What God Wants

We are in that strange season when we should have the greatest clues as to what will be best for us and best for others, and at the same time what God seeks for us.  However I think many of us miss the point. We give without much thought, and to often receive without gratitude. The pictures are from the Ingathering at the Church of the Resurrection last night. You can see the huge number of plastic containers. each one full of gifts for poor children and adults. I know the generosity represented and it is huge. A realistic estimate of the value of these gifts would be $70,000. The gifts are waiting in the church to be blessed and sent. You can see the picture of the rector Rev. Ron Greiser and the young people with hands raised pouring out God's blessing upon the gifts which very soon will be loaded on trucks to be distributed to the needy in the area mostly off the island which is Myrtle Beach. God wants us to respond to the blessings he has poured out in our lives by using some of those blessings to bless others. I don't know about you, but among my happiest moments are the times when I gave the perfect gift to someone I love. I like the saying in the Prayer of St. Francis that says. "It is in giving that we receive." I also cherish the moments when I am given a gift that shows a real knowledge of who I am and what will bring joy to my life. Often the best gifts are the words said from the heart, not an item purchased, because I already have all the things that I need. I am definitely not one of the needy. Can we, like our Lord, become supreme givers. It really is what will make us happy and what will make God happy at the same time. Tell someone why you love them. Help them see themselves as you see them. That would be a Merry Christmas wouldn't it?

Wandering

I've spent a week wandering. Not without a purpose but definitely wandering. No single leg of my journey was that long but the total was probably around 1700 miles. I had a wonderful time with my daughter and her family for Thanksgiving. It reminded me of so many times when I have been part of a full table masterpiece and a holiday with highlights at every turn. I always love to be with my children not to mention always having loved to be with my grandchildren, now my grandadults.  It has always been a surprise that although I can be a very quiet person, and people may think I am uncomfortable with lots of people, it is really my place of choice.  Thanksgiving was another one of those times.
The time was full and busy, the food was great, and the company excellent, but I needed to make the second leg of the triangle to Sarasota Florida.  I spent time with my mom, my nephew Scott and his family, did some yard work and one round of golf all of which were nice, but the best for me was the beach. Two days of sun bathing and swimming at Siesta Key Beach. This beach is so wide and flat and immaculately groomed with the purest white sand. I thought it was clever for this white white sand to be fashioned into the head of a snowman. It's been cool enough here at MB so my beach time is only a walk, not a swim, and I do love the swim.  My next journey was to Orlando where I had dinner with a high school classmate. I had some extra time before we met so I went to Downtown Disney. I thought it would be an entertaining place without the need to spend money. I thought I could browse and observe and find fun that wasn't price sensitive, but I was wrong. For one I wasn't paying $18 dollars to rise up and look down on Downtown Disney even if Mary Poppins might be along for the ride.  It was a nice time of reconnecting with someone who was very important in my life, as we just ate and stalled in a deli and talked for a few hours before I had to hit the road again for the last leg of my wanderings. It was a windy trip up the coast to home but I decided to take the trip straight through arriving home at 2 AM.  A holiday season with rewards at every turn, but I'm glad to be home.