The sky was so mysterious tonight when I took Penelope on her last walk. The moon was full and luminous but was covered by a large purple cloud that look just like a large hand opening and closing its fingers. The moon would peak bravely through a crack in the fingers and then the fingers would close again. Maybe Father Sky was playing peek a boo with the man in the moon. I didn’t have any shoes on, Penelope was frisky, and I stumbled around trying to watch the moon and stay on the sidewalk. I love cloud watching.

Been in a Christmas decorating and table setting frenzy today. Got my brothers and their families, 39 of us, coming for Christmas dinner next Saturday, got four tables set, only two more to go. Got distracted this afternoon by Matt Dillon’s brief love affair on Gunsmoke. Wonder if he ever told Miss Kitty about his indiscretion. He never put his boots under Miss Kitty’s bed but he did for Miss Mike. Always wondered how Matt Dillon’s daughter came to be. I’d never seen this episode.

I love a western. When I visited the grandchildren, I was at home alone Monday morning while everyone worked and went to school and I watched The Rifleman all morning. First time visiting that I actually figured out how to turn on the tv by myself. I’ll be in trouble if my Shady Oaks roommates don’t like westerns.

Read this quote today and I loved it. “He always knew he was a little different, but he let his light shine regardless of what others said. Be more Rudolph.” Been pondering on Rudolph this afternoon and wondering how Jesus and Rudolph are alike. Rudolph was bullied by the other reindeer for being different, having a shiny red nose. Rudolph was eventually accepted when he became a hero for pulling Santa’s sleight, leading the way with his red nose. Rudolph had a physical light that led Santa out of the darkness.

Jesus was bullied and made to wear a crown of thorns. He was slapped and mocked and spit on and eventually killed. But Jesus didn’t retaliate in anger, he was more concerned about his torturers’ souls. Jesus had a spiritual light of goodness. Both Rudolph and God bring light and hope in times of darkness. We’re all different and our differences give us strength. We should celebrate what’s make us different and unique. Scripture in 1 Samuel, says “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Jesus drives our life’s sleigh, helping us steer down God’s chosen path. God loves all of us in spite of our flaws and imperfections. We can “be more Rudolph” by sharing our spiritual light with others through our kindness and compassion, by accepting each other and our differences, and by letting God’s light shine bright enough through us for others to see their way out of the dark.

“There is a kind of beauty in imperfection.” — Conrad Hall