I am a child of God, learning everyday. Tomorrow, I want to be a better teacher, speaker, coach, learner, leader, friend and servant because I did what I was supposed to do today.
I saw President Carter, his wife and daughter once at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. It was the summer of 1977. I had graduated from college and was selected for an intern position in the office of Senator Bob Dole. I did not have any friends in the area and explored the city by myself. I wanted to see the Kennedy Center and so bought a ticket for a show by Marcel Marceau. I was “financially challenged” (i.e. poor!) and my seat was high up in the balcony.
The start of the show was delayed for just a moment when an announcement was made: “Please stand for the President of the United States and the First Lady.” As “Hail to the Chief” played, the three entered from a side door, waved for just a few seconds and took the seats. Then the show began.
I was fascinated by the famous mime and, with the rest of the audience, marveled as we saw things that were not there, created by this talented artist. I was so busy applauding that I didn’t see the Presidential family depart.
But I thought about them later. President Carter was elected President in 1976, my first time to vote for a U.S. President. To be honest, I voted for the other guy (President Ford) but that didn’t stop me from standing, being respectful, and thinking about how thankful I am for those who put themselves in the public light. What I saw that night was a mom and dad taking their daughter to see a delightful show.
I get it that I grew up in a different time. A year or so ago, I saw a post on social media that I liked. I commented, using the first name of the author. Later, I realized that she was the mother of one of my school friends. Oh my!! She was always “Mrs._____” to me. I posted an apology immediately. One of my school friends shared that they had been shocked when I had used her first name.
I grew up when adults were all “Mr.” or “Mrs.” And, Presidents were addressed with respect due to the office to which they had been elected or appointed. I try to maintain that respect today no matter who is seated there. Yes, I do my part to hold them accountable to the position, but their actions and decisions do not change my respect for the position of President.
When we visited the Carter Presidential Library I did buy some peanuts to grow (they didn’t) and thought of the farm kid who became President. I also thought about his faith in God, his faithfulness, his belief in peace, his service to the poor and to his church. I appreciated his service.
Reflecting on the Presidential election of 1976, I still would have voted for the other guy. But I am thankful and respectful of all who serve as President. So today John put our flag at half-staff, honoring the life and service of President Jimmy Carter, and today we are praying that those who mourn will also learn from his life, service and faith.
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
(Paul wrote) “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)
I have worked on many Christmas Eves. But one sticks out like no other.
I was a sales clerk and bookkeeper at our hometown Western Auto throughout my years attending high school and college. I was offered the job by a man whose child I had babysat. My folks were surprised when I told them that I had a job; I was just 16. They told me that I didn’t need to work at that point in my life. I excitedly replied that I didn’t have to work – I GOT to work. I was thrilled to be an “employee.”
And, employees at that Western Auto worked on Christmas Eve.
Ours was a “home-owned” store when I started – a franchise owned by a local businessman. And, I started at $1.25 an hour. (A year after starting I learned that the owner’s kids got $1.50 an hour and they didn’t work nearly as hard as I did! I spoke to the owner and he moaned and gave me a 25-cent an hour pay raise.)
Later, the owner sold out and the store became a “company” store. My hourly pay jumped to $2.25 and we could get something called “SPIFFs” pay. SPIFF stood for “sales performance incentive fund.” We got SPIFF during special sales periods of specific items. One time, I got a SPIFF payment of $1 for every car battery I sold. The company manager had to recheck the payroll when he learned that I had made $61 in SPIFF that week.
I also had two jobs: sales and bookkeeper. Sales had a smaller wage (yep, smaller than $2.25 an hour) plus a sales commission plus the SPIFF payments. Every week I was told to do so many hours of bookkeeping work and so many hours of sales work. Being the astute money maker that I was, I would schedule my bookkeeping hours when we had fewer customers (making the higher hourly wage then) and my sales hours when the store was busy (receiving the lower hourly wage but doing well with commissions and SPIFF). And because I helped the mechanics as much as I could, they would walk customers that needed new tires or a brake job to me to write up the sale, ignoring the other sales folks.
Yep, Western Auto taught me some valuable lessons. And Christmas Eve was the perfect day to use that knowledge.
Christmas Eve was a sales day hours only for me. Our store carried the expected car parts, batteries, tools, and tires. But our days as a “home-owned” store had left us with a history of carrying lots of other items. Now this was at a time when Sam Walton was just starting something called “Walmart.” Small towns like ours had a “5 and Dime” store and a few other options. Our little store offered some great last minute shopping alternatives to all of that. We carried: freezers and refrigerators; bikes, wagons and tricycles; men’s razors and watches; toys and furniture; pots, pans and cooking utensils; lots of key rings and aromatic hangings for your car; and, a one time, a couple of sets of luggage.
Yep, we were a shopping Mecca…especially for men…especially on Christmas Eve. Guys would come in and ask “what can I buy for…” and then they would describe their various family members. Christmas Eve was commission heaven!
One Christmas Eve I helped a young man, probably in his late 30’s, and his adorable red headed boy find gifts for everyone on his list. They needed a lot and I was so willing to help them. After all of their selections were made, I went to the cash register to ring them up. The gentleman pulled out a check, filled it out and handed it to me. This was going to be the biggest purchase at the store in December.
I looked at the check. No problems with the date or amount. But the check had no printed information about the owner of the account and their address. That upper left corner was blank. The man saw me pause and quickly explained to me that he was new in town and had just opened this account; he had plenty of money in the account to cover the purchase.
My manager saw that I was having a problem and came over to me. I explained the situation. The check had account numbers listed but no name. And it was Christmas Eve, I couldn’t verify his identification with the account.
It was a big sale. The commission was going to be sweet but, without my manager saying a thing, I could not make the sale.
The gentleman was upset, the little boy began to cry. Everyone else in the store looked at me like the fiend that I felt that I was. But, I said, we would be glad to make the sale if he had cash or a card. The man and his boy stomped out and I began to put the merchandise back on the shelves.
It was about three or four days later that the front page of the local newspaper reported that six local stores had sold merchandise on Christmas Eve to a man who had stolen a stack of checkbooks off of a bank clerk’s desk. The man who had robbed these stores seemed so honest for he had had a little red headed boy with him.
My manager and I read the article and said “That could have been us.”
You see the sale, as large as it was, was not worth disobeying the rules and standards of the people who helped me work my way through high school and college. My boss and the organization trusted me to do my job even if the sale (and commission) would have been sweet. Taking that check appeared to be a way to help this family when, indeed, it might have been the end of my employment there.
That day I did the right thing not because I didn’t need the money but that I didn’t want to break a rule that had been given to me by people who were in charge and had gone out of their way to help me.
Christmas Eve is a wonderful day. We have been getting ready for Christmas for the last four weeks through recognizing the Advent Season. We cannot do the wrong thing now or ever. The love of God to send Jesus to die for my sin is worth more to me than any shady deal, any lottery card, any drug, any high or low, or any cheating of any kind.
The world will tell us that we just lost out on the most fun, best deal, the greatest experience known to mankind.
There is nothing in this world like knowing that you are working for the God of Heaven and earth and that He loves and trusts you. There is no fear of tomorrow and the shame of yesterday has been erased. I will never leave Jesus.
There is a song by Lanny Wolfe with lyrics that are so rich for this special night. I’ll put them below.
Merry Christmas Eve!!
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
He promised us that He would be a counselor a Mighty God and the Prince of Peace. He promised us that He would be a Father and that He would love us with a love that would not cease.
Well, I tried Him and I found His promises are true. He’s everything He said that He would be. The finest words I know could not begin to tell just what Jesus really means to me.
For He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive. He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe. He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams. He’s everything that my soul ever longed for, everything He’s promised and so much more. More than amazing, more than marvelous. More than miraculous could ever be. He’s more than wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me.
I stand amazed when I think that the King of glory should come to dwell within the heart of man. I marvel just to know He really loves me. When I think of who He is, and who I am.
For He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive. He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe. He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams. He’s everything that my soul ever longed for everything He’s promised and so much more. More than amazing, more than marvelous. More than miraculous could ever be. He’s more than wonderful, that’s what Jesus is to me.
Do you remember the Bible story of the prodigal son? Here is a quick summary:
A man had two sons. One of them, the younger brother, grew weary of being at home, learning the family business. He wanted to “see the world.” He asked his father for “his share” of the inheritance. Reluctantly the father agreed. The young son took the money, left the family property and found new friends. As the story goes, the money was soon gone, wasted on frivolous living. The son found himself hungry, homeless and friendless. He got a job caring for pigs (not appropriate work for a Jewish boy); and his hunger led him to almost eat the food that he was serving to the swine. After a time, destitute he decided to return home and to beg his father for a job; he knew that the workers at the family business lived and ate better than he did caring for animals. As he arrived home, humbled and wiser than when he left, his father saw him. The father ran to his son, hugging him, welcoming him, restoring him into the family. The one who was lost was home!!!
I love this story. It reminds me of the promise of God that if I return to Him, regardless of what I have done or where I have been, that He will hear my plea for forgiveness, forgive me and welcome me home. I was once a prodigal, but, Praise God, He welcomed me home!
In the middle of the Christmas craziness, may we think about those who are estranged in some way.
Some have experienced the death of a loved one. This is a horrible time as they mourn again their loss; it seems that, in their grief, they are even more distanced from family and friends.
Others are unable to be with family. I think of our service members so far from home and of their loved ones who keep the home fires burning. Yes, it is absolutely possible to celebrate Christmas on any day of the year but that fact doesn’t make the day of December 25th any easier.
Some are alone either voluntarily or because of circumstances they do not control. For many years, John and I have spent much of the Christmas holiday in hotels. The workers we see, preparing our breakfast, at the front desk, preparing rooms are probably not spending the day as they would like. Others choose to be alone, but just because they made that choice does not mean that they are not lonely.
Many are sick, infirm, elderly. The world they know is limited; their Christmas is so different from years in the past.
Still others are like the example of the prodigal son. They have separated themselves from their loving Creator and are living in disobedience and defiance. They do not how to change their future or if change is even possible.
A small group gathers in our church coffee shop each Sunday morning. Our circle meets before the alarm clock has rung in most other homes. And we pray. We pray for the activities of the day, churches in our area, pastors who came out of our church, our brothers and sisters in Cuba, our pastor and teachers, and we pray for those who are lost. As we pray, I always remember our Pastor’s frequent reminder to us that as we pray for the prodigals in our lives that we may be the answer to the prayers of one who has a prodigal in their life.
Maybe that neighbor who seems to always frown has a loved one praying that someone will make them smile. Could you be that someone?
Maybe the one who is so very alone just needs someone to chat at the mailbox. Would you be that friend?
Maybe the one who is living in sin, in disobedience to their Heavenly Father has someone praying for them. Will you share Christ with them? Through your loving outreach a soul, a life, a marriage, a family may be saved.
Jesus calls us to be His ambassadors.
Let’s get to work; time is slipping away.
(I know that I have work to do.)
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
You know that I’m not a writer. Yes, I write things down, but my true calling is “teacher.” I love taking subjects apart, thinking about students and packaging the subject’s content into bits and pieces that students understand. Then, if I do it right, those bits and pieces get strung together, helping facts and concepts turn into knowledge.
Today, as I ran errands, I was thinking of subjects for today’s musings and I got a six solid ideas. As I always do, I prayed, asking God to lead my thinking. All six of those ideas died quickly. Perhaps the Lord will lead me to them on another day.
And then I saw these smiling faces at the end of the toy aisle at Walmart. I passed by the men and said “Isn’t this just the best day possible?” and continued on my way.
(Now, I often talk with people I don’t know. Recently I had quite an exchange with a young woman at another Walmart. At first I was worried at her response and then God changed the dynamics of our conversation and things turned sweet. But someday, someone may report me to Walmart management and I will find myself being escorted out. You never know!)
But today, the smiles on the faces of these two gentlemen grabbed my attention. I stopped, did a u-turn in the aisle and returned to them.
Perhaps they were thinking as I came toward them “That crazy lady is coming back; I’m sure glad you are with me.” But they smiled as I asked them “Are you helping kids shop?” Their smiles got bigger and replied that they were. I was not surprised. Their organization does great charitable work and letting kids shop (using the organization’s money) the weekend before Christmas was just something that they would do.
I told them that their activity was so cool and asked them for a picture. They said yes and posed for a quick snap. We shared “God bless you’s” and I continued on my way.
A positive word to a stranger can change your (and their) day.
When I walk alone through a parking lot, I will often say “hello” to a person who looks a little suspicious. Maybe it is my “teacher” look but their demeanor changes and I feel safer.
I try to say “good morning” or “good afternoon” to clerks and security folks when I get a chance. When you add a happy lilt to your voice and a smile on your face, you can change their day.
When I am in a line, behind a frustrated mom or dad with a crying, I will often smile and say “Love to hear babies sing. You are doing a great job.” And then I quickly become interested in something in my purse in case the parent is ready to smack someone and I am a handy target. Most often, though, that weary parent will strike up conversation.
Years ago, I was working as a facilitator with a group of military and civilian folks. One of the topics was the work environment. In a survey, the organization had commented that one of the things that would help them feel more connected would be the presence of senior leaders in their working spaces. The second most senior individual took this issue for action. Every time they left the building, they would walk briskly with their head down, up and down the hallways. They were apparently unclear on the concept. Our physical presence isn’t what folks want; they want our heart and mind in the conversation too.
Look again at the picture of my new new friends. Their attire says who they represent. They are in the Walmart toy area the Saturday before Christmas. And they are smiling. It’s impossible to miss what they are doing.
So, what about us?
Does the suspicious person in the parking lot think us to be an easy target as we look scared, clutching our jacket and averting their glance?
Does that family member know what we are thinking about them by the way we are looking or not looking at them?
Can we repeat the story that our new friend just told us?
Or, are you the one with the sincere smile, the warm hug, the one who is looking like they are celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus?
Here’s your homework: Smile!! Reflect the light of our Lord!!
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
This morning Mom and I were talking about our teaching years and the fun of having farm kids in our classes. Most of the stories I can’t share here 😳 but Mom has one of my favorites.
She was teaching 3rd grade and the class took a field trip to the Kansas City zoo. Now teachers and parents know that trips to the zoo should happen early in the day and this particular trip did. As they walked past cages and enclosures, they came upon a grassy enclosure that housed animals about the size of goats. One goat was in its side, its torso swollen and its legs splayed out from its body.
Children began to point at the poor creature ask “Mrs Mullins, what is that animal? Is there something wrong with it?” Mom, wishing that a zoo worker had walked by the area before the zoo has opened that morning hummed and hawed a bit and finally responded, “I’m not sure, maybe it is sleeping; let’s move on.”
A young man, no doubt a farm kid, came to Mom and quietly said “Mrs Mullins, that animal isn’t asleep; it’s dead.” Mom quietly agreed and said something about moving on.
Ever tried to keep a Christmas tradition alive that died sometime ago? I did one year. We had a tradition from my family that I tried with the kids and they did it – once! The next year it was clear to me that my tradition was dead. There was no hope of resurrecting it.
And, to be honest, there was no need to try to bring it to life. We established our own traditions.
So, this year when you get anxious that your crew isn’t interested in watching that “favorite” movie or eating that “special” dish, let it go. That particular tradition is probably already dead and you just didn’t know it.
But as we recognize that our beloved traditions are not as important to the next generation, let’s make sure that one remains (or is added) as part of our Christmas celebration – recognizing the gift of God that came in the form of a baby. Jesus who lived among us, taught us how to live, was innocent as He took on our sins, was murdered, and who rose from he dead and offers salvation to each of us today.
Why not, this year, read the Christmas story from the Bible? And have the kiddos read part or all of it to you? If you practice only this one thing on Christmas, you will find that the celebration can make a difference in your heart and life.
My younger sister gave us a candle while we were with them at Thanksgiving. She said “light it when you are wrapping gifts or decorating for Christmas.” She knew that the aroma would release great memories of Christmas. I wasn’t surprised when it did just that as I relit it this morning before I started my day’s to do list of cleaning, laundry, wrapping gifts and preparing more cards to mail.
And, this week, we got the funniest text from one of John’s sisters. She wrote “Your package arrived safely. I will happily play 🤶🏻 and hand your gifts out! Thanks for the yearly “smelly” box😁.” I should probably explain.
My in-laws gave out bayberry candles each Christmas and reminded us to burn them on New Years. There was a poem that went with the gift “Bayberry candles burned to the socket bring health to the home and wealth to the pocket.” One year, my mother-in-law shared with me that it was harder and harder for them to get and to send out the bayberry candles. I told her that we would take on the gifting and we have. We send candles (or gift cards to those for whom the scent of bayberry is a problem) each year to family members. My sister-in-law had received our “smelly box” with candles for her and her family.
Some scents open our mind’s memories – good and bad. The odor of mold reminds me of the flooding of our home. The scent of wet canvass or bug spray brings up great memories of family vacations. Sunscreen means the beach. And Old Spice reminds me of Poppa and of John.
The Bible mentions many aromatic spices; two of which were brought by the magi as gifts for baby Jesus: frankincense and myrrh.
And, Christians, the Bible tells us that “we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:15-17) So when a non-believer tells you that to them your ideas or beliefs stink, they are being honest. Don’t let it get to you.
Want to welcome guests to your home this holiday season? Light a candle or put some chocolate cookie dough to bake in the oven. If they aren’t allergic, they will be happy. If they are allergic – don’t do it!
Better yet, why not be pleasant, be welcoming, be loving? The love of God can shine through us if we allow it. The hope of Christ can be “an aroma that brings life.” We can make a difference in this hurting world. We can bring comfort to those who mourn, hope to those who are overwhelmed and redemption to those who live in darkness.
Earlier this week I heard an interview with a modern, secular singer. I know nothing about the singer’s life nor music. But I began to smell the aroma of Christ when I heard this exchange:
Interviewer: “So you believe that Jesus was a man who actually lived?” Singer: “Yes.”
Interviewer: “And you think that Jesus, this man, did miracles and was God?” Singer: “Yes”
Interviewer: “Wouldn’t that be cool; to see Him do miracles and to think that He was God?” Singer: “I can introduce you to Him.”
This past Sunday a dear friend commented that they had heard several people say, “I will be glad when Christmas is over.” It broke my heart. You see, today is the 17th of December. In my tradition we celebrate December 25th as the date of Christ’s birth. So as of today, Christmas hasn’t even started yet.
But our choir presented a Christmas cantata last week. One of our guest rooms is filled with wrapping paper and Christmas gifts that need to be wrapped. The stores have been playing Christmas carols, displaying “Grinch’s” and filling the aisles with toys, aftershave lotion, women’s slippers and Christmas cookies since October. You might share with me “Jill, I think that we are already in the Christmas season!”
It’s true, the world will tell us that we are in the Christmas season. But the world once told me that if I kept scrunching up my face that it would freeze that way. The world told me that a meteor was going to take out the state of Kansas. And the world promised me that if I used their product that I would be smart or acne free or gorgeous or have long luscious hair. Friend, the world lies!!
So, what season is it? We are in the season of advent. We are preparing for Christmas. We are expectant. Waiting for the Christ to come to earth.
When I taught psychology, I taught a section on the power of expectation. About a week before the lesson, I had messages delivered to my class members telling them that they needed to be in class on a specific day; that they did not want to miss what was going to happen. I prepared areas of my teaching section where the students were forbidden to enter; areas that had been open to them before. When I student would approach my desk, I would cover the papers in front of me.
And, boy did I get questions!
Miss Mullins, What is going on?
Can I help?
Are we having a special guest or film?
And, I sent more reminders. And the questioning increased. I started getting questioned by other faculty members who had been set up by students to learn the secret.
When the day came, I had snacks and a game or two.
But, my little party never ever matched the excitement of expectation. And the class talked about the power of expectation. It can change your life, your sleep patterns, your thinking.
Friend, God knows your circumstances. He knows that you are weary, overwhelmed, frustrated, sad or angry. “He knows your hurts. He knows your heart.”
So, I get that the world’s description of Christmas is disappointing. It just doesn’t measure up.
And we try. We work to make Christmas exciting. We use music to try to get out hearts beating. We buy more. We eat more.
And, like my class on expectation, we just can’t make Christmas as joyful as we want it to be.
Here’s the secret – stop trying to create Christmas in your mind and heart. Think about world dark in its own filth created by its own doing. Think about being hopeless and lost.
And then, now or in Christmas morning or anytime you want, remember that in the middle of a dirty, damp place where animals were kept that a little baby was born. He was the Hope of the world. He was the bright and shining Light. He was GOD Who looked just like we do. And He lived a life like we do for one reason: to example how to live as He gave His life for our sins. He was Hope in human flesh.
So during these next few days of expectation remember that because you decided to make Him King of your life that that baby who grew and taught and died for our sins is Lord over all that you are. He is your Lord and Savior, Guide and Friend, Protector and Conqueror.
As I sit in this parking lot, I am in tears, knowing that Jesus loves me. He lives in me. And that He saved me out of the dark and filthy world.
Friend, I am awaiting His return.
I am in a season of expectation!!
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6)
Today we remembered a dear friend who graduated to heaven.
She and her husband were two of my first friends in Pensacola. She was such a sweet soul, funny, generous and so very kind. We went to the same church and she was one of those ladies who “dressed to the 9’s” every Sunday. It was so cute: she and her hubby often wore matching outfits. I think that her closet and jewelry boxes must have been massive!!
My favorite moments were singing with her in the church choir. She and her sister would sit together in the alto section and would giggle at anything. Those giggles were infectious. You couldn’t help start laughing when those two got going.
She loved her sister and she loved her best friend. Her loyalty to those in her circle (and it was a HUGE circle) was sincere and rock solid. She would not tolerate gossip and God forbid you say something negative about “her pastor.” She was a true friend.
She introduced me to the southern tradition of fresh coconut cake at Christmas time. When she first offered a piece to me I thought “Fine, a white cake with coconut frosting.” At my first bite I was hooked. This was a WHITE cake, light and flavorful and delicious. And it was topped with FRESH coconut icing. The icing tasted nothing like what is in a can on your grocery shelf or on a bakery cake. Her Christmas coconut cakes were the best thing this side of heaven.
My friend would never have seen herself as I, or other friends, saw her. I remember one particular moment when my friend cried tears of vulnerability. Her heart was broken and she, as I am learning to do more and more, went straight to Jesus. He must have shared heart-to-heart words that were just between the two of them and not for the rest of us to hear. Her tears stopped, her heart was still broken but she was holding the hand of her Savior already taking steps toward healing.
If I were to talk with her tonight I wonder what she would think I would be remembering about her. I imagine she would mention the jewelry or the clothes. I doubt that she saw herself as I saw her.
But she is with Jesus now. I know that her sore knees are gone. I imagine that as soon as she crossed heaven’s threshold that she ran to the feet of Jesus and said, as only she could say, “Lord.” I doubt that she has moved an inch from that spot.
I wonder what people will remember about us? Do we live lives filled with caring for others, being faithful and loyal? Will we be remembered for making people feel welcomed and heard?
As Christmas Day approaches may we turn our eyes toward Jesus and see others as He sees them. May we ignore the shiny things of this world and notice the hearts of gold inside of others. May we stop looking at the mirror and, instead, examine our own hearts.
Friend, I will be along side you one day and we will sing together in heaven’s choir. Save a place for me in the alto section.
This morning was what John and I call a “sleep in day.” No alarm clock. No rush to get out of bed. I need those days after busy times and before busy times. And the Christmas season is all busy!! (And wonderful!!) He did have a late morning appointment so as he headed out, I got comfortable on the couch with a piece of toast and a protein shake and turned on the TV.
I couldn’t find anything interesting and began channel surfing. I found the “Senate Channel” and listened to a wonderful man speak before my mind turned to a memory of my last time in the Senate’s chambers.
We had taken our three granddaughters on a trip to Washington DC. Our visit included stops at the offices of their members of the House of Representatives and quick visits to the Senate and House Chambers.
When we got into the House, they were just beginning their session. We stood for prayer and said the Pledge of Allegiance along with the few folks who were in the chamber and gallery. Then the House began having a period of 1-minute speeches. There had been a controversial call at a Major League Baseball game the night before and several members used their time to make comments on the quality of the umps and the teams involved. Our visit was over quickly and we departed the gallery.
When we entered the Senate they had already begun their day. As I recall, there were only three Senators in the chamber; one presiding, one speaking and one reading. Again, our time was over quickly and we were ushered out.
If you ever want truthful and clear opinions, ask a kid! Here were some of their reactions:
Why were they talking about baseball? They should be doing their job!!
That man speaking didn’t know all of the words that he was reading. He should have practiced!
And if he didn’t know all of the words, how could he know if what he was saying was even right?
Where were all of the rest of them? They should have been on time, working, like we have to do at school.
It was funny but it wasn’t. Our girls took seriously the responsibility to use time appropriately.
I agree whole heartedly. And last night a dear friend shared how she appreciates my sense of time. I am kind of a no-nonsense kind of gal when it comes to people’s time. I start and finish events on time (and ending earlier than planned is always great!!)
But sometimes I find myself missing something because I was too focused on the time or getting the job done. Last night I forgot to eat dinner or drink all of the fluids that I should, thinking I could do that four hours later than usual. Bad decision and it showed! My body insists on getting what it needs when it needs it.
So this holiday, let’s find that sweet point of balance: making good use of the time and yet slowing, or even stopping, to enjoy the view.
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
Ps. Gotta get going, packages and cards need to be mailed before I do a complete stop and enjoy lunch with a friend. Balance, Dear One, balance! ❤️❤️❤️
When I was a child, my family visited Yellowstone National Park where the geyser “Old Faithful” is located. When we visited, the geyser erupted about every 70 minutes (or so) with each eruption lasting 2-5 minutes. Its name came from its relatively predictable eruptions.
I remember watching Old Faithful and holding Mom’s hand as we walked on the wooden walkways that take visitors close to the geysers. At one point, one geyser erupted with the rest of the family on the other side of the hot, sulfur-smelling water. I was worried, but Mom reassured me and we held each other’s hand a little tighter.
You see, like the geyser, my parents were faithful. Faithful to their God, each other, their family and their promises.
Faithfulness comes at a price; it isn’t cheap. And the cost of being faithful, of consistently remaining true and loyal with integrity and truthfulness, is why faithfulness isn’t popular or common.
One of the attributes of God is that He is faithful. He never changes. Imagine that – our Creator will always be Who and what He has always been. No moodiness. No changing of the rules. No holding back on the promises He has made.
This attribute of God, His faithfulness, is part of the reason that I love the Christmas carol “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Although we do not have a history of the origin of the hymn, we do know that it was written to the Church, to the faithful followers of God.
My goal is to become more and more like God, to be a more accurate reflection of Jesus, His mind, His view of people, His mercy and grace. I’m not far toward that goal, but, I am happy to say, that I do have had tiny moments of progress!
To be called by God, to be faithful to Him – always looking for His way and not my own, reflecting His grace and love, to have the mind of Christ is so exciting! So, Fellow Believers, come with me and answer the call to come and worship the Lord. He knows our striving to be faithful. He is delighted when we praise His name!!
Brothers and Sisters, let us spend some time this Christmas adoring Him, worshipping the One who calls us to be faithful!!
Love,
Jill (just one of God’s kids)
Verse 1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him born the King of angels: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Verse 2 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, glory in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Verse 3 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
We Gather Together 