At a kids Christmas party in the Social Hall of the Port Wentworth First Baptist Church, I got a "Magnet Space Wheel" ... a cool toy in those days ... a red rolling wheel that wouldn't fall off it's track even when I hold it upside down.I'm watching it endlessly when the doors open and a bunch of kids from "The Projects" are ushered into the party.
Port Wentworth is a Mill Town anchored by the Sugar Refinery and the Continental Can Company and there are two sets of "Projects" for those who can't get jobs at either.
The Project kids are different from us regular worshippers ... we are cleaner... wholesome looking ... wearing the latest styles ... and do mean "Sword Drills."
They are scruffy ... apparently don't know where Mr. Smith's Barber Shop is ... wear last year's fashions ... and didn't bring any toys.
The way a Baptist Kid's Christmas Party works is ... I bring a wrapped toy ... you bring a wrapped toy ... the Adult Baptists mix them up ... before Mr. Blackwelder dressed as the skinniest Santa Claus ever ... passes them out again ... this time to different people ... making them presents.
I already feel I've won because I brought a little bag of marbles and in return got the Magnet Space Wheel.
The Project kids immediately eat all the cookies and drink the punch on the table intended for everyone.
Standing beside Danny ... our "Special" friend ... it's called Autism today ... I stop spinning the red wheel and listen to Mr. Gannan explain the rules of Christmas presents.
"I'm sorry kids," he kindly says, "you have to bring one to receive one."
To this day I can still see ... and feel ... the look on their faces ... downcast ... holding moisture in their eyes ... sad, disappointed and defiant.
Danny walks up to Mr. Gannan and says, "They can have mine" and hands them a long tube of colored sugar.
"So shall ye give shall ye receive," runs through my head as I watch Mr. Gannan try to figure out what to do.
It's a "Sword Drill" verse ... Luke 6:38 ... that I'd kicked Jerry Boykin's ass on the week before ... but suddenly ... I don't know why ... probably because of Danny's deeper understanding of things ... I join him with Mr. Gannan and hand over the Magnet Space Wheel.
Also to this day ... I can still see ... and feel ... Mr. Gannan's smile explode just before he hugs us and says, "God bless you boys."
I have a vaguer memory of the boy who got MY Magnet Space Wheel staring at it ... turning it upside down in wonderment ... as he carries it away.
"Give and it shall be given to you" ... Luke 6:38
I was excellent in Sword Drills but I don't know if I believe in that verse anymore.
I want to believe it ... and God knows I've been given a lot ... but I've given a Hell of a lot too.
In most ways I've got more than I've ever had ... love, peace, enjoyment, fulfillment and just happiness ... watching Sarah walk across a room ... Jeremy and Terenca's wedding ... the girls eating undercooked Cinnamon Rolls before school as Cassidy explains "We're having them today because we didn't have them yesterday" ... Chelsea and Sam together as adults full of future ... Kristen asking "Why do I have to be the last one to get married?" ... and Laurel making herself wake up to share breakfast with me three days running.
These are my blessings now.
Not disposable income, real security or the confident knowledge I'm going to "outlive my money" ... which is a Banker's goal ... and I'm definitely not.
Life's not a bank account ... where the "Haves" and Have not's" are created ... because they either play by Banker's rules or they don't.
Damn Sword Drills haunt me to this day ... Matthew 21:12 ... "and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers ..."
I'm struggling today.
I've been given a lot but Jesus Christ! ... it cost me a lot!
And I'm certainly not where the Bankers advise.
But when each girl stops and individually turns to embrace me and say, "I love you" ... and then Sarah does too ... as I witness them walk down the stairs ... well ... Danny, Mr. Blackwelder, Mr. Gannam and the boys from the Projects all wander in and point out ... our tables are still upright.
We got to be doing something right.
God only knows!
