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It’s been a long time coming, but finally it’s here.
You know what I’m talking about.
Yeah, the day … the day.
Finally.
It seemed like it would never come, but we don’t have to wait any longer.
It’s here.
The See’s Candy store at the mall is open!
That means we are officially in the Christmas season.
The Other Thing
What’s that? This isn’t what you thought this episode was about?
I’m sorry.
You thought I would talk about that election thing?
Yeah, I know the official election day is Tuesday, but who knows when it will actually be over? It could go on for weeks.
But I have to admit, there are a couple of things I’m looking forward to when Wednesday rolls around.
My Mailbox - I should be able to go to my mailbox and not come back with a handful of full-color ads calling people vicious names and spouting terrible, easily disprovable, lies. That has taken the fun out of checking the mail every day.
TV Ads - As bad as the mailings have been, the ads on TV, radio and other media formats are even worse. If I didn’t have a mute button on my remote, I don’t think I would even bother to turn on the TV.
Email - I don’t know where they got my email address, but I’ve been inundated with emails during this political season. Most of them are requesting donations but the few that aren’t join in with the name calling and lies.
Text Messages - I get a little “ding” sound on my phone whenever I receive a text message. Lately, an awful lot of those messages have been political. I don’t know where they got my phone number, but those messages also are filled with name-calling, lies, and requests for money.
Yes, I’m looking forward to Wednesday just to be spared the name-calling and lies.
To Catch a Thief
After seeing the See’s Candy store open, I decided to walk the mall for a while. A number of new kiosks have opened in preparation for the Christmas season.
I was about to pass by one kiosk containing a bunch of toys when I saw a family about to cross my path, so I decided to stop and let them go first.
It was a family of five — two parents and three kids.
The youngest, a boy about 7 or 8, brought up the rear of the group. As he passed the kiosk, he reached out and picked up a plastic toy from a container and stuffed it into his pocket.
And then he saw me standing there looking at him. He stopped, quickly reached into his pocket, returned the toy to the container, and rushed to rejoin his family.
I hadn’t said anything.
He just saw me looking at him, and that’s all it took for him to go from being a thief to being a boy at the mall with his family.
It Ain’t Just the Kid
As I continued my walk in the mall, I thought about that young boy.
Yes, he had been a thief, but that’s not what stuck with me. What resonated was how much he demonstrated what many of us older folks also struggle with.
Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever done anything you knew was wrong?
If you knew it was wrong, why did you do it?
Did you think you would get away with it?
Did you think no one would find out?
Did you think as long as no one knew, maybe it was okay? Maybe you could even do it again.
The Christmas Season Has Arrived
I’m glad the Christmas season has begun, because it should remind us what Christmas is truly about — God sending His son, Jesus, into the world
If you are a Christian, the teaching in 1 John should have powerful message for you.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8 (ESV)
God has said, “All have sinned.” As you consider your life, don’t deceive yourself. Recognize when you’ve done wrong.
And then …
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
Think about that. If we confess our sins, Jesus is willing to forgive us and cleanse us.
Unlike that little boy who merely didn’t get caught that day in the mall, we can be totally cleansed from everything wrong we have done.
That is quite a Christmas gift from God.
I’m glad the Christmas season has arrived.
Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today
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