ON THE 9TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - BLESSINGS

2009 was a wonderful year.

There was food on my table and a roof over my head.

Love was given and received.

I was blessed.

"Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

Psalm 5:12 (TNIV)

Saying I am blessed has always made me a little uncomfortable. Does that mean that someone else is not blessed if they do not possess whatever it is that I am using as an example of my being blessed?

I think when this began to bother me was when I noticed that some who are not living a God fearing/respecting life (as evidenced by their choices) still will answer that they are blessed if a compliment comes their way. It sounded as if any person lacking what the 'blessed' person has is just not blessed!

Does this mean that the homeless, the hungry, the abused, the sick are just not blessed?

According to the scripture above, I am blessed because of a righteous life. Are all those who are living in poverty, without employment, physically challenged, etc. unrighteous?

No, what it means is that the righteous will receive the Lord's favor which is why even those in dire circumstances can feel blessed, filled with peace and joy.

This past year a dear friend of many in our church and community died unexpectedly following a medical procedure. She was in her early forties. She had been a shining example of a joyful life. She would tell you that she was blessed and that God was so good to her. Yet, she had lived her entire life dependent on others for care and transportation. Born with spina bifida she would never walk until she walked into Heaven's gates and never run until she ran to see Jesus. She received the Lord's favor in many ways. She was blessed to have care, food and shelter from the righteous who were used by God in her life.

This winter is colder than normal in the south. A hot meal, a pair of gloves or a warm hat could minister and bless the lives of those less fortunate than yourself. I am guessing that if you are reading this you at least have access to electricity and a computer. Are you blessed by God (or simply fortunate in which case you need to consider this)?

How can God use you to bless someone today?

ON THE 8th DAY OF CHIRSTMAS - HAPPY NOW!

A brand new calendar. What will you do NOW? Every one seemed impatient for 2010. How long will it be before you are wishing it was 2011?

On my desk is a clock that tells me the time is NOW. No matter when I check the clock it always reads NOW. So, if I look to see if I have time to complete a task the clock reads NOW…I love it!

Recently, I shared a concern with a dear friend. She immediately reached for my hand and said, “Let’s pray.” As she began to intercede for me I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. How long had it been since a friend had responded in that way? I remember when we didn’t hesitate to ask for prayer or to give it as the need arose. What are we waiting for? Needs do not have to wait for a formal prayer meeting. How much richer would our lives be if we stopped to pray instead of pushing the need aside until it was ‘convenient’. The time to pray is always NOW not later.

We spend a lot of time discussing future plans. Parents say their children are ‘almost four’ instead of simply ‘three’. Teens are looking ahead to driver’s licenses or college. College kids complain about early classes and exams and long for the day of graduation. Adults constantly look forward to the weekend. On Monday most are wishing it was Friday. Or, else, they are looking ahead to vacation. Baby Boomers can hardly wait to retire. How many moments have we missed just wishing them away?

When did we stop appreciating NOW?

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.
What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
James 4:14 TNIV

ON THE 7TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - CELEBRATE

"... Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." Philippians 3:13-14

~

This is the easy version of this old Gullah recipe.

Tradition is to serve this on New Year’s Day

along with collard greens and cornbread.

Hoppin' John
16 oz. pkg. frozen black-eyed peas
1piece of ham or leftover ham
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 16 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup instant rice

Cook peas according to package directions.
When boiling, add ham or ham bone, onion, salt and pepper.
Simmer 1 hour.
Arrange rice over peas and cover rice with water.
Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat.
Gently stir in tomatoes.

The tradition to serve collards on New Year's Day does not have to be intimidating. Sauteing frozen collards can be a quick, healthy alternative.

My family likes this better than fresh greens.

Collards

16 oz frozen chopped collard greens

2-3 Tbs Olive Oil

1/8 tsp garlic powder

hot pepper sauce

salt and pepper to taste

heat oil to medium high

sprinkle garlic powder in oil

add collard greens

saute on medium high, stirring occasionally

after 4-5 minutes sprinkle a little hot pepper sauce over greens

continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes.

Cover until served.

Pass the hot pepper sauce and green tomato relish!

~

Continue to celebrate with music or games.

OUR ENTERTAINER

ON THE 6TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – SELF-ADVOCACY

Philippians 4:2 says

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others."

I believe in advocacy and have always used this verse to promote advocacy for those who cannot speak for themselves. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we must speak for our selves, also.


This week, my husband and I advocated for ourselves over a very simple (to us) issue and I am happy to report we were successful.


During all of the crazy family doings on Christmas,

a gift card was misplaced.

Due to my very conscientious husband removing everything and trucking it away the very next day, we could not search through the gift wrap and boxes.

On Monday, after searching all possible places, we contacted the store where we had purchased the card. We knew we probably could not get a refund, but, in that case, we decided that we would purchase another card for the dear recipient.

While holding for further assistance my husband heard the head cashier say he was "s___ out of luck". When she returned to the phone, he reprimanded her with "Young lady, etc." He was not rude back to her but did tell her she should not speak that way to or about a customer.

After hanging up he called back to speak with the manager. After telling the manager what has transpired, and the manager stating he would speak to the employee, my husband suggested a written apology would be nice. The manager replied that was not going to happen.

Let me interject, that we have never had a problem with this store and have recently spent a good deal of money there on new appliances, paint, etc.

Because I have written many letters and court reports advocating for children, I offered to send an e-mail to the complaint department of the main office. I wrote the e-mail suggesting that with out the customer the employee would have no job. I added that, in this day of advanced technology I was surprised that a gift card # could not be cancelled and a refund or new card given. I ended with saying that we had planned to purchase another card but would now give the recipient cash rather than spend our money in this store. I was polite, but assertive in my value as a customer and my expectation of courteous service.

We received an immediate response asking for the store location and the receipt number.

Yesterday my husband received a phone call from the store (different manager)
and was told that the gift card was cancelled and a new one was in the mail!

Now what if we had just assumed we were out of luck?

On a similar note, asparagus has been puny, stunted in the supermarket for the past month. When I commented this week regarding the why of this, I was told that it is the consumer's fault!!
Why?...Because we keep purchasing it anyway instead of refusing poor quality.

Makes sense, doesn't it?

On the 5th Day of Christmas - Best Week of the Year

A FLASHBACK to December 29, 2008.