Talking to a guy in the doctor’s office recently, he was saying that he’s a ‘maker’. “Yeah, you know, I do computer-aided design work.” It apparently involves cutting materials with laser-guided equipment.
Not technical, I mumbled something about not being able to make anything. He said, “What do you do?” I said that these days I’m a writer. “You mean you make books?” When I said yes, he exclaimed, “Then, you’re a maker!”
Christmastime makes me think, spiritually of ‘the’ Maker; of course, I realize not everyone feels this way.
“Now I don’t mean to make you frown / No, I just want you to slow down”
Have You Never Been Mellow by Olivia Newton-John
At home, this time of year, we watch the TV version of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’. And, the more you read/see it, the more you get out of it.
In one scene, after Scrooge’s spiritual awakening, he decides to make amends with his nephew by showing up at their Christmas celebrations – after stubbornly rejecting previous such invitations. He asks his nephew’s wife, “Can you forgive a pig-headed old fool for having no eyes to see with, no ears to hear with… all these years?”
Some can handle everything on their own. I can’t. Is there someone you know that’s deaf, blind and dumb to forgiveness and understanding? I can relate.
“Someone’s Knockin’ At The Door/ Somebody’s Ringin’ The Bell…
Do Me A Favor/Open The Door and Let ‘Em In”
Let ‘Em In by Paul McCartney
For me, life’s much easier with knowing God’s love, but that doesn’t make me a religious man, a saint, or even a “good” man. I may be a maker, but I didn’t make myself.
Maybe we’ve lost all patience with those who don’t love us first… with those that are mean-spirited, even. I know that I’ve often felt the same way. But, what I’ve found, every time, is that it was I who became cynical, negative and excessively critical – the very things I detested in others.
Scrooge felt that he had to steel himself against the harshness of the world. And, as he became wealthy, his fiancé found that he wanted a golden idol more than her. Cutting himself off from her love, he failed to realize that she hadn’t changed – no matter the state of the world.
“High stepping strutters who land in the gutters / Sometimes need one, too”
Rainy Day People by Gordon Lightfoot
At moments, I know it’s possible to make our personal world into one full of love, peace and joy. And, at least at times like Christmas, we have a better chance of seeing this in others. Although some will insist (like Scrooge) that it’s all “humbug”, yet if we wait for others to love us first, we’ll wait a long time.
Whatever our personal faith, let’s be ‘makers’. Be the first to show forgiveness and love … encouragement … patience … to smile … to be positive … to be happy.
“Merry Christmas!” to all.
Image Credit
Image is Public Domain – Wikimedia Commons
Guest Author Bio
Fred Parry
Fred Parry lives in Southern Ontario. He is a lover of people and a collector of stories, music, wisdom, and grandchildren. His newspaper column, Music in Me, can be found in ‘The New Hamburg Independent’ Metroland Media. His book, ‘The Music In Me’ (2013) Friesen Press is Available from Amazon.
Blog / Website: Fred Parry
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