A time for everything ~ Except Christmas

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.

So when is the time for Christmas? I woke this morning, and my wife was getting dressed for work. She works in the kitchen of a local nursing home, and even though she's a kitchen worker, she still has to wear scrubs. She's new to the job, so she only has a couple pair of scrubs we bought, and a few tops with Christmas designs that someone left at the home, and she come into possession of. This morning (Jan 30,2019), she decided to wear one of the Christmas tops as they were all she had clean. She looked over to me and asked if I thought it was ok to wear a Christmas design today since Christmas was long past. I thought about it, and I said to her, I think it's just fine. I reasoned, Christmas isn't a day, or a time, it's not something you do, or even a feeling. Christmas I told her is (according to Christians) all about Christ, and begins with Christ. I asked her, does Christ only exist one day, or one short time period per year? Does Christ only work miracles, heal, guide, or love only once a year? Would Christ answer your prayer with, well it's Jan 30th, Christmas is long past; I can't help you now? No? Well then, why should we only wear Christmas themed clothes once a year? Some would counter though, "but these clothes have snow men, reindeer, candy canes, and Christmas trees on them; they're not exactly Christ like themes". Hold the phone friend. Go into any Christian home at Christmas time. Unless they are really radical, or fanatical Christians; they have snow men, reindeer, candy canes, and Christmas trees in their Christmas setups. They explain, and justify this as "Well Christmas is for kids too, these things are for kids. They are symbols of fun, joy, goodness, and happy memories for the kids. But Christmas is still primarily about Christ, these things just make it fun for the kids". Ok, so why can't these things be used to bring fun, joy, goodness, and happy memories all year long? Does Christ only provide these things to children, as well as adults once a year? No? Well then; I feel Christmas (which begins with, and is all about Christ) can; and should be all year long. Is it ok to wear Christmas themed clothing on Jan 30h, June 30th, or even Aug 30th? Yes! Go for it. Fun, joy, goodness, and happy memories are not once a year things. Even old people in nursing homes desire these things; on a daily basis. So, when is the time for Christmas? The same time as the time for Christ; Everyday. Merry Christmas; Everyone

Becca

Life they say, is unfair. Death is even less fair, it leaves you feeling like you've just been belted in the gut by someone wearing brass knuckles...

2:00 Am, Jan 7, 2019 left me reeling in disbelief. My daughter come into the room crying, woke her mother and I, and informed us that Becca was gone...

My wife and I, half awake, and half asleep, found it difficult to process, to grasp what we'd just been told. Becca? Why Becca? My wife could only weep, and say "it's not fair"...

At 48, Becca was still young, she had so much life ahead of her yet, she was a good person. Becca was the person who when life knocked you around so hard that you question the very existence and love of God, you went to Becca, and she told you simply by her smile, her words, her actions, and her compassion; "God is real, He exists, and He loves you". Becca, for lack of words, was the embodiment of Christ. She lived, loved, spoke, and worked, not like Christ; but as Christ.

When someone was hungry, there was Becca. When someone needed a place to call home, there was Becca. When someone needed clothes or comfort, there was Becca. Whenever anyone (no matter who) needed anything (no matter what), there was Becca...

Becca opened her heart and home to so many people during her life; including myself and my family. You never left Becca's hungry. When you went to her house, hungry or not, you ate; and you ate good. Becca would not stand for less.
Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Years, Weddings, Funerals; Becca. They all went together; and Becca made sure they were good.

Becca could not tolerate discord between others. You have a problem with this person? Someone don't like you? "Too bad, get along; were family". That was how Becca saw it; and that is how it was going to be so long as she had anything to say about it. In Becca's world, everyone got along, everyone was happy, everyone loved everyone else; that made Becca happy. When I first come into this family, when I made mistakes that caused everyone to want to grab me and shake me, hard; there was Becca... Becca was one of the ones in the family who always loved me, and forgave me, no matter what I had done... This was Becca with everyone.

This morning was one of those times I spoke of earlier, that leaves you questioning God's existence. I had already been questioning God, and His love for quite a while before this, then this morning threw me against a wall....
But as I said; then there's Becca...
I look back at life since meeting Becca, I remember all the bad, and how Becca always turned it to Joy, and I know; "God is real, He exists, and He loves us"...….

God; please take care of our Becca till we see her again.