Merry Christmas!

Wow, it's Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas 2010.  It doesn't seem possible.  My dad has told me several times "The older you get, the faster time goes by."  Well, I don't really consider myself old, but this year has flown by. 

Thinking back I have memories of great times at Christmas.  I remember that I couldn't hardly go to sleep on Christmas Eve because my mind was racing with what "Santa" would bring.   Just like all kids, the three of the children in the Wheat's home always like the presents.  We weren't poor, but we were just broke.  We never knew it.  Mom and dad always seemed to make sure all three kids had plenty for Christmas.  I know now that mom and dad made every penny stretch and probably did without some things for themselves to make sure there were smiles on our faces on Christmas morning.  Thanks mom & dad.


Now the roles have changed.  It seems like yesterday that Krystal and I celebrated our first Christmas together.  Then Ashlyn came along and gave a whole new meaning to giving.  It's amazing how things change with time.  Being the parents, Krystal and I are more happy watching the expression on Ashlyn & Mitchell's face on Christmas morning than anything else.  Ashlyn may be 14, but she still knows that Christmas is a special time.  Christmas is a time for giving and also receiving.  Mitchell, being 5, still is more interested in the "getting", but that will change as he gets a little older. 


Being pastors, sometimes our "Christmas Season" is a little hectic.  We enjoy the gatherings, parties and fun of friends around Christmas time.  Sometimes it's not until Christmas Eve or Christmas that we have some down time and let out a big "sigh".  Last night our family loaded up and headed to eat out and to see the light in Fayetteville.  The town square is lit up with billions of lights it seems.  Our first stop was Red Robin.  Their burgers are great.  Afterwards, we enjoyed seeing the lights, laughing and making memories.  Today, Krystal and the kids are going to bake cookies for Santa and we are hanging out at the house.  There are some gifts that will be wrapped and placed under the tree and then the fun will begin tonight as the kids go to bed with the same excitement that I had when I was there age.  We'll do our best to video and take photos to capture the laughs, smiles and excitement.  Wow, can't wait.


Times have changed.  I do get more pleasure in giving gifts than receiving them.  One day Ashlyn and Mitchell will have families and they will have that same feeling.  It really is more blessed to give than receive.  Isn't that what Christmas is all about?  Leaning the true meaning of giving.   God gave to us because He loved us.  He gets so much enjoyment in blessing His children. Thank you Heavenly Father for giving us the example of giving and also the great feeling we experience as we become more generous....Just like You! 

Merry Christmas from the Wheats!  We are truly blessed.

"SLOW ME DOWN"

Many times people will come up and hand me a note or a cartoon that they know that I will enjoy.  Some are articles pertaining to current events and others are just funny cartoons that will make me laugh.  Not to long ago, a gentleman in my church by the name of Neal Reed gave me a business card that I really need to read more often.  In fact, we were at the 50th Wedding Anniversary of his and his wife.  That day was one of those days where we felt like we needed to be at several different places and the day was "packed".  Neal handed me this business card and said, "Hey pastor, I think this may help you out."  He chuckled because he knew we were heading out to catch Ashlyn's basketball game and had a busy schedule ahead of us.

One side of the business card has Neal & Irmalee's mailing address, phone numbers and a phrase that says: "Smile! God loves you and We love you!"  It's always encouraging to hear those words, but it was the words on the opposite side that Neal wanted me to read, too.  The other side reads with the following "prayer".

"Slow me down, Lord, I am going too fast. 

I can't see my brother as he goes past; 

I miss a lot of good things day by day.  

I don't know blessings when they come my way.  

Slow me down, Lord, so I can see

More of the things that are good for me;

A littel less of me, a mite more of you,

Let Heavenly atomospherre trickle thru,

Let me help a brother when the going's rough

When folks work together, things aren't so tough;

Slow me down, Lord, so that I can talk

with more of your angels...slow me down to a walk."

In the last phrase the writer says, "Slow me down, Lord, so that I can talk with more of your angels..."  As I read this, I took it that "angels" were the wonderful people that God has placed in our lives and not of the "angels" we think of with wings.

We all are busy and especially this time of year.  Actually I have noticed that it's not just Christmas time that we are busy.  I am usually filling up my calendar 12 months out of the year.  I'm not saying that we need to not work hard.  I believe in working hard and giving it my best.  But sometimes we equate "business" with being productive and that simply isn't true.  God has placed wonderful people in my life and He also brings people across my path.  My desire is that I don't become so busy that I am not making a difference in their lives.  My prayer is that my calendar doesn't get so busy that I don't have time to slow down and enjoy the "angels" God has placed in my life.  "Slow me down, Lord.  Slow me down" so that I can make a difference in someone's life.

It's Christmas Time!

Ahhhh...Christmas Time.  I can't believe it is Christmas 2010.  My dad has told me many times that time goes by faster the older you get.  Well, I know I am getting older but this "time thing" is getting bit ridiculous. 

It is Christmas time again and it really is the "most wonderful time of the year".  For the most part, people's attitudes change.  I know there are the "scrooges" out there with their "bah humbug" attitudes, but for the most part I have found Christmas brings out the best in people.  I have already witnessed the attitude and spirit of generosity this season in great amounts.  There have been several people who have shared how they are going to bless others during this Christmas time.  There are many ways to show this caring attitude.  We can give money, gifts, time or sit down and write a note to someone who has been an inspiration in our lives.  If you haven't done this yet, I would encourage you to stop right now and think of a way that you and your family can show the Spirit of CHRISTmas to someone.  After all, look at what Christ has done for you.

It is Christmas time and you can tell it at the Wheat's house.  Last week the lights went up on the house.  I love putting lights up.  We really don't have that much traffic where we live.  In fact, Krystal asked me why I do it for the few cars that come by our house and I said that I do it for those few to enjoy.  She just laughed and went on doing what she was doing.  It's not just the outside but also the inside of our house that yells "It's Christmas Time".  All the decorations are out for this holiday season.  Everyone is asking "What do you want for Christmas?"  Our answers are pretty much the same (except for Mitchell), "Well, I really don't need a thing."  We are truly blessed. 

I know we all want things, but do we really "need" anything?  Be a blessing this CHRISTmas season and bless someone else.  There is nothing wrong with exchanging gifts but let's remember the best gift given to us all....JESUS.