Friday, December 21, 2012

a Christmas miracle: I wrote an entry! ;)

Ok, I'll own it. I sort of have abandoned this blog. Each and every time I think about writing, I get all hung up on it being good and meaningful. But enough of that. Let's just write.

Tis the season. Right now, it's beginning to make a lot of people say, "Bah humbug." Even for me, a woman who loves Christmas and everything about it. There's still a tiny Scrooge inside of me from time to time. During the holiday season, I have been trying to serve. But, this post was prompted by the actions of others.

For those of you who are feeling discouraged, lost, or let down by humanity (what with the horrible violence in the news and the whole "end of the world" thing), fear not. Jesus is alive and well this Christmas season. I do hear His voice and see His face through others. It's just in the tiny things.

It's in the thoughtful gifts I've already begun to receive. The store clerks who are actually smiling and treating me well. ( One gave me a coupon to use on an already discounted item without being asked. Another gave me a heavily discounted price on an item without a tag.)  But what really brought this on was the woman I just met at Target.

I was in a rush to get in and out of that place because it was crowded and a bit crazy. So I was having all my items rung up in the snack bar area while purchasing my lunch. I wound up with really full hands. Frantically trying to slide everything down the counter and into my arms, I apologized to the woman behind me. " Sorry, I'm kind of a mess today."  Rather than rolling her eyes, sighing deeply, or simply looking annoyed (a typical reaction for other frantic shoppers lately), she smiled and told me it was no big deal. "You need a bag," she said. I told her I was planning on getting one from the check-out area as soon as I got out of her way. "I can do it," she said and was gone before I could tell her she didn't have to do it. Not only did she bring me a bag, she actually held it open for me and helped me put all of my items inside. It may seem like a little thing, but it sure got my attention and reminded me about what I want to be doing with myself. Hopefully this will be a new beginning for this blog.

Merry Christmas to all, and don't forget to look for Him in the faces around you.