Congratulations, You’ve been selected as a cherished recipient of the Robinson Christmas letter for 2003. It may not be a big deal to you. But to have you as family, a friend, or just a casual acquaintance is a big deal to us. This years edition comes entirely in closed caption for the hearing impaired.
It’s hard to believe, Lora age 12, will soon become a teen. After doing some research and having experienced three other teens in our household, I discovered that the word “teenager” is derived from the ancient Greek phrase “teens age you.”
I must warn you that Sara age 15, will be driving soon. I recommend keeping your small children and pets away from the street. The backyard would be good. Deep inside the house would be safer… though still somewhat at risk.
I asked Eric age 19, what he would like to do in life. He said “nothing! And I’d like to make lots of money as I’m working towards that goal.” He may have a future in politics.
Ryan age 23, is in his last year of college and has decided that if Eric is successful at his endeavor, then he will follow in his brother’s footsteps.
I promised not to write much about Rita. She has just turned thirty for the fourteenth time in a row.
As for myself, many people have asked when am I’m going to retire. I know that day is approaching rapidly. Things just wear out over time. I’ve known people to fight it and put it off for as long as possible. I must confess, I’m one of those people. But I realize a man has to do what a man has to do. So… next year I’ve decided to buy several new tires. Though I can only afford to retire one car at a time, I’m actually looking forward to that moment.
Seriously… I’ve been delivering packages 23 years. I’ve calculated the cost of sending four children through college and paying off my house. I concluded that I’d be able to retire when I am 97 years old. Or 93 if I invest wisely.
I must devote a portion of this letter to dispelling some ugly rumors. As many of you are aware, Ryan was involved in a serious accident the weekend before school started. He had a head on collision, running full speed into a utility pole. But, that information became distorted as it passed from one person to the next. So I will try to clarify the truth in the following paragraphs.
A few people believed he was a structural engineer for the electric company assigned to doing stress tests on utility poles. He does not work for the electric company. However, he can testify that particular pole was very solid and can endure high impact.
After they saw the damage to Ryan’s face, many people were concerned that his car most certainly had been totaled.However, Ryan was not in his car at the time of the accident. When I stated running full speed, I meant exactly that. He ran, on foot, at top speed, head first, into the pole. His car is fine.
The majority of people then wondered why Ryan would even consider running full speed into something that hard. They suggested a college senior should be a little wiser and should have picked an object a little more forgiving such as a chain link fence, or a padded object like a sumo wrestler. The reason Ryan ran into the pole was because he was trying to catch a Frisbee. (Personally, I have no problem distinguishing the difference between a sixty-foot pole and a twelve-inch plastic disc). He must have been caught up in the excitement of the moment.
Some heard Ryan had been smacked by a pole, and therefore believed that a Polish girl had planted one big kiss on him. It didn’t happen, but Ryan would like you to know he would gladly welcome a big kiss from just about any female regardless of her nationality.
Ryan underwent surgery and had a metal plate installed in his cheek along with a few titanium screws for added strength. I’ve heard his roommates now have fun putting refrigerator magnets on his face as he sleeps. They also use him as a television antenna when reception is poor. I don’t know if that is true, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he were never able to get passed airport security.
Before I say good bye, I’d like to clarify the truth one more time in an area that touches us all. It is true… we live in very troubled times. We live in a confusing era. The difference between right and wrong, good and evil seem to have narrowed and maybe even switched places. So how have we managed to wind up in such turmoil? How have we allowed ourselves to forget those things which are good, pure, and true?
I believe it all hinges around one of the central debates of this decade. It is true that there is a movement to remove any reference to God from our society. There is a problem with such an action, which is seldom discussed. When you change a name or remove a title something is lost. For example… if you take the word “president” away from “President Bush” then you are just left with a man, or some people might say you’re left with a small shrubbery.
My point is …God is much more than just one word. God symbolizes love, salvation, a creator, and a creation. God is a Supreme Being. Which means that no man or nation may ever rise above Him. It is from the Bible that our laws, government, moral conduct, and judicial system originated. Eliminating the word “God” means losing all that is associated with it. I find it interesting, if we removed the word God, from the phrase “one nation under God”. We are left with the phrase“one nation under” which I believe describes what would happen to our country. It would fall from power, fall from grace, and be trodden under by other nations or perhaps even our own people because there would be no foundational support. Remove the cornerstone and the structure is weakened…eventually crumbling to ruin.
A nation is built one home at a time. So consider letting God be the cornerstone in your life and the building block for future generations. May you have the best Christmas ever and a blessed New Year!
Mark, Rita, Ryan, Eric, Sara, & Lora
2 Chronicles 7:14
And my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
