was hit particularly hard in New Jersey.  He put out a plea for help for those who have lost everything, from blankets and socks to personal hygiene products and food.   The outpouring from our community has been phenomenal.  This is another demonstration of God at work.  I believe the Lord wants to see us look past our slight inconveniences and take on another person’s burden.  It is in this arena, we as humans can share compassion and love. 

            I hope you are able to help someone in need from your “wealth” even if it doesn’t seem like much.  There are many hurting people in the world all around us, maybe even down your street, or like us a state or two away.  It doesn’t have to be something huge like Hurricane Sandy.  It can be someone who needs the comfort of a hug, the understanding of a smile, an ear that is willing to listen, or it can be a greater need visible from a homeless shelter, nursing home, within your own town, community, church or a variety of other places.

          I pray you have an exceptional week and you find "your place" where you can help someone in need.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4