Kid in a candy shop!

"Celebrate God all day, every day.  I mean, revel in him!  Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them.  Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!  Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worry, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for goof, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."--Phillippians 4:4-7

Check out that Chrismon tree.  The beauty of it is  not-describable. There is nothing but white and gold found amoung those ornaments.  Each ornament is a symbol of Christ, conveying the life of Christ.  Every church has their own tradition of how to decorate their church, who decorates and when.  By my church welcomes everyone, all ages to come and learn about the Chrismon tree and help decorate it.  You will see at the top is the symbol for the Father, slightly lower on the left is the Son and on the right the Holy Spirit.  These three ornaments are the highest on the Chrismon tree and represent what is number one and center of our lives as brothers and sisters in Christ.  I am blessed to have memories of decorating this tree from an early childhood.  Now I am the one who stands high and places the top most ornaments.  Many memories are made at the decorating of the Chismon tree and many are to be made. 

The season is Advent, as we all await the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ.  His birth is soon, but his coming is any day now.  The excitement that is in all this and amazing.  

Today, I just feel like a kid in a candy shop.  I don't like Candy that much, but what I do love is feeling the joy, peace and happiness of life.  Life can be stressful, and for sure I know that.  I am finishing up exams today and this time next year I will be preparing for graduation.  The choices that we make our lives are our own, and they are what determines how we will grow.  I received an email from a friend, that I would like to share with you. 

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now..... a year from now. 

A frail old man went to live his son, daughter-in-law and four year old grandson.  The old man's hands trembled, his sight was blurred and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.  But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult... peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the table cloth.  The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.  "We must do something about father", said the son.  "I've had enough of his spilled milk, nosiy eating, and food on the floor."  

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.  When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.  The four year old watched it all in silence. 

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.  He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" and just as sweetly the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and for Mama to eat your food in when I grow up."  

The words struck the parents so that they were speechless.  Then tears started streaming down their cheeks.. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.  That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. And for the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.  And for some reason, neither husband now wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the table cloth soiled..

This story is so precious and shows us that children learn from every example that we set. We are all role models for someone in our life, it may be someone older or someone younger, btu there is always someone watching our every move.  Happiness can be found in the little things, so enjoy life and treasure what you have.  While I work on doing the same in my life, I reflect on the little things  that have made my day:

• The beauty of life and the blessing I have to help my parents decorate my home.  It is filled with snowmen, ornaments, trees, bears, crosses and more.  It is the season of Christmas that excites me.
• The gift of my friendships in the past and present and what is more to come.  I am blessed to still be connected with those from my elementary school years, middle school and high school.  I am blessed to have some wonderful friends, while in college.  Friends are a special part of our lives and each one is treasured. 
• On this rainy day, it can be hard to see the sunlight, but it is there. I am thankful to live in an area that does not have dust storms and droughts on a regular basis.

Today, I just feel like a kid in a candy shop.  No worry or sadness.  Today, later than normally I checked my email.  Most days I have a majority of junk mail or sales in stores.  I occasionally have a 'real' email.  But today, I not only had a 'real' email, I had an email that was the topping on the ice cream sundae.  One of my best friends, Aaron, is serving our country as a marine and is half way around the world.  I was blessed to hear from him and learn that all is well. 

Dear heavenly Father, 

The message that you give us as we eagerly wait the coming of your Son is so helpful.  During this time of the year, the scurry and rush is among us all and it is nice to know you are there for us. Help us to remember that every action we have is watched by not only you, but by others around us.  If we choose to misbehave, not only are we not being loyal to you, we are also causing bad images of us to be seen.  I am blessed to have you as the center of my life, whom I rejoice and praise!  Lord Jesus, as I pray every day.. I pray for all the troops that have chosen to serve our country for us.  Especially watch over those families that have a loved one away.  In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen.