My life experiences in the good times and in very difficult times will hopefully inspire, encourage, and motivate others to take time to laugh, reflect, and seek God when difficulties in life arise.
Some facts and trivia are interesting to look into. About forty years ago, I read something very interesting about Shakespeare. A question was posed asking if he had written the Bible. It stated that he died at age 46 and that his name was found in Psalm 46-sort of. If you look at that Psalm in the King James Version (KJV), do the following: Count the first 46 words and see what you get. Now go to the end of the same Psalm and count backwards 46 words and see what you get. Interesting? Yes, but no, he didn’t write the Word of God. I recently re-watched the extended versions of the Hobbit trilogy and the Lord of the Rings series by Peter Jackson from the book series written by J. R.R Tolkien. Amazingly displayed on the screen are journeys and dangerous encounters faced almost daily by Christians with all types of God-sent messages for us all. This movie deals with the expeditions we all take when we set out to seek God. We encounter all types of hardships and our endurance is maxed-out. Hounding us every minute of every day is the enemy of our souls, Satan. The powers of darkness increase all around us with every step we take as we strive to get closer to God, to His ways, and to His glory. Sometimes, in our lives, as in the movie, we are taken aback, or even surprised by unexpected turn of events that attack us, catch us off guard, or just knock us off our feet! My wife and I caught ourselves biting our lips as we saw the grotesque figures that suddenly appeared on the screen. It’s a great thing we don’t see these critters in real life! Our lives are literally plagued by unforeseen demonic activity. Ephesians 2:2 tells us that the prince of the powers of the air, whom we used to follow, works in the children of disobedience. In the movie version, twenty rings were cast with one ring being more powerful than the rest, or having authority over the others. Let’s look at twenty ‘rings’ given to us by God with one Ring ruling over the rest. Did you know that The Fellowship of the Ring is in God’s Word? It is!! Sort of! Philippians 3:10 states: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His Sufferings” (capitalized and underlined by me). That’s the first (1st) Ring and the reason for everything in our lives as well as the foundation for the other rings. God calls us to intimacy with Him through an understanding of His death and resurrection. By accepting Him into our lives, we choose to die to ourselves and to live for Him. Because He rose from the dead, we too will rise with Him after death here on earth! To look at the rings we need to first understand what is going on and what we are talking about. When we take a stand, or decide to follow Christ, we’re to walk with Him all the way, not from a distance. Walking with Him is different from being religious or following a religion. Religion is man-made and entails man’s efforts to please God on our terms. Walking with God entails accepting the way (to God) He already made for us on His terms. He calls us to join Him in the fellowship of His sufferings for the sake of the gospel. He suffered for our sakes-to save us from the powers of darkness. He suffered to redeem us from the curse and darkness of sin. Sin separates us from God and His Holiness. God dwells in absolute holiness. There is no sin in Heaven; no form of evil whatsoever. 2 Timothy 3:12 reads: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution for the sake of the gospel.” God invites us to join Him in this fellowship along with our brothers and sisters throughout the world enduring sufferings for the same cause. If, for some reason, you thought there must be something wrong with your life because surely you should not be suffering as a Christian, you’ve been misled. Perhaps you’ve thought that being stuck at home and being required to wear a mask, etc. is more than enough suffering for Christ, you’re missing the point. To reign with God, we have to suffer with Him. Yes, demonic attacks will come and all hell with break loose upon you, but know that you’re not alone! God is always right by your side, and you have a family in the billions upholding you before the throne room of God! Worldwide, there are Christians persecuted, tortured, being starved and abused because they identify themselves with Christ. “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings” 1Corinthians 4:9)
Matthew 7:13,14 NIV reads, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, But, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it.” Jesus is the only way in. “He who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1 NKJV). Just as glass doors allow light in, God’s Word opens a door of light for us. Psalm 119:30 says, “The entrance of your word gives light.” God’s powerful word, when allowed to enter through the door of our hearts, gives enlightenment to our minds through understanding. The wonderful song, Awake My Soul (Phillips, Craig, and Dean) touches on this special and magnificent event: “Awake my soul, prepare an entrance for your glory, and let my heart become a throne for you to dwell.” In opening our hearts to His word, we’re allowing His light into our lives. No doubt, songs can play a part in God’s word enlightening us. It’s for You, by Sammy Ward, says, “The love o-f my life has opened the d-oor In-to a part of heaven I’ve never known before.” If you want to learn about God, go to God. Surrendering to Him will open doors of understanding and He’ll reveal His heart to you. Have you yearned to hear from God? Have you desired to get close to Him? I remember the lyrics from 50 years ago, “The long and winding road that leads to your door will never disappear…” (The Beatles), reminding me there’s a path leading to someone. I learned over 40 years ago the road that leads to God maybe a rocky one, but guaranteed to lead to the real Door. Scripture tells us of another door. It’s a door in heaven. A door that will open to let His Church in. Revelation 4:1 reads: After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice that I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, come up hither, and I will show you the things which must be hereafter.” This door is believed to be the door leading the church, the body (Group) of believers, (Christians) when the Church Rapture takes place into God’s presence in heaven. After this verse, the church is not mentioned again (in the book of Revelation) during the Great Tribulation period or while the judgments are poured upon unbelievers on earth. We’ll not be subject to those punishments. We’re not mentioned until the end; until we’re in His presence and returning with Him (Revelation 19:14). Only ONE DOOR (Jesus) can get you in to heaven. I know, I know, people will try all types of ways to get in. That’s what’s known as religion. It’s manmade to prove we can get in on our merits, on behalf of our efforts. But we can’t. “So, what’s the difference? I thought religion was good?” you might ask. It’s a relation that you want. We need a relationship with God. This way, you can talk to Him as you would to a friend and He’ll reveal to you His heart; His desires and plans for your life. See, He made the rules and He made the way; He is The Way. Those who will try, and there will be millions, will have missed the Door to the greatest party of all time beginning with a thousand years and flowing into eternity. Which door will you choose? Will you choose Door #1: the world and its desires, Door #2: destruction and separation from God, or Door #3: Jesus and eternal life? Don’t miss the Door of opportunity. God Bless, Sam
No, not the group with Don’t You Love Her Madly? Nice song, but I’m thinking about the type we can walk through. Hopefully, when they’re open! Have you ever walked through a closed glass door?! Like when doors automatically open and then you get to one that doesn’t? I have! We once visited a friend in the night up in Jersey. Went to her camper. My wife, not wearing her glasses, thinking the door was open, walked right through the screen door! Way back when I was growing up, there was the TV show, ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ where throughout the show participants had to choose prizes from three doors or curtains and at the end of the show, the winning players had to try to get the grand prize hidden either behind doors #1, #2, or #3. Get it wrong, & you might go home with a cow or some geese. Get it right, and you’d get paid vacations, a new car, & some cash. Personally, when it comes to doors, I like the swinging type; the ones in saloons. When the mean cowboy walked in, beady eyes scanned the room, spat in the spittoon or on the floor, and wiped his spittle with his sleeve, while everyone got quiet or scattered. Yep, ‘them doors.’ The type that’ll whack you on the rear if you don’t move fast enough. Granted, not everyone likes them-there types. I know, spittoons may be hard to find these days…but you can always…a-n-y-w-a-y…Doors have to fit their openings. Too loose, & they won’t be efficient. Too tight, and they won’t open/close correctly. I saw on a TV show, a man who wreaked havoc for his installers after buying some 40 used doors-each different from the rest. Some were of standard height, short ones, tall ones, and some of different widths or thicknesses. The hinges didn’t line up on several, especially when two doors were needed to pair off. Even the wood species were different from each other. The home owner, wanting his house to be unique ‘dished’ out $250,000.00 for his doors in the process. To some people doors are far more than something to walk through, or made to offer protection. They like to really walk through them. We’ve read of people “making a grand entrance.” Some, expect applauds and looks of approval upon their arrival. Some like making a scene as they exit. They want others to notice them in their apparels or the flair they walk with. Jesus, a carpenter, also knew about doors. He spoke of one particular Door: Himself. In John 10:9 He stated, “I am the door, if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” He knows all about them. He knows there are millions of doors leading somewhere, which is really, to nowhere. He knows there are thousands leading to confusion. However, He’s the only Door that’s the right size and the right fit. He’s the right measure. There are, supposedly, “many roads leading to God;” though not true, in reality, only One Door on one very narrow path will get us there. (To Be Continued in Part 2)
Over the past thirty-nine years we have had lots of ups and downs. Finding laughter in tough times in no way diminishes hardship, tragedies, or the difficulties encountered along the way. I seek not to make light of situations but rather to find grains of sands that would make our journey more tolerable. Laughter comes naturally for me. I inherited it from my mom. She always finds something funny in everything. That was passed on to my youngest brother, Nels. He was always the family clown. He made us laugh even when no one felt like it. From me, that gift of laughter has passed on to our youngest daughter, Sarai. She’s another clown with quick quips at all times. Laughter seems to have also passed down to our five-yr. old granddaughter. Praise God for that. You have noticed several people pictured in my blogs. They are the friends I grew up with and have had many memories established with over the years. Here are a few notes on some of them. Back in 1980, Nels got diabetes at the young age of 20. He’s been carrying that cross 40years. Life hasn’t been easy for him, but he makes the best of it. Recently, I posted a picture of Benjamin, Terry’s brother. I probably met Ben back in 1967 when I was ten. The guys on the block never spoke to them. We only saw them on their way to church at night. They’d hop in a car with their parents and grandparents but never came out to play. We really came to know them in 1978 when they moved back into the same building (Terry for only six months) after moving out in 1974. In 1978 she brought me to the Lord, though I didn’t make that decision publicly known until May, 1979. One day in 1988, I saw and spoke to Ben as I was riding my bike. A few days later, he was dead. He was shot and killed in front of his young wife and toddler kids. Killed right in front of where he lived and grew up. Being the same age as my brother Nels, Ben was only 27. So sad. Gil’s brother Angel, the husky, fast, switch-hand baseball player, and deejay, worked as a train conductor for New York’s MTA. Along the way, he ended up needing dialysis 1-2 weekly. This one day in 2008, he was home with Gil in the same apartment where years earlier, they lost their mom and then their dad. As the brothers talked in the living room, Gil asked him if he wasn’t going for his treatments. Angel told him, “I’m not going today, I have this under control.” The phone rang some 25 feet away in the adjoining kitchen. Gil went for it and answered it. As he said, “It’s for you…” he began to scream at Angel who died that quickly. One phone call called him home. Another friend gone. Later, when I moved with my family to PR. We met Terry and her parents. Once-in-a-blue moon, she would visit us. One day, she was with us and we invited her to our church’s Christmas party about 40 minutes away. Terry headed home first promising to return, but never showed. We called several times, to no avail. She vanished. Five years later, I received a call from her! She had been desperately trying to locate us with an important message. I asked if she was in PR. She was, and had been so for several months. I asked why she hadn’t called or visited, and she said she was trying to reach all the important people in her life. She then told me, “It’s that I’m dying.” I asked what she meant and she said she had stage 4 cancer. We went to visit her. As you’ll see in the picture below, she was known for her long, jet-black hair. When we saw her, her hair had turned white and she was hunched over. We thought we were looking at an 80+ year old lady. Our son walked in a few minutes later and motioned ‘Who’s she?’ As soon as he heard her voice his eyes opened wide in disbelief. Sadly, Terry passed away August 11, 2011 less than three months before her 54th birthday.
Terry M.
These are real situations. We’ve also lost friends Izzy, Joey, brothers Alex and Miguel, and Ray’s brothers Tomas & Danny. We’ve heard rumors that Danny-Boy is also gone. In the last 4 years I have lost four of my five older brothers. So, although I write about laughter interspersed throughout special memorable events, I do so, acknowledging the brevity of life. In conclusion, it’s important to make every moment count. I find it best to laugh along the way, than to cry. There are enough daily situations siphoning our tears causing great sadness. “They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy” (Psalm 126:5). “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Back in the 70’s at Brooklyn College in NY I was enrolled in a psychology class. It was a large group. The professor was a clown! He had us rolling in our seats at each session. Humor was in abundance while he taught the curriculum. He had us ‘in stitches’ as the saying goes. Just before an upcoming test, he told us things such as, “There are students who will study all day, every day for an upcoming test. There are those who will spend all- day with study groups reviewing for it. Then there are students who will not study-ever, but will cram the night before believing they’ll be able to learn weeks of lessons in a few hours. Whatever works for you, do it.”
Test day came and I guess some didn’t do too well because he addressed us. He told us something in a serious tone. Something in the realm of, “I want you to know that the class may be fun and I might tell a few jokes and make it all entertaining, however, do know that the tests are serious.” “They’re not jokes-they’re not trick-questions; they’re based on the material we study and discuss here.” “All the material is serious stuff; the test is real!”
We sometimes look at life like that. We ‘laugh all the way to the bank’ we take nothing serious. We can show-off or we can hide. We can cry or party away, but the test is real. I hope as y’all read these entries, you’ll enjoy yourselves and will, at the same time, understand that the contents are real. I hope you’ll understand the seriousness of God and His Word.
True, we can laugh galore, especially when we’re walking with Him in obedience, but when we’re not, we need to know where we stand in light of His Word.
All jokes aside, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
Cheers to all of you out there who have posted comments on my blog! It’s way-easier to respond this way. I appreciate the opinions, comments, and suggestions tossed my way! This is a new experience for me, having never posted or written anything to be shared with others before. I’m learning as I go along! I’m glad y’all are enjoying the reads! Some entries may contain more serious topics than others. Then again, some issues have been easier to cope with than past ones. That’s life! Granted, it isn’t always easy to find humor in some situations, as you will soon see! We can sometimes laugh at things right there and then, but sometimes, it can take months or years down the road, to see the lighter side of an issue. There are times when a topic only deals with life & death situations: providing nothing humorous at all. We’re just trying to make the best lemon-aide out there (when life serves you lemons…)! Drink up! Thanks, Sam
I’ve written several pieces about Christmas. There’s mention of snow, Christmas trees, tinsel, lights, storms, gifts, and more! Sometimes, in the midst of all that’s related to Christmas, like in the wrapping and the unwrapping of gifts, or the cooking and eating of sweets and meals, it’s very easy to lose our perspective. It’s easy to lose Jesus. He’s the real reason we celebrate the day to begin with. If you’ve lost Him, you’re not alone.
Back when He was twelve, His parents took Him along to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover. When it was all over, as they headed home, they figured He was among friends and relatives. But they couldn’t find Him. They had to backtrack and return to the starting point. After three days, they found Him both listening and asking them tough questions that astounded them. He was doing His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-49).
Jesus was found! He returned with his parents. Have you found Him? Have you had a ‘run-in’ with Him? Has He returned home with you? Maybe you have all the ‘hard’ questions for Him. He can answer them all. And, just as His parents found Him after three days, He rose from the grave for you after three days. Don’t hide Him under a tree, rather, wear Him about you like glimmering Christmas lights. Allow others to see Him through you. Though His parents lost Him, He was found. Like them, you may have to return to the starting point; Back to where you last left Him, or where you first saw Him. You’ll find Him there.
Back in December of 1978 or ’79, I was sharing an apartment with my best friend Ray. His room was at one end of the place & mine at the other extreme. All eight windows faced the main street, and with the apartment being on the 4th floor, we received all the cold and winds. The place was almost always freezing. One of us had a fake, in-the-box, Christmas tree that one could ‘easily’ put together in ‘no time.’ We decided to set it up. In somewhat of a jiffy, it was up and going. We proudly stood back and admired it. “Not bad,” we thought, & we high-fived. Ray left for the day. Some hours later, my cousin June walked in and stared at it for a moment saying, “Why are there so many gaps in that tree?” I thought it looked good. Must be his eyes, I figured. The more he looked at it, the more convinced he felt that something was wrong. “That’s it!” he shouted. That tree is upside down!!! I couldn’t believe it!! After all, two ‘Pros’ had done the honors! June showed me the reason for all the gaps. All the branches were shooting down instead of upwards. The tree was small at the bottom and wider at the top!! We laughed and laughed. How could we have missed that?! When Ray got home, I had him look at the tree again and then explained it all to him. More laughs followed! I guess the winter cold had gotten to us! Poor tree!
*Actually, the tree was upright as it should be, but the branches were inserted shooting downward instead of up. The bottom ones scraping the floor!
On a different day, it was 3 degrees out and I had stayed at my parents’ apartment. As of 10 a.m., Ray had not been up and about. So, I took June up to see if he was alive or had frozen to death that night. There was no heat or hot water in the building. When we found him, he was face-down on his bed bundled head to toe with his comforter and blankets, and was cold as ice. We told him what the temperature was and then proceeded to turn on the stove and place a pot with water on it to heat the place. We were able to thaw him out! Another freezing day in our apartment! What are friends for?!
On either the same day, or on another freezing one, with Ray out again. My cousin decided to help me bake a cake!!! We did it without a hitch. Then I realized we were missing frosting. June said, “That’s easy, just make it from scratch!” He asked for chocolate and other ingredients and proceeded to create a batch. It wasn’t bad. What was BAD, was everything around us: Since we had no hot water or heat, the sinks and counters were packed with dirty utensils, pots, plates, and cups! Chocolate was in abundance! There was no way we could wash with ice-cold water! Then, ‘Along Came Jones!’ As the saying goes, Ray walked in! He said one of his favorite phrases; something like, “Holy Moly!” “What happened here?” Then he said, “You guys are going to clean up this place!!” We either waited until the next day or heated water and took turns pouring it while the other person washed them.
I shared this memory (and the ones above) with Ray last night and he remembers well! What he doesn’t remember though, was eating of that cake. I think June and I ate it all! It goes to show that even in the cold & icy regions of your lives, you can create great memories. You may fail to see any humor or fun in them now, but give it time! I firmly believe you can bake your cake and eat it too!
Kenny Nolan had a hit song way back titled, I like Dreaming, as did before him the Everly Brothers with All I Have to Do Is Dream. I think we all like dreaming! Some, like California Dreaming, and others, enjoy dreaming about the mountains or lakes. I go for the mountains. So, let’s dream! I see snow-covered plains all around. Hills full of snow for miles and miles. The distant sun is half-heartedly hidden. Its reluctance to commandeer the day suggests foul weather remains in the forecast. Like the sun, some people prefer to barricade behind closed doors. Temperatures are in the upper single digits. Full-blown blasts of frigid cold air almost blow me over. Steadying myself in the waist-deep snow I glance at the scenery with head down resisting the hail that cuts through to the bone. Three hundred yards away, I catch a glimpse of both barren and evergreen trees dotting the landscape. In the near distance, a cozy cabin sits surrounded by all this beauty. I catch a glimpse of smoke ascending from the chimney. The howling wind causes the falling snow to create drifts along the way. Combined with the cold I can feel flurries cutting against my face. Wrapping my scarf around my neck and face, I trudge through the depths of snow slowly inching the hand-hewn cabin. I approach a window. I can see snow on the sills and covering the bottom of the windows. I reach up climbing on a mound of snow and look inside. There, I see a beautifully adorned tree with tiny steady lights, though some blink. This merits a sneak visit inside. Psssttt…not a sound. All is so quiet and peaceful. I knock and knock, but no one answers. I glance around keeping my head down fighting the frigid cold, but no one’s around. I push the door and it slowly moves. I guess I’ll peek inside, after all, this is a dream! I leave behind the wondrous works of God’s creativity: a small portion of heaven is served right here. I breathe in the cold air. I admire His handiwork. Opening the hefty handcrafted wooden door affixed with beautiful wrought-iron hinges, I poke my head inside, let out an “Anybody home?” echo. No response. With the steps of a mouse and with the wonder of a kid, I sneak into the living room. Wow! What a fireplace! The decorations are spectacular and the fire warmly roaring. I immediately begin to feel nice and toasty warm. I remove my scarf, gloves, and coat. I look outside through the huge true divided-light windows. The darkening skies announce more snow is underway. Everything is so peaceful and quiet out there. No tracks on the virgin snow-even mine are gone. The wind’s strength is evident all around as it blows drifts and sways trees. I shift my view back inside. Just as astounding as the fireplace is the Christmas tree! Must be at least 12’ tall and beautifully decorated with vintage ornaments, satin balls, lots of tinsel, and Christmas lights. Some blink, some stay on. Some clear, some multicolored. I sit on the floor between the Christmas tree and the fireplace. They both look so wonderful. These oak hardwood floors look amazing. I notice the beautifully and ornately tied gifts. A partly-opened large box is positioned towards the front of the tree. It has gold ribbons & lace. It is stained a metallic scarlet color and has bows. Light seems to emanate from it as if a powerful source lies within. An orangey glow radiates from it. A golden tag reads: To: Sophia Roselyn*–From Jesus WOW! That’s a special box! And that name! I recognize it! The box contains the Gift of Salvation. It’s something that can’t be bought, can’t be made at home either. It only comes through faith in God and belief in the sacrificial atonement of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 2:8). The radiating glow must be a microscopic version of God’s glory-the one no man can look at and live (Exodus 33: 19). Near this beautiful box I see several other beautifully decorated boxes; some to the left, and some to the right of it. Each gift box is made of a wood species with detailed carvings; a treasured gift in itself, I’d say! Each, has ribbons and bows, no gift-wrap paper. I notice that this group of gifts are for the homeowner. It seems Ms. Roselyn has opened and accepted this great gift! Some of her other gifts are still under the tree. Let me carefully slide over and see if I can read what they might be…Shhh…OK, I see four boxes addressed to the Missy of the house… Box #1-There’s a red Cedar box with carvings. I sense strong smells of cherry ointment, like candy. The label reads: Love. John 3:16 shares this: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes on him, shall not perish, but have eternal life.” She has received the gift of God’s love! That’s a very special gift! Box # 2-Here’s a square box made of Rosewood painted Sun-bright Yellow and it is labeled Joy. Who doesn’t need joy? Sometimes we may feel like we were baptized in lemon, and sometimes we may even look it! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b). Box # 3- Is large and rectangular, made of pine, has Emerald-colored ribbons and white lace. Its label reads Laughter. It’s great to laugh! Some people can’t laugh at themselves; much less have someone laughing at them. Sometimes, personal healing comes from being able to laugh at our own goofs and mishaps. In scripture, when the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, the people felt as if they were dreaming! “Then were our mouths filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them” (Psalm 126:2). When our sins are tossed into the depths of the sea (known as the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19), there’s plenty reason to laugh. Box # 4-A medium-sized box made of Sugar Pine and painted Teal is covered in many strips of lace. It’s labeled, Friendship. Jesus was referred to as a friend of sinners by the Pharisees of His day (Matthew 9:11; 11:16-19). They were not complimenting Him. They considered it an offense. They saw themselves as above others. It was thought inappropriate to ‘hang-out’ with lowly people-sinners which, they too were, but didn’t think so. Jesus came to show them-and us, that there was no difference for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “I no longer call you servant; for the servant doesn’t know what his master does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). To the right of the Salvation box, are gifts that Sophie apparently plans to share with others. Let’s quietly sneak to the right side underneath this huge towering tree and get a closeup view of them. Doing this makes me feel like our youngest daughter: One day, my wife and I said to her, “The tree is looking really nice with all the gifts under it… and she remarked something like, “Yep, there are 18 gifts there.” We asked, “What, you’ve been counting them?” to which she replied, “Yep, every night.” And I asked her, “You mean, you crawl under the tree to count them?” “Yep!” she replied. So, “Did you include those, and the ones…?” “Yep, & Yep’ came her reply! So it’s been that she would say, “Now there are 34…45..” Somehow, even with all the decorations I usually place on our tree, she would get under it and count every one every night, ever year that she was home! So, back under and going to the other side…Here we go! These gifts she’ll give away. Here’s a box made of IPE wood. IPE is an extremely strong and durable wood, and Its ribbon is Royal Purple. According to Its label, it contains the gift of Trust. I’m impressed! Trust requires strong connections amongst friends and family members, making this wood certainly the right type of species. IPE represents relationships that endure the test of time. A rectangular box painted Cobalt Blue with tufts of lace and ribbons in gold is labeled Kindness. With what’s going on in our world today, here’s a gift that’s sure to outlast others by a longshot. Kind words as well as acts of kindness seem to be available in short supply. The next box I come upon is labeled, Encouragement, and it comes in an Oak box with orange ribbons. Ms. Sophie will be able to encourage friends and strangers alike providing them with ways to build their faith. We all could use some encouragement sometime. It’s easy to feel defeated or unable to go on anymore. This type of gift, the receiver can use over and over. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 Outside, the winds are picking up. Howling is heard as the skies grow ever-darker. I wonder if there’s hot chocolate…ssshhh… Just a few more to go…A beautifully painted box made of Maple, adorned with Pink lace and ribbon, is labeled Hope. In a world losing its hope, this gift is most appropriate. Those of us containing this gift need to share it with others. Give them hope for the long haul. I see a circular box made of Black Walnut adorned with ribbons in Fuchsia. Its size is small but it packs a mean punch. In it, you can find the gift of Time. Like the box’s shape, time just keeps going; No beginning, no end. Make time for others…Time to listen to them, to read to them, to talk, shop, play games, or do sports. Though time seems endless, your friends’ time may be running out-or yours. Don’t leave with unspoken words in your heart. Soon, the day is coming when time shall be no more as we enter into eternity. Well, I’ve enjoyed myself here warming up, taking in the sweet aromas of these fine gifts, admiring the tree and the glowing fire. I hate to go out! I hope I’ll receive some of her gifts! But, honestly, I’ll gladly accept the empty boxes!! Oh, the wood, the carvings, and the smell of it all! Don’t know when Sophie will return, so I’ll just leave her a note by the gorgeously carved hefty, rough sawn mantle. “Dear Ms. Roselyn, Sorry I missed you! Will pass by again soon! I love your beautiful house! Time to bundle up again. Once again, a waft of cherry, vanilla and cinnamon potpourri permeates the atmosphere. Out the door into the dusk I trudge. Snow’s about six feet deep now. I’m thankful for a dream of God’s beauty with the soft-falling snow. I enjoy the powerful winds, His majestic creation, and His sacrificial gift for me. I brace myself for the long trek home through the mountains, through the woods, thinking of His unfailing love, His wondrous gifts… Time to get up. Time to live. Time to dream. Time to make dreams come true. Merry Christmas! Thank God for His Indescribable gifts (2Corinthians 9:15)! Unwrap yours today! Share them! God Bless, Sam *Disclaimer: The names Sophia, Sophie Roselyn, is a fictional name. Any connection to an actual person with this name is merely coincidental.
Outside, the cold winds blew hard while snow-flurries dusted our streets. We often went outside to play in the snow. From snowball fights to building snowmen, to falling down in the snow to making footprints, etc. we loved playing in it! The stillness surrounding the snowfall made the days extra special. In the evenings, the gusts sometimes increased and Christmas lights came on in neighbor’s windows. Such a pretty sight. We loved being outside rain or shine. But come snow, that was an extra treat. We’d play two-hand tackle football because we would attempt running and we’d laugh just trying to move as fast as we could as flurries went in our mouths, but couldn’t actually run! And, it was hard to get tackled! We could also fall without getting hurt. Such a great blanket! When we’d get cold enough, we’d head back inside my building to thaw by the radiator. Being the tallest building on the block, and having a step-down section at the back, we would sit and hide underneath the stairs and warm our hands and feet for a few minutes before heading back out. Snow is such a God-thing. How’s it made? How do such tiny flakes connect in huge amounts to form several feet of snow? Scientists have their theories and they can even explain them. It’s amazing, isn’t it? Back in April 14-15, 1921 (in a one-day period), Silver Lake, Colorado received 76” of snow-that’s over six feet (Guinness World Records, 2007 p.29)! In a week’s time, in Iran back in 1972, a blizzard dumped over ten feet of snow (Guinness World Records, 2019 p.44)! And, in a one-year period, Tamarac, California had the greatest depth of snow on the ground at 451”-over 37 feet (Guinness World Records, 2007 p.29)! Imagine a huge warehouse of it ready for delivery. Can you imagine? Imagine entering a huge place full of snow where you can play & play and not tire of it! Imagine having a room nearby, or in your house filled with snow and just saying, “Mom, I’ll be next door!” Does God have a point of view on this? How does He explain it? Does He agree with scientist’s findings? Or does He have a different take on it? I’ve asked Him. He gave me the same answer he gave Job when Job thought he knew it all. “Have you visited the treasuries of the snow, or seen where hail is made and stored” (Job 38:22)? I guess He does have a view! And a close-up one at that! He’s got His own ready-made snow as back-up for emergencies! Winter Memories are great. Sometimes, special things tend to take place. Gentle-falling snow, sipping hot chocolate, baking or eating chocolate cake, sharing baked cookies, or even finding love, which reminds me of the lyrics to the song, Winter World of Love, by Engelbert Humperdinck: “And in our winter world of love, You’ll see, we always will remember That as the snow lay on the ground, We found our winter world of love.”
It’s so unfortunate that we can never get back the days and times we leave behind. That’s why it’s so important to cherish each day; cause we ain’t getting them back. I wonder, will there be snow in heaven where time will be no more? We’d have some mighty long days of fun! Won’t have to go up, or inside until tomorrow. And snow won’t have to melt or turn to slush. We could get twenty feet at each snowfall! We could bury each other as when playing in the sand-and no one would get hurt or die since death will be no more! “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12NKJV).
