Light the World by Bonnie Le Hamilton

Yesterday morning, as I was doing my good deed of the day by giving my cousin a ride, someone else did me a good deed. I was singling to turn out of the parking lot at his apartment when the nearby light turned red, and traffic was starting to back up. I figured we’d be stuck there until the light changed, right up until one fellow in a white pickup stopped well short of that driveway, allowing me to enter the flow of traffic as soon as the light turned green!

What a nice change of pace. I just wish I could give this stranger a shout out by name. I also wish people would do good deeds all year round, not just at Christmas time.

I for one try to help when I can. Ergo giving my cousin that ride. I’m not doing it because it’s December, I’m not doing it for #Lighttheworld, I’m doing it because he’s family and he needs rides. This isn’t a December thing and I won’t stop once December is over.

I’ll keep giving him and my sister-in-law rides year-round. Just like I offer the local sister missionaries rides. Giving people rides is something I can do, and I will do it no matter what time of year it is.

Like back in January or February when I was leaving my friend’s house as a woman walking past and she asked me if there was a bus stop along that road.

“Um, not that I know of, but I don’t live on this street.”

She thanked me and kept walking, as I got in my car all I could think about was the Winco bags she had, and the fact she couldn’t be all that close to home if she was asking about the bus, and about how cold it was. I got in my car, caught up with her, and offered her a ride.

Turns out she was clear across town from where she lived. It would have taken her hours to walk that far. I’m glad I offered her a ride.

On the converse, I’m appreciative of all the people who were so willing to give me rides when I was without a car for two years. The list is so long I’m sure I couldn’t name them all, but I’m going to try.

We can start with Dan Clark who dropped everything to come pick up me and my sister-in-law the night of the accident, and Jessica Baxter who hurried over to watch his boys so he could do so! And of course, to Jessica again for all the rides she willingly gave me over the time I was without a car, thanks so much.

Others who gave me rides were Sister Moore, Danie Renee Corral, several members of the Burgoyne family, the Bishop, Brother and Sister Henry, Brother and Sister Wardrip, and Sister Buckley, and then some, but that doesn’t cover all the people who gave me rides years ago when Tom had the car or that one time when our car was in the shop.

So, I have to give shout-outs to the likes of Sister Harmon, Ann Loveland, and several other sisters from my old ward (congregation) who gave me lifts when I needed them. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge Ann Loveland, who out of the blue called me saying she got to thinking about me stuck at home all day without a car (knowing that unlike her and her husband, we only had one vehicle) and offered to give me rides to town, since she went into town every Monday thru Friday afternoon.

She had no way of knowing our car had just gone into the shop, and while Tom had a ride to and from work, we had no way to get to the store, or that I had been praying for a way to get to the store. Her offer was a Godsend and an answer to my prayers.

But I know other people who are so in tune with the Holy Spirit that they are just there when you need them most.

Julia Rasmussen is another one. She seems to always be the first to know when someone needs help and she’s there to offer whatever service she can. She’s more than a friend, she’s a true servant of the Lord. I’m thankful for all these people in my life, and so many more, I know I haven’t named them all. I doubt I could remember all the names of people who have given me rides over the years.

Then again, I don’t even know the names of some of the people I’ve given rides to over the years. It wasn’t important.

What is important is sharing that light.

Happy writing everyone. And Merry Christmas!

Of the Spirit of Christmas by Konnie Enos

On December 16, 2015 I posted “Tis the Season” about The Spirit of Santa Claus and Christmas. Well, I’m going to revisit the topic. The Spirit of Santa Claus, the true Spirit of Christmas, is giving, not receiving. So in the Spirit of Giving, I’d like to give all my readers something to think about. I want you to focus on the reason for the season.

Focus for just a moment on why we celebrate Christmas.

It’s not trees all lit up with lights and presents stacked under them. It’s not stockings lining the fireplace waiting to be filled. It’s not even big family gatherings or huge dinners.

The reason we celebrate Christmas, is to remember.

Remember what the trees, the wreaths, the lights, the candy canes and the stars represent. Remember why we gather as a family to dine together and exchange gifts. Remember the true reason for the season. Mostly remember the birth that this season is supposed to mark then remember the child born oh so long ago.

Now remember the man as was documented in the New Testament.

The man who healed the sick, lame, blind and deaf. The man who didn’t judge the sinner as beneath him. The man who forgave the woman caught in adultery. Remember the man we celebrate this season for.

If you happen to celebrate Kwanzaa remember the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Christ’s efforts were to bring unity, collective responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity, faith and yes, even self-awareness. Remember the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

If you don’t believe in Christ. If you celebrate Hanukkah then think of the miracle of the lights and the reason you celebrate this season. Think of your God and all you are grateful for.

Now if you don’t happen to be Christian. If you don’t happen to believe Christ existed or that he was The Son of God. If you don’t even believe there is an all-powerful god, think of the world you’d rather your children, your grandchild, had the chance to grow up in.

Now that you are all thinking, remembering. Answer one, or both, of these questions. What would Christ do? Or; how can I make this world a better place?

Just think about your answer for few minutes. What can you do to make this would a better place?

Now I have a challenge for all of you. Every last one of you. Do I have your attention?

I challenge you, starting December 1^st through December 25^th to do something every single day to GIVE. Give friendship. Give love. Give kindness. Give your talents. Give your time. Give your understanding. Just GIVE.

To help you with this challenge, as a means to give you ideas each day on how you can give, I challenge you to go to Mormon.org and look at “Light the World” which is twenty-five days of ideas for giving. Admittedly, this is ideas for giving as Christ would give, but they are universal. Make our world a better place. Be the light the world needs right now.

Let’s see if we can’t make this a truly joyous season for all by basking in the true Spirit of the season. The Spirit of Giving. Let’s make this even bigger. I challenge you to pass it on. Pass this on to your friends, your family, and your neighbors. See how just how many people we can get making an effort to “Light the World”.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa and Happy New Year one and all.

(And to those who say “Bah Humbug!” go read Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”.)

Smile. Make the day a brighter day.

Tis the Season by Konnie Enos

Mormon.org - Light the World