Two days ago, you heard, “I’m not sure I can do this.”
Today,back at it to see if it can be done.
We scoured the area north, south, east and west of Disney World, looking for the proverbial American Dream, a nice house with a big back yard.
We sacrificed many things to pursue the American Dream. The house we were living in at the time was 30 miles from Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where I was working.
Hey, did I mention that we could only afford one car and Cheryl used it? How did I get to work? Great question. I rode my bicycle. We eventually got a second car, but not for a couple years.
Anyway, back to the point. We followed one dead-end path after another, like many couples do.
We never gave up. Although in hind sight, it may have been the smart thing to do. The clock was ticking. We were missing out on some things others don’t miss out on.
“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
Attending Kevin’s funeral on Christmas Eve, this quote from Albert Einstein was printed on the cover of the funeral bulletin.
Have you ever been struck with a profound thought or observation, when you least expect it? When it’s presented in such a deceptively simple format – in this case, printed text?
One more thing struck me from attending Kevin’s funeral, but not until this very moment. Kevin’s son, maybe three years old, was there, of course. Estimating there were 300 people attending.
But the only other child I saw was the one in my arms most of the Mass.
I mean, if you could only pick one, what would it be?
My wife’s Grammy, who died in my arms at age 93, always said Little Drummer Boy was her favorite. She went to Heaven in September 1989.
It never occurred to me back then to ask her why. Why would it have occurred to me?
Well, all these years later, “Why?” is a fun and purposeful question.
Why do you enjoy your favorite Christmas song? For no reason? Or, for some special or purposeful reason.
Hey, I realize some of you may say, “Jeff, not everything has to have a purpose.”
Right. And this is the fundamental difference between those that drift through life and those that make a difference.
I enjoy listening to “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” as much as anyone. It’s funny, unexpected, and way not serious.
But Little Drummer Boy is not only Grammy’s favorite, but mine as well. Why? because I Look for little ways to help our son understand his family’s history.
His Grandfather, Jack (not the bear), my Dad, was a drummer. He started playing drums from the moment he could hold drumsticks in his hands.
He hitch-hiked 100 miles to Philadelphia, from his row-home in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, just so he could take drum lessons from a particularly talented drummer.
He played drums in the Army band while stationed in Japan, during the Korean War.
He taught 30-minute drum lessons Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, year round.
He played gigs on Friday and Saturday nights, year round.
As a young man, he had business cards printed. His title – “Drummer”.
From one stupid little Christmas song, a piece of our son’s family history is told, year after year.
But only if I put some thought into it.
And at Christmas, as it is all year round, it’s the thought that counts.
Audacious. Authentic. Audacious authenticity. How’s that work for you? It works really well on my end.
As a goal, I mean – audacious authenticity. Being boldly authentic. Not conforming to status quo, but rather, conforming to faith, hope and love.
Heard the song the other day by Kirk Franklin, or maybe it was Mary Mary, with a line that goes, “Can’t take my joy devil.”
That’s it, that was the right message at the right time.
In our lifetimes we probably listen to many types of music: Rock, Rap, Country, Jazz, Reggae, Pop, Classical, Christian, Oldies, Soul, R&B, etc.
Rock & Roll has always been my favorite. And then, while living out West, Country became a new love.
But today, hands down, without a doubt, Contemporary Christian is what sustains me.
To all the great folks at Central Florida’s Contemporary Christian radio station, Z88.3, or the Z, as some call it, thank you for what you do to help God’s people when they need it.
And just speaking for myself, this is every single day. Thank you.
PS. Click here to listen on your computer. The Z is currently playing 24-hour Christmas music.
Life is hard for many people this time of year. Add to that unprecedented times, and we have an overwhelming number of people who are struggling in one way or another right now.
And I mean struggling at a greater intensity than many generations can recall.
It sure seems that way to me.
Can you imagine being Tiger Woods right now, or President Obama, or even the Pope?
Can you imagine being the average American who can no longer put food on the table, when a year ago they could quite easily?
I worry about a lot more than I used to. So, now more than ever, the phrase, “Pray without ceasing“, has a special meaning.
