I’m sure you’ve heard this word of wisdom. The complete statement is, “A watched pot never boils”. I don’t happen to accept this truism as true. I did watch a pot of water one time until it boiled. However, that catchy little phrase does express the frustration, sometimes exasperation we feel while waiting for the phone to ring, for the food to get heated, for the other driver to turn in, shut off their turn signal, or get up to the speed limit.

One of the pains involved with moving to Georgia is that of scheduling people to install, deliver, and check out various needs we have. Pat and I have had our share of “promises” that weren’t back up by performance. Not nice!

It’s bad enough that most utilities want to promise only to come “Some time on Wednesday”. Some will commit to morning or afternoon. Not good enough for me. If one can’t keep an appointment with me, he/she needs to call and let me know so I can do something else instead of sitting around and watching the doorbell box on the wall.

Yes, I have a doorbell installed on my office wall. Right now, I’m waiting for it to go off at 1:30 pm. Before I get through with this piece, I’ll let you know if it rings close to on time.

He was supposed to come yesterday “after 2:00”. Well, at 4:00, I called the office and they had no record of the appointment. Bummer. Oh, yeah, I stayed busy working, but there were other more important things I needed to be about.

BTW, the family physician I found keeps a strict schedule. A 2:00 appointment means a 2:00 entrance into the inner room. Quite rare and very refreshing.

As Pat and I waited for the man yesterday, I said, “There must be an ‘Inside Out’ in this.”

We’ve had some really serious prayer needs in our family, among our friends and Inside Out readers. We’ve prayed hard, often along with thousands of other Christians, and sometimes don’t see anything happening. Is that frustrating? You bet! We recently had a very good friend (one of our directors at Papa’s Pipeline, Inc.) go Home. Young, good health, two young daughters, a great wife… People all over the world prayed for him and he still went Home. All the clichés in the world won’t bring him back nor explain why it ended the way it did.

I’d like to hear from you about your frustrations, experiences in prayer and answers to prayer. Lately, I’ve spent an enormous amount of time “watching the doorbell box”. Let me know what you think by using the “Leave a Reply” box below!  Thanks and God bless! We’re always glad to hear about your prayer needs and praises.

BTW, the man showed up 10 minutes early, but didn’t have the right items with him so he could help me. More doorbell watching, eh?

SOME RESPONSES TO “THE SANTA CLAUS LINE”

– I hadn’t written to you in a long time but am delighted that things are finally settling in for you. My son told me a story about a friend of a friend (verified from being present) who’s daughter, about 4 years old, had been stricken with incurable cancer. They, of course, had done all they could to give her as much in life as they could, and it finally came to the time when she was due to leave. There were several family and friends gathered around her bed just talking with her, when she came out of the semi-conscious state caused by all the pain medications and just clear as a bell with no problems at all, looked at her Mom and Dad, and pointed to the only spot that no one was near and said “I want to go with that man”, then passed away. Well my son and I are both pretty good size guys and while I have the excuse that since my heart attack I’ve cried at everything, we both cried pretty good over that one.

– Sometimes in the rush and hubbub of the season, we forget what it is all about. The first gift of Christmas was a child, soft, cuddly, a gift not only to His parents, but, to us as well. This season is about a gift, the joy God felt in giving us a gift. Eternal life, from a child. What you gave that young girl was probably as great as the gift our Heavenly Father gave us. For a few short minutes, she had her ‘Papa’ with her again, all because someone cared.

– Great story. It works the other way, too! I made the kids across the street warm hats but silly and floppy, too! Their Mom says they run all over the house having fun. They sure miss their Dad . He’s deployed in Iraq. I pray they will not recall their Mom to the Marines! Is it selfish? The lonely kids are my prayer focus. Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Noel and all the best

– That was precious. I’m so glad that you were there for that little girl. God Bless you. I don’t think there are any such things as coincidences. Everything happens right when it’s suppose to. You were supposed to be there right at that place and right at that time. Isn’t it fantastic how He uses us? I love it.

– Very touching story. We never know when we might touch someone. I’m so happy you weren’t in a grouchy mood, or had a sad look on your face. If you had, that little girl wouldn’t have been drawn to you and you couldn’t have filled a need she had.

– Oh, my! Very touching! I hope the picture with the little girl turned out well!

– Papa J, How sweet! I hope you get to see her again!

– A great write! Very appropriate for Christmas.

– I just wanted to let you know I loved your story. That was quite an experience for you. Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas honoring Jesus. God Bless.

– Glad to hear that you all are getting settled in at your new location. Thank you for sharing the grandpa story it was a winner.

– That piece really touched my heart. I couldn’t hold back my tears. Brings back memories of losing my grandfather, but it also makes me think about the presence of our Lord in our lives and allowing us to be used to ease the grief of many people in our lives. This for me, is a particularly tough holiday season. My life has changed a lot in the past year. Praise the Lord for stories like the one you shared, even though it hit heavy to the heart, it also helps me remember Jesus and how He has His hand’s on us even if we don’t realize it.

– What a neat story! With God there are never coincidences, are there? It is also great to know that you are online. I was not sure where you were in the process of moving, but am delighted to know that I can share with you again.

For now, please accept our sincere wishes for a wonderful Christmas! I am praying that somehow this little girl will find you again so that she and you can continue that most wonderful of relationships. One never knows, does one?

– That was a beautiful story and so nice here at Christmas. It was kind of you to fill a little girl’s unhappiness of losing her Papaw with those comforting words of “yes”. Isn’t it sad that so many people miss out on a blessing for doing such a small thing? So many people think they have to do something BIG and NOTICEABLE, when all it takes are small words like “yes”! Thanks for the story

– One word describes that story – heartwarming. I can imagine how it moved you, Jerry. That is the real meaning of Christmas. Glad you shared it and glad you are back “in the fold”. A joyeux noel to you and Pat.

– There are a lot of times that God places us in a particular place in a special moment. I don’t believe in coincidences. I prefer to believe that it is God at work in our lives.

Your moment with this little girl is a perfect example of this. She had a need, and, really, so did you. And God fulfilled both. Wasn’t that nice of Him?

– I came across your writing on a web page I found about a year ago called Graceland (http://graceland.gentle.org) which I added to my favorite list and check occasionally. You’re right He does use us each and every day if we don’t let “us” get in the way too much. Thanks for your response and may God continue to bless you and your’s in the upcoming year.

– This story was a special blessing to me. I’m glad that God opened this small door to encourage this little girl concerning her grandfather. Well, you are just one big teddy bear and most people love to give you hugs…

– That was a neat story about the little girl and the Grandpa ordeal. YOU would make a wonderful Grandpa to anyone. YOU are such a great man of God. I am truly blessed to have YOU in my life!

– What a great story. One person’s stranger is another person’s grandpa. One king’s (Herod’s) adversary (Jesus) is the world’s Savior. You have a knack for filling in for what’s needed, Jerry. I needed the words to an old-time hymn and found it on a web site. I thought all I was looking for were words, and instead I got a lifetime friend in Christ. You thought you were looking for information about a digital camera and God had you destined to be a little girl’s substitute grandpa. None of us know what God has destined for us — except something good. (Eph. 2:10)

– I LOVED the piece about the Santa Claus Line. I’m thinking she was a blessed & lucky little girl to have found you and also to have a generous mom that understood her needs and didn’t totally shield her. She was taking a chance on the kindness of a stranger. That just doesn’t happen very often in today’s world. That would have really tugged at my heart if I had been there. You are a special tool of God to be used in so many wonderful ways.

– I loved the story about the little girl and Grandpa story. Hope the house is finished soon