MikeD

It's 5:30 Christmas morning, all is quiet, and all seems at peace, at least for the moment. I suppose, most of the folks in town are still fast asleep. Some may be early risers, enjoying the gifts, sharing time with family, or others just thankful to be alive for another day. Yet, inside, I almost sense a feeling of, for lack of a better word, tired. I just feel tired. Don't know another way to put it.

Every day at work is, basically, all the same. I guess I have it a little better than most. Being a truck driver does have it's advantages. Each day is as it is and a unique adventure unto itself. Can't ever tell what might happen. This career field does offer it's avenues of excitement, that's for sure. Yet, even in that, it's still the same.

I'm sure, I'm not the only one that feels this way. So much of life I've missed out on. In another week, we'll be looking at the year 2010. 2010! That just sounds weird. The year 2000 used to seem like an eternity away. And now, we're looking at 2010 in just a few days. My Lord, where has the time gone!

Growing up in the late 50's and on into the 60's seemed to be a time so innocent. No rushing, no hurries, plenty of time to play. Mickey Mouse Club and Saturday baseball games were a normal part of life. We were far from rich but, Mom and Dad always found a way to make each and every Christmas special. Sure, there were the ones that stood out because of a certain gift. But, overall, just quiet times. Well, maybe not so quiet but, none the less, family times that I know I'll remember for a life time.

Now, it's a deluge of electronic gismo's, non stop texting, and yacking on the cell phone for what seems like no reason what so ever. Why go to the mall? Well, you just HAVE to! Here again, I have to ask, again, why do you HAVE TO??? As one young lady told me, well, you just have to, that's why! A rat race of never ending going no where!

My Grandparent's property used to have a creek fowling through the middle of two pastures. I'd go out in the morning when I was little and mostly, catch small sun fish, brim I'd call them. Sometimes, I'd hook onto a sizable cat fish. Oh boy, were those ever special days! Grandma would cook them up in the evening and I'd delight knowing I was the one who had caught these fish earlier that morning. Grandma always had a way of making days like that special.

I remember one time with my Grand father back at the creek. It had rained the day before so the water was up a little. There was one spot where a small waterfall had formed. Only a drop of maybe a foot or two but a special spot to me none the less. Listening to the sounds of the water flowing through that small creek was a relaxation to me that still resonates to this day. My Grand father mentioned to me, remember times like this boy. They'll come and be gone too fast. Now, I see the wisdom of my Grand father and cherish those special memories. Today, that little creek is a cement drainage canal between two subdivisions. A pasture I grew up in, chased fire flies, caught fish, and hunted dragons, is now two developed subdivisions of houses, all each looking the same.

Now, how can one build memories like that? Is there any time that's considered "special" to the young ones of today? Yes, I do suppose there are, just, different than what I had. Does that make it worse, better? I guess, like the ole' saying says, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. It's just that, "things" move so fast these days. Before you know it, another year has come and gone so fast, makes you wonder what happened!

Yep, I would have to say, I do feel tired these days. Seems as tho' kids just can't take the time to be kids any longer. The parents are all caught up in work, church, shopping, so much going on. Seems to be no time for family any longer. And that makes me sad. Because of this hectic lifestyle, it's no wonder folks are having medical problems! But, then again, I guess it's not really fair for me to say that, is it? What hurts me the most is, the simple fact that, Daddy God is STILL there tapping on the window of our lives and quietly saying, I'm still here, waiting, longing for a relationship.

Is that what this new, modern world has brought us to? A time when we just seem to leave God out of all that's going on? We rush, hurry, shop, do so much. But, never really take the time to say, Happy Birthday Jesus. We never take the time to remember the awesomeness of this gift that was given to us in Jesus Christ that we just go right past it and never really notice. How sad.

So, if I may, in the quietness of this Christmas morning, I do take the time to gently say, Happy Birthday Jesus. May this day for YOU be a special one. I know, Lord Jesus, you gave me your live as a special gift, one I could never repay. You hung the stars in the heavens as a special gift to remind me of the universe you hold in your hands. You gave me the gift of eternal life which I did not deserve yet, you did it anyway. I do say, on this special morning, Happy Birthday Jesus. And may I be reminded, it's not for me that I live but for OTHERS you bring me to. Help me to share all the goodness YOU gave and bring a little joy to someone's life on this, YOUR day!

Happy Birthday Jesus! I do PRAISE YOU AND THANK YOU!