CHRISTMAS 2003

Thoughts From My Heart.....

As we enter yet another season called "Christmas", I can't help but to find myself in tears....tears for my Lord...for my Jesus....for my God!!! 

Tell me my friend, just how many people will actually be celebrating Jesus' Birthday this year?  How many folks will be enjoying "HIS" day, giving and receiving gifts without ever acknowledging HIM?!  How many birthday parties have they ever been to where the "birthday boy" never even received ONE gift?

As I spent some "alone time with God" this past week, I was reminded of the greatest gift I was given as a child......I was 13 or 14, don't quite remember, but the memory itself is burned upon my heart for as long as I am capable of remembering....

I wanted a "Transistor Radio" so desperately...."everyone" had one, but at $9.99 they were far too expensive and I knew that it was out of the question.... still..... every time I passed by a store and saw one in the window, I couldn't help but to hope.  My parents both assured me that I needed to ask for something else...

Christmas morning was wonderful.... the whole family gathered around and as we opened our gifts to one another, I had completely forgotten about the desire of my heart...that being the Transistor Radio...one by one gifts were opened and happiness filled the room.....

As I was picking up wrappings my mother pointed out that there was still one gift left under the tree.....as I reached for it I realized that there was no tag on it....."who was this for?"  My mom told me that the tag must have fallen off and for me to go ahead and open it to see who it was for....

Have you guessed it yet?  You are so right....inside was a beautiful Turquoise Blue (the color of that day!) Transistor Radio!!!  Did I cry? You bet I did....I don't think that I have ever wanted anything more in my life than I did that radio....

So, why am I telling writing all of this???  This is why.......The joy that filled my heart during that moment was only a "temporary" kind of thing......the years have passed and the radio is long gone.  Today, I can't help but wonder........how many tears have I cried over the "Gift" that God gave me??? The "Gift" that God gave to you?  The "Gift" that God has given to "whosoever"........???

Each year at Christmas I choose to give something that has eternal value for my loved ones....the children may not understand it while they are young, but as they grow and prayerfully, as they come to Christ, they will understand that the love that I have for them, and the time spent upon my knees in prayer for them, will truly be eternal....

Therefore my friend, here is a thought that I’d like to leave with you....

"Let our investment this year be in people…..not in THINGS"....

LBG…....Marti