IN RETROSPECT… (2016 CHRISTMAS LETTER)

Early part of this year I decided I wanted Christmas to be something different and definitely not business as usual. I am worn out WITH Christmas songs including my favorite song by Aaron Neville – Please Come Home for Christmas. It was about two years ago I learned the REAL meaning of Christmas. I worked with a team of young people at my church for six weeks. We met twice a week for rehearsal and the last three weeks at church. Title of skit was “BELIEVE.”  During that time the children connected with each other and to me and they are still asking when may we do another skit? (I just did it because no one else wanted to). During that time I truly learned the only reason Jesus came into the world and we call that Christmas was to be an example for us here in the earth and die a cruel death on Calvary cross. THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON!
I do not like what we have made of this time and besides these events did not take place in the winter time, etc. Don’t be gullible, read YOUR bible. What version? Any version that you decide to read and be consistent and intentionally about it.
No Christmas trees, lights, decorations, etc. found some old stuff in my house so I did put that out. Not shopping and buying, and giving small stuff to folks I just want to say thanks to, and that will be something they can use RIGHT NOW! (Probably homemade stuff).
I decided to try something for 50 days, I spent time in prayer and just giving God thanks for all his benefits to me and reached out to someone less fortunate than I am by calling, sending a card, maybe preparing a meal or a gift or going by their house to just listen to their hearts. I was so accustomed to asking for stuff when I pray I had to learn during these 50 days how to just STOP and give thanks and go back and made petition and supplications later. This was a tremendous blessing to ME, as I was blessed abundantly.
One of those days I felt led to stop by a friend’s house, this is rare for me to just drop by, but I did, and they told me they needed to go to hospital. (This person is prideful and do not like to ask for help). Another time one of my neighbor’s from India sent me a text asking if she could talk to me when I was available. I became available immediately and she shared lots of tragic incidents with me, and I was able to listen and show her compassion. She doesn’t believe in Jesus but she knows that I do and she always allow me to pray for her. The next day early she came to my mind to invite her for dinner. (I have invited her before, but she never came). She arrived at my house on a cold day, immediately after work and I had hot soup and homemade bread. She cried as she ate and enjoyed the soup tremendously! She called her friends and family and told them that she was at my house for dinner as she laughed and cried and when she went home texted me: “Thanks for inviting me to your house for a meal on a day that I could use a friend, hot soup and bread!” “You are welcomed, thank you for coming!” For a few days I still felt that it was me that was blessed.
I am so excited about my growth in the Lord, I know I have a long way to go, because He is my yardstick, not my pastor/friend/neighbor/face book, etc. I can see it’s all about applying the Word of God to our lives not just quoting and reading the bible, but DOING the bible, one day at a time. In doing so, it will make you think you are out of step with the culture, so what, as long as we are pleasing God. Even today I received a phone call that said, “I heard about what you did, and I am shocked…” “Well, if you did not hear that I am striving everyday to please God in all I do then someone must have misunderstood my actions.” Toward end of conversation they admitted – I heard NOTHING!
Speaking about being misunderstood regarding doing what you know for sure God wants you to do I have decided to be sure not to pick on folks doing what I don’t do, as that is so easy to do and being sure my opinion is not beyond my pay scale, therefore, get the right information, get both sides of story, don’t take sides and each person assume responsibility for their part in the matter.
Finally, it may not always be apparent, but God does reign over our world. He rules in majesty and might, and no philosophy or power can cast Him from His throne. He allows us to cross up His purposes…even to destroy His visible creation about us. But His place and His reign are eternally secure. And so are they who put their trust in Him, who live by His precepts, and who follow His course for their lives.  Psalms 93
My oldest daughter just got off phone and at that point was reminded that I have said NOTHING about my children. I am glad that they are fulfilling their destiny, love their Mom and as I said to my middle daughter today, “if it ain’t one thing…it’s the MOTHER!” She said, no, it ends with, another. So glad that I am NOT the conclusion of the matter.