The 2009 Michigan Jaycees Board of Directors met for the last time last night at our holiday party. Here’s what I said for the invocation last night.


People always say that, during the holiday season, things get really crazy. If you’re not fighting with some mother for the latest and greatest toy at Toys-R-Us, then you’re getting cut off on the roads or you’re almost in accidents racing for those parking spots at the mall.

Preachers will use the phrase “Remember the reason for the season” in order to get us to realize that Christmas isn’t about buying and giving and receiving gifts. The season is about change, a subject our organization professes to be all about.

This year, we have brought 850 people into our organization. And they have changed for the better. Those of us who have served in the leadership of this organization have spent thousands of hours doing what we do, and we have changed for the better.

And as we remember “the reason for the season” (and especially because Adam, Debi, and Wendy think everyday should be a musical), I want to say to you all that:

Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better,
But because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

May the reason for my season bless and keep all of you and may you always remember that the Sky’s the Limit.