Be an EVER-READY Light!

It’s Thursday morning and I’m at my volunteer post in Radiology at Children’s Hospital. It’s a good day. The “little” patients are tolerating their pain until their x-ray is over with. I say to the younger ones “Let’s go get your picture taken. Be sure to smile really big!” To the school age kids, I say “Ready to go to Star Wars’ Launch Station?” That’s what I think of when I go into the room. This humongous arm of white steel with the grand camera ready to take off! Not to mention the 3-D X-Ray technology in another area.

I go back to my station and enters the “EVER-READY bright light” of Raz (aka Erasmo) – from our Engineering Department. He’s a bright light because he’s always beaming from ear to ear with a smile that brightens everyone’s day. He has his ear plugs in, as usual, but takes one out to visit with me. I say, “So are you listening to Christmas music?” He shows me his phone – it’s playing Johnny Matthis’ “Sleigh Ride”. A mom in the waiting room hears us talking and says, “I love Christmas music, too” and one of our cast technicians comes out of her room declaring her love for Christmas music, too.

Maybe you’re thinking these folks are in denial that Christmas is over. Oh, no – that’s not the case. Raz listens to Christmas music all year round. He says it’s always a happy day when he’s listening to Christmas music. Something else Raz and I have in common is we speak the same language. We talk about the goodness of God and how grateful we are to have Him in our lives.

I remember an old song written in 1913 by Ina Ogdon. Here I go again – referencing another song. These were the words:

“Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor "you" may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.”

The point of that old song is to be a light that brightens someone’s day and even might brighten their life with love, hope and joy that saves them from giving up.

Sometimes we hear people say: “I’m not good enough.” “What difference can one person make?” The funny thing is, I’ve been in the dark when there was an electrical storm and I couldn’t find the lighter to light my candles without my Eveready flashlight. We all can be that Eveready flashlight to those around us who can’t find their way. We ARE qualified to be LIGHT-bearers. There is so much darkness in this world – that when a HIGH BEAMER, like Raz, enters the room – darkness flees.

Here’s the Gospel truth: We each have a unique mission which God has prepared for each one of us. Maybe the mission is to share God’s good news in not just our talk – but our walk (St. Francis said “Preach the Gospel and all times and sometimes use words). Or maybe it’s to help one little child get a drink of water. And perhaps, that child will grow up and be that one that will change the world by their EVER-READY light.

If you’re tempted to sell yourself short, remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:14. “YOU are the light of the world. People do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. The purpose of any light is to shine in the darkness. Even the tiniest light can pierce through the darkest darkness.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for choosing us to serve you. Let us be instruments in your hand so that we brighten the corner where we are and impact our neighbors’ lives for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen!

If You Can’t Lick ‘Em – Join ‘Em

It's been "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" for months now. The big box stores have been touting us with their holiday wares since before Spring ended.This year I’m noticing even more folks skipping right over Thanksgiving and putting up their Christmas trees, house lights and decorations. Their home covered in a blanket of snow was all one of my friends needed to get her home all decorated with Christmas. One of the young volunteers who works with me at Children’s Hospital, along with her sister, put up their Christmas tree, fully decorated, while their mom was at work – completely against their mom’s desire to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Time for confession. I caved. Seems I’m still nostalgic with remembering nine years ago when I decorated our home for Christmas before Thanksgiving just before my husband passed away. I had never done that before and never since, but this year I can’t help myself. I've got a mishmosh going on -- Thanksgiving décor mixed with Christmas décor. My family will be getting two great celebration seasons rolled into one when they come in for Thanksgiving next week.

I was amused hearing some folks complaining about the early sales of Christmas decorations and hearing Christmas music playing since back in September. I understand retail stores want their bottom lines increased so they amp it up to get us into the "buying" frenzy way before the Christmas season. I can’t fault them for that. In order to vacate those shelves as quickly as possible, there are already 50% off sales.

Most of us want to embrace each season and make it as memorable as we can. We want to savor Fall with the leaves changing colors, pumpkin spice aromas and coffee, autumn décor. We want to remember the first Thanksgiving and the pilgrims and we want to make the Fall season special and meaningful. But, what's the big deal? Why should it matter when people begin to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas? What matters is that we open our hearts and our homes to gratitude at Thanksgiving and to the joys, delights, and celebrations of Christmas. Actually, both seasons could easily be merged together as one. So, here I am -- on board the early Christmas train!

Both of these beautiful seasons tend to make us more thankful, kinder, and expressing gratitude for God's blessings and for celebrating Christ’s birth. Joy to the world; the Lord has come. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I’m already allowing myself to get caught up in the miraculous Christmas story as I set out my many manger and Holy Family scenes. And, as I’m embracing and pondering all that Christmas means, when my family is together here in Frisco next week, this mode of thanksgiving, will simply open the door for all the joys and beauty of Christmas.

I've honed into this beautiful journey that will lead to the most Holy Day when our Savior was born – and, it would have been okay if I started way back in July! After all, it’s more than a season or a day. It's our reason for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE Who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them all by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me. He totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and amazing God. That's plenty reason to celebrate all read round! So, the next time we're tempted to complain about "too early", let's turn that around and welcome the reminder to thank God for the Reason for the season. It’s just too great a story to compact it into only one celebration.

Too Much Christmas Before Thanksgiving?

It's been "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" for MONTHS now. And, this year I’m noticing more and more families are skipping right through Fall and Thanksgiving and are fast forwarding the Christmas spirit of lights and decorations everywhere. In fact, last week while in Austin, I helped with Christmas decorating, and when I arrived in Frisco, Staci's home was already decorated so beautifully.

It's been "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" for MONTHS now. This year I’m noticing more and more families are skipping right past their Fall and Thanksgiving decorations and are fast forwarding the Christmas spirit of lights and decorations everywhere. In fact, last week while in Austin, I helped with Christmas decorating, and when I arrived in Frisco, Staci's home was already beautifully decorated..

I was amused at some FB posts a while ago as some folks were complaining about the early sales of Christmas decorations and hearing Christmas music playing since back in August. I get that retail stores, needing their bottom lines increased, amp it up to get us into the "buying" spirit waaay before the Christmas season. I can’t fault them for that. In order to vacate those shelves as quickly as possible, there are already 50% off sales.

I get that most of us want to embrace each season and make it as memorable as we can. We want to savor Fall with the leaves changing colors, candy corn, pumpkin spice coffee, autumn décor, and we want to remember the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving and make this Fall season special and meaningful.

But, what's the big deal? Why should it matter when people begin to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas. Different strokes for different folks. What matters is that we open our hearts and our homes to gratitude at Thanksgiving and to the joys, delights, thrills and celebrations of CHRISTMAS – Christ and His coming to this earth. Actually, Thanksgiving AND Christmas are seasons that could easily be merged together as one.

I’ve been pondering Advent and Christmas for several months now, partly because I’m a guest speaker at an Advent by Candlelight event back in Tulsa. AND because I packed up my home to move all my belongings to Texas, I sifted through a lot of Christmas décor and sold it in my garage sale. With fifteen tubs of Christmas décor remaining, I think I’ll still manage! Oh me! But, I won’t need to be decorating this year as I’m in Texas for the holidays and my girls have made this Mama proud with their exquisite decorating abilities.

My grandson is creating a melody of Christmas music and hearing those familiar tunes causes me to embrace this season even more. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. I’m already allowing myself to get enraptured by the miraculous Christmas story -- the UNLIKELY turn of events that altered the course of our present and future. And, as I’m embracing Christmas early, pondering and thinking about all that Christmas means, when my family is all together here in Frisco this Thursday, this mode of thanksgiving, will simply open the door for all the joys and beauty of Christmas.

I didn't complain about the early sales of Christmas decorations and music playing in the stores. It has just caused me to hone into the beautiful journey that will lead to the most HOLY DAY – and, it would have been alright if I started way back in July! After all, it’s more than a season or a day, it’s about a REASON for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them ALL by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me -- HE totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and GREAT, amazing God. I'd say that's plenty reason to be celebrating ALL YEAR ROUND! So the next time you're tempted to complain about "too early".....turn that around to being thankful for the reminder to thank God for THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. It’s just too great a story to compact it into just one celebration.

The World Needs a STABLE Influence

Day 353 of Photo Inspirations -- The World Needs a STABLE Influence
The phrase, "under the influence",  is typically used in defining someone's mental or physical faculties that are impaired because they are intoxicated or on drugs.

But, I heard that phrase used yesterday to describe those of us who are "high" on the Christmas spirit.  I like that.  We are "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season holds.

At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels.  The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East.  I, too, am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of this beautiful season where I hear God's voice in the music, the bells ringing, and the squeals and delights of children.  I see Him in in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we open our hearts to His love.  I smell Him in the sweet aromas of holly, evergreen, cinnamon and spice.   I taste Him in the sweet and yummy delicacies of fresh baked cookies and treats.  I am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the REASON for this beautiful SEASON, when I hold a friend's hand, when I touch a pine cone or garland or tinsel or wrapping paper, when I write a love note to a friend when I send them a Christmas card.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has. And UNDER HIS INFLUENCE, more lives have been positively changed than   by anything or anyone else in history.   No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Staying true to their faith, they face hardship, persecution and even death with resilience and determination.  Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

Not in the Christmas spirit this year?  Then, better check out what, or WHO, is influencing you. AND, what does YOUR influence look like in impacting others in a positive way?  Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the stable -- it just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Out With Fall, In With Christmas

Day 333 of Photo Inspiration -- Out With Fall, In With CHRISTMAS!!
My sweet kids left for home on Friday, but not before my wonderful son, Larry, completed a page-long "Honey Do" list for me.  And, my precious "adopted" girl, Denise Gerrich​ helped me take down my Fall decor', move it up to the attic, and bring down the Christmas.  And if that wasn't enough, she helped me decorate with outdoor lights, trees, and wreaths, as well as my in-home decor'.  There is no question -- I am blessed beyond what I deserve, which is why Thanksgiving and Gratitude top my "Good Attitude" List.  Little photos of Papa reading the Christmas story to the grandkids are all around my house -- sweet reminders of Christmases past.  And, lots of decor' that go way back too.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas for several months now. I didn't decorate to the extreme, like I once did, when the family came to our house for Christmas.  There was a Christmas tree in every bedroom, the house was decked out with lights and enough decor' to open up a Christmas store.  In fact, Christmas decor' took up half of our attic space.

It was our favorite time of the year.  But, again, seasons change in our lives.   I’ll be heading to Texas to celebrate with my Wallace crew, and then onto Seattle to celebrate with the Wuerch crew -- in just a couple of weeks.  I was feeling the peer pressure in my neighborhood when others began putting up their Christmas lights a couple of weeks ago.  But, my humble little displays still shout -- loud and clear...... "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Today, starts the magnificent season of Advent.  When I was preparing for the talks I'll be giving this week, and the neighbors were putting up their lights, MY Advent season had already begun.  I’m already  enraptured by the miraculous Christmas story -- the UNLIKELY turn of events that altered the course of our past, present and future.  What an easy transition -- to go from Thanksgiving to all the joys and beauties of Christmas.

Though the stores were playing Christmas music a couple of weeks ago, and were selling their Christmas wares....months ago,  it only caused me to hone into the beautiful journey that will lead to the most HOLY AND MIRACULOUS DAY – and, it would have been alright if I started way back in July!

After all, it’s more than a season or a day, it’s about a REASON for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them ALL by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me.  HE totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and GREAT, amazing God. I'd say that's plenty reason to be celebrating ALL YEAR ROUND!   Thank you, all you early Christmas decorators, for the reminder to embrace this season ALL YEAR LONG!  Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!

Christmas BEFORE Thanksgiving?

It's been beginning to look a lot like Christmas for MONTHS now. And, I saw some FB posts where folks were grumbling about Christmas decorations being sold and Christmas music playing since back in August. I get that retail stores, needing their sales, amp it up to get us into the "buying" spirit waaay before the Christmas season

And, I get that most of us want to embrace each season and make it as memorable as we can. We want to savor Fall with the leaves changing colors, candy corn, pumpkin spice coffee, autumn décor, and we want to remember the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving and make this Fall season special..

But, I started thinking -- what's the big deal? And why should it matter when people begin to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas. Different strokes for different folks. Bottom line is that we open our hearts, and our homes, to being thankful at Thanksgiving and to the joys, delights, thrills and celebrations of CHRISTMAS – Christ and His coming to this earth. Actually, Thanksgiving AND Christmas are seasons that could be celebrated all year long.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas for several months now. I won’t be decorating to the extreme this year, like I traditionally do, as I’ll be heading to Texas to celebrate and then onto Seattle to celebrate there. I’ve started my Christmas baking. I bought some gifts for my family back in September. And, I’m already very tuned into the miraculous story of Christmas – the real reason for the season. Part of that is because I’ll be speaking at two churches for their “Advent by Candlelight” events, so Advent and Christmas were already on my mind waaay before Thanksgiving and Christmas. And as my heart and mind go there, I’m already allowing myself to get enraptured by the miraculous Christmas story -- the UNLIKELY turn of events that altered the course of our present and future. And, as I’m embracing Christmas early, pondering and thinking about all that Christmas means…..when my family come into Tulsa next week for Thanksgiving, we'll all be in such a mode of thanksgiving, it will make an easy transition for all the joys and beauty of Christmas.

I haven't complained about the Christmas decorations and music in the stores. It has just caused me to hone into the beautiful journey that will lead to the most HOLY AND MIRACULOUS DAY – and, it would have been alright if I started way back in July! After all, it’s more than a season or a day, it’s about a REASON for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them ALL by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me -- HE totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and GREAT, amazing God. I'd say that's plenty reason to be celebrating ALL YEAR ROUND! So the next time you're tempted to complain about "too early".....turn that around to being thankful for the reminder to thank God for THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.