SMALL IN SIZE, BIG IN HEART

It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close. Everybody has been in the holiday spirit and the LB Church is no exception. Although small in size, it’s big in heart. I haven’t been a member very long, but others are always willing to give and share with people less fortunate and with each other.

Many opportunities to give and share our fortune have become a tradition here at LBC. Last month the congregation once again participated in Operation Christmas Child involving the gift-filled shoe boxes. This month members selected a dove from the “Dove Tree” with names of mothers and their children who reside at New Life Beginnings, a home for pregnant women and their children. NLB is also one of the ministries of this congregation.

Every year an anonymous Santa gives of his means to a few members who might need a little assistance. Bud, a long-time member and former elder, distributes these gifts, and I was blessed to be one of the recipients of his generosity this year. Don’t know if I’ll ever know his identity, but “Thank you, Santa. It was very kind, very thoughtful, and very much appreciated. I hope to be able to thank you in person some day.”

Another tradition here is A Gift for Jesus where young and old bring their talented offerings to Jesus in various forms, whether it be in song, music, testimonials, etc. I saw the program last year and there were many more participants this year. We have a lot of talent in this small church. They were all good; but a few tugged a little more at my heart, namely Stephanie, Christina, and Kamille. The Praise Band and Joanna go without saying (they‘ll get their own story some day).

I especially waited with much anticipation to hear my friend, Pam, sing. She has performed in several different places, but I was never fortunate to be in the audience. Already knew Pam sang well (usually sit by her every week) but never had an opportunity to hear a solo performance. It was touching. It was moving. And, oh yeah, the goosebumps and chills surfaced (my gauge for an A++ approval rating). Hopefully Pam will come to her senses and take me up on my offer to be her manager and go on the road.

Maybe next year I’ll participate. I took organ lessons as a kid and played periodically over the years. When my parents sold their house in Oceanside, they sold the organ. It was sad to see it go but the organ was just too heavy to move and can easily be replaced with a keyboard. This year I finally purchased that keyboard and it’s quite a transition from the two-keyboard concept.

Always thought it would be fun to give performances or play in a band but would probably have the worst case of stage fright--felt uncomfortable just playing in front of my family. Hopefully I’m not like many of those American Idol wannabes who are so delusional to actually believe they have talent. My parents haven’t heard me play since I bought my keyboard, but my dad thought I was good on the organ. If you asked my mom, she would say I played better than she did… Uh... better think twice about next year.