THIS IS THE TIME

The month of December, ever fabulous!!! However, here, the month has begun with PHCN providing us light that shines as bright as a candle, not many candles, just one, and is just as depressing as darkness. However, my extension box is really cool so I can still plug appliances such as my laptop and my phone; I’m fine. Anyway, I’m so excited about this year’s December, maybe because it brings me closer to another December I look forward to (wink), or maybe it’s also the fact that it’s Christmas time again!!! I do know for sure though that it is NOT because I have to get back to school on the 19^th.

This year, Christmas, which is like the entire month to me, is going to be for understanding what life is and the purpose of it all. The beginning of sacrifice that Christ shouldered for us is what we celebrate in this time and I believe that this is the time for me to look beyond what I’ve always known and see my life what it truly is. I just wondered now what I’ve been doing with all these years if not living but then I know that a life lived just for one’s self, isn’t really life, it’s existence. I mean Christ didn’t come all the way down here to just save me and then leave, like I once heard, if that was all then I’d have gone to heaven immediately I got saved but I’m still here; there’s a reason for that. And in the next 30 days, I’m going to do my best to live the life that was given to me.

I’d like to ask that you do the same. I’m reading a book, “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado and it has so broadened my view on what life is. The book basically encourages us to do all we can to step out and help those around us, both spiritually and physically. It talks of stepping out of your comfort zone to share your life with people, no matter how far or near they may be; to stretch your arms out as wide as they can go and to wrap the world up in your love and kindness. Not just to be good and hospitable to those you know, but to also be kind to strangers, to the poor, to the homeless and not to lock yourself up in your own content and happy world where you shut out the fact that this world has problems-I’m so guilty!!!

I’m not asking you to do anything radical but I’m saying maybe you could do something nice for your parents in this season, something unexpected and without any strings attached; not something you’ll use as an ace to get what you want but something sweet and thoughtful.

You know that friend you call friend but don’t really act friends with? Yeah, maybe you could visit with her and her family this time and just make the effort for all of you to have fun.

If you have a special someone, this is a wonderful time to make that person know just how special they are because nothing tells more of life than love.

You’re the first of 2 children, or maybe 3, or maybe 4, and yes, I know how annoying they can be and how much you hate being mushy with them; it is now time for the tide to turn; nobody ever went to hell for being a good sister or brother.

The time to forgive any hurts and wrongs is now, because the message of love rings so loud and clear in us and around us. It’s time to cancel out those debts you’ve been holding on to for ages. It’s time to mend those broken fences and to restore the most precious of friendships.

Spend time in church, enjoy the carols and enjoy the fellowship; open yourself up to the joys that Christmas brings us day in, day out. Open up your heart to the message of Christmas, the Good News that Christ our Savior is even now with us for always and let it mean more than it ever has.

But most importantly, shine the light to those in darkness. Whether it’s the beggar you pass on the street everyday without a second glance, or those refugee kids whose touch you so detest, or it’s the woman with the little children who sells ‘agbado’ just to get by, or those children in the numerous motherless babies’ homes, or even someone you just met and would term under-privileged; NOW is the time to stretch your own life to touch theirs. And not just with food, or drinks, or money but with the message of life, which is the only thing that can actually change their lives forever. So get up and live beyond what you’ve always thought was acceptable…