Recently I was at Michael's arts and crafts store. I was there along with many other people trying to spot out the next great bargain on Christmas bobbles, bows and ribbons all in order to celebrate the birth of the most high and risen savior.
As I stood in line with my finds in front of me there was a woman and two small children. Both children looked to be under the age of ten. As they placed their items on the counter to be purchased they counted out the money that they had apparently earned for their purchases.
As each item was rung up I could see the expression on their faces. They seemed a little overwhelmed by the fact that they would have to use a great deal of their money in order to buy all the items that they desired.
As I stood watching this scene I remembered the extra coupon that I had acquired earlier that week on a previous purchase. Just as I
remembered the coupon I also remembered the scriptures that I had read many times that vividly described the crucifixion of Christ.
Beaten, and bruised for my sins Christ had given over his very life for me.
I walked up to the woman and handed her the coupon, she thanked me and told the children to thank me also.
There was a tiny sense of joy in knowing that I saved the children a few dollars. Again, my mind went back to the scriptures that depicted Christ's
crucification, I was reminded that I
was saved by His grace, mercy and sacrifice.
Our bobble, bows and ribbons can be counted as lost when we begin to think about the sacrifice of Christ; I thought about the momentary happiness of giving away the coupon and it reminded me of this.
When Jesus sees us in all our ribbons and bows of salvation he receives that same joy, except its eternal, it will never be put in a box and placed in the closet after the holiday is over, like we do our fancy wares of Christmas.
Today I celebrate in high style without the ribbons, bobbles and bows a Christ that is risen. Today I celebrate by remembering the blood, piercing pain and sacrifice of Christ, that's the fanciest part of Christmas, and I don't need a coupon it was all given to me for free.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
A Box of Red Marbles
Today I had my first book signing for a book that I wrote about teaching special needs students. The book signing was held in one of my favorite bookstores. It's a quaint, historic building where there's always a diverse group of people who meet for poetry
reading and a great cup of chai.
Today I meet one of those unique, diverse individuals. As I sat greeting my friends and thanking them for their support I met a man named Phillip.
Phillip boldly introduced himself to me and at once told me that he had
Aspergers. I told him that I was glad to meet him.
He asked me several questions about my book and I shared with him about the students that I taught that also had
Aspergers. He shared with me about
some of the social issues that he faces as an adult with a disability.
I thanked him for sharing the most
Intimate details of his daily life with me.
Phillip stayed for most of the time during the book signing. He would mingle amongst the other people who were there for other events, however he would eventually find his way back to my table. We continued to talk about writing and the social aspects that come along with being an individual with Aspergers.
Phillip even stayed and helped me to fold the table cloth that I used for my
book display. He was an kind, gentle soul who had a servant's spirit.
Meeting Phillip today reminded me what so many of us have forgotten.
In the box of red marbles that one purple marble makes the whole box special.
Phillip you make the box of red marbles special, keep being the best purple marble you can be.
reading and a great cup of chai.
Today I meet one of those unique, diverse individuals. As I sat greeting my friends and thanking them for their support I met a man named Phillip.
Phillip boldly introduced himself to me and at once told me that he had
Aspergers. I told him that I was glad to meet him.
He asked me several questions about my book and I shared with him about the students that I taught that also had
Aspergers. He shared with me about
some of the social issues that he faces as an adult with a disability.
I thanked him for sharing the most
Intimate details of his daily life with me.
Phillip stayed for most of the time during the book signing. He would mingle amongst the other people who were there for other events, however he would eventually find his way back to my table. We continued to talk about writing and the social aspects that come along with being an individual with Aspergers.
Phillip even stayed and helped me to fold the table cloth that I used for my
book display. He was an kind, gentle soul who had a servant's spirit.
Meeting Phillip today reminded me what so many of us have forgotten.
In the box of red marbles that one purple marble makes the whole box special.
Phillip you make the box of red marbles special, keep being the best purple marble you can be.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Gathering Place
About a month ago I walked into the salon where I have been getting my hair done for the past several years. The proprietress of this shop has a style that not only brands her business, but brings women together for more than a modern coif.
The day that I walked into her salon I found myself gathered into a prayer circle with three other women which
Included the owner of the salon.
As we stood uplifting one of our spiritual sisters up in prayer I began to see the ministry that my stylist had created in her business. Over the years we have gathered in this small hair sanctuary where we have found encouragement, laughter and friendship.
Hair salons have been the topic makers for several movies; we have all cried during those touching scenes in
"The Steel Magnolia," and laughed at the antics depicted in Queen Latifah's "The Salon." Most women can relate to the social circles that can be found in the inter sanction of a hair salon. However, the place where I gather is much different than your ordinary hair salon; here is a place of ministry.
Here is where we can freely share our victories and our defeats. We can count on a Godly word mixed with some life experiences that we can gleam knowledge from.
This little shop is no ordinary place, here we can find a sense of self both externally and internally. It's a good gathering place, one that God has endorsed.
Where is your gathering place, is it a place that God frequents? Do you find Godly advice or gossip? Will you find a circle of prayer or a den of envy?
It's good to have a good gathering place.
The day that I walked into her salon I found myself gathered into a prayer circle with three other women which
Included the owner of the salon.
As we stood uplifting one of our spiritual sisters up in prayer I began to see the ministry that my stylist had created in her business. Over the years we have gathered in this small hair sanctuary where we have found encouragement, laughter and friendship.
Hair salons have been the topic makers for several movies; we have all cried during those touching scenes in
"The Steel Magnolia," and laughed at the antics depicted in Queen Latifah's "The Salon." Most women can relate to the social circles that can be found in the inter sanction of a hair salon. However, the place where I gather is much different than your ordinary hair salon; here is a place of ministry.
Here is where we can freely share our victories and our defeats. We can count on a Godly word mixed with some life experiences that we can gleam knowledge from.
This little shop is no ordinary place, here we can find a sense of self both externally and internally. It's a good gathering place, one that God has endorsed.
Where is your gathering place, is it a place that God frequents? Do you find Godly advice or gossip? Will you find a circle of prayer or a den of envy?
It's good to have a good gathering place.
My Passed Relatives Girl Friend
I have a good friend who has stuck closer than a sister. Almost two years ago my ninety five year old aunt became very ill and had to be relocated from Chicago to Harrisburg. This was a very difficult time for our family. Taking in an elderly relative can be an overwhelming task. However,
my girlfriend made the transition a much easier one.
She traveled with me to Chicago and helped me get my aunt settled back here in Harrisburg, once she was settled her and several other friends became my aunt's care takers.
During this transition, my girl friend brought me great comfort. Her nurturing spirit was a true gift from God. Most recently this nurturing spirit of hers was called into action again.
A week ago my older brother became quite ill and subsequently past away several days later. Having to travel from Harrisburg to Maryland alone was not something that I ventured on doing so soon after hurricane Sandy.
This is when my trusty friend put back on her cape of compassion and teamed tagged along with me for another trip for another relative.
Her companionship settled my spirits
and reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." She had truly been a friend in my times of adversity. I thank the Lord for my "all weather" friend who
Is not just a traveling buddy but a
source of great comfort.
I pray that you have a "all weather"
friend that sticks closer than a sister. These individuals are far and in between, so I am blessed in the
Lord to have such a gift.
my girlfriend made the transition a much easier one.
She traveled with me to Chicago and helped me get my aunt settled back here in Harrisburg, once she was settled her and several other friends became my aunt's care takers.
During this transition, my girl friend brought me great comfort. Her nurturing spirit was a true gift from God. Most recently this nurturing spirit of hers was called into action again.
A week ago my older brother became quite ill and subsequently past away several days later. Having to travel from Harrisburg to Maryland alone was not something that I ventured on doing so soon after hurricane Sandy.
This is when my trusty friend put back on her cape of compassion and teamed tagged along with me for another trip for another relative.
Her companionship settled my spirits
and reminded me of the scripture Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." She had truly been a friend in my times of adversity. I thank the Lord for my "all weather" friend who
Is not just a traveling buddy but a
source of great comfort.
I pray that you have a "all weather"
friend that sticks closer than a sister. These individuals are far and in between, so I am blessed in the
Lord to have such a gift.
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