"What we see depends mainly on what we look for." ~ John Lubbock, (1834-1913), an English banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist

I took a photo of our card, contact info on the back.

Good morning and welcome. Today is Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Whew! Just back from getting the ole truck inspected and renewing the registration, the process is better known as the money collection pyramid scheme run by the State of Texas. I know. Pay my taxes. And, we thought it was tough when it was taxation without representation. Now we have the representation and taxes have never been higher. I'm not really upset about it, I was just throwing some red meat out for some of my readers. The inspector is a fellow believer and I always feel blessed to have that connection. The ole truck has right at 218,000 miles on it and I am just thankful that it gets me from point A to point B. That's right. I am not just thankful in general but thankful to God from whom all blessings flow. (see Psalm 100) The registration place here in Montgomery county stays plenty busy and I got my ticket out of the machine and after about 30 minutes they announced that I was next up. I went to the lady matched on the display my ticket number and she quickly handled my renewal. "I need your ID please." "That will be $76.75, check or card?" Me, "Check." I wrote out the check and she printed out my new renewal tag, (to be self installed). As we got ready to conclude our time together I told her I had a souvenir for her. I handed her our Santa Enterprise card and for the first time, get it, for the first time she actually looked at me with a grin as big as Texas. My point? How often do we deal with and interact with people and never really see them? Okay. I confess. Me too. There's likely a lesson in there somewhere. I'll let you ponder while I do the same and we can know there's a lot of pondering going on. Right? Right.

 

The back of the card has only this on it: the_realsanta@yahoo.com. She was reading that when she looked up and what to her wondering eyes did she behold? None other than "that jolly ole elf himself". She was essentially shocked because she was immediately struck by her recollection of whether she had been naughty or nice. I had been nothing more than a number to this late 40's lady until she had reason to consider me as a person. At least she will have something to tell her family about. Guess who I saw today? I recall what Jesus thought when he saw people milling about. We are told His response was one of compassion and he summed up their need, they were like sheep without a shepherd. (Matthew Chapter 9) I won't go into the IQ level of sheep but let me put it this way, they emphatically need a shepherd to see after their needs and their well being. I am a long way from seeing folks like this as much as I should because the haunting inspired admonition given to us through the Apostle Paul goes like this, from his letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2, verses 4-5: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:...." Well, well, that should be a heaping serving of conviction, enough for us all. And, the people agreed with a hearty: Amen! As we go on our way today may God help us to actually see those who happen to be in our path. May He add His blessings. Amen.