You’re Here

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You’re Here

by Nelson Haynes

Johnny always feels robbed during the holidays. The presents of a wife he loved, a job he cherished, and his dog, “Bella,” were all taken from him. He made the mistake of turning the radio on as he drove to the grocery store. He couldn’t get away from the memories that soaked his emotions when “that” Christmas song came on.

After a quick wipe of his face, he walked to the deli to talk to Gloria. She always took care of him. He had a special meal to prepare.

Since he knew how it felt to sit home alone on Christmas Eve, he wasn’t going to let the widows at his church do the same. Johnny couldn’t replace the presents that had been stolen from their lives, but he could offer his presence and a hot meal. Looking forward But look at Your hands, they’re still so small to that dinner, and the Christmas Eve service, made the Someday You’re gonna stretch them out and save us all holidays tolerable. Noel, Noel, God with us, Emmanuel

He was also excited about speaking at that service and You’re here, I’m holding you so near sharing the message “The Presence of Christ” because it’s I’m staring into the face of my Saviour, King and Creator available to everyone. In front of the mirror, he started You could’ve left us on our own, but You’re here, You’re here practicing. “God came near in a baby so that we can come Someday I’m gonna look back on this near to God.” “The presents that the three wise men The night that God became a baby boy brought, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, didn’t hold a Someday you’re gonna go home again, candle to what God gave: His Presence.” But You’ll leave Your spirit, and flood the world with joy

The meal was a success, and after Johnny spoke, a You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near woman came to the microphone and sang, as if she were I’m staring into the face of my Saviour, King and Creator Mary, singing to Baby Jesus: You could have left me on my own, but You’re here, You’re here Hallelujah You’re here Hallelujah “Hold on now, gotta take a deep breath You’re here” (Francesca Battistelli) I don’t know what to say when I look in Your eyes You made the world before I was born Afterward, Johnny made sure all of his widow friends But here I am holding You in my arms tonight were safely in their cars, heading home. He walked home Noel, Noel, Jesus our Emmanuel with a smile, thanking God for His presence through the You’re here, I’m holding You so near present of Baby Jesus. May we also do the same.

I’m staring into the face of my Saviour, King and Creator

You could have left us on our own, but You’re here I don’t know how long I’m gonna have You for But I’ll be watching when You change the world About The Author Nelson Haynes lives in Ringgold, Georgia, with his wife and 2 Labrador Retrievers. Both of their daughters are grown. Check out his writer’s blog at www.nelsonhaynes500words.com for more meditations. He has a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and besides writing, his hobbies include riding his mountain bike; reading; movies; gardening ; painting and going on dates with his bride. 8 // December 2020

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What does your journey to financial fitness look like?

What does your journey to financial fitness look like? The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that What does your journey to financial fitness look like? What does your journey to financial fitness look like? The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. What does your journey to financial fitness look like? What does your journey to financial fitness look like? But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. Guy Percy Financial Representative The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. What does your journey to financial fitness look like? But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. 7371 Nashville St So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation.But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? Guy Percy

The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. Guy Percy The journey to financial fitness means different things to different people. And that’s the way it should be. But it can also seem overwhelming, looking down the long road ahead. You may be asking yourself, how should I begin? An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. Guy Percy Financial Representative This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2018. All rights reserved. Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. Guy Percy Financial Representative 7371 Nashville St Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com (706)935-3365 0519-503HC-15939-12/1/2020 This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2018. All rights reserved. Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com (706)935-3365Guy Percy Financial Representative 7371 Nashville St Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com (706)935-3365 An easy step is to put a key foundational piece in place with life insurance. By doing that, it helps ensure that anyone who may rely on you financially—now or into the future—will be OK. So start your financial fitness journey with this one step forward. Let’s start the conversation. This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2018. All rights reserved. Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. Guy Percy Financial Representative 7371 Nashville St Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com (706)935-3365 0519-503HC-15939-12/1/2020 This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2018. All rights reserved. Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. Financial Representative 7371 Nashville St Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com (706)935-3365 0519-503HC-15939-12/1/2020 Financial Representative 7371 Nashville St 7371 Nashville St Ringgold, GA 30736 Ringgold, GA 30736 www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy www.countryfinancial.com/guy.percy guy.percy@countryfinancial.com Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL.