Merry Christmas

Dear friends-

It is 5:30 AM and my grandson Jordan has been up with me since 5AM.
(So much for getting up early and having time to myself!) He is
excited about the presents that have mysteriously appeared while he
was sleeping. Interesting that I have often thought about how excited
I was as a child for the "magic" of the holiday. I would get up early
and crawl around the presents that were under, over and behind
things. Our traditions included getting up and being able to open our
stockings. I realize now this was to give my parents time to wake up
from staying up late as they got their coffee. We would pull out the
gold coins, the walnuts and tangerines. Each stocking usually
contained a few small presents and then it was breakfast time. My
mom's homemade coffee cake and eggs was usually the fare. Then it was
back to opening presents. And when that was done it was out to enjoy
new skates, sleds and clothing.

There is a part of me that misses that. And unlike my grandchildren,
my dad and mom and were part of the day. My grandchildren do not have
their dad around. So, when I got up at 3:30 yesterday, I found myself
praying for their fathers to enter their lives. This is not a thought
out thought, I assure you, but it was an overwhelming "this is what
you shall pray." (Interestingly enough, it led me to this video
yesterday.http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5486ae62fd502645138e)
Go ahead, I double dawg dare you to watch it without tears.)

This has been a journey for sure. The water that invaded my house has
subsided, but the financial, physical and emotional damage it has
wrought has taken a toll.) Yesterday I had coffee with a friend of
mine. Wednesday mornings for 11 years. Same time and for the most
part, same place. Despite sleet and freezing rain, (I think there is
only 1 time we might have missed over weather.) we gathered. Our
gathering is part of "our tradition," our bond of friendship. And
unless it is a holiday, or a death or one of us is out of town, we do
not miss it.

And it is that kind of friendship the world is seeking. Only this
week, I realized there are few who will take time from there busy
schedule to walk with others. It is hard enough to walk as a parent,
I guess. Parenting and being a parent requires proactive, hands on,
walking through all of it. But, I have a lot of friends who are my
age, who need someone to walk with them, Their marriages are topsy
turvy, their kids having difficulties and their jobs a retreat in
many cases(For those who still have jobs.). When do we get real? How
do we get real? Can we get real?

Our world is out of control and yet we know God is in control. If
that is not a dichotomy of thought, I do not know what is. Christmas
can restore us if we let it. Not the presents(Though certainly it
helps to know someone cares.) and the hoopla, but the knowledge of
Him. Many say He is the reason for the season. That "reason" brings
whole new meaning to the season. It begins to slowly deal with self
centered attitudes and the like, freeing people up to be more like
the one who created them.

Jordan is trying to figure out if "Santa Claus is real. He has been
talking to me all the to me I have been writing this. I left him to
percolate it a little. He came home yesterday to find lights on my
outside tree and more lights on the inside one. He has watched more
Christmas light videos than I can count. Thousands and thousands of
lights and I simply tell him, heaven will have more lights and better music.

This week, I met with my friend who has cancer. Another friend who
struggles with depression and economic troubles. Another who has been
battling cancer for a long time. A meeting with another who has just
become a friend and like a son. In two meetings! He is not a
Christian, but a 23 old who is just a great kid. Funny, smart, wise.
Hasn't seen his dad since he was 3. He and I had a 2 hour
conversation over the biggest turkey club sandwich I have ever seen!
People needing people. Perhaps that is the reason for the season. And
even those who say they "can do without" others, when their heart is
unwrapped, need people.

You may encounter ornery people today or even be prone to being one.
Perhaps God is readying for a Christmas miracle in your life. Just maybe.

And I leave you with Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.
And one more clip to prepare you to see HIM!
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=905620397b19c9d24978

Blessings,
Lee

Lee Johndrow
Pillars Of Clouds& Fire Ministries
88 WCFR Drive
Springfield, Vermont 05156
802-384-3993
Building relationships for the goodness of our region.
www.pocafministries.org