Shopping...

Well, we're down to 10 shopping days left before the great glut ends. I have bought a few of the hundred or so gifts that I always want to buy. Most of my shopping takes place online. I can't stand going to all the stores and dealing with the crowds and hype. I will be going to Family Christian today with my wife for our annual shop there. With just the two of us and a limited budget, it usually isn't too painful.

I "bought" my wife's present the other day. I'm (finally) getting her piano's tuned. She's been wanting this for a long time and finances didn't allow for the luxury. I've been blessed fairly abundantly this year with all the overtime, so it's finally a good time to have it done. There will probably be some repairs necessary as well, but it will be worth it to be able to hear pianos in tune for a change. I think that's the main reason she hasn't played in so long...

The last couple of weeks, there have been special talks from men in my Thursday morning men's group. Today, one who I consider a great friend and man of God gave his testimony to his life in Liberia and his continuing struggles to get his wife and children here to the states. They have been separated for 5 years! I can't even imagine. He has such a strong testimony about that and the suffering that his family went through and the way the Lord has guided.

I really need more of that witness and testimony in my life. I feel so empty when I allow myself to get away from what the Lord is doing.

I think that is how Christmas can be for many (myself included). You want to have the experience of the birth of Christ, but you allow all the hype and surrounding "stuff" to get in the way and crowd out what is important about this celebration.

I pray that I will be able to see with open eyes the needs of others and show the love of Christ to all I encounter in the next 10 days and throughout the year.

I pray that for my readers as well.