While preparing for our Live Nativity (and more!) I searched through many boxes and totes to see what materials were available. At the bottom of a box of light strings, I found two packages of bags for luminaries.

Those paper bags reminded me of home.

There was a large neighborhood in my home town that decorated for Christmas by placing luminaries along their sidewalks, street curbs and driveways. No other lights were used and it created an amazing sight. Cars would line up, turn off their headlights, and drive slowly through the neighborhood. It was beautiful to see those simple lights reflected in the snow. The whole world seemed quieter. 

As I understand it, the tradition of luminaries began when Spaniards, in northern Mexico and the American southwest, liked the Chinese paper lanterns and wanted to do something similar. It became a Christmas tradition to line streets and walkways with luminaries, giving the Christ child a lighted path to family homes. 

Today, luminaries are used by different groups for different purposes. Some put luminaries out to decorate for Halloween. Others have used them as a candle vigil after a tragedy. 

Luminaries are simple decorations. A paper bag, a small amount of dirt or sand, and a tea light candle is all that you need. But, those humble and mundane elements create a path of light that is more beautiful than any electric bulb. 

That inexpensive light reminds me of a simple truth – light is better than dark. One’s life may be mundane and simple, but the light of an honest and faithful heart is more beautiful than anything man can build or manufacture.

Shine, Friend. The light of your life drives away the dark. 

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

So, “The Wedding of the Painted Doll” was my first “big” solo and it was big – 6 pages of sheet music. 

It was the night of the performance, 300+ people were expected to attend and I looked fabulous. I was wearing a beautiful lace dress, Mary Janes and white ankle socks with lace tops. And the icing on the cake? – my hair was in Shirley Temple curls. I was adorable!!When we arrived, someone explained the set-up to me. I was to walk on stage as the curtain was opening and the pianist started the introduction to the song. They had it timed so that I would arrive at the microphone when the musical introduction ended; I was to start singing immediately. It sounded simple. 

There was only one problem. The stage hand who placed the microphone had missed something. Either the mic was too close to the curtain or the mic cord was caught in the curtain. Whatever the reason, as I made my big entrance, the heavy velvet curtain caught the microphone stand and it started to fall. I heard a loud gasp. (My Poppa said that the audience was worried that the falling mic would scare me.) The crowd didn’t know me!! I ran forward, grabbed that mic, set it right and began singing right on time. Nothing was going to ruin my big song!

Where does a kid get that kind of confidence? Hmmm, do you think that wearing those leg braces and watching people try not to stare at me made the difference? Those leg braces that weren’t comfortable. Those leg braces that caused sores from rubbing against tender skin. Those braces that limited my mobility and activities. Perhaps those braces were part of God’s plan to build my character. 

I wonder how God is using our struggles of today to prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow?

Just a thought. 

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

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“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t involved in singing. You might catch me singing just about anywhere and at any time. I love singing in the car, I love singing in church and I love singing with family and friends. Singing at Christmas is special and an important part of our tradition.

Not learning to read music wasn’t an option. Mom started us on the piano early and, in those days, you learned to play by reading the music, not by ear. We were taught music in elementary school; everyone had to know the difference between a quarter note and a whole note just like they had to know the multiplication tables. I stood next to my Mom and my older sister in church and I learned to read music from the hymnal. (That is one of the reasons that I really miss hymnals; they helped to teach children to read music.) 

When Mom could tell that I was bored with singing the melody line of a hymn, she told me to sing the alto part. Once I had that pretty well figured out, she would have me sing tenor an octave higher. (When you sing the bass an octave higher, it just sounds crazy – I loved doing that.)

But, my first “big” solo was in second grade. My elementary school scheduled a concert to be performed inthe junior high auditorium. (That meant that this was not a little production – we were going “big time.”) Anyway, each class took one of the months of the year. A song appropriate to that month was prepared and acted out by the class. 

 The music teacher decided that the first-grade class would perform to a song, “The Wedding of the Painted Doll,” representing the month of June. I (a second grader) sang the song while the first-grade class acted out a wedding behind me. 

And, so I prepared the song. Now, I googled the song title this afternoon and found out that the song, “The Wedding of the Painted Doll” came from 1929. I am hesitant to share the clip with you, because it will may cause injury due to laughter. Warning – before you watch it, please understand that: I sang it a slower pace, the dancing around me was not as exciting as it is in this clip, and, I PROMISE YOU, I have never sounded anything like the guy singing the song. Ok, here goes!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9L00CXR7Go&sns=em

What, you came back after watching that video? You never cease to amaze me!

Here’s my point. Learning something can bring such good things to our lives. Music has gotten me through so many difficult situations and it has brought me more joy in the good times – kind of like ice cream on a piece of pie. I don’t think that I would enjoy singing so much if I didn’t understand and appreciate it. To be honest, I like the math of music as well as the tones and tunes. I like the variety of music – it is so different from culture to culture and from generation to generation. 

For me, music is a little like a specific sport to someone else. It doesn’t matter that ice hockey confuses me or that your friends don’t get soccer – if following that sport brings you joy and it doesn’t cause bad things to happen in your life or the lives of others – enjoy it. You have studied the sport. You enjoy the talents of those who play it. You appreciate the skill or the strategy of the game.

I have a sister who can take a piece of fabric and create amazing things. And, another who can change a whole home with a little paint and a couple of dollars. One brother turns “yards” into beautiful gardens. And, the other takes words and turns them into stories that tug at your heart strings. 

Did you think that learning only happened in school? Do you think that you have stopped learning?  Well, your understanding and insights into your “thing” reflect learning in an important way. It is learning that can give your mind rest and your heart some great moments of joy. Take time to learn something new and take time to practice the things that you have studied. You will find yourself better able to take on the world. 

And, be assured that you will be hearing more about “The Wedding of the Painted Doll”!!

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

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“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
 

Yesterday, my Fitbit reported that I walked 33,953 steps or a total of 13.96 miles. I don’t remembering walking that far in a single day before in my life. And, I was surprised at the numbers.  (I realize that to some of you, that is just a warm up. To me, it’s a big deal!!)

I posted the information on my Facebook page and a friend asked “On purpose or accident?” How funny!

We were doing our last preps for “Love’s Story,” our church’s live Nativity (and more). It wan’t that I planned to walk that much, I just did. I had hoped this morning’s weight scale would give me some credit for that mileage, instead my weight was up a tad. Guess I didn’t walk off the Christmas Rotary dinner from the night before!! And, those Christmas cookies didn’t help either. 

I got to thinking about walking that far. If I had decided to walk 14 miles on a treadmill, even if I had earbuds and “Law and Order” was on the TV, I am not sure that I could do it. So, what is the difference?

• I really did walk that far “by accident.” My goal wasn’t to walk, my goal was to get that extension cord, move that box of paper, start the bonfire. My goal was not distance; my goal was to get the job done. 
• The walk took place over a 16 hour day. Too often we look at a task and,  because we worry that it has to all be done now, we are overwhelmed. The wiser course may be to look to finish the next task, not the whole project
• Last, I loved what I was doing, the people around me and the Lord we serve. It wasn’t the “Jill Show.” It amazes me how much people can do when the task is love-based. A woman, late in her pregnancy will seek every opportunity to rest and to sleep. Then, as soon as that precious baby is born, that new Mom is able to go years without much sleep. A Dad will spend hours kicking a soccer ball to help a child excel in a sport that the Dad didn’t even understand until that little one signed up to play it. We do things more easily when we do them for love. 

The holiday season is getting into full swing. Want to reduce your stress? Quit looking at how much you have to do and focus on the ones and the One for whom you work. It will make all the difference in the world!!
Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids). 

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Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1b-2a) 

I put on my winter coat tonight for the first time this year. I really like this coat. It is warm, comfortable, easy to sit in (that’s probably a girl thing) and it looks great. It’s a good coat. 

I put my hands into the pockets and was surprised to find no gloves there. Usually, I will have somewhere between 2 and 4 gloves in my coat pockets. Sometimes the gloves match and sometimes they don’t. I was the kid who was always losing her gloves; I guess some things never change.

Anyway, I found four items in my pockets. The first was a package of Big Red gum. I like having gum handy. I usually chew only a half a piece and then get rid of it pretty quickly. Big Red has a great cinnamon taste.

In the other side pocket was a half of a package of cold medicine. These little red pills have gotten me through many tough days and nights. I keep them handy throughout the winter months. I never know when I will need one. 

Going through coat pockets can tell a lot about a person. I was surprised that there wasn’t a stack of tissues in one, or both pockets. And, I usually keep a tube of chapstick handy. Another item I need all winter. 

But, the two remaining items in my coat pockets made me laugh – 2 dimes. If you are a woman, about my age, you might have laughed too. You see, when I was a teenager and leaving our house on a date or with some friends, one of my parents would include with “have fun” the question, “do you have a dime?” I knew that I was always supposed to have a least one dime with me at all times. 

A dime was my lifeline to home. When I was young pay phones were everywhere. If I needed to get out of a situation or wanted some help, I phoned home. And, the understanding was that I would get help immediately; we would sort out issues of my culpability later. 

Kids don’t carry dimes anymore, they carry cell phones. But, it never was really about the coin, it was always about the response. 

Do you remember Carole King singing “You’ve got a friend?” The lyrics by James Taylor always touched me. You see, I think that sometimes we need to ask those we love “do you have a dime?” We need to let them know that if they call out our names, we’ll come running. 

We may just save a life. 

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

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“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Enjoy Carole King singing “You’ve Got a Friend” (https://youtu.be/0XGX98OW4Rc)

I have been so busy today – one task after another. Crazy! I am pleased that I am making progress on several fronts. But, my goodness, what a day. 

I am not stressed nor frustrated. I refuse to let my “to do” list overwhelm me. Does it sound like I am being prideful? No, not today. 

You see, this morning at uncommon, a dear woman shared about her five mission trips in service to orphans in Haiti – one of our poorest neighbors. 

I saw pictures of children with smiles from ear-to-ear because they were with people who care about them. These orphans – the poorest of the poor – were thankful for the one simple meal they receive daily, a meal of beans and rice or of corn meal mush. 

I heard how when the boys became 12 years of age they are denied housing at the orphanage. They are sent to live on their own in the streets of the poorest of the poor. 

I recognized the “after” Hurricane Matthew pictures of a school that had been paid for and built by gracious, loving  and generous saints of the Lord. Heartbreaking photos. I understood outside help will be required again for the poorest of the poor will not be able to rebuild what was been taken from them.  

The presentation reminded me of lives that are so different from my own. 

How on earth can I complain about a busy day: when I ate well; when I live and work and worship freely; and, when tonight I will lay my head down on a soft pillow, in sheets that are clean, in a home that is safe and warm and mine?  

How on earth can I do anything else but say, “Thank You, Lord!!”

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

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Because Your love is better than life,my lips will glorify you. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:3-4)