Archive for August, 2009
Inspiration on the Road
My job as a salesman requires that I travel more than 200 days out of the year. As a result, I miss a significant amount of quality time with my family. Although I’ve struggled with the thought of missing my son’s baseball games and my daughter’s dance recitals, I know that my income is helping them to live safe, comfortable lives. Whenever I begin to miss my wife and kids, I turn to the Holy Bible for strength.
There are plenty of biblical parables that remind us about the importance of family, and the simple act of reading helps take my mind off of external matters. Typically I can find a Bible in a motel room’s desk drawer, but I like to carry my own just in case. It’s also good to have a pen and paper handy so that I can take notes on the passages that I find to be especially inspirational.
Origins of Holiday Gift-giving
These days, it’s commonplace to give and receive gifts during many of the major holidays. Birthdays wouldn’t be the same without a few thoughtful presents, and Valentine’s Day would be dull and a bit less romantic if it didn’t involve flowers and chocolates. But Christmas is the granddaddy of all gift-giving holidays. But how did that particular tradition begin?
It all started with the gift of the magi – the three wise men who came to celebrate the birth of Jesus. As we now know, they brought presents of gold, frankincense and myrrh – a fragrant resin that was in high demand during biblical times. Ever since the very first Christmas, the holiday has been associated with the joyous practice of giving and receiving gifts.