THE CHRISTMAS CAROLING INCIDENT
I think about her sometimes… more often around this time of year. A Christmas hasn’t passed, nor I guess ever will, that her memory doesn’t return like clock work. A few nights ago, right on cue, my family talked about Danielle and the Christmas caroling incident.
While I love music and enjoy singing, I don’t do it too much in public. When I sing at church it’s not very loud. So I’m not sure what came over me… Well I guess I do… It was God, but it’s out of character for me you know, to be sensitive to His spirit, then actually being obedient, especially when it puts me in an uncomfortable situation.
God laid on my heart to assemble some friends and family to go to Danielle’s house and sing. Yeah, I could hardly believe it myself, but I tried to get as many people as possible to cover my voice, or the lack thereof.
It’s not like me to plan too far ahead and this was no different. It was a Thursday we decided to do it. To get set up for the following evening didn’t account for other people’s previous engagements.
I’m fascinated by the groups of people God assembles to do His bidding. Of course the obedient ones are always the ones who need and get more from the actions than the one we perceive in need.
We have some family friends who happened to have music or lyrics sheets for us to use. There were business associates, (yeah, I remember your singing Tom!). There were friends who were relatively new Christians or prodigals, finding their way back home.
Mostly they were my Lacrosse girls, just about an hour and a half after a grueling Friday practice, and the rest of my family. I’m also fascinated the way things never seem to work out the way we plan them. Proof that we’re not in control…
Danielle lived with her single mom and her grandparents in a small humble home northwest of where we live. She attended another of our close family friend’s church on occasion. Danielle was about nine years old and in the middle of her treatment of chemo and radiation treatment for cancer.
When we finally found her house it was way past dusk, but we knew a good part of the songs by heart. To say many of us felt uncomfortable would be a significant understatement. Thank God literally for the Lacrosse girls, many of whom had spent a great deal of time in Choir at school.
When Danielle and her family heard us outside, her mom insisted we all come inside… Gulp… An indoor caroling concert. About twenty of us squeezed into the tiny living room like sardines.
We presented Danielle with a present and began to sing to the little girl with no hair on her head. The family was kind and genuine as they accepted the small gift of songs, the little we had to offer.
After several songs Danielle began to look tired as she gazed at the floor. We exchanged our “Merry Christmas”‘ and “God Bless You’s,” as we began to file out, very few dry eyes in that home.
That was Danielle’s last Christmas… God took the little girl home to be with Him for the rest of her Christmas celebrations.
I can’t say the memory of Danielle and our Christmas caroling incident is a happy memory, in fact it brings back similar emotions of that night years ago, but I can say I know for sure God used our discipline in trying to care for His other children to bless our lives and change our hearts.
In the end…
Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 2:31 am
Could it be that the incident is to remind you of what Christmas is all about? You gave that little girl something special for her last Christmas. I would say that is a powerful memory. Good story floyd. Thanks for sharing it.
Floyd
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 7:00 am
Thanks Bill. You’re right. No doubt that God is using the memory to keep one of HIs dull children at attention.
Pam Galati
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 8:39 am
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing.
Floyd
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 9:50 am
Thanks Pam, always good to hear from you.
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
Isn’t it amazing how the seemingly small things make such a huge impact on others and us? Living our lives in trusting relationship with Him is what it’s all about. It may not be comfortable, but we will be transformed. Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
Amen to that! Thanks Jason.
Hazel
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
Your gift of giving your selves was joyfully received by the young girl AND her parents. The parents needed your presence to give them comfort as they nursed their ill daughter. Those singers who were with you also received and I am certain that the angels joined with you all as you sang.
Floyd
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 7:39 pm
Thanks Hazel, I think you’re right. It didn’t sound half bad.
Lauren Wheeler
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 8:55 pm
I remember that night so vividly and will never forget how grateful Danielle was for us singing to her. She truly looked so blessed and happy for the most simple thing…thank you for inviting us. That really opened my eyes as to what Christmas is about and I will always remember that night and that little girl Danielle.
Floyd
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 10:03 pm
Thanks Lauren. I remember it in detail as you do. I was honored to have you there, we all were. Look at you now… Man, where does the time go? I’ve told you so many times, you might get tired of hearing it, but I am proud of you beyond belief. I’m proud and blessed to have this memory to share with you.
Nancy
Monday, December 12, 2011 @ 11:04 pm
God always gets two-for-one! Sometimes the reason we THINK we are doing something isn’t the whole story. God always amazes me in that He takes the seed of our endeavors and makes them bloom far beyond what we could think or imagine.
You’ll hear the whole story one day. . .
Good Job with your listening and obedience skills!
Floyd
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 6:55 am
I’m with you. God used that time for each and every person involved for exactly what we needed at the time for His perfect reasons and will. I can already see the story coming together. While sad, the story is perfect, because it’s His story.
Jo
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 4:37 am
Again you made me cry! Thanks for reminding us what Christmas is ALL about! Merry Christmas to your whole family!!!!!
Floyd
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 7:03 am
Sorry Jo, I think all of us need a reminder of what Christmas is all about, myself included. Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and all of yours! God Bless Jo!
Effie-Alean Gross
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 10:53 am
Like you, Floyd, I don’t claim to have a singing voice, but I do have a singing heart. How wonderful that you were blessed as you gave a blessing to a little “angel” that the Lord would soon take home to heaven. Keep singing. Your voice can’t be that bad; you got invited inside for the parlour performance! Thanks for your obedience…I hear you loud and clear. Great post, Floyd.
Floyd
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
Thanks Effie. I appreciate the kind and encouraging words… It might not seem like it, but we have similar hearts.
brad
Monday, December 19, 2011 @ 8:03 am
Thank you again for sharing your gift. Enough said.
Floyd
Monday, December 19, 2011 @ 10:03 am
Thanks Brad. I guess the gift from God is the heart… We don’t necessarily need a decent voice.
April
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @ 10:00 am
That was probably the best Christmas present she received.
Floyd
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @ 11:25 am
That probably is her perspective now, at that age, I’m not so sure. It was a heartbreaking sight. I know for sure she’s perfect now.