Three thoughts as we close 2013

A dozen years ago, I worked for Delta Airlines as a software programmer. I was a poor programmer by that point not because I could not do the work but speaking very frankly, I had lost all my drive for doing the work. I knew that I had little hope of recovering my drive so on my two year anniversary (as soon as my contract would permit), I resigned and came home to work on a tiny internet business that was generating a very meager amount of money.

Looking back, I would counsel someone in that situation today to not make the move I did. Marla and I had one child at the time and we made it for six months until 9/11/2011 and we all know what happened that day. The little business we had disappeared for a month but when it came back, it came back much stronger and we have never looked back since. As many know, I sort of exited it for good earlier this year when I sold my largest company.

I don’t want you to think it has always been easy though because it hasn’t. I have been very open in the past about some of the struggles over the years as we built that business. There have been a few Christmas times where I had a very hard time feeling anything but sadness because of things that were going on. One Christmas in particular, there was financial pressure along with a health situation that looked very bleak.

To be honest, I struggle with some the more shallow aspects of Christmas as a result. The more you go through fire, the more unimportant some things become. I know many of you feel the same way, and for those that don’t, understand that I am not saying this to brag. In fact, I often question what is wrong with me in that the nostalgia I remember from my youth about Christmas has slipped away for the most part. Whether that is a good or bad thing I don’t know but I suspect the answer is a bit of both.

All that being said, I want to say three things this Christmas that I hope some of you will find meaningful. First, let’s all remember that Christmas is very painful for many people. They won’t admit it in many cases; it is not a politically correct thing to do. But there is a lot of pain out there and I think sometimes we make it worse by the things we say to the world that are not intended to brag but may come across that way. Our talk on Facebook of hot chocolate by the fire in peaceful harmony with family and friends is like a knife in the heart of many people who for various reasons will not experience anything similar. I know because I have been there. Many of you have too.

Second, I want to say I am thankful for you that have graciously followed me and my music over these past six years. Ten years ago, I would have never predicted I would be doing anything professionally in music. God broke down those barriers and many of you have had a part in that.

Producing music is a very risky business and I am not one of those people who throws lots of money at music just because it is a fun hobby. I don’t consider that fair to my family so I don’t do projects unless there is a plan for getting the money back out. I am incredibly blessed that you guys support my music at that level by buying my projects so I can keep making them. Thanks for the numerous notes I have gotten over this year as well especially as I have been going through the health challenges.

And third, remember that Christmas is for Christians a reminder of eternal hope. Regardless of the trials we face here on earth, the long history of the celebration of Christmas highlights Christians living in dark times that find the joy to celebrate anyway, knowing that they have the assurance of the hope that we read about in Hebrews 11 of a coming, better future. The tinsel is nice but is meaningless really. The hope is what matters.

Merry Christmas.