Take Your Choice

 I was putting books back in the bookcase this morning after using a shelf for Christmas fun, and happened to pick up two books at the same time.  

Adam Hamilton's Forgiveness, Finding Peace Through Letting Go, is one of my favorite study books.  The other was Meet You in Hell by Les Standiford.

This book is about Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, two of the richest men of their time, who helped transform America.  Both were industrialists, both made a significant mark in American history, and they worked hand in hand.  They were good friends and trusted business partners.  

Along with making America and themselves very rich, they were both philanthropists.  Carnegie built over 3,000 public libraries, and started a teacher's pension fund, among many other endeavors.  He was of course, the major benefactor for Carnegie Hall.   

If you've ever been to "The Frick" in New York City, you've been overwhelmed by Frick's multi-million dollar 64 room mansion/museum and his huge collection of art, all of which he willed to the city.  

At some point in their relationship, Carnegie and Frick had a falling out and did not speak to each other for at least two decades.  

When Carnegie was eighty-three years old and in poor health he had a change of heart and directed his long time personal secretary, James Bridge, to take a letter to Frick.  Bridges, who had never heard Carnegie even mention Frick's name, was now asked to carry a letter to Frick.  The letter was asking Frick to meet with Carnegie before one of them died.  And he added that their past grievances were beneath their dignity. 

It was "time to make amends and prepare to meet their Maker."

"'Yes, you can tell Carnegie I'll meet him,' Frick said finally, wadding the letter and tossing back at Bridge. 'Tell him I'll see him in Hell, where we both are going.'"

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Christmas Miracle

  

It seems like more "miracles" happen at Christmas time but maybe  we're just more open to them at this glorious time of year. 

Last Sunday while I was in worship I began feeling ill.  This has happened every Sunday since I've been back, physically present in the pew. But, to me, it's been worth it to see real live friends up close and personal - after these last couple of lockdown years. 

But last Sunday was different.  Noise, even beautiful music type noise, causes all kinds of havoc in my brain.  As the roaring inside my body grew I kept fiddling with my hearing aid and exchanging it with the one the church provides, and the ushers worked on especially for me.  

But the dreaded Meniere's Disease took over and nothing would calm it.  So, while feeling extremely wobbly, I left the service.  This was embarrassing because I sit in the front left side of the sanctuary,  which I've  done for the last 60 years - different  churches, same pew.  

I stayed in the quiet narthex until I felt safe enough to drive home.  

Here comes the miracle part.

A while after I returned home I realized I had lost my $2,000  hearing aid.  So I was miserably ill, and feeling miserably stupid to boot.  

Late Monday morning I called the church office in the totally unrealistic hope someone found it.  It's about the size of a dime.  

It had been found in the parking lot and turned into the church office.

How could this happen?   Scores of people walked to the parking lot and then drove their cars out after I was gone.  It was highly unlikely it would have survived, but it works fine. I have no idea who found it.  But if you know, please tell that person that he or she performed a Christmas Miracle in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church of Winter Park.  

I can't be there tomorrow for, festival GLORIA,  the magnificent Christmas music with choir and full orchestra but I'll be watching on my TV in my pj's.  

As my husband, Ken, used to say when he found a big ticket bargain:  How will we spend the $2,000 we just saved?  I'm sure it will come to me.  I would love to perform a (smaller) Christmas miracle that would delight someone as much as the person who found the hearing aid delighted me. 

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