A New Year

Our Christian life is not supposed to be perfectly planned out. Abraham was called by God to travel to a land he had never seen. That was certainly not planned out by Abraham. Moses was called to lead a couple of million Jews from Egypt and walk through the Red Sea. Again, an event not planned out. 

In the New Testament we find three astronomers who decide to start following a bright group of lights in the night sky. They had no idea how long it would take to achieve their goal. So, they set out believing they were going to find the King of the Jews. Did they know how long they would travel? Yes they did, and no they didn't. They knew they would travel as long as it took to get to their destination. No, they really didn't know exactly how long that would be. They were patient and determined.

These events may not have been planned out by the participants, but they were by God. If you insist that each and every day follow a perfect plan or script how can God surprise you or use you? We live in an instant world. Our news comes instantly. I check the weather on my phone and in seconds I know the temperature thousands of miles away. 

Be open to the unexpected. God might show up in the grocery store when an elderly person needs help. Or an exasperated mother, who is struggling with her little children, needs an extra arm or shoulder. I love the commercial that depicts an elderly lady shuffling across the intersection. A very annoyed and impatient driver is inching closer and being a jerk. She looks at him, and in a flash, she hits the front bumper of his car and the air bag goes off. She must of had a heavy purse and strong arm.

We have no idea what is in store for us this coming year. And, I for one am glad. I do not want to know if tragedy is awaiting. If it comes I know that God will give me the grace and strength to handle it. I do not want to know if some great prosperous event is going to land on me. My anxiety of waiting for such an event would make me useless. 

The words of Jesus can slap me in the face. Remember, "Not even a sparrow falls from the sky that your Heavenly Father does not see." God knows, we do not. Are you in the spiritual mindset that would allow God to interfere with your calendar, cell phone, television programs, or ??????

T. A. Galloway is the author of Amazon's #2 Family and Inspiration book, A Mother's Heart Moved the Hand of God. 

Christ- What He means to my Friends

Christ- What He means to my friends. I asked my friends on social media what Christ means to them. I asked for a single word or short sentence to describe Him.

My blog friends and readers around the world, be blessed this Christmas. From my heart and the heart of my friends these following friends and their words are our present to you. May you find Joy and Peace this Christmas.

• Pam L. Our Saviors Birth                          
• Sherry M. Eternal Salvation
• Renate B. Love
• Lori K. Love
• Linda R. Savior
• Beth M. Love
• Geoffrey Hope & Path to Peace
• Troy H. Salvation
• Brandy B. Amazing Grace
• Veronica M. My Love, My All
• Ange C. Peace
• Dee T. Eternal Life
• Wendy W. Unconditional Love
• Jessica H. Patience
• Sharon H. Life changing relationship
• Ray C. Gives us a chance
• Jackie G. Unconditional Love and Michael
• Paul S. Sozo- saves, heals, and delivers
• Kandi F. Family, Faith, Hope
• Rachelle N. Forgiveness
• Larry S. Salvation
• William N. Salvation
• Brandy H. Savior, Redeemer, Abba, Love
• Marlene B. Family
• Ed H. Savior
• Sharon E. Eternal Life,Love, Justin, Josh, Myke
• Randy G. Everything
• Jan M. Salvation
• Joann A. Security
• Doloris P. Love
• Rita L. Life
• Joann D. Prince of Peace
• Loretta B. Hope
• Jackie S. Savior
• Georgette B. Hope
• Wendy K. Unconditional Love
• Debbie J. Everything, My Sonshine, Warm Breeze, Reason I Smile
• Susan H. Life Everlasting
• Joni G. Purposeful Life, Eternity beyond Comprehension
• Denise L. I have Eternal Life
• Julia G. Mercy and Grace
• Dottie B. Love
• Kathy M. Everlasting Love, Lord, Eternal Life
• Sherry B. My Go-To Person
• Linda B. My Everything
• Karen B. Feeling of True Hope and Faith
• Kay S. Savior
• Carol G. Comfort
• Emily M. Forgiveness, Eternal Salvation
• Margaret H. My Everything
• Scot B. Friend and Teacher
• Marie C. Love and Forgiveness
• Sue S. Life here and Forever
• Linda M. His Death-My Sins, Promise of Peace in the Valley
• Lisa R. My Rock, Savior, Teacher, My Love
• Patricia W. Salvation
• Diane J. Fortress of Love
• Carol M. Love of Mankind, Peace and Joy
• Debby C. Foundation my life is built upon
• Alvin C. Reason I believe there is a chance for Peace

A special Thank you to all of my friends who revealed their Christmas Heart

Dad- The Real Santa Claus

Dad- The Real Santa Claus

I remember the time the real truth about Santa hit me. And, I say, hit me, for a very good reason. It was a childhood revelation with a gigantic impact. Indulge me a moment to explain. A few days before Christmas Santa always showed up at the American Legion in Riverview. Why would Santa come to the legion? I didn't know and as a kid I didn't really care. I was just happy that he came. So, every Christmas the Galloway kids went to the Legion Christmas party. There was an endless supply of soda pop and little bags of chips. We all knew that a big moment was going to come, we just didn't know exactly when.

With a huge belly laugh Ole Saint Nick would announce his arrival. Somehow he appeared, almost out of nowhere. All of us kids would laugh and giggle and scurry around trying to get close. A really big chair was waiting for the jolly gift giver, up near the Christmas tree. With almost continuous belly laughs he would sit down and us kids would scurry into a line. No cuts in line were allowed, nor even thought of, Santa would certainly see such a serious naughty.

One by one all of the waiting kids would get up on Santa's lap and the most serious question in the entire universe would be asked; Have you been good for your mom and dad? I don't know about any of my friends, but I always answered yes. Deep inside I was hoping Santa wasn't God, and knew all of the things I did wrong. Like, tell my brother, Tim, he was going to hell for killing my frog. I did pay for that sin with a well placed bar of soap, coming from my mother. I guess he wasn't God because Christmas morning I was always happy.

Talk about having ants in your pants, waiting in line was as bad a waiting to get the winter dose of Cod Liver Oil, also distributed by my mom. When it was finally my turn I got up on Santa's lap and after a couple of belly laughs he asked the all important question. My rather sheepish yes brought another belly laugh. And then it happened, the revelation of all time. My dad was the Real Santa, I could tell. It wasn't his laugh or anything like that, it was the ring on his finger. I recognized the ring. Wow, what a secret I was now carrying around in my adolescent brain. My dad, the Real Santa. No other kid in the universe could say that. But, for  a while I would have to keep the secret.

Many years later I had the opportunity to be the Real Santa. We were living in Niles and my good friend, Larry Clymer, wasn't able to visit the kids like he always did for the Optimist Christmas party. I agreed to attempt to fill the role. The first problem was the outfit. Larry was about 5'8" and I was 6'4". Well with some elf magic the suit fit. the next problem was the Ho, Ho, Ho and the deep belly laugh. I didn't know if I could pull that one off. I practiced the laugh and the all too familiar, Ho Ho.

Just before my entrance to the waiting children I was in the bathroom, one last practice and out the door. As I reached for the door it opened, a very small hand from the other side had given it a tug. Much to my surprise, and I'm sure to his, I was standing in front of the son of the district court judge. Little John was in the first grade. His dark brown eyes seemed to glow as he looked at me. Santa, Santa, are you the real Santa? With a perfect belly laugh and a much practiced Ho, Ho, Ho, I told him I was and in fact that I knew his name and his dad.

The story is true and a short time later little John was killed in a tragic accident. I cherish the memory of being the real Santa for a bright eyed little boy that Christmas. I hope and pray that his dad and family continue to remember his bright smile and awe filled eyes.

What about you? What do people see in you? I'm not talking about the real Santa. I'm talking about the real Jesus Christ. The real Saint Nicholas was always about the real Jesus. That is why he gave and lived, so others would see Christ in him. May our Christmas gift to the world be, Christ alive in us.