THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMASWritten by Irvin L. Rozier
The Wonderful Christmas Genesis 33:5: “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw woman and children, and said, who are those with thee? And he said, children which God has graciously given thy servant.” Children are a gift from God. He had blessed me to have two wonderful daughters and a good son. When their mother left in 1986 I became a single parent to six, eight, and eleven year old children. My heart grieved for them as they missed their mother. After Lord saved me, I began to pray for them. One of my prayers that December 1989 was that they would be blessed to have a wonderful Christmas, including spending some precious time with their mother. Shortly thereafter, my children’s mother called and asked if she could have children a few days. She would get them about four or five days before Christmas and bring them back Christmas day. I readily agreed. She asked if I would drive them halfway. She lived in Atlanta so Dublin was agreed meeting point. The children were all excited about this rare visit with their mother. They had not spent much time with her since our separation. I scraped together a few dollars to give to them to spend, we loaded up and headed out. Well, you should of seen look of happiness on their faces as they hugged and greeted their mom. She had been such a wonderful mom to our children before. She always made sure they were well fed, clothed, clean, and hugged and loved. She roller-skated with them, read to them..they were her life. Tragically, Devil can destroy and take away a mother’s concern and love for her children–whether it’s drugs or other methods. As they drove away, I sat in car and cried. My tears were a mixture of joy for their happiness of being with their mom and sadness and grief for losses they had experienced. I loved these children that God had given me and when they hurt, I did too. What I didn’t tell children was that I had given them all money I had. My car’s gas needle showed empty and it was 110 miles back home. It was Sunday morning about 10:30 a.m. as I began to drive back home. I said, “Lord, I guess I’ll run out of gas within a few miles but I’m trusting you in this situation.” About three miles down road, I saw a small sign displaying an arrow pointing left to a small country church. The Lord suddenly spoke to me and said, “Go to that church.” I said, “Okay, but I’m not dressed very well (I had on old blue jeans, a tee-shirt and tennis shoes).” The Lord replied, “Go just like you are and don’t even concern yourself about what others may think about your clothing. I know what is in your heart.” I drove up to that church, got out of my beat up old Toyota and went inside. Services had already started and several heads turned to stare as a badly dressed stranger entered. I sat down on a seat and after a few songs, preacher preached on famous faith chapter in Bible, Hebrews, Chapter 11. The Lord anointed this pastor as he preached. It seemed as if most of words he spoke were directed at me. I needed that encouragement at that particular moment! Thank you Jesus! After service, preacher was led to ask for testimonies. A few dear saints stood up and testified. Their testimonies were very uplifting. Suddenly Lord spoke and said, “Irvin, get up and testify.” As I stood, I wiped some of wrinkles from my blue jeans and began to speak. As Spirit of Lord anointed me, every eye in congregation was on me and every ear was attentive. I told how Lord has directed my footsteps to that church, how sermon and testimonies had encouraged me, and how happy I was that my children would be spending a few days with their mom. I asked for prayer. At this request, Godly pastor asked his little flock to gather around altar and especially pray that not only my children but other children from broken homes would have a happy Christmas. After service, I slowly walked to my Toyota. An elderly woman came up to me, shook my hand, and told me my testimony had touched her heart in a special way. After I withdrew my hand, I looked in my palm and saw folded five dollar bill she had given me. Gas money to get home! God will provide! When I got home that Sunday evening, a friend of mine called and asked if I would drive him to a city about 50 miles away. His truck had quit and it was too cold to drive his motorcycle. I said, “Okay, I’ve got to pick up a few pecans to sell to get a few dollars. My children aren’t here so I’m free to go.” He was a nurse and was going to work two 16 hour shifts during Christmas. He said he was renting a hotel room and I could stay there while he was working.
| | Your young men shall see visions...Written by David Lingner
Recently, I was outside and heard a pounding...chopping sound coming from woods out front. And come to think of it, I had been hearing this for past few days. I asked my daughter what all noise was about and she said, "The boys are making a dugout canoe!". Well, I had to go check this out for myself...As is usually case, when given opportunity for free time, my boys elect to go outside and play. We don't watch any TV in our house, and we don't own any video games. It is my wife Nancy and my belief, that less toys we own, more our children will be encouraged to use their imaginations and participate in creative play. The old saying goes..."Bordom is mother of invention." This has proven to be true. Case in point... Recently, I was outside and heard a pounding...chopping sound coming from woods out front. And come to think of it, I had been hearing this for past few days. I asked my daughter what all noise was about, and she said, "The boys are making a dugout canoe!". Well, I had to go check this out for myself. I walked over to see Teddy, my 6 year old son, (soon to be 7) whacking away, teeth clenched, at an old downed tree with claw end of my Estwing hammer, wood chips a flyin'. You see, everyday when Teddy wakes up, his apparel has a theme. One day he's Davy Crockett, next it's a WWII soldier. How he chooses to dress is usually directly affected by what he is reading or has recently been exposed to. We have been studying "The Corps of Discovery" adventures of Lewis and Clark, so I suspect Teddy and other boys (I have 4) became inspired to carve out this dugout canoe as a result.
|
