The Christmas Card

I recognized the handwriting on the envelope immediately, as I pulled the mail from the box. It was a Christmas card. The beautiful writing addressed to my wife and I was from my mom. She always hand writes all the names and addresses. Mom has never used a computer. But unlike me, you can read her writing.

I walked slowly back across the road and to the house. I hesitated at the thought of opening the card. I knew it would be a Christmas card. She has faithfully sent them out through the years. But this would be the first year...

With tears in my eyes, I read the beautiful poem and Christmas wish. And I read the signature below, "Love, Mom." You see, this is the first Christmas card I have ever received from P.O. Box 182 without two names on it. Daddy passed away in March. His name is missing.

There's a lot of joy around the Robbins' house this year. Trish and I are staying busy. Loving God, loving our church, loving our family. But there's a couple of missing spots. Those who know us know this, and I pray will forgive me for feeling the need to write about it again. Sometimes when I feel like crying, it seems to be good therapy just to put it in words. I have been hesitant to do so because of my daughter, Tina. Her husband, Michael passed away in July. Both Dad and Michael passed away due to cancer. Tina, like mom, has some good days and some bad. But mom doesn't read my blogs. Tina does. So I try to keep my thoughts to a minimum.

You never know when just a simple thing will trigger a memory. Like a Christmas card. And we are not alone in facing a Christmas with pain and adversity. I know many of you are facing some things that make this a difficult time for you. My prayers are that the Lord will give you his divine strength. And I pray you will be surrounded by family and friends who will help you.

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

I think the saying is a jingle to an old tv beer commercial. Wherever it originated from, it just came to my mind as I sit here relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. We had an awesome service this morning. As pastor, I tend to evaluate everything. It's just one of those things pastors are prone to do, I guess. I reflect on everything from the attendance, to how people respond, to the excitement level, to the offering level. I haven't seen the offering amount yet, but the others were pretty good. It was a great day.

I am sitting here flipping channels between the football games and the nascar race that is on. I am in what my grandson Zach calls "the comfortable couch." It is one of those small ones, we used to call them love seats, but I'm not sure if that is the actual term. In my "comfortable couch love seat" double recliner next to me is my beautiful wife of 37 years. It is not really cold, but we are sharing a throw my daughter gave me for Christmas that has "daddy" on it. Mom has more of it than daddy.

I don't have a ton of money, in fact the account is very limited. I guess if I counted things as some do, I could be disattisfied with what life has given me. But I am content with where I am in life. No, I haven't arrived, and there is definitely room for improvement. So, yes, things can improve and get better.

But I've got a God who loves me so much He gave His only Son for me. I've got a wife I am more crazy about than the day we married. I am blessed with 4 wonderful kids who are grown, and a great daughter in law and son in law. And I've got a grandson that thinks Paw Paw is second only to Maw Maw (I can live with that). I've got a church that is exciting to attend, and people who love and support Trish and I. No, I don't have everything. But I am so blessed to have the important things. AND IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!

(The pic above is an oldie of years gone by when our kids were small)

Y'all be blessed,

Pastor Ronnie