Sunup was delayed for a while as it tried to fight it’s way through or up and over a bank of dark clouds.
We worked eleven to two today. I don’t care for short days. However, since Charlie is a working man and can’t arrive earlier in the day, he has to work longer weekend days to get his hours in.
Tomorrow we work twelve to three. That means we can make it to Sunday school but will need to skip out on pastor’s sermon (We will watch it later on Facebook videos), so that we can grab a bite to eat and make it to work in time for Santa to suit up.
Speaking of grabbing a bite to eat, that’s what we did on the way home.
A day as Santa is always interesting. Today a mother came pushing a stroller with a little toddler. As soon as he saw me, he climbed out of the stroller and ran full tilt to me. On the other end of the spectrum was the little girl who wanted nothing to do with Santa. After a couple of attempts for photos, I told Ella to be ready with the camera as I let her go to run to mom. It was a great photo that made everyone laugh.
Probably the best photo taken today was not taken by the expensive digital camera. A grandmother wanted pictures of her toddler grandson with Santa. Several photos were taken with Santa and the unhappy child. Grandma bought them and came back carrying the child past Santa. Even when he had been upset earlier, he kept staring and pointing at the Christmas tree. I held out my hands and asked if he wanted to see my tree. He came to me and we went to the tree so he could see the decorations up close. Grandma took a photo with her cell phone. It was a great photo. By the way, personal photography is no not permitted. However, she had purchased a photo package. So I guess it was okay. And she came away with a great photo of a happy happy boy in Santa’s arms.
Santa also had visits with a couple of families with special needs children. They were happy visits for them and for Santa.
Luke 15:8-10
“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”
I’ve read this passage many times. I’ve heard countless sermons on this passage and the verses preceding it about lost sheep. Great sermons on recovering the lost. Yet today, for the very first time, I saw, “sinner who changes both heart and life.”
The change of heart is a one time experience. It happens in a moment. It is like a traveler who comes to an intersection along the road and decides to change direction and destination. That is a change of heart.
The change of life is an ongoing process. Traveling the new and unfamiliar road will have some challenges. There will be barren hills to climb, dark valleys to pass through. Sudden unexpected curves may cause doubts. Fog may obscure the road ahead. However, there will also be spectacular views from the mountain height and lush valleys teaming with beauty. There will be bright sunny days when all is well with the soul. The change of life is a day to day and moment to moment commitment to the new destination.
Tom and Ella Journal 