It must be Christmas tonight

Good wishes to all

Headed south on the 605 on 12/22/2023. Credit: Ric Leczel.

After a sonless sky lasted all day long, I saw God. In what felt like a dark winter bearing down on us, this brilliant kiss of light proved again that Jesus has a personal relationship with me.

Immediately after crashing my truck drunk-driving into a van carrying nine fellow human beings, I sent a prayer to God, desperately seeking the last refuge I rejected so often before.

And guess what? In my selfishness, I actually believed that God saved all those people because I asked Him too! Talk about a scoundrel, right? But by the grace of God, none of the occupants of the van that I caused to roll over on the 10 freeway on a Saturday afternoon in September were seriously physically injured.

Emotional and spiritual damage, however, I cannot attest to. After about 3 months in prison, and after reading the Bible a couple of times, there began a shift in my soul. It still feels like it shifts around, but I know that I’m not rejected, but accepted. And most of the time, that feels like it’s all I need.

Just that inkling of faith is enough to create in me a sense of overwhelming gratitude. When I fully realized that God saved those people according to His plan, not my request, my outlook changed.

I’m learning that God is not a building, or a book, or a rule, or anything in a physical manifestation. His grace is free for the asking. Literally, just for asking.

Compass Star Wordsmith is an outgrowth of that faith. My attempts here are to point to episodes in my life that have been turning points. As as my faithful readers have learned, I’ve had a lot of turning points in this crazy life of mine.

And then turn those points into growth. After walking this earth for five decades, I approach this work not to hector others, but to shine a light on the dark spaces that we all have inside of us. I’m blessed to have one of the most incredible spiritual advisors ever, a certain JHT.

So, today, on Christmas, stop sacrificing good for perfect. Let Jesus handle the perfection part, I’ll take care of the being good. Let’s open our hearts to love and clear our minds of clutter. Let our souls be free and our fears be forgotten.

Live intentionally and love independently. Thank God for what we have and who we are. And just be satisfied. It’s easier that we think.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. I love you and you are so important to me, and to everyone around you. Celebrate that, and those you love.

Ric