We are in a season surrounded by gift giving.  Regardless of your faith, chances are you participate in gift giving this time of year.  As a Christian this season is very special to me.  We had our Music Sunday at Church yesterday and I was blessed enough to join several talented musicians to deliver the gift of contemporary music to fill the spirit and encourage those that need it most.  And, so many at this time of year certainly do.   What a blessing it is to sing and share!  

In truth, I find the most impactful gifts are not those that are material unless they have a deep story behind them.  Those stories always seem to involve people that transcend normal in a way to provide light when the world is the darkest.  And, more often than not those very souls are steadfast in helping others find the way.  Not for their own purpose, but for something bigger. 

I wrote the following Ash Wednesday February 17, 2010…

“As Scott (my prayer partner) and I were leaving each other we had a brief interchange on people being placed in our lives at the absolute perfect moment. I would venture to say that these people, although worldly in every sense, fulfill a much greater purpose. They knowingly or unknowingly allow themselves to carry out God’s message to those that need it most. They are his Angels. How many of you have seen this happen? I would be very surprised if it hasn’t happened to everyone in some way …  I routinely see these “Angels” that are among us. They have lifted me up when I was at rock bottom and have encouraged those I Love. I think it is awesome to see the face of God in family, friends, and total strangers. Some fires cannot be quenched and some smiles warm the heart beyond understanding.”

God has given me many, many gifts.  I “see” things that others often miss.  I’ve been given a gift of the Awareness of God that I don’t truly understand, but try as hard as I can to use.  The secular world refers to this as being an empath.  Regardless, it lives in me.  Most times the messages God delivers to me are subtle and I have difficulty reading them.  Some are a sledgehammer and not left up to interpretation.  But, inevitably most of those messages come from Angels to remind me to keep going, keep trying, and keep loving without condition. 

And, you know who most of these angels are?  Well, reference what I wrote going into Lent over 15 years ago.  They are my family, my friends, and even total strangers.  My heart has been touched in varying degrees by all of them, but there are a handful that leave me speechless to this day.  Not because of how amazing they are, but that God felt I was worth enough to have them in my life if even for a moment.  In so many ways, that God felt I was worth enough to have all of you in my life.  We’re born, we live, and we die in community.  Along the way our friendships of so many types are what truly make us rich.  

In the spirit of the Christmas season I’m going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from It’s a Wonderful Life   “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”  This little inscription in a book gifted to George Bailey by his Guardian Angel, Clarence means so much.  

Finally,  a question on this mid-December day.   “Who are your angels and how have they or do they continue to show you that you are not a failure?”  Open your eyes!  See it… Live it!