Step 12:   Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps,
we tried to carry this message to others and to practice
these principles in all our affairs.

December 22

Recommended reading: Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4

I was in the fifth grade the first year I tried to find where Santa stashed the goodies. My brothers and I had it all figured out. No way could Santa make it to every single house in one night—unless (and here’s where it got exciting) he came around in advance, dropped of the loot, and then showed up on Christmas Eve simply to arrange all our goodies under the tree. If this were true, we might just be able to find some of our presents hidden in preparation for his arrival.

We scoured our house from top to bottom, to no avail. We even crawled under the tarp covering my dad’s boat, hoping to find a Barbie play house and some GI Joes hanging out, waiting to meet us. Alas, my mother has really sharp ears. “What are you kids doing down there? You’re too quiet!” (Doesn’t that sound like an experienced mother of four?)

At that moment, I was holding my brother by the ankles while he peered into the dark of the innards of the boat. Not wanting to get caught with my hands in the cookie jar, I let go and let God save him. Down he fell into the boat.

Thought for today: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message? Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14-17 (NIV)

Thought for tomorrow: When the coast was clear, I went back and retrieved my brother from the bowels of that smelly boat. Read Jonah. Let’s remember that whether we’ve run from God or feel unceremoniously dumped by God (or others who were supposed to hold us), there is good news. He has never forsaken us. For those of us who have been given the gift of a spiritual awakening, let’s be alert to those around us, who are still hiding out in smelly boats or a whale’s belly. They could use some good news.

December 22
Teresa McBean

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