But my very favorite that gave me pause was this: I have an small chest in the entrance area of my house that I display a collection of wooden Santa's on each year. They are all different sizes, with varied themes and I had displayed them decoratively by height, facing the front so that the details of workmanship could be seen. But when I passed by, something made me turn back and look at them. Each Santa, there are probably about 15 of them had been rearranged to be in a large circle overseeing a beautifully hand painted little plate that has a church on it that had been placed in the center of the circle. I have no idea which child made the change but I would love to have known what was going through their precious and curious mind when the repositioning took place.
The Santa's will stay in a circle, at least for a while, as a reminder that interaction is more important that looks. Which brings me to my point. If we just stand around or sit around just looking pretty or being comfortable and choose to not get involved in the lives of those who are around us, we have nothing to share and nothing to gain. It takes an effort to get involved and so many times it is so much easier to be a sideline spectator instead of an engaged participant in the lives of others. I know because I am often one of the sideliners. My comfort zone has been established and to step out of it takes a little internal push but when I do I am always amazed at something that happens or something that I learn or someone that I meet or the feeling of fullness and contentment that comes from the experience,
For instance I was on what I can imagine to be huge invitation list to attend a "Holly Hal" tea that was held yesterday. It is an annual fund raising event that supports the Holly Hall Retirement center located near the medical center. My mom used to be very involved and even had the tea at her home one year. There was no RSVP and it was an open house type event, and with a little internal push, I decided to go. It was a lovely tea and the home was beautiful but it was the sharing of conversations that I had with friends I had not seen and new ones that I had not yet met that left memories. I learned of the history of property (which I love) , family associations, a friend's background, attractions to come, and most especially a story of how one person's life had influenced another in such a positive way.
I love to hear stories and be told of adventures or get an insight into why people are the way that they are, or think the way that they do. But sometimes, or many times in order to hear a story I have to be the one to generate the conversation, and be willing to step out on a limb, get out of my comfort zone where it is all about me, and ask questions. It is when we show just a little bit of sincere interest that people begin to open up. But we have to take the time and make the time and develop a desire to do that. And I am convinced that if we seek to follow Christ, and trust him to alter our paths according to his will, we will be face to face with just who he wants us to meet and visit with. For one visit can change a perspective, alter an attitude, the beginning of a friendship, be the missing information to puzzled situation, or the framework for what God has ordained to come. God, I know, wants us to be engaged in relationships and develop mutual understanding and respect with one other because that promotes unity and harmony.
This world is a big place...but when you break it down by country, by state, by city, by community, by neighborhood, by friends and by family it gets smaller everyday. We learn to connect the dots of God's network, and realize that as vast as our universe is, God, in his ultimate glory threads people together through their experiences, their common interests, their passions and their gifts...all for His Glory and His purposes and our benefit.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
If we do not congregate, as my Santa's are now in position to do, we miss out on being a part of something specially designed by God for our good. We miss opportunities to build and be built, to learn of new ways and new things, to share stories, to love and be loved, to help and be helped, to support and be supported and to recognize God in motion. For he always is, you know. The only thing that would have made that display of Santa's any better would be to have a nativity scene in the center of the congregation, for that is something to joyfully and graciously ponder. Where would any of us be without Jesus?
Dear Lord, You have placed us on this earth not be loners, but to interact, communicate and love others. Help push me out of my comfort zone and give me a true desire to seek your will through the thread of your network. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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