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| drum* |
Ah, it’s the Christmas season. Time to bring out the hot
apple cider and egg nog. Time to watch your step on the sidewalks as the
temperatures plummet in northern climes. And time to bring out the Christmas
music. Our family enjoys listening to Pentatonix and their rendition of one of
my all-time favorite songs of this season: TheDrummer Boy.
One of the best lyrics is hidden there, near the end of the
song.
A poor drummer boy has no gift to carry for a meeting with
the King. Others are encouraging him to bring something. He’s ashamed he doesn’t have a gift. The only thing he
can offer is a song, or a rhythm, played on his drum. In this lovely fictional
story, he asks Mary if she thinks it’d be all right if he just played a song
for the Baby using his most prized possession: his drum. She nods, and he
plays. Oh, how he plays. He gives Baby Jesus his best, heartfelt offering.
And that’s when it happens. The boy finishes playing. The
stable of animals and the Baby’s family fall hushed. The drummer boy sighs. He did
it. He gave his best. There’s a deep satisfaction in that, but he waits to see
what will happen. How will the Baby respond? What does He do? He smiles at the
boy.
When I hear that song, I look beyond the simplicity of this
lovely Christmas tale/song and feel the acceptance of God. I feel His pleasure
and His affirmation that when I use my talents (writing among them) for Him,
when I know it’s all I can truly give (He’s given me everything; I’m only a
steward, but what I create with the talents He’s given me is a true offering)
and I give it from my heart, He is pleased. And I’m fulfilled.
He smiles at you too.
Write for Him.
Write for His affirmation.
Write for His kingdom.
Write for His smile.
And look up, because I believe it’s already there on His
glorious face aimed directly at you.
~~~~~
 |
| Her Nerdy Cowboy |
Whoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan
McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her
ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle? Claire Langley loved
her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two
heartbroken children.
Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and
Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children, and who reads
to her of pirate romance. Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she
break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?
~~~~~
 |
| Annette M. Irby |
Annette M. Irby has three published books and
runs her own freelance editing business, AMI Editing.
See her page here on Seriously Write for more information.
* Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net "djembe" by patrisyu
A version of this article first appeared on SW in 12/2011.
