Of Christmas Past and Present...

We Baby Boomers escape having to declare our exact age. But, you know you're getting older when...

• Your Christmas stocking contains the latest, greatest pill carrier 
• One of your favorite gifts is a flexible pillow with a hot/cold gel-pack
• Time winding down with your brother in front of the gas fireplace often ends with you nodding off together in companionable silence

And, let's not forget how much Christmas has changed for those of us with Depression-era parents. Childhood gifts under the tree always included PJ's, socks, and undies, but few toys, something big if your folks had a very good year (think bumper crop)... regardless of how good or bad you were. Now our family tradition includes a Christmas stocking filled with treasures in addition to gifts under the tree.

This year, Smartwool socks and a cash-filled envelope for new clothes replaced the necessities of old. This "chef" was pampered with the two items I wanted... a can opener and small cutting board, PLUS a small whisk for good measure. A gorilla light that kept my great-nephew intrigued more than any toy rounds out the top gifts of 2010. Except, of course, for the 2011 calendar sporting his picture.

But, the greatest gift of all was being able to spend time with cherished family and friends. Thank you, God, for a stellar ending to 2010.  I look forward to Your blessings in the coming year.

Happy New Year!

God's Timing

My age will be on full display when I tell you that one of the first contemporary Christian songs I fell in love with was this scripture song from Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He has made every thing beautiful in his time:" 

In His Time
In His time, in His time.
He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
Lord, please show me every day,
As You're teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say,
In Your time.

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful, in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing
Be to You a lovely thing,
In Your time. 

At this particular juncture in my life, the words to this song often come to mind and play in my heart. God's timing is not mine, but it is a thing of beauty. As I bring my life and offer my gifts, I trust Him to take what is and make it lovely... however long that takes, whatever shape it assumes.

Each day this prayer is on my lips in one form or another. The flow of the day brings a new appreciation for simple blessings and a heightened awareness of my dependency upon Him. The God who made the heavens and the earth in six days and raised Jesus from the dead in three surely can manage the time constraints of my life. For He tells me He has numbered the days of my life. And He has proven His faithfulness to me so many, many times.

Note: Click on the title of the song to hear the original Maranatha release of it.