??What Santa Forgot??

As the Christmas Season came and went and a New Year started, I heard varies advertisements, inviting folks to their store to pick up "what Santa Forgot".

My daughter and I ventured in to the local Wal-mart on Boxing day, not because we wanted to, but because my daughter needed to pick up an specific item. "I know why I do not go shopping on Boxing day!"

There were so many people, you had to stand in line and wait, just to get the thing you came to buy.

Anyway through all of this, while waiting, I began to think about the phrase "what Santa forgot", along with a quote I had read a few days earlier, which was still resonating in my soul.

I wondered, could it be, all these folks were here hoping to go home with the possession or possessions that "Santa Forgot", and this item would finally satisfy the need in their hearts. If that is the case how sad we are.

Along our journey in this life we find "things" which we think will bring happiness and satisfaction, only to find, after we attain them they lose their intrigue and the novelty wears off, so we go searching for the next newest item. Maybe this one will be the one.

Pondering this, I was reminded again of the passage I read a few days after Christmas from and 2003 addition of our Daily Bread. It spoke volumes to my heart about real happiness.

I am not one to give heed to a New Years resolution, but it is my desire this year 2006 and in the years to come, to allow God to work the truths below deep in my heart.

________________________________________________

From Our Daily Bread Dec. 29, 2003

Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, parties, self-improvement programs, fancy cars, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.

That's the wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are:

• Poor in spirit—recognizing our desperate need for God.
  
• Mourning—realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
  
• Meek—demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
  
• Hungry and thirsty for righteousness—longing to be holy and pure.
  
• Merciful—showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
  
• Pure in heart—being singleminded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
  
• Peacemakers—sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
  
• Persecuted—being willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.

Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus' way. —Dave Branon

Happy are they who love the Lord,
Whose hearts have Christ confessed,
Who by His cross have found their life,
Beneath His yoke their rest. —Bridges

___________________________________________________