The Best Gift

Cathy’s Corner - borrowed

On Christmas Eve, the children watched out the window for
visitors, but no one came. "Blow out the lamp and go to
bed", Dad said. "Nobody is going to come. No one
even knows we're out here."

The children turned out the lamp and got in bed, but they
were too excited to sleep. Was this not Christmas? Had they
not asked God to send them the presents He wanted them to
have? Did Mom not say God answers
prayer?

Late that night, when one of the children spotted
headlights coming down the dirt road, everyone jumped out of
bed and ran to the window. The commotion woke up Mom and
Dad. "Don't get excited, children," Dad said.
"They're probably not coming here. It's just
someone who got lost." The
children kept hoping and the car kept coming. Then, Dad
lit a lamp. They all wanted to rush to the door at the same time, but Mr.
Canaday said, "Stay back. I'll go." Someone
got out of the car and called, "I was wondering if
someone here can help me unload these bags." The
children dashed out the door to lend a hand. Mom said to her
youngest, "Stay here, Judy, and help Mom open the bags
and put up the gifts."

A deacon from the church in town had gone to bed that
Christmas Eve, and lay there tossing and turning, unable to
get the Canaday family off his mind. Later, he said, "I didn't know what
kind of shape you folks were in, but I knew you had all those kids." He had
gotten up and dressed and went around town, rousing people
from their sleep to ask for a contribution for the Canaday family. He filled his car with
bags of groceries, canned goods, toys, and clothing. Little
Judy got a rag doll which remained her favorite for years.

With so much food, Dad wanted to have a Christmas feast,
to spread it all out and eat as they had never eaten before.
Mom, ever the caretaker, said, "No, we need to make
this last." And it did last, for weeks.

The next Sunday, Mrs. Canaday stood in church and told
what the members---and one deacon in particular---had done
for her family. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Years later, the oldest sister Eva wrote up this story
about her family for a school project. Eva said, "We
were so thrilled by all the wonderful things in the bags,
for a while; we lost sight of the most special gift. The
best gift that Christmas was not in brown bags at all. It
was Mom's faith, as she taught her children to bring
their needs to Jesus and trust Him to meet them. And a
Dad's love that wanted only to protect his children from
hurt and disappointment."

When Carrie finished telling her story, she added,
"Little Judy is my wonderful grandmother." Today,
Judy Canaday Dryden lives in Sanger, Texas. As she relived
this event from seventy years ago over the phone,
one could hear the tear in her voice and feel her pride in
being the recipient of such a precious heritage from her
mother and father.

At Christmas, we celebrate praying mothers and caring
fathers and believing children. We give thanks for sensitive
deacons and generous friends and sleepless nights. And we praise God for the
hard times that teach unforgettable lessons, stories of faithfulness that
get told and retold through the years inspiring each new generation to
place their faith in a loving Savior.

Twas the Sunday before Christmas

Twas the Sunday before Christmas and all through the church house
Not a creature was stirring not even a church mouse.
The connection classes were canceled by the Ed staff with care,
except for the Preschool, they are always there.

The teachers were ready, all snug in their classes,
while visions of sweet children in their heads quietly passes.
With Lori in her apron, Anna and Kerri in their smocks,
had turned on the lights and unlocked all the locks.

When out in the foyer there arose such a clatter,
they sprung into action to check out the matter.
Away to the foyer they flew like a flash,
tore open the doors and threw out the trash.
The light from the sanctuary shown in through the doors
and lit up the foyer even the floors.

When what to their wondering eyes did they see,
but hundreds of preschoolers all filled with glee.
With a little old lady, not lively or quick,
they knew in a moment twas Miss Cathy and not ole St Nick.

More rapid than church mice, the children they came.
Cathy whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Reagan! Now Caleb! Now Audrey and Kate!
On, Jacob, on Carly! On Hudson and Tate!
To the Preschool, to the Theater, to the Studio run.
Now dash away! Dash away! We’re going for fun!

As dry leaves that before the hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the preschool the children did run,
with giggles and laughter looking for fun.
And then in a moment they stopped and oh how.
The oohs and the ahhs as they all just said WOW!
They turned their heads, and all spun around.
There were colors and wall hangings and stuff to be found.

There was red, blue and purple, some orange and some gold.
And it had fun things on the walls to behold.
A popcorn machine was popping some corn,
a play gym to climb on and toys for newborn.
Their cheeks were like roses, their nose like a cherry.
Mouths were wide open with nothing to howl,
Just one word would leave them, it was WOW!

The teachers were ready and greeted with smiles,
took off their jackets and laid them in piles.
They were dressed in their finest from head and to toe.
Their clothes were all pressed even the bows.

The Associates knew it had been worth it, the blood, sweat, and tears,
To renovate preschool they’d been waiting for years.
They listened as the teachers told about Jesus in a story,
And how He came in all of His glory.

Snacks for the kiddoes, noses and bottoms were clean,
for parents to pick up and praises to sing.
For the teachers who faithfully come each week,
for them we are grateful and more we do seek.

The lights were turned out
The Associates gave a shout
And away they all went
They were quite worn out.
But I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight
Merry Christmas to WOW! and to WOW! A good night!

Have a great day in the Lord!

Road Trip

The Thursday before Thanksgiving I hopped in a 15 foot U Haul truck pulling a car and drove with my daughter to Virginia Beach, Virginia. This was a trip with lots of firsts for me and some things that I’ve already done in my life. I’ve made lots of trips driving 15 passenger vans on mission trips to Brownsville, Glorietta and Carlsbad Caverns but never a U Haul and never pulling a car. It’s the first time I had in my possession every item that two people owned and that I was responsible for getting from point A to point B. I’ve moved Cassandra from Arlington to Texas Tech and from Arlington to South Arlington and Grapevine to Hurst. But she was only 300 miles or five hours away. I’ve helped J pack up all of his belongings except his Army gear and watch him get on a bus and drive away to catch a plane to Iraq. I’ve moved to Euless and left Gary, Kiersten and Caitlin back in Lubbock temporarily. I’ve moved Amy and Cody four times. But it’s the first time I’ve loaded one up one of my children and moved them 1400 miles away to live with their spouse.

Parenthood is the only job we ever have that we are working ourselves out of. It’s like a contract job; you know it has an ending date. Our job is to love them, raise them and teach them everything we can and let them go to live the lives that God has designed for them. And just like some jobs that have come to an end, we wonder how it went by so fast and did we accomplish everything we were supposed to. Did we give it our all? Don’t get me wrong, I am so happy for Kiersten and Jay to finally, after almost five months of marriage, be able to set up housekeeping and live together as husband and wife. We only want the best for them. They will have their ups and downs and it will require give and take on both their parts to make their marriage work. We’ve taught Kiersten that as long as they keep Christ in the center of their hearts and their marriage then they will be able to get through all the good things and the bad. They will grow closer to each other as they spend this time together. They will be stationed in Virginia Beach for three years, so it is temporary. Nevertheless, when we finally pulled up to the airport and got out to say good-bye, there were more than a few tears shed. When I went in to get my ticket I had tears running down my face, and since I was flying one way I got the extra screening at the gate. I was still crying. I’m sure they thought I was some kind of nut case because they were very thorough. Even though we can be satisfied with the job we’ve done, it still isn’t easy to say goodbye.

I wonder how God looks at us sometimes. He has a plan and a design for our lives but our time here is temporary. There is a certain amount of time set aside for each one of us. God loves us so much and He wants only the best for us, just like we want for our children. He wants us to keep Him at the center of our hearts so we can get through the ups and the downs of life. But it takes give and take on our part. We have to give ourselves to Him willingly and submit to His plan for our lives. We have to take everything God has to offer. Billy Graham once said, “Interpersonal relationships are the most valued and cherished gifts of all. The Bible teaches that God gave a Person as a gift to every one of us, and that Person is Jesus Christ.” We are to live for Him and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Just like Kiersten and Jay, there will be ups and downs. But as long as we keep Jesus Christ in the center of our hearts we will be able to get through them. The more time we spend with Him the closer our relationship with Him.

Have a great day in the Lord!