Christmas season is crazy around the Front Porch. We are either leading or partnering in on five Christmas outreaches. During all the rush one piece of paper stopped me cold and I forgot about everything else on my mind and the to do list. I looked at it briefly and asked Michele to stop what she was busily doing on her laptop. It was a Christmas wish list from our Adopt-a-Family for Christmas program. After hearing of the wish list from one of our sweetest neighborhood girls being loaded with all kinds of electronic gear and gadgets Michele and I had a good laugh and she said, “Well, if I were six and someone told me to write up a wish list…”. Then I started wondering if there were some Moms that wrote out stuff for themselves and wondering if they understood the sacrifices people were making and all the other things that sometimes come to mind when we get a bit too cynical this time of the year. All of that was swirling around in my mind as I reached over and picked up the folded piece of paper with this list. I first noticed it was a long list of names that included an adult woman and adult man but the “Christmas Wish List” was so simple, in fact, they did not ask for anything specific. As I read I couldn’t control my tears. They simply put their name, age, shirt, pant and shoe sizes. No Gameboy or Playstation 3. No toys or dolls of any kind. They simply hoped for clothing but without even mentioning a specific need for a new winter coat for the oldest child or shoes for their daughter – apparently they will be happy with whatever they receive.It reminds me of this poem my Dad used to read from church pulpits when I was a boy:
Today upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair,
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine,
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it’d do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
“I thank you, you’ve been so kind.
It’s nice to talk with folks like you.
You see,” he said, “I’m blind.”
Oh God, forgive me when i whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
“Why don’t you join the others, dear?”
And then I knew, he couldn’t hear.
Oh God, forgive me when i whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go.
With eyes to see the sunset’s glow.
With ears to hear what I’d know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I’ve been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
