Saturday, December 23, 2006

Dearest God,

Early yesterday morning I called my friend inviting her to have breakfast and do a little shopping. While we were eating I called my husband telling him I would pick up a honey baked ham for dinner since he was in charge of meals. He was delighted to have me do it.

After purchasing an IU T-shirt for my husband from Dick's, a queen set of white checkered sheets (they remind me of snow) and two turquoise blue Christmas tea towels (they match my bathroom) from Linens 'N Things, and a book for my granddaughter from Barnes and Noble, I headed for Honey Baked Ham. When I had spoken with my husband there was no one in the store. By the time I arrived there were about ten. Within minutes the tiny shop was filled with people, probably 25 or 30.

The line wound around a gold garland. Three clerks were taking the orders while two checked out the hams and rang up one register. I knew I was going to be in the shop a while. I helped myself to the samples, mango salsa and ham. Yum! Yum! Realizing how many shoppers had joined us, I passed out some pretzels, telling people how many more were to come.

I felt festive being in the store. My spirit is in Christmas, I thought to myself. I am blessed, so incredibly blessed. And because my blessings were so full, they began to spill over. I wanted to give a blessing to this group of patient shoppers. I wanted to sing to them. Not wanting to be too obnoxious, I just spoke with people, talking about ham and dinner and Christmas and waiting. I smiled a lot, hoping my cheerful spirit would help pass the time.

When it was finally my turn at the register, I handed over $55 (with a coupon, can you believe it?) and then I gave an extra coupon to the clerk instructing him to give it to someone who didn't possess one. Then it was time! I felt like the boy from Christmas Story who waits for the perfect moment before speaking. I held onto my 9 1/2 lb ham and sang, "I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." Beyond the shock of someone unexpectedly singing a Christmas carol acappella in a store, people smiled, one person thanked me. I smiled, sharing my blessings as I walked out of the store. Some people undoubtedly thought I was crazy. Maybe someone thought, I wish I could do something like that. I felt good.

My Advent days have blessed me. I have walked with the Savior, listening, opening myself for the spirit to dwell. And, my how I have seen God. Yesterday as I stepped out of my car to deposit a check in the outside deposit, it was raining, the music was playing and I felt like dancing so I did, right there in the rain. Liberation, spiritual liberation allows for spontaneous moments of joy. I'm taking them!

Today my joy will be sorely tested. A family is coming for a visit. At the moment they are carrying some animosity, hostility, left over pain. We're serving them dinner; I hope the ham will help. I have to trust in the same Spirit that has been blessing me.

Everything in life is not perfect. We don't live in a perfect world. Joy and pain often live together. But God is in both, not just the joy. The pain, unexpected or expected, can lead us to God where joy is made possible. Courage and strength can wed allowing God's own resources to help us. I will have to trust God today to keep my blessings full so they can be poured out on others. (I don't think I'll sing, however.)

I am grateful,
oh so grateful
to You,
Mighty God,
Loving God.
My life with you
is my life's greatest joy.
Test me today,
to see if I am fit
for the blessing.
Let your joy
be mine
that mine
may be someone else's.

I love you, Andrea