"With God's Grace Our Worst Past
Becomes Our Best Future"
Becomes Our Best Future"
Please welcome this very special post by my writing friend … John Brewer
https://www.amazon.com/John-Brewer/e/B001ITPFLG
Toward the end of 1980, I took on a job playing Santa Claus. It was in a shopping mall in Jacksonville, Florida. I would sit on a dais with a throne in the middle and children would come to sit with me and have their pictures taken with Santa. Quite possibly, it was the best job I ever had or would have again. There was something magical about that brief interlude in my life.
I met parents with newborns who wanted photos and I met octogenarians who were still children at heart and also wanted to commemorate their time with Santa. I had a group of special needs children that came through and frankly, it left me teary. I absolutely loved putting on that red suit and hiding behind the flowing white hair and beard to portray a figure loved by so many.
As for me, I was lost. I was almost homeless, living in a trailer with no heat, the space granted to me by a friend. Just after Christmas, my truck was repossessed. I was not living a good lifestyle at the time. I was trapped in an underground culture which promoted the seamier side of life. As a funny side note, well maybe not so funny, I would never indulge in smoking, drinking, or drugs before going in to play Santa. To me, there was something sacrosanct about that character and I would not in any way jeopardize it for the kids; they would know if I did. I always played it straight.
During the time I was still in character, my sister drove over from Gainesville and brought me to a function her church was putting on. It was a play about Christmas. People on the street were interviewed about what Christmas meant to them. For some it was the sales, for others, it was skiing up north. A few mentioned time with family and one or two mentioned Santa Claus. Of course, playing the character of Santa Claus gave me the one up on that. The interviewer was not satisfied with all the answers he received. He left saddened. Then the narrator of the play told the real Christmas story, the story of a child in a manger, the savior of mankind, God's greatest gift of all.
I discovered the love I had been missing and found that God had been steadily wooing me, calling me to fall into His arms. It is not often in life that you get a do-over. Jesus was my do-over. I will be grateful for the rest of my life.
Now, when Christmas comes around, it holds a place in my heart that is hard to describe. It brings to remembrance pain, sorrow and suffering. It also brings to remembrance unspeakable joy, love and laughter. I remember the whispered longings of the people who came through to sit with Santa. Many were looking only for toys or gifts, others were looking for love, and still, others were looking for meaning to life. Quite a few wanted dreams and hopes to come alive for those close to them. These are all things that the character I portrayed on the throne could only echo back but could never really make come true. In the Christ child, become man, become sacrifice, become savior, I found the one who brings love and makes dreams and hopes come alive.
I wanted to take a moment out to share with my friends, family and loved ones a Christmas story. It is my story. If you need that hope in your life, it could be your story too. Maybe you already know the love of Jesus and this will remind you of how wonderful that is. If you do not know that love but want too, then simply ask. He will hear the slightest whisper and is waiting for you with arms wide open.
JOHN’S BIO
I was born the year the Korean War ended and Joseph Stalin died. I was born again at 28 years old. I am grateful for every day that I wake up and the day that I don't wake I will be even more grateful. It is good to know where you are going but while in this world I am given dominion, responsibility, and stewardship so every day I desire to draw closer to God and along the way to enable those around me to do so as well. If I can help one person smile; lift one burdened heart; encourage one person to greater heights and to a closer walk with God then I have fulfilled my purpose. I was given a second chance at life and in the process discovered that Jesus is our Do Over; He is our second chance.
Coming Home For Christmas
12/12/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
LIVING WITHOUT REGRET
12/10/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ENEMY
12/7/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHY DO WE NEVER LEARN
12/5/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
GROWING UP CAN BE FUN SO IS GETTING OLDER
12/3/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
RETURN TO WALHALLA
11/30/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SAVED BY THE LAMB
11/28/2018 1:01:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SOARING WITH BROKEN WINGS
11/19/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
11/16/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
11/14/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HAIR CALAMITIES AND HOT CASH
11/9/2018 10:55:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
NEVER TOO LATE
11/5/2018 8:33:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MEET ME IN GALVESTON
10/26/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Not So Good Good Old Days
10/22/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HARVEST OF BLESSINGS
10/19/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MEET JENNIFER SLATTERY
10/5/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HONESTLY SPEAKING
10/3/2018 3:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Perceptual Blindness
10/1/2018 3:56:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PUTTING GREEN WHISPERER
9/14/2018 1:10:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The God of the Mundane
8/30/2018 9:29:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHEN I WAS THREE
7/16/2018 11:52:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
He Passes By
6/15/2018 8:50:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bryan's Homecoming
6/8/2018 1:11:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMERGENCE
6/1/2018 1:31:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PURSUIT OF PEACE
5/30/2018 2:39:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Live Long and Prosper
5/24/2018 12:13:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE REAL DEAL
5/16/2018 7:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Antiquainted Man
5/11/2018 1:06:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOMETHING NEW
5/4/2018 11:23:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED TAKE A BUBBLE BATH THEN TRY AGAIN
2/26/2018 8:29:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
12/24/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FOOTPRINTS
12/20/2017 12:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FUNNY WITH A POIGNANT MESSAGE
12/8/2017 2:28:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MUTUAL SUBMISSIVENESS
11/29/2017 9:25:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
CASTING STONES
11/17/2017 3:59:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
HEADLINE HYSTERIA
10/31/2017 6:41:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
COUNTRY ROADS
10/12/2017 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STUPIDITY IS NO EXCUSE
10/7/2017 8:25:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Beauty Queen and Humorist Shares Her Latest Book
6/13/2017 12:27:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH/WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/CHAPTER 2A
6/7/2017 3:44:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/CREATED TO BE SALT PART B
5/30/2017 7:25:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/ CREATED TO BE SALT/PART A
5/20/2017 1:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CELEBRATE YOUR FEMINITY
4/13/2017 1:08:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FIFTY-FIFTY CONUNDRUM
4/6/2017 1:53:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE ROCK OF OUR FUTURE
3/31/2017 7:28:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
3/14/2017 8:30:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
PASS THE LOVE, PLEASE
1/17/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
STRANDED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1/10/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE WITH A BUMBLEBEE
1/3/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE FATIGUES
12/27/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/24/2016 11:22:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
LOVE IN A SUITCASE
12/20/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
12/14/2016 8:42:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM
12/13/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
KERI'S CHRISTMAS WISH
12/5/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Raising a Child With Autism
11/30/2016 8:33:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SHOULD OR WANT
11/22/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
CONFESSIONS OF A GARDENS SLUGGARD
11/16/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
GRANDMA PRAYED WHILE IRONING
11/8/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
The Day Super Mom Died
11/1/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FOLLOW WHICH LEADER?
10/25/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ROYAL LEGACY
10/18/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE
10/11/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
9/28/2016 12:30:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THE POWER OF ONE
9/20/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A LIFELONG PURSUIT
9/13/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A TEENAGED ROBIN HOOD
9/5/2016 7:36:16 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
NUGGETS OF GRACE
8/31/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THE CHOICE TO FAIL
8/24/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TROUBLE
8/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
JUST LIKE MY DADDY
8/9/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT PRAYING
7/26/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MEET DARLENE FRANKLIN/SCAVENGER HUNT/LAST STOP
7/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT WISDOM
7/12/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
OF PETS AND PERSISTENCE
7/5/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
God's Server Never Shuts Down
6/10/2016 6:56:27 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Blessed to be a Blessing
5/18/2016 7:57:49 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Mama, I Can't take a Bath 'Cause There's a Fish in the Tub
5/4/2016 9:18:13 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOUR GRAPES OR BLESSED FRUIT
4/28/2016 7:28:32 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IT'S WHAT THEY DO
4/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MEET JOHNNIE ALEXANDER
2/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FROM LIGHT TO BRIGHT
1/15/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SURRENDERING TO THE CALL
1/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY QUEST
1/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY INTIMATE JOURNEY WITH MY HEROINE BY NIKE N. CHI
12/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
When Art Imitates Life: An Author's Book Journey
12/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Settled By Faith
11/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING
11/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
From Little Golden Books to Summer's List
11/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Roundeau
THE EDUCABLE MOMENT
11/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
There's love in them there casseroles
11/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Searching for God With All My Heart
10/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
I RUN TO YOU
10/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Sweetening Our Sour Grapes
10/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FALL THAT LIFTS
10/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Walk With God
10/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Disappointment and Discouragement
10/6/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STIRRING TRUTH
10/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
PENNED BY GOD'S OWN HAND
9/25/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Masterpiece
9/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
RESTORED HEARTS and a Writer's Journey
9/18/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: Meditations on the Road
9/11/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
DIALOGUING OUR FEARS
9/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHY A BOOK OF PRAYERS?
9/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
From Lettuce to Pages
8/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
AND NOT TO YIELD
8/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BONNIE LEON WRITES TO ENCOURAGE THE DISABLED
8/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FAITH WORTH THE FIGHT
8/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CANT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER
8/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE WINDING TRAIL
7/31/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Flavorful Church
7/28/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Commitment Phobia
7/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God knows our hearts
7/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God Had Other Plans
7/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT
7/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God's Writer: Jan Elder
7/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE CURE FOR THE WEARY SOUL
7/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Surely Goodness and Mercy Gail Kittleson
7/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
OF THEE I SING
6/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A HUNGER FOR GOD
6/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
What Do We Ask God For?
6/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BUCK STORM SINGER/SONGWRITER/STORYTELLER
6/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STRESS: THAT OTHER HOMEWRECKER
6/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Dream Come True of Being A Writer
6/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR
6/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Meet Shannon Vannetter Christian Author
6/5/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
6/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMPTY NETS
5/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bucketwish
5/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Loyalty that Springs from Spirituality
5/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Wonderfully Made
3/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Lighthouse of the Carolina's Author Carol Heilman
2/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HAPPY NEW YEAR
1/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
