From you via me to George or Mary or Zuzu or Clarence...

I'm not a praying man...please, show me the way.  I don't know what to do...

I'm wondering if you know anybody like this?  Someone who has had one of those years? A man or woman, named George or maybe some other name, who is at that point of feeling they might be worth more dead than alive?  A precious creation birthed from the heart of the Grace that keeps this world who might be whispering at this very moment a tear-filled-please prayer?  Maybe it's been the loss of a job, loss of a home, loss of a spouse, loss of a dream...  

Some of you have indicated that you've ordered my book - Touching Wonder.  To say "thank you" is to fail at words; it means more than you'll ever, ever know.  If you have read it, might I ask you to take the time to go to Amazon and leave a reader comment?  I'm not asking you to fudge or anything; if you liked it, say that, but if you didn't, say that. And if you put it under a table leg and it's keeping said table nicely balanced so the butter-n-rolls don't slide off, then say that.  Fair enough?

I'd also like to make you an offer because I do believe in this little book and the spirit that runs through it; namely, that each one of us matters to God.  Here's the offer: If you'll leave a comment here I will put your precious name in the official Dirty Shame drawing box and at the right time, I'll draw out ten names.  If you're one of the ten, you get to gift someone having a George Bailey year with the book Touching Wonder. I'll write a brief note and sign a copy of the book and send it to the person you know who's down on their luck or down on life or just down on themselves, which may best the worst down of all.  You might want it to be an anonymous gift and that's fine. But if you wanted me to say "this is from Rachel and she's thinking about you" then I'd be happy to do that as well.  Is this making sense? It's an opportunity for both of us, you and me, to reach our hands across to someone with tears in their eyes and say, "it really is a wonderful life...and you've no idea how important you are to us and to God above and to people you've never even met before."  Still making sense?  The person receiving the gift may not know who-in-the-sam-hill John Blase is, but if they read the book they just might be reminded of who God is and maybe even who they are and well, that could make for a merry Christmas.

This has been on my mind; it may be a foolish idea, but that's about the only kind I can come up with anyway.  Leaving a comment on this post enters your name.  I'll draw the ten names ten days from now, September 22nd, the first day of fall.  I'm coming up with two or three other giveaway type things to follow this one, so stay tuned.  And again, if you've bought the book or might even be considering it, thank you very much.