December 2002
"GIFTS"
This is a well known word, especially in America. No other time of the
year is this little word more spoken than the pre-Christmas season. This
very week, more than a month prior to Christmas, I was asked what I thought
about a gift for myself. I am grateful for the love the question
represented.
Christmas, 2002, will be the most different Christmas I have ever
experienced. A foreign word I never thought I would experience the
knowledge of has been introduced to my vocabulary. Amputation, above
the knee. This is the loss of one of God's greatest gifts -- two feet, two
knees, two complete legs.
Many times loss has a positive side. The positive side reminds me of
many gifts I have received, most of them given without wrapping paper and
ribbons. Let me do something risky -- attempt to list these gifts.
(Please feel free to let me know if one, or more, has been missed.)
GOD. How can one live without Him? He definitely spared my life and I
freely recognize this as a fact.
WIFE. A unique and competent woman. Thank you, Ellie.
FAMILY. Makes the word "love" have flesh and bones. Reality lets us
know that there are those who go from birth to death without experiencing
family.
FRIENDS. The book of Proverbs reminds us that a friend close by is
better than a family member far away (paraphrased). Please know you made, and
make, a difference.
CHRIST'S CHURCH. Our Church, our denomination, other Churches, other
denominations. What a host!
PRAYER CHAINS. Literally from New York to California. Groups and/or
individuals.
CHILDREN. Memory will continue to remind me of the pictures you drew
and the words you wrote.
DOCTORS. Who used their disciplined training, experience and
willingness to try the impossible and perform a miracle, with God's help.
MEDICALLY TRAINED PERSONS. Demonstration of skills, going beyond the
call of duty.
THERAPISTS. Willing to, patiently and persistently, work with
brokenness.
MEDICS. Ground medics and helicopter. God gave you wisdom, along with
training and experience.
These are all gifts from God which will outlive this Christmas and
many,many more.
May God bless you with gifts too costly to be purchased with money.
your friend and Pastor, John
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