Once upon a time there was a young woman who was celebrating her first Christmas with her two year old son, in her new shiny apartment, after burying her husband four months earlier. She was very glad that Facebook was not invented….nor was Instagram, or Twitter, or even Snapchat. People came to her door….it wasn’t posted on Facebook with her face and her adorable sons face surrounded by people that had done something nice. It wasn’t Instagrammed….the exchange was simple….Here you are….Merry Christmas…..we are praying for you….and they left me….I mean, they left the young woman.
Obviously….this story was about me….my first Christmas after my husband had died…after being separated for two years. My dream of a happy reunion and a happily ever after…in shambles. I hated Christmas that year….and after my son was at my parents house celebrating with them….I took down every piece of tinsel and good cheer I could possibly find. I wanted nothing to do with joy….happiness….and I guess that is what disturbs me so much about this time of year.
The people that you and I minister to….are either in the muck and mire of the worst time in their life….and the last thing in the world that they need is YOU taking their picture and showing it on Facebook….about how you surprised a family, brought a meal, shoveled a driveway…..showed a little bit of humanity.
Perhaps this sounds harsh….perhaps….you haven’t stood where I stood….perhaps you have never HAD to take the gift that was offered to you? As a child, I always thought that would be the coolest thing to get and get and get….but as an adult….I took great pride in the fact that I bought my sons presents with my own hard work….and I was grateful when my family and friends and strangers gave ME something….but I have to tell you….if I would have had to pose with people and have my face plastered all over the media….it would have crushed me. Perhaps that means I’m vain….but perhaps…we should do nice things…..just because we are nice people.
Last night…my daughter and husband helped with something around town….and I wanted my husband to take of a picture of her doing it….and he refused. At first it made me mad…but then he just said…you know why. …and I did…but she looked so cute I’m sure….but I don’t have a picture of it….but God does. That has to be enough….because here’s the truth….
I will not get an award for the good that I do here on this earth….most of us won’t….but do we do the good we do because we need a trophy? We need recognition? Or do we do it because there is a burning desire in all of us to continue to do what God has asked us to do….go to the lonely and the forgotten. Go make an impact….in the process….the rewards come so much so in the shadows. The things I get to witness are so much greater than any reward man could ever give me.
In this season of giving…and good cheer….in this season of helping those who hurt….helping those who are in the muck…..have the private moment with them. Have the moment that only can be seen by our Creator. He makes the best moments, the best stories….we don’t need to photograph all of it…some of it….just needs to be felt…and every moment….no distraction….just FEEL it….just experience it.
Merry Christmas…..go…..do….FEEL….be….be the someone that no one else is…
The Reluctant Red Nose 