Christmas is here. . . well almost

I can't believe that it's already Christmas. That means that the year of 2007 is almost over. I can't believe how fast this year has gone, how much has happened, and how much I've learned about myself and about God. I look back and see so many things that I would do differently if I could. It's frustrating that hindsight is 20/20. Why can't my forward-sight be that good?

The last week or so I've been humbled by the faith of children. I was holding a little girl and we were discussing people who were in Heaven. I had just asked her who else was in Heaven to which she replied, "Jesus." She barely stopped to take a breath before she said, "But Jesus is right here too." She's two. My cousin was sick. They weren't really sure what was wrong with him. They were kinda scared because he's had health problems in the past. He told his mom, "I'll be ok. God will make me better." He's three. I wish my faith would grow as I get older. For some reason it seems to shrink. I don't really believe that God is omnipresent and omnipotent. These kids put most adults' faith to shame.

Today my aunts and their families are coming. I love having family around. It's always so much fun. Even with kids that are fighting, and screaming as if they've been shot because they bumped their knee. Yeah, I really like that. . .

I've been thinking about the power of the tongue in relation to gossip. . . I always have had a hard time knowing what gossip really is. That might sound weird. But if you really think about it when does talking about people become gossip. I've heard people say that talking about people is gossip. Ok, so you can't talk about anybody?? That's always kind of stumped me. But recently I've been on the tail end of gossip. Someone told someone else something about me that they really had no business talking about. I mean it sure wasn't edifying anyone. Then before I can even get all upset about it this thought pops into my head, "How often I have I done that in the past?" I guess I'm realizing how pointless it is. Do you really have to tell people everything you about them?? Nobody has to know all of that. Nobody needs to know all of that. I'm not against talking about people in a sense. You can say things about people w/o gossiping which I would consider news. Like they're moving to Idaho, or they just had a little girl. But I think there's a point and we all know where it is when talking goes from news to gossip. There's this time when you think, "Should I really say this?" and then you do it anyway. I've come to the conclusion that gossip is harmful and destructive and un-gossip is up building and edifying. A lot of my conversations are filled with gossip. It's stupid. I've been reading Proverbs, Solomon has some harsh words for people who don't watch what they say. Most of the time those harsh words can be pointed directly at me.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. My youth group is going to be delivering packages for Country Santa. Country Santa is a lot like Samaritans Purse except it's for local people. It's really cool. Usually every year we fill up garbage bags for families for Country Santa. It's really a lot of fun. Knowing that you're giving these kids gifts and imagining how excited they'll be on Christmas morning. I think this is the first year we've ever tried to help deliver packages. I'm really excited about it. Kids are special to me. . . Especially hurting kids. Knowing that we in some small way are helping them, bringing a smile to their face, is. . . yeah that's pretty cool.

Merry Christmas!!!