Nicholas' Christmas

I wrote this a few years ago. I hope you enjoy it. RWL


Twas the week before Christmas and all through the town
The people were scurrying up streets and down
They chatted and laughed, they hurried and hustled
They shopped and they worried, they bought and they bustled.

A man walked through town and saw all the throngs
He saw the commercials and heard all the songs
He wasn't quite dressed like the ones at the mall
Some glanced, some glared, and some saw not at all.

He wandered the streets of both rich and the poor
Saw signs of the season on most every door
But something was missing among all the noise
It wasn't the presents, it wasn't the toys.

At last as he wearied of all the commotion
He saw an old friend and with such great emotion
They embraced with much joy and old hearts aglowing
They sat and they talked as the sky started snowing.

"My friend you look sad", the second man said
As he looked at his friend with a droop to his head
"There's so much not right in this town at this time,
The season is here but no reason or rhyme

To the things they are doing in their rush just to buy
All the latest and greatest." He said with a sigh.
"It's sad to see them so busy and hurried,
They rush in confusion, they're anxious and worried.

"What to give, what to get, what to eat, what to wear,
What to say that will not offend someone somewhere."
He looked off again at the light bedecked streets
Saw bells, trees and reindeer and sugar plum treats.

There were stars, there were candy canes, elves, a few angels
But he saw not one shepherd, no wise men, no manger.
"They've forgotten the reason there's Christmas at all"
The man said to his friend as a tear tried to fall.

"They've even mistreated the things I once did
And turned it to something meant only for kids.
I gave not for glory, I gave not for fame,
I tried not to let anyone know my name

"And here they now say I'm a Saint just for giving
But they do not remember my reason for living.
I wanted to help those who had nothing but sorrow
To show them that hope would still be here tomorrow.

"I wanted to show them that love was not dead.
I wanted to lead them to find You, instead."
"I know that my friend, I saw all your deeds.
How you simply looked round, saw and met needs.

"Your heart overflowed with your love for your neighbors
With no regard for ability to return any favors."
They sat awhile longer, the snow kept on falling
When somewhere outside they heard a broken heart calling

They both leaped to their feet to find the lost soul
And found a young child crying out in the cold.
Nicholas took off his coat and enclosed her
In warmth and in love as he reached to just hold her.

The Savior reached down and wrapped up her feet
As He brushed off the snow, the mud and the sleet.
They carried her back to their table and shared
Their food and their drink, they showed her they cared.

Her tears stopped their flowing, she smiled at the love
And reached out for help and salvation from above.
Her heart overflowed with the joy of the season
As she saw in her presence the real Christmas reason

She thanked both men soundly and ran outside singing
Calling to everyone to start the bells ringing.
"The Savior has come" she cried to the skies
"He's brought back the light and rescinded the lies!"

She took all she had, the few sole possessions
And gave them away to those who had less ones.
She found another lost soul and shared her warm coat
She told him the story that she knew now by rote.

He saw in her eyes and her heart it was true,
And he started sharing the Christmas warmth, too.
The two old friends watched as the light began heading
Across the old town and to neighboring towns spreading.

Nicholas smiled, a tear slid down his cheek.
He looked at his Savior unable to speak.
The Savior reached out and took His friend's hand
"Come home now, dear Nicholas," and started to stand.

"You've once again showed a people that love
Comes from the heart, but is sent from above."
Nicholas looked out the city so bright
The stars were now shedding a heavenly light

The snow simply sparkled as the clouds rolled away
And he knew Christmas dawn was not far away.
"I fear it won't last," he whispered to his Lord.
"Something will happen, they tend to get bored,

"With being so loving and caring and kind
It just doesn't last much past New Year's night."
"It's alright" Jesus told him as they walked down the street
"I love them no matter if bitter or sweet.

"My children are mine and will be forever,
And someday in Heaven we'll all be together."
Nicholas took one last long look around
Christmas had finally come to this town.

"Merry Christmas" he said, "Peace on Earth to all men.
I pray you remember, till Christ comes again.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

What to give, what to give? It's the same question every year at this time. What do you give to those people closest to you? Does your family really need one more gizmo, gadget, bangle, bauble or bead? I doubt it. I know that no one in my family really needs any more stuff. So what do you give? What can you give that they will actually enjoy and benefit from?

I have an answer, but if you know me you guessed that already. Seriously, there is something that you can give and it will actually cost you very little and will be as unique as you are. What is it? Simple. Give them . . . you.

Uh, okay. How?

Simple. Make the choice to invest yourself in your friends and family. For the next year, purposefully make time to spend time with those people who mean the most to you. And I don't mean simply send more text messages or watch more TV together. Turn off all the outside distractions. Turn off the TV. Turn off the phone. Turn off the computer. Sit together in the same room and have a real conversation with them.

Do you really know your spouse's secret dream or ambition? What about your children? Do you know what they are really interested in? What about your parents? What was it like when they were children? Are your parents WWII generation? Korea? Vietnam? The first Gulf War? Disco? Have they fulfilled the dreams they had when they were your age?

Most importantly, talk about eternal matters. Where are you in your relationship with Christ? Do you even have one? Do your family memebers? Do you even know?

Read the Bible together. Talk about it. If you disagree on something with each other talk about it and find out why. Is it a serious disagreement? Can it affect your personal eternity?

Some of these are pretty deep questions. But they will lead to deeper understanding and better communication with each other.

Give the perfect gift to your family. It costs almost nothing; maybe some time. It won't wear out; it won't go out of style; it won't break or become obsolete. It doesn't need batteries or an instruction manual. Give them you.

Christmas: accomplished.

Merry Christmas to you all.

WARNING: Shameless Self Promotion Following

Thanksgiving is over and now most people really start thinking about what to buy other people for Christmas. Well, I have an idea. Yeah, you can probably see it coming, but I'm going to say it anyway.

BUY BOOKS.

Not just any books, of course, but my books. I only have two, so that won't stretch your budget too much.

For those on your list who like fiction; a little mystery, a little suspense, a little romance, check out my novel "Hidden Lives". You can get it quite easily online at Barnes & Noble. You can visit my web site and read the first chapter, too.

For those who like non-fiction and like to contribute to a good cause; my book "Caste Aside: Hope for Orphans from the Heart of India". Also available at Barnes and Noble. The contributing part; all royalties go to the orphanage in India this book is written about.

So, those of you with friends who can read, I know you have them, stuff their stocking with these two little gems and make Christmas merrier for all of us.

Another place to find great books, that I didn't write, go to and check out the bookstore. This is great new Christian speculative fiction by some great authors and a new wonderful indie press.

Oh, what do I want for Christmas? My list still to come . . .

Thanksgiving

It's November and the election is over. For that I am thankful, even though my choice did not win. So in the spirit of thanks, here are a list of things that I am extremely thankful for.

1. God's grace
2. That I have a voice in elections
3. Godly parents
4. Godly husband
5. Good kids who grew up to be good adults
6. Church family, several of them
7. Cooler weather
8. Answered prayer
9. Unanswered prayer
10. Football
11. Hamburgers
12. Pets
13. A good job
14. A vehicle that runs well
15. A roof over my head
16. Writer friends who are as crazy as I am
17. Imagination
18. An "off" button on the TV
19. Books
20. God's grace

You'll notice that #1 and #20 are the same. Without that, everything else is pointless.

Count your blessings. You have many. The more time you spend counting your blessings, the less time you have to gripe about the unimportant stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving and hug your family tight; even the ones you may not particularly get along with.

Whose Fault is it Really?

Disclaimer: I am not an economist; I am not a banker; I am not a politician; I am not a financial expert. The following is strictly opinion based on observation.

Our economy is in meltdown. We all know that. We listen to the news and hear all the bad news. But, the bailout will save us all. The news people say so. The politicians say so. And none of them would lie to us, so it must be true.

Okay, now back to reality. The Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. I blame all of them. I blame us, too. Each and everyone of us who has ever maxed out a credit card, or two or three; who has robbed Peter to pay Paul; who bought more house than we needed or could afford; who had to have every single new electronic gadget on the market no matter what it cost.

We are all basically to blame for this mess. Why? One word: greed. The American consumer is greedy. And selfish. And "right"eous. Okay, what does that mean? Ever since the sixties, and yes, I'm old enough to remember most of the sixties, people have been shouting and arguing about "rights". I have the right to have a job. It doesn't matter if I'm really qualified, it just matters that I am _______. Fill in the blank. Because I am _________ I have the right to any job I want. I have the right to any house I want. I have the right to any car I want. I have the right to have the biggest and best on the block. Just because I am _________________. See, it doesn't matter how you fill in that blank, it's still wrong. No one has a right to those things. You have the right to earn those things. You have the right to have the opportunity to gain those things, but you don't have the right to have them handed to you because you think you're something special. And you are leaving out an even more important word: responsibility.

What, never heard of it? Look it up. Then look up accountability. They work together. If you want your "rights", then you better take some responsibility.

It works like this. You make a certain amount of money every month at your job. You work for it. Uncle Sam takes some of it before you see it, but that's his job. He has to make money so he can run the country. So, the government gets a share of your paycheck and you get what's left. With that you have to pay the rent or the mortgage, pay the utility bills, make the car payment, put gas in your car, buy groceries, pay the baby sitter, pay for the cable so you can have 450 channels you don't watch, pay for the internet so you can surf the web and read blogs like this one, pay for that overpriced designer coffee that gets you going in the morning, pay the minimum on those five credit cards you have but will never pay off because you're paying 25% interest and the minimums barely cover that, pay to have your nails done every other week, your hair done every six weeks, that new pair of boots because the fashion magazines say you'll never attract the love of your life if you don't, okay, you see where I'm going with this?

GREED. SELF. ME. ME. ME.

This has been going on for decades. Banks were convinced to give home loans to people who really could not afford them. Credit cards were given out like candy at Halloween. We, the American consumers, have overdosed on credit and now it's time to deal with the hangover. And we're looking for someone else to blame.

How do we get out of this mess? STOP SPENDING MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE! That goes for the goverment as well. Whoever you choose to vote for in November, at any level of government, city right up to federal, tell them one thing loud and clear. DO NOT propose ANY new programs for ANYTHING. The government can't afford it. This country is broke. We run our government on borrowed money. Taxes can't cover the interest much less the principle. We don't need new programs. We don't need new "boots", we need to simply live within our means and deal with what we have. And if you make more than X dollars, don't let the government tell you that you have to take some of that and give it to those who make less than X dollars. If you're successful, congratulations. You've done something right. Don't let the government punish you for it. If you're not so successful, if you don't make the dollars in that higher bracker, don't expect to be carried. And if you're in the "system", get out of it. Okay, the job market's tight, we all know that. But there are jobs out there. No, they don't all pay great. A lot of them pay minimum and not much more. Are you too proud to take it? I've worked for minimum wage. I was overqualified for the job, but I did it and did it well. I did not go on welfare. I did not go on foodstamps. And I raised a family. Boys. They eat a lot. They never starved. Not even close. Yes, for a short time I did have the state medical benefit for my children. And yes, I used it for their physicals and shots and when they got sick. That's what it's there for. We had no access to other insurance. But I did not take advantage of the system. And I got off it as soon as I could.

I do not have a college degree. I have a decent job. I have a house that I'm probably about to lose because I can't make the mortgage payments. That's my fault. I bought more house than I could reasonably afford on what I was bringing home and now I am in trouble. I could blame the mortgage company and say they should not have approved the loan, but why should I? They were doing what the government told them it was okay to do. Sure, approve that subprime loan. Then sell it to someone else so you don't have to worry about losing the money. Don't worry whether that person can still make their payments in year or two, you'll have your money. It's not your problem. That's what they did by the way. The servicer that now holds my mortgage is the third in the less than three years. The other two, have their money. They haven't lost a dime. They don't care.

So you see, it's not all the government's fault. Sure, they need to shoulder a good portion of the blame, but there's enough for Democrats and Republicans alike. And it doesn't go back just the past 8 years. It goes back to the sixties. Forty something years. We've had both parties in the White House in that time and a majority of both parties in control of Congress in that time. BOTH parties are to blame. And neither one will fix the problem if they continue to propose spending bills they can't afford. They need to STOP spending. Just like we do. Stop living on credit. Don't move to a bigger house this year. Don't buy a new car just because the one you have now is all of two years old. Drive it till it quits. Drive it till you've actually gotten your money's worth out of it, if that's even possible. Wear last year's boots; they're probably still in pretty good shape. The fashion world won't die if you don't have a brand new wardrobe. I haven't had one in years. Don't care. I like my jeans. I like last year's boots.

So, whose fault is it really? All of us. We all did this to ourselves.

Book Review

I just finished John Ringo's The Last Centurion. What a ride! If you've ever wanted to take potshots at the media, or the politicians, or anything that just completely got your goat, you will love this book. His character tells his story in blog form and everything, and every one, is fair game. He points out the foibles and fables that run wild and cause all sorts of other problems. Domino effect; in spades. Without going into a lot of details that would simply spoil it for you, this is the perfect book for those who think "scientific polls" are bogus, bureaucracy often causes more problems than it fixes, "governmental experts" rarely are, and the media would not know the truth if it bit them in the nether regions. This book is pure fun. Read it. I will issue a warning for the more sensitive types out there. The language is just about as crass as it gets. Get over it. It works for the character. I don't use foul language. I don't write it in my books. That's me. I've heard it all. This character would not be believable without it. It's just him. But, I've warned you, so don't blame me if you blush. Read it anyway. I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a very long. Thank you John Ringo.

Tag is Running Amok

So I got tagged. Thank you Frank Creed for the tag. Now it's my turn to share the fun. I'm IT!!!

Okay, these are the rules;
1. Link to the person who tagged you (I did that)
2. Post the rules on your blog (I'm doing that now)
3. Write six random thoughts about yourself (see below)
4. Tag six or so people at the end of your post (see below)
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged (I will do that)
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted (I'll do that, too.)

Random Thoughts About Me:

1. I love the Dallas Cowboys to the chagrin of my Steeler loving husband. I'm mad at them right now because they played simply awful on Sunday and lost to the Redskins. Bad Cowboys!

2. I'm addicted to reading. I have been know to read six or seven books in one week. My library card is now paper thin!

3. I have two boys, both grown, both also writers.

4. I have two books published. Check them out on my web site; you can link to it above.

5. My husband and I are going to India next year to teach in a small Bible college for a year.

6. I hate shoes. I prefer plain ole bare feet or socks at the most. Shoes are EVIL. Toes rule!

Now, for those I'm tagging; be careful out there because YOU'RE IT!!

Lisa Lyons, author
Glyn Shull, author, soldier, American hero
J. C. Lamont, author
Sean Rackley, the Myrthman himself
Pixy, a wonderful artist. Be prepared to be blown away.
Jen, for the gardner in all of us, even those of us with black thumbs!

Enjoy the tag game and let's share the fun!

Fall

Fall is here. The air is just a touch cooler, this is Texas after all, so there's not a lot of change yet. The colors of fall however are in evidence everywhere. Blue and silver; green and white; purple and white; black and gold; red and orange. What, you don't recognize most of those as fall colors? Don't watch much football do you?

Yes, football is here. Pro, college, I love 'em both. It's the end of the second week of the pro season and my favorite team, the Cowboys, is 2-0. They beat their conference rivals, the hated Eagles, last night in a smash mouth, rough and tumble of a game that had Texas Stadium rocking. The final was 41-37 and there was a little bit of everything; quarterback sacks, fumble recoveries, interceptions, bonehead plays by both teams, great runbacks, missed tackles. Hey, this game had it all. It's one of those that never slows down and the fans in the stands never sit down. I was at home and was worn out by the time game was over.

I really do like football and this season promises to be a good one. Two weeks ago many were picking the Patriots to go all the way again, but now without star Tom Brady, they're asking questions; can Matt Cassell do the job? So far so good; the Pats are 2-0 without Brady. Can Brett lead the Jets to the playoffs? Will the Giants repeat? Will Peyton face his little brother in the Super Bowl? What's going on with Vince Young? What's happening down in Miami?

All good questions that will be answered one week at a time. That is after all, why they play the games. If all the answers were easy at the beginning of the season, there'd be no reason for the season! And then where would we be?

As for college, well I'll just stick around and see if USC is going to remain the power house they've been so far while secretly hoping they don't. I really like the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and they're off to a good start this season at 2-0. They face Michigan State this weekend and they have to face off against that oh so powerful USC team in November. Could be interesting.

So as leaves change colors and fall, as temperatures slowly drop and the world creeps toward winter, I'll enjoy my fall color pallette and spend my weekend afternoons cheering on my favorites. I hope you do the same and that your team wins. Except when they play mine. Go football!

Observations

I hate election years. I love the fact that we in this country have some say in our governmental officials, but I hate all the politicizing that goes along with it. Politicians have ruined the whole process for me. I don't want to hear any promises about what a candidate will or will not do if he or she is elected to such and such a position. The truth of the matter is, that one person can only make suggestions. If the suggestion is generally acceptable to a group of other people in the governing body, then they will get together and write up a proposal to be presented to the rest of the governing body. If the majority of that august body accepts it, then the suggestions become actions. Sometimes. But it's all about the majority. It's a group thing. No one person can make sweeping decisions and expect everyone to abide by them. That's why we are a republic not a dictatorship.

I hear people get mad at the President. Not just the incumbent, but any sitting President. "He promised he'd do such and such and he didn't get it done." He probably didn't. If he was a Democrat and the majority of Congress were Republicans, they did everything they could to make sure he got nothing done. If he was a Republican and the majority of Congress were Democrats, they did everything they could to make sure he got nothing done. He's one man. Not the whole government. Again, this is not a dictatorship. A President, no matter what party, no matter how popular, no matter how unpopular, can only do what Congress votes to allow him to do.

I would like to see every incumbent in every position from the city level up to the national level lose their respective elections and bring in a whole new batch of faces. Will that solve all our problems? No, of course not. But it would give a bunch of fresh faces a chance to try out some new solutions. When you put the same old people in the same old jobs, you get the same old results. So why not shake things up a bit? It's a major election year. Do something different.

Don't misunderstand me. Not every politician is evil. Many of them do very good work for their constituents. But there are just as many who have held on to their offices for far too long and almost give off a sense of entitlement to that office. You'll find them in both parties. You'll find them at all levels of government that don't have some sort of term limits imposed on them. They have taken a public service position and turned it into a career. Political office was never intended to be a career. But so many have forgotten the "public service" part of the job. It's a place to gain power and prestige and a "name" for oneself. It's the launching pad to a speaking circuit and a publishing contract. To honorary degrees from prestigious academic institutions. So many gain their degrees in Political Science, Law or Business with the express purpose of entering the political circus. There are lawyers in government who have never used their law degree for anything other than to decorate a wall. The same for their MBA's or other alphabetical appelations. Such a waste. All that education and they let it stagnate in a dusty frame. All for the sake of a political office.

Ah well. I don't hold out much hope that anything I say will make much difference. I'm just eternally grateful that I live in a place where I have the freedom to express my opinion on a public forum. I don't ask for agreement. It actually matters little to me if you agree or disagree. Just allow me my opinion in peace and I will return the favor.

But it is an election year. Vote. It really is the American thing to do.

This first post is just to tell everyone hello and welcome to my little corner of cyberspace. There are many things that this space can accomplish, but I suppose the most important, to me anyway, is just to inform people of my existence. I am a newly published author and although I have two books on the market, I am still an unknown to the reading public. This is my self introduction to the world. So, hello world!

This will also be my venting place; a place where I can simply voice my opinions and gripes of the world in general or my praises of same world. Sometimes good things do happen and I like to be able to talk about those as well. Beware. I do have opinions and I am not afraid to use them! Feel free to disagree in an agreeable manner and post your own opinions here as well. I do not expect everyone to agree with me. In fact, most people don't. But that's okay. As long as neither of us gets hateful and abusive, a little disagreement never hurt anyone. I'm also not afraid to admit when I've been wrong and have been known to change my opinions on some things. On others, well, sorry, but I'm stubborn. Sometimes, I just won't change how I think and feel about certain subjects. I'm sure you're the same way.

Come back and visit when you get a chance. Hopefully something that gets posted here will make you think, or cry, or laugh. Even if I make you angry, I will have achieved my purpose; human interaction even in cyberspace. I can't invite everyone in to my living room for coffee (you won't all fit), but I can invite everyone here for virtual coffee and a chat. Pour a cup, or tea if that's your cuppa, and dive in.

Welcome.