I don’t remember a Thanksgiving at the Mullins’ home without my Mom’s paper towel roll pilgrim family. (The picture above looks NOTHING like our Pilgrim family, but you get the idea.) Mom’s Pilgrim family had two very tall parents (made from cardboard tubes that once held paper towels) and two pretty tall Pilgrim children (made of the cardboard tubes that once held toilet paper). I loved those tall, skinny people. It’s true that they wore severe black and white construction paper clothes, but they had happy smiles.

Our table decorations also included “Indian corn” and several of those gourds that had bumpy surfaces. (I always thought that the gourds were kind of creepy. I would run my hands over them and wonder just what was under those bumps?) I remember sneaking a couple of the kernels of Indian corn and trying to eat them. They were hard with dusty centers; nothing like our corn on the cob from the garden or the kernels of corn left in the bowl when the popcorn was all done. I don’t recommend trying to eat it.

Thanksgiving decorations were sweet, but not thrilling like a Christmas tree or scary like Halloween decorations or delicious like the bright red Valentine’s Day candy received on that cold and dull day in February. Thanksgiving decorations are somber. The “earth tones” of fall leaves and mums, the intact November pumpkin (who doesn’t have that silly grin of its October cousin), and even the fall fruits of apples and berries are pale when compared to the bursts of color and the freshness of fruit in the spring.

Thanksgiving just seems to be a more grown up holiday. And, that makes sense to me.

To be thankful is a humble action. When we are thankful, we are acknowledging that someone has provided to us things that we do not deserve, that we did not earn. Children may say thank you, but they are rarely truly thankful. In our culture, a child’s thank you often comes in the middle of giggles and laughter. Compare that to an adult, thankful that they are receiving a gift was paid for by another.

For instance, I am thankful for the education given to me. No doubt, I did the homework and spent the time in class. But, others built the schools. Someone else decided that American children would receive public education. My parents prepared me to learn. My teachers were patient with me when they could have ignored me. My siblings helped me through tough classes and instructors. My education was paid for by others and given to me without fanfare. My eyes tear up, knowing that I have not said “thank you” nearly enough.

So, as we gather with others during this season, we need to think “what have they given to us?” Let’s start be grateful before the 27^th gets here.

Maybe the list of “gifts” below will prompt you to send a thank you note or text or posting. Is there someone you should thank for their gift of a:

• Kick in the behind
• Pat on the shoulder
• Surprise extra couple of bucks
• Night out with the boys (or girls) to forget her (or him)
• Job
• Meal or two between pay days
• Ride to the car repair shop
• Word of advice that you needed but didn’t like hearing
• Lesson
• Hug
• Their military service

We have been given so very much. Let’s take a moment and be truly thankful.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Dear Mary H. Brown,

We should begin by apologizing if that isn’t your name.  We are having a tough time reading your signature. So, please forgive us if your last name is something other than Brown.

Thank you so much for the “brownie bite” that was served to John at Appleby’s on Veteran’s Day. John asked if you were still in the restaurant (he wanted to thank you in person), but our server told us that you paid for his dessert some time ago. John then asked if he could buy dessert for another veteran, saying that he wanted to “pay it forward.” “No,” was the answer from the gal as she handed him our check; apparently the program to buy dessert for a veteran was over a while back.

We had already had a wonderful meal with John making his choice from the menu of free meals for veterans and we didn’t need dessert at all. But, the morning outside, attending the parade and ceremony downtown, had been so nice and we were enjoying our time at the table, so we lingered a few extra minutes. The dessert menu was tempting us both; as our server passed our table heading to another set of diners, she pointed at John and said, “I have a brownie bite for you.”  We were a little surprised and wondered what else she might be planning for us.  As she passed our table a few minutes later, this time on her way back to the kitchen, she paused long enough to push a small piece of paper toward John.

On it, you had written a message in red ink, “Thanks for serving our country.” That meant a lot to us. You don’t even know John and yet you not only bought him dessert (and, he LOVED IT, by the way), but you took time to write a note to him.

We were taught to write thank you notes and we try to adhere to that teaching. On Christmas afternoon, Mom Mullins would pull out note cards and her address book and the kids would write thank you notes for anyone who had sent us a gift. We also wrote them to anyone who had helped us during the holidays; you know, the music director at church, that sort of thing. We didn’t have email or Facebook or texting then, so a handwritten note was how we said thank you.

We still like hand written thank you notes the best. When one comes in the mail, it makes us smile even before we open it. It is just like getting another present!  And, a thank you note really doesn’t have to say much. We love them all, but thank you notes that come from kids are special. One of our favorites was, “Thanks for the birthday money. I REALLY NEEDED IT!” (We kidded that child’s parents a lot!) We got one recently that thanked us for birthday money and then went on to thank us for the birthday money we had sent to their younger sibling. Love it!

Ms. Brown, We wish that we could put this thank you note into an envelope and mail it to you. But, we have no idea where you live and we are not sure that we even have your name right. And, so, we are going to have to trust God to share our appreciation with you.  Know that “I thank God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3).

Please keep giving to others. Don’t let our failure to thank you properly diminish your appreciation of our nation’s veterans.  It was a GREAT GIFT!  It was unexpected, undeserved and totally delightful.

And, we promise to keep writing thank you notes.

May God bless you and keep you!!

John and Jill Stein

A few weeks ago, I went with John to his weekly Rotary Club luncheon. (He is a member of the Suburban West Rotary Club of Pensacola – The best Rotary Club!) The speaker was talking about a program to teach families to prepare fresh food products. For instance, it costs a great deal less to prepare a potato than to buy a bag of frozen “tator tots.”  It was an interesting discussion by an American farmer.

The farmer also sells “big” farm equipment and he told a delightful story. A woman approached him at an event and told him that it was irritating that his slow moving “big yellow and green” farm equipment kept her from traveling at her desired rate of speed. He smiled and said that the equipment was what brought groceries to her table. She looked askance at him and replied, “No they don’t. I buy my groceries at The Apple Market.” I know: give her a dollar to buy a clue!

My sister and her family are farmers in Kansas. While visiting them one time, my brother-in-law, Ken, showed our granddaughters wheat still on the stalk. He pealed back tender leaves to reveal the growing grain. Each girl took some of the wheat and tasted it, right there in the field. When talking with one of their parents that evening, one excited granddaughter exclaimed, “And, I ate RAW MEAT that Uncle Ken gave to me.” Yep, Grandma Jill grabbed the phone to explain that it was raw WHEAT and not raw MEAT that we had eaten on the farm.

Throughout the year, I get to hear what’s going on at the farm: preparing, planting, growing, protecting, harvesting, selling, and back to preparing. This time of the year, us non-farmers think about the harvest.

And so, I had a question for Poppa the other day. (He grew up on the family farm that his preacher father kept.) I had spent part of the day, walking across our yard, picking up pine cones for a craft project. My question was: did I “harvest” the pine cones? I mean, I had nothing to do with the planting or growing of the crop; I just picked them up. Was it cheating to say that I had “harvested” them?   Poppa was clear: I had harvested pine cones. Like ancient American Indians who “harvested” wild rice and lumberjacks who “harvested” trees that they had not planted, I was harvesting a crop.

Later I looked up the definition of the word “harvest”; it means to gather up the crop. I felt that I have the freedom to talk about my “harvest” of pine cones and other things.

This year was a great year of “harvest” for us: we harvested from our home damaged by flood; we harvested good news when we were told that it was not cancer; we harvested joy when a loved one was taken home; we harvested peace of mind because others stepped up and took on a burden.

Some of you had harvests this year that included: a graduation when it looked like it wouldn’t happen; riches when the bank account was low; grace when it wasn’t earned; more moments together than they said there would be; a new start when it looked impossible; a loved one released from prison; mercy when you deserved something else.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

Keep harvesting! And, keep planting; you may be preparing a harvest for someone else.

But, I cannot hit “send” today without including another scripture. Is it for you? “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” (Jeremiah 8:20) Email me at carlajillstein@yahoo.com if you need someone to talk or pray with you. I am here for you.

Love, Jill

Two little girls singing the “Star Spangled Banner” surprised the high schools students, but not us. Our granddaughters, Rebecca and Rachel, often sang together. They have beautiful voices and sweet spirits. This particular day was unusual because we were in Washington DC, approaching the Korean War Memorial. The girls, along with their cousin, Zara, knew that this was a time to be somber, but they were too young to really understand why. And, so, based on the information that they understood, the two sisters decided to sing our nation’s anthem.

As we walked up the sidewalk, approaching from the Vietnam War Memorial Wall of Remembrance, a group of high school students was nearby, noisy and haughty. These 17 year olds were bored with the memorials and were explaining loudly how “lame” the tour was. But, when the two little girls, holding hands, with cousin and grandparents in tow approached them, the high school kids were wise enough to grow quiet and to look carefully at our family.

If you haven’t visited the Korean War Memorial you might not understand the question that we got from the girls as we came to the side of the display; for large statues of Americans in uniforms were next to us, lined up, marching to a silent-to-us cadence. The faces are all different, representing all who are American; their bodies look cold and weary; they appear to be moving in spite of their concrete boots and legs and arms. And, they are all the same shade of gray. The girls looked up at us and said, “Are these people ghosts?”

John knelt down and explained that the figures were not ghosts, only statutes. But, that each one represented someone’s father, son or dad.

I’ve thought about that question many times over the years. Are these people ghosts?

In America, we often wave the flag on days like today, Veteran’s Day, but then we put them away and pretend that everything is fine. We try not to look at the homeless man who is wearing parts of an Army uniform. And, we ignore the increasing number of men and women who walk on legs and feet that are man-made. We enjoy the videos of the coming home reunions, but we hesitate to watch the news that is showing more and more clips of bombs bursting in air.

And, so on this Veteran’s Day, I ask you one question, will you today find and thank a Veteran or will you, like so many others, see them as ghosts?

I need to hug the veterans in my family and remind them how very proud of them I am. Oh, they will hum and haw and be embarrassed, but I am thankful that they chose to serve when service wasn’t cool.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1

Over the past couple of years, there has been great debate over what constitutes a “family” or “family members.” I can tell you that in the home where I grew up, anyone could be family on any given day.

My mother brought home what I have often called “strays.” Nope, my folks aren’t cat lovers, they are people lovers. Mom or Poppa would notice someone who needed family and invited them to join ours for a day or longer. It was fascinating; we kids never knew who was going to be staying at our house or eating at our table.

One summer, we had a second “Jim” living with us. (The first Jim is my amazing older brother.) Jim2 slept in the sewing room, which was really just a nook with a curtain off the upstairs hall. My recollection is that Jim2 was longer than the bed and his feet stuck out when he slept. Toward the end of the summer, Jim2 left for a few days to visit his folks. His mom was shocked that he knew how to cook his own breakfast. Jim2 explained that one morning in our home, Mom had shown him where the cereal and eggs were; he could eat what he pleased. Jim2 watched Mom cook eggs a couple of times and one morning he decided to cook them for himself; from then on, he was self-sufficient.

Another time, we had 4 or 5 “seminary boys” at the house for Easter. (I should explain that these were young men studying for the ministry. Someone accused my Mother of inviting seminary boys over as potential husbands for us girls. We thought that was hilarious; having these guys at our house made us totally uninterested in them!) Anyway, on this Easter Sunday, the guys started tossing hard boiled eggs across the living room. The distances between catcher and thrower kept increasing. Mom felt very comfortable in chastising them just like she did her own kids and the frivolity ceased. Those guys knew that they were family that day.

Mom and Poppa would sometimes bring Rev. Garrett home for Sunday dinner. He was an elderly, retired preacher who enjoyed a home-cooked meal. We kids were shocked when one day he picked up the gravy ladle and put gravy over his entire plate, including the tossed salad. Poppa explained later that at the retirement home they probably didn’t allow him to eat gravy and that he was stocking up on it at our house.

When my folks trusted me and my younger sister to stay by ourselves for a weekend, they weren’t surprised to find a group of boys sleeping on the floor in our living room. The guys had been camping the night before the folks returned home and a huge rain storm hit; the boys knew that they could find shelter at the Mullins’ house. We girls never thought about not inviting them in out of the rain. I guess some other parents would have been upset about boys in the house; our folks wanted to know if we had offered them breakfast.

What’s my point? If you want to have a “family” this holiday season, you can have one. Just look for the person who would enjoy a cup of coffee. Find the family at the church or preschool who could use some extra gifts around the tree. I imagine that you know people who could use a baked lasagna (they don’t care if it is store bought!). There are kids who need a mentor and an older “sister” or “brother.” Some older man and woman would love to have you listen to their stories.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I am recommending that you be unsafe and to put life and home at risk. But, look around you. Don’t get too fancy or expect a crowd; keep it simple and answer real needs. Could your table bless one or two “strays” this holiday season?

“I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.” (Job 29:16)

During my last two years of high school, I got to work with the 4 and 5 year old Sunday School class at Olathe College Church of the Nazarene. And then I taught the same age group for several years at Pensacola First Church of the Nazarene. You have to stay on your toes with this age group. They always ask the best questions.

• While showing them the baptismal, one student had a question about what those being baptized will be wearing: “Will they be naked?” she asked. Great question! The baptismal does look a little like a bathtub.
• When talking about Paul, one young lad said. “So the bad guy was Saul and the good guy was Paul?” Astute assessment!
• One Sunday morning, as I was praying out loud, I heard some strange noises and looked up to see what was going on. A dear, sweet child pointed at me and yelled, “You opened your eyes!!” I never did learn what was going on before she caught me peeking.
• During story time, one little girl looked at me and said “I’m tired.” She then put her head on the table and went sound asleep. I was really impressed that she took the time to explain her behavior.
• While talking about “taking the offering” one tiny tot wanted to know who took it and shouldn’t we be looking for them?

One Sunday morning, a member of my class saw my husband and told his mother that he knew that guy. She was surprised because he had a tough time remembering names and that he had only talked with John once. The mom asked her four year old what the man’s name was; he looked up and said clearly “Mr. Jill.” I understand where he was headed, but his train of thought stopped at the wrong station!

Funny, I am not Mrs. John but I am Mrs. Stein. While I was working for the Navy, I was known as “Dr. Stein” or “Ms. Mullins.” But, I was NEVER, EVER, EVER “Dr. Mullins-Stein.” (Say it out loud and you will understand why.)

I find it odd that we provide all kinds of information for our own “profile” in every social networking community, but that we disagree with having TSA “profile” us when we board an airplane. It seems that we want to be the only ones who are allowed to profile us. We want to shape our image, write our own bio, and decide what others will see, know and think about us.

In reality, people develop their own “profile” of us every single day.

So, who will we be this holiday season? Have fun considering being one of the characters (some real and some fiction) this year:

• Sally Brown: “Dear Santa Claus, How have you been? Did you have a nice summer? How is your wife? I have been extra good this year, so I have a long list of presents that I want. Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?”
• Scrooge: “It’s all humbug, I tell you, all humbug!”
• Tepper and Bennet’s song: “I’m gettin’ nuttin’ for Christmas. Mommy and daddy are mad. I’m getting nuttin’ for Christmas. ‘Cause I ain’t been nuttin’ but bad.”
• The Grinch: “What if Christmas, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
• Buddy, the Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
• Clarence the movie angel: “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”
• Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus: (the scripture says of Joseph) “He did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him.”
• Mary, the Mother of Jesus: “I am the Lord’s servant.”

You can write your own profile this holiday season. Think about it. Who do you want to be?

“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

I really enjoy working out of doors. I’m not very good at it. If we ever have a beautifully landscaped property it will have been created by someone else. But, my gardening tools and I have a great time tearing vines out of trees and hacking down small bushes. And, because we live on about 6 acres of heavily treed land, I have lots of space to work my “magic.”

These fall Saturdays are perfect for yard work. The weather is pretty good where we live and many of the wild plants are dying. So, even raking the pine straw up makes it look like I have worked really hard, even if I haven’t.

I like to work in what I call “the back forty.” This part of our property is pretty wild. There are no walking paths or grass to be mowed. But, I love working here. Several times I have “discovered” mature Star Magnolia trees that I have “liberated” from nasty vines. And, I can’t really hurt anything. Any bush that I cut down will start growing back immediately. It’s a great project for a “gardener” like me!

One day, I was doing my thing, pulling down vines, lopping off small branches, tearing down low bushes and then it happened. I was tugging on some tangled vines that went high into the trees. Suddenly, the vines let loose and a huge ball of “stuff” came hurdling toward me. I looked up to see the dark form fast approaching, I dropped my gardening tools, started screaming and ran as fast as I could.

You see, I had been day dreaming. (My kind of gardening doesn’t require my full attention.) In the single moment that the vines had been freed and brought a large pine branch with them, my mind saw what was not there. Instead of seeing vines and a branch, my mind created the image of a man jumping out of the trees headed right for me. I was positive that I was under attack!!

After a few seconds, I realized that I was being a complete idiot. The trees near me could never support the weight of a man. And, no person would want to be in the trees in our back forty. It was crazy that my mind had created that image and even crazier that I, a “reasonably sane” person, would think for even a moment that the image was real.

After I realized that I was fine, I looked around the yard and then headed into the house. John was working in his office; I came to the door asked as casually as I could, “Wow, did you hear that woman screaming a couple of minutes ago?” He looked up from the computer monitor and said, “No, I didn’t. Was that woman you?”   I felt a little like Lucille Ball when Desi would say, “Lucy, You’ve got some explaining to do.” But, John is so much kinder that Desi ever was. As I nodded, yes, he got up and hugged me. He asked “Are you OK?” He didn’t need to know why I had screamed; he was just concerned that something had scared me.

What a silly dope I am.   And, what an amazing man God has put into my life.

I am reminded of the Phil Wickham song, “This is amazing grace.”

“This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

 All that You’ve done for me.”

Maybe you find yourself worried about dangers that don’t exist or dangers that do exist. Today is a good day to make plans to attend a house of worship tomorrow and talk it over with the Father – the one who loves us most.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people He saves me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:2-4)

Enjoy the entire Phil Wickham song today at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7KVCGQRyQ

This week, I was blessed to visit family and friends and to be a house guest. I have two favorite “good guest” stories that I thought you might enjoy!

One night John and I were dinner guests in a friend’s home. I should start by saying that the two of us have conservative religious, financial and political views. And, if we are engaged in conversation about one of those topics, we don’t mind participating in a discussion.  But, we rarely initiate a conversation that will cause controversy.

Before attending this particular dinner party, our hostess contacted us and asked that we not discuss our views; she was concerned that perhaps one of her guests or family members would not agree with us and might be offended by any comments we might make. We were a bit surprised at the call, but assured her that we would honor her request. And, we had a wonderful time in her home and so appreciated her hospitality.

But, it happened. One of the other guests began to share loudly their political views that were very different from ours. John and I remained quiet and smiled as our hostess kept nervously watching our reactions; clearly she was scared. After we had said our goodbyes that evening and were safely secluded in our car, we laughed out loud that SOMEONE had NOT gotten the word about no discussion of religion, finances or politics or maybe WE WERE the only ones who were asked to be quiet.

As we laughed about being “good” or “not good” guests, I recalled one of my other favorite family stories.

An older woman (one with lots of “breakable” things in her home) insisted that a young mother with three little ones come to coffee. The younger woman tried to say “no” but was overwhelmed by the sweet “little old lady.” The day came and it went badly. The kids behaved like kids; they tried to get into everything. Breakable items were bumped, glass front cabinets were smudged, body fluids dampened antique area rugs, and tension filled the air.

After an appropriate amount of visit time, the young mother thanked her friend and packed up her children and things. She had made it to her car when she realized that a diaper bag had been left behind; the young mother walked back to the front door.

It was then that she noticed what was going on inside the house. The older woman was walking around, her hands lifted into the air and her face bright with a smile. She kept singing out loudly to no one in particular: “Heaven below! Heaven below!”

So every time I am getting ready to leave a family member’s home, I remind them. “It’s time to start shouting: ‘Heaven below! Heaven below.’” (And, I am pretty sure that they do!!)

My points? Maybe being a good guest means that we refrain from sharing ALL of our views and that it is good for us to say goodbye while everyone is still having a good time!

Want to read some great tips from Jesus about how to be a great guest? Enjoy His words at: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A7-13&version=MSG

• Thanksgiving dinner
• May your stuffing be tasty
• May your turkey plump,
• May your potatoes and gravy
• Have nary a lump.
• May your yams be delicious
• And your pies take the prize,
• And may your Thanksgiving dinner
• Stay off your thighs!

(Anonymous)

So, what are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner? Yes – you do have to make plans. If you don’t make plans, you run the risk of having someone make plans for you and that could be no fun at all. So, here are some options:

• Dinner served in your home with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in someone else’s home with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in a restaurant with you, some family and/or friends
• Dinner served in your home by yourself
• Dinner served in a restaurant by yourself
• No dinner
• Popcorn in a movie theater by yourself or with others
• Snacks in front of the TV or computer monitor
• A tasty Lean Cuisine that won’t ruin your weight loss plan
• Cheese and crackers while sitting on the beach, spillway, park bench
• Peanut butter on celery
• Brauts, brauts and more brauts with chips and brownies
• Chinese take out
• Pizza with extra cheese that will burn the roof of your mouth
• OK, you come up with the next option

You see there is no law that you have to eat what we pretend that the Pilgrims ate when they celebrated survival and harvest and community. You can eat what you like and be thankful!!

Some of you have marvelous holidays planned with wonderful people.  Have a great time and be thankful!

And, some of you are already committed to cooking or eating stuff that you really don’t want with people who aren’t your favorite folks. (Johnny Carson said: “Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.”) I am sorry for that. But, it is only one day a year, so put on that happy face and get with it.

And, for those of you will be alone, you have a choice. If you want to be alone, enjoy your day. I have spent Thanksgivings by myself, had a great time and been blessed. Have a wonderful day.

But, if you do not desire to be alone now is the time to plan. If you know others who have no plans, organize some time together. But, if that isn’t an option, call and offer to help somewhere. Call the local soup kitchen and offer to do dishes or serve a meal. Call local churches and let them know that you are willing to help with meals that they may be serving.  Contact the local agency that assists senior citizens and offer your services.

You do not have to be alone on this holiday. But, you may have to step up and to put yourself out there. You have time to make arrangements now. Do it for yourself; do it for others.

“May He (the Lord) give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4)

p.s.  Yep, we have plans to spend Thanksgiving with generous and sweet friends.

Wednesdays in November usually mean Christmas music practice. For those of you not involved in church music, please appreciate the fact that it takes weeks of practice to get ready for that 45 minutes of music in December.

My favorite memory of Christmas music preparation had to do with a children’s performance at my church in Olathe, Kansas. I was mature (all 13 years of me) and too young to be performing with the children. But, some adult had decided that certain, well behaved (little did they know) members of the teen group would help out. Having long, dark hair, I was assigned the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

This particular program had an interesting stage setting. A large book was on the platform. The huge cover would be opened and a scene would be shown on a page inside the book. The scenes were acted out by the teens and the kids. As Mary, I was in several scenes and I got to hold “Baby Jesus.” For this production, Baby Jesus was a baby doll who had a string in his back. During a break one day, I pulled the string and learned that this Baby Jesus could talk. Wow!!

It was Saturday and we were practicing. The shepherds had received the amazing news from the choir of angels and had come to Bethlehem. As they bowed down before the Christ child, the 2^nd and 3^rd grade shepherds were shocked to hear baby Jesus crying “Mama, mama, mama.” (Lucky for me, the adults were just out of range to hear the doll’s recorded cry.) The shepherds looked around for the source of the cries and then flubbed their lines. I loved it!!

It was time for the Wise Men and I was ready. As the 4^th and 5^th grade kings from afar approached the Christ child, I pulled the string. This time, the baby cried out “I’m hungry.” The Wise Men fell over, looking like bowling pins knocked to the floor by a crying baby doll. I could not control myself, this time I started laughing too.

The adults were not amused. I received a private “counseling session” about how I needed to be a leader and role model to the younger children. Being a relatively smart kid, I did as they asked. Baby Jesus was silent the rest of the day. (I still find it hilarious that when I arrived on the day of the performance, I found that the Baby Jesus doll had been replaced – the new one was WITHOUT a string!!)

Practicing means that you identify things that need to be improved or changed – like not tempting a junior high prankster with a doll that talked. Practice is important.

The great golfer, Sam Snead said that “Practice puts brains in your muscles.” I like that. When we practice something, we get better at doing the thing without having to think about it so much. Our actions become less hesitant and more fluid. Our speed improves. Our stamina grows. And, we are able to focus on the small things that can be improved. Ever watch a stellar sprinter or golfer? They do the little things so very, very well. Their natural abilities are refined and improved because they practice over and over the things that will enhance their performance.

So, what are you practicing? For too many years, I held practice arguments on my drive to and from work when I should have been praying about the situations that concerned me. Are you practicing the things that you do not want to do, or the person that you do not want to be? Are you getting better at being sullen or sarcastic or bitter?

Or, are you practicing the things that you want to learn to better?

The scripture tells us “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

My Friend, It is time for us to get ourselves together! Time to stop “stinking thinking” and practice thinking about good things. Don’t worry, we’ve got this. We can do it. Practice may not make perfect, but it will make us better!!

p.s.  To my PCN choir friends: I really have a GOOD REASON for missing practice tonight; I am not just goofing off.  And, to our Fearless Leader:  I PROMISE to listen to my CD!!