1...___...4...8...___...32...____

Can you fill in the blanks? Haha. To tell you how silly I am, let me tell you a little story.

When I was younger, I usually never had a problem falling asleep. In fact, I was usually begging my parents to go to sleep. But there were occasions where I had something on my mind and couldn't go to sleep. So I had always heard the theory of counting sheep. But that bored me quickly. (Although, I think that is the point!) Anyway, I also had this fear of forgetting how to add or subtract or multiply... or anything having to do with math. So, I would do math games in my head until I went to sleep. And one of my favorites was starting with a number and doubling it and then doubling that one. Yes, I know, I am a capital N-E-R-D. I take pride in it :)

Anyway, tonight I was thinking metaphorically about that math game. What if we just do ONE thing to encourage someone, to make someone smile, to brighten their day? Then you've made one life better. But then if that person passes it on... it's turned to two people... and so on and so forth. So, one little act will not only impact one little life. It will impact a lot!

So today, I have decided to try to do or say something everyday to help brighten someones day... to dust off their glasses so that they can see the world a little better. And in those little things, I can impact the world!

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Perfection

Ah, the Christmas season. The season for herds of people at the mall fighting to get the best deal. The season for overstretched credit. The season of over-eating. And my personal favorite... the season of returns and exchanges.

I start my gift shopping rather early so I don't have to fight the crowds or rush to find the "perfect gift". I started this year with Present #1 for the husband. I decided it was "perfect" Until I saw present #2. That was more perfect. But I couldn't afford both presents with our budget. So I take present #1 back at Store #1. Well, they refund my store credit card (which was already paid in full) and tell me I have to spend money at Store #1. Perfect gift is at Store #2. So I peruse the aisles of Store #1 looking to find another gift and find present #3. I'm keeping this one. It's perfect :)

But then... it probably won't be. At some point, it is going to disappoint somewhere along the line... it'll age, fade, scratch, wear, break.... The only perfect gift is the real reason for the season. That is Jesus Christ. HE is the eternal gift that never goes away. It never ages, never fades, never scratches, never breaks! And the only thing you ever have to exchange is your sin for His grace!