Friday, December 21, 2007

Everyday Magic



While looking through my archives for a certain post, I came across this one, instead, and thought I'd share it, especially since I've, once again, been thinking these same thoughts...

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My life is filled with magic.

Now, I hope you are not one of those stodgy, straight-laced Christians who frowned when you read that sentence because you thought I meant black magic or Harry Houdini magic or pull-a-poor-rabbit-from-a-hat magic. Trust me, I didn't mean any of those.

No, I meant the kind of magic akin to imagination and dreams and delightful surprises on ordinary winter afternoons when snow is falling and logs or candles are burning in your fireplace. (I also meant fairies, but you go mentioning those and some people stare at you oddly.)

I wrote earlier that this year I'll be skipping the blogs which are written by people who feel they are called to suck and vacuum the joy and fun and freedom out of life. The ones which, last month, warned me that there's a dark, ugly side for Christians (and others) to the movies, A Christmas Carol and It's A Wonderful Life. Ones which said any parent who plays Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus and Easter Bunny with their children is a miserable liar and will pay a price. The ones who pounce upon and chew-up any fellow-Christian who has ever stood for a cause-from-the-heart or made a mistake. Yes, those are the blogs I'm avoiding in 2006.

And this, in part, is why:

Those blogs sound too much like the voices, the people Francis P. Church exposed in his column written to Virginia O'Hanlon (and to the world) in 1897--the people who "tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside." They are those who never, in this life, will see that "there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond."

And when Mr. Church says, even these hundred and nine years later, "The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see," well, I still stand and cheer along with those of you close beside me in crowds so thick, so wide-spread--so joyful--that they overspill the Earth until they touch bright stars and intermingle with the angels on the very edge of Heaven.

I am in that happy crowd of those who sing through the most ordinary days of the world... those lovers of the mysteries of rattles... the ones who see as the real heroes those who get up out of their chairs and Try, whether they succeed or not. Because Doers are the brave ones, the ones who deserve to speak, unlike Sitters who scowl and feel free to rip apart those who failed, never even thinking that at least they Tried. At least they got out of the safe Life's Observer Boats and tried to walk on water and do a new thing.

If you are a fun-sucking, Life-sucking, Light-dimming, grouchy old blog-writing Christian, I wish you a new morning when you open your eyes as though for the very first time. And I wish you the joy which comes from seeing your days in a new Light which reveals a kind of Living--a kind of magic--seen no other way.

***

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15

7 comments:

Maggie Ann said...

Ouch Debra! There is no room in my heart for the bunny or Santa....since Jesus came into my heart he fills it all...every whit. I don't judge others...my choice is mine....my life is rich and I am far from grouchy...grin. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and you may delete my comment if you'd like since its a little out of harmony with your post. =)

Anonymous said...

The most important thing for us who Believe is that our lives measure up with scripture. I have to agree with Maggie Ann here...no need of these make-believe things. Scripture warns us not to take up pagan ways and we are just at this point in our lives understanding more what that is...and working on erradicating it out of our lives. Yes, even among church people who have been Believers from childhood. We need to examine ourselves in light of HIS WORD...and make that our standard...not what others say or think even...but letting HIM show us. And HE does...and I think you would agree that HE is our joy!
Elizabeth

Debra said...

Hi Ladies... All I can still say is: To the pure, all things are pure...Titus 1:15" I know Christians who believe Victorian art is evil as well as fairies, dressing in costumes, pianos, living in cities, any other denomination other than their own, certain colors, certain foods and riding in a car alone with a relative of the opposite sex. And there's no end to that type of list. Personally, I choose to be free and blessed and happy. When God is truly first in a life, He doesn't get all nervous about what comes second. :)Blessings, Debra

Hope said...

Hi Debra,
Just have to put my two cents worth in here, and that's about all it's worth too, but here goes:

If you read my blog you will see the word "magical" used a lot. In no way am I referring to Black magic!! I too am referring to that imaginative, dream-like feeling we get at times like when I walk onto my front porch and stand there surrounded by the icicle lights. It's just magical, that's the only way to describe it.
It's like seeing the world through a child's eyes, something we all need to experience! A world which at times can seem so cold and cruel, but can look so totally different when we see it in this light. I personally think we need to "lighten" up a little. (Pun intended!)

I always enjoy your "thinking blog"!!

Hugs,
Hope

jodi said...

Dear Debra,

Thank you for writing what you wrote and for your reply.
I recently gave myself the gift of not reading a certain blog as the author believed in sucking all the joy out of her life and the ones around her. It was wearing me down a little. That said, I also like Maggie Ann's reply. It is matter of fact and so non-threatenly stated that I will be taking a look at her blog. Also will be looking at Hope's as I also like looking at lights. The way they illuminate things is quite magical. If I don't "talk" to you again before Tuesday, Merry Christmas.

Patty said...

Hi Debra,
Be true to your feelings and I am one who thinks believes in having fun in life, living with that same enthusiasm that is found in children, who naturally pretend and make up things to explain what they don't understand or want to have dreams about.

Pearl said...

I agree with your thinking Debra, your a good person and never let anyone tell you what you ought to be especially "Anonymous" people. You have changed my life and for that I am greatful. Pearl