You Never Know....

An Inexpensive Little Cross Can Make A Difference

About five years ago, I was teaching a Sunday school class in our church.  This was a class in which I am a member.  On that day, there were about 40 people in attendance.



Cindy Carries Her Little Cross In Her Purse

At the end of the class, I closed by handing out small metal crosses to each person.  These little crosses were about an inch long.  I had purchased them for a few pennies each from a local Christian market.  I asked the class members to put this little inexpensive cross somewhere where they would see it each day. I asked them to think of where they got it and what they were doing when they received it.

Of course, a few years went by and the incident of the crosses being passed out to the class was forgotten.....or, so I thought.

A couple of months ago, one of the class members who was in attendance on that day when I was the teacher remarked in front of the class that "I still have that cross that Clint gave us a few years ago.  I keep it by the sink where I shave every morning and I am always reminded of Jesus and of our class and of the day I was given the cross."

And, of course, that got me to thinking.....about how we just never really know what kind of an impact we have on other people when we interract with them---and how our actions and words may stay with others in a positive---or negative---way long after all is said and done.

Usually, we will never know the true extent of our impact on others.  Only in situations like the one I just described will we hear at a later date about what we have meant to someone.  It is a special feeling.

My Friend, Darrel

Last week, my friend Darrel, who is a member of our weekly prayer group, gave us all a cross that has been constructed of resin and designed to fit comfortably in the hand.  It is called the "Clinging Cross", and is meant to be held at any time the holder wishes to gain strength through the cross. 

The Clinging Cross

Thank you, Darrel!  I know that through the years I will always think of your thoughtfulness when my eyes fall upon your gift.

The Clinging Cross Fits Perfectly Into My Hand

Jeepers Creepers, Baby Jesus!

I wrote this poem with a touch of sarcasm over what Christmas has become.

Jeepers Creepers, Baby Jesus!

Jeepers Creepers, Baby Jesus!
I'm pretty sure You didn't know
Just how Christmastime would squeeze us,
Takin' all our hard-earned dough.

Everywhere are presents scattered
All 'round the merry Christmas tree;
As if the only thing that mattered
Was lots of gifts and gadgetry.

No one thinks too much about You;
Our main concern is bills to pay;
Along in March we sure do rue
The debt incurred for Christmas day!

Those three wise kings who came to see
You offered only gold and myrrh;
They'd no credit cards to yearly
Struggle paying or defer.

(C) 1999 Clint Ellison

Christmas Presents....

Over the years, our country has allowed Christmas Day to evolve into a shameful orgy of gift-giving.  I don't think I know anyone who would disagree with this.  Of course, I freely admit that for many years I was a part of the problem.  If you have children, you want them to feel the love of the holiday, and you do not want them to be looked upon as less fortunate than their friends.

Fortunately, I am older now, and (hopefully) wiser.  All those gifts we gave our children over the years did not in any way make them better people or, more importantly, bring them closer to God or foster a relationship with Jesus.

To this day, I recall the Christmas of 1954.  I was ten years old.  And my parents, trying their best to make sure I had a wonderful day, spent much more money than they could afford to give me a great Christmas.  They gave me a set of World Book encyclopedias.  I later found out that this set of books cost them $100.  This was a very large amount of money 56 years ago.  There were other gifts, as well.  I thought I had a very nice Christmas until I went outside and found out that my friend Walter had got a football and a BB gun; and my friend Tony had got a baseball, bat and glove.  In my wisdom and maturity I stomped inside the house and informed my parents that I had been "gypped".  My dad would have killed me on the spot if my mom had not intervened.

Years later, I asked my dad what kind of gifts his family gave each other when he was a boy.  He said they usually gave things like fruit---apples, oranges and bananas and such.  He said they had wonderful Christmases back then, and no one even thought about gifts that much.  The day was more about Jesus and celebrating Him.

My, how far we've come!  Here is hoping we can begin to return to celebrating Christmas for the right reasons. 

The fact is, I neither need nor want anything for Christmas in the way of gifts.  Most of the people I know have no real needs, either.  The bottom line for me is this:  God has given me far more in this world than I deserve, and I shall be thanking Him for that on Christmas Day, just as I do every other day.