There is one gift that sits beneath our tree...our gift to Jesus. This year on Christmas Eve as a family we read the Christmas Story from the Bible. As Jeff finished reading the scriptures, I talked to the kids about how Jesus is our special gift from God and how we thought every Christmas we could think of a gift to give back to Jesus. Maybe it would be a bad habit we want to change or a good habit we want to start, but something that would show Jesus and others our love.
On small slips of paper we wrote what we wanted to give to God to glorify Him and placed them in a decorated box. Then our 8 year old Noah prayed, dedicating the box to the Lord. When all the presents were gone on Christmas Day, we placed our gift beneath the tree. It will be packed away with the Christmas decoration and brought out next year, when we will open it to see how we did and decide on a new gift to give.
Today Becca shared her game in the car with Noah to honor him and I walked out of the little girl's room without yelling when frustration overcome me at bedtime and returned when she was ready for bed. Noah was not quite as successful. He needed a reminded when he annoyed his sister; however, he ended the night by telling Becca he loved her. Sometimes we forget that small steps will get us to our destination, we just need to remember to take these steps every day.
This year we aren't dedicating our lives to be missionaries in a far off land, but desiring to give more to our own family. I do believe it's a gift that would make Jesus happy.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
My Civic Duty
The judge acknowledged how inconvenient having jury duty the week of Christmas was. As he continued his pep talk about how important it was to serve, I made a mental list of all I was missing out on -baking cookies and fudge, wrapping the presents and picking up a few more, not to mention this was my vacation! Is it too much to ask for a little break? If he only knew…well, “your honor” wouldn’t care, but maybe it would make me feel better to tell him!
One day, one trial, I told myself as we filed into the courtroom. Hopefully it will all be over soon. I wished I could be a lucky one that would be excused due to hardship (I tried and they didn’t accept my hardship). When my name wasn’t called for the jury boxes, I was relieved. Surely it was only a matter of time.
Three hours later, there was no official jury in place. And then I found out Noah was throwing up again. We thought he was on the up swing, he’d be well soon. Not so much.
By the time I got home at 5:30pm, I was mad and bitter, with good reason. I was told if I left before the final pick, I would have to serve another day. Waste another day? That seemed entirely unfair.
I grumbled until the kids went to bed, Noah so weak I had to carry him. I sulked while eating my ice cream. And then I finally picked up God’s Word, opening it to the book of John. Jesus spoke about why a man was born blind.
‘“Neither this man nor his parents sinner,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the word of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me.”’
I missed out on more than baking cookies and sleeping in today. As I grumbled and complained I missed out on God being displayed in my life. Being caught up with my own circumstances, ruined my attitude and my day. It’s sad that I was short with my husband and too busy whining to others to spend time with my kids. It’s also a bummer that I was grumpy with the other jurors. But the most disappointing part is that I didn’t do the work God set before me today. As I learned in my most recent Bible Study it’s not ok to grumble and complain, or let our angry control us.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I know the work the Lord has set before me. I ask for forgiveness and pray I can represent Him well tomorrow. And I’m thankful that unlike the person that is standing trial that I may have to judge, I know asking God for forgiveness is enough because He sent His son pay the price for my sin.
One day, one trial, I told myself as we filed into the courtroom. Hopefully it will all be over soon. I wished I could be a lucky one that would be excused due to hardship (I tried and they didn’t accept my hardship). When my name wasn’t called for the jury boxes, I was relieved. Surely it was only a matter of time.
Three hours later, there was no official jury in place. And then I found out Noah was throwing up again. We thought he was on the up swing, he’d be well soon. Not so much.
By the time I got home at 5:30pm, I was mad and bitter, with good reason. I was told if I left before the final pick, I would have to serve another day. Waste another day? That seemed entirely unfair.
I grumbled until the kids went to bed, Noah so weak I had to carry him. I sulked while eating my ice cream. And then I finally picked up God’s Word, opening it to the book of John. Jesus spoke about why a man was born blind.
‘“Neither this man nor his parents sinner,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the word of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me.”’
I missed out on more than baking cookies and sleeping in today. As I grumbled and complained I missed out on God being displayed in my life. Being caught up with my own circumstances, ruined my attitude and my day. It’s sad that I was short with my husband and too busy whining to others to spend time with my kids. It’s also a bummer that I was grumpy with the other jurors. But the most disappointing part is that I didn’t do the work God set before me today. As I learned in my most recent Bible Study it’s not ok to grumble and complain, or let our angry control us.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I know the work the Lord has set before me. I ask for forgiveness and pray I can represent Him well tomorrow. And I’m thankful that unlike the person that is standing trial that I may have to judge, I know asking God for forgiveness is enough because He sent His son pay the price for my sin.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The List
Christmas growing up was all about the list. The list I made was split between parents, Santa and the grandparents. The end result: everything I asked for I received.
About the age of 10, I had grown tired of the process. I was content with what I had, yet there was pressure to choose something. As I looked through the ads my mom had laid on the table, I said the first thing I saw… “I want a TV for my room,” I announced. “This year I’ll ask Santa for a color TV for my room.” This was in the day that electronics were not cheap or in every room of the house, so for me to ask of such a thing at my age seemed beyond ridiculous.
The anticipation of Christmas morning arrived as I lay in bed fully awake at 6:30am. We were not allowed out of our beds until 7am so I imagined of the treasures that awaited me downstairs. Maybe new Barbies or pretty new clothes? For a brief moment that color TV came to mind and I laughed, not still surprised that I had asked for such a thing.
At seven am my brother and I opened our parents’ door, announcing the arrival of Christmas and raced downstairs to check out our presents. I froze at the sight of a tiny TV with a red bow on it. I didn’t know what to say, although “thank you” came out when my mom asked if I liked it. I never imagined I would actually get it. Yet there it was, a color TV, with a small picture frame size screen, just for me.
The Bible reminds us that God loves us more than our earthly parents and how He desires to give us good things. Nothing is impossible with God. Perhaps He’s just waiting for you to ask Him for that outlandish gift. Though you can’t figure out a way, He can. Three years ago my plea was to stay home with our children. The mountain was huge and I had no idea how God would move it, but He has. Now we have a new list: a Christian coffee shop for Jeff to run and my book to be published. They seemed like crazy dreams, but we know everything we ask for according to His will, we will receive. So, make your list, check it twice and give it to the Father that loves you beyond your comprehension.
Matthew 7:7-11
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
About the age of 10, I had grown tired of the process. I was content with what I had, yet there was pressure to choose something. As I looked through the ads my mom had laid on the table, I said the first thing I saw… “I want a TV for my room,” I announced. “This year I’ll ask Santa for a color TV for my room.” This was in the day that electronics were not cheap or in every room of the house, so for me to ask of such a thing at my age seemed beyond ridiculous.
The anticipation of Christmas morning arrived as I lay in bed fully awake at 6:30am. We were not allowed out of our beds until 7am so I imagined of the treasures that awaited me downstairs. Maybe new Barbies or pretty new clothes? For a brief moment that color TV came to mind and I laughed, not still surprised that I had asked for such a thing.
At seven am my brother and I opened our parents’ door, announcing the arrival of Christmas and raced downstairs to check out our presents. I froze at the sight of a tiny TV with a red bow on it. I didn’t know what to say, although “thank you” came out when my mom asked if I liked it. I never imagined I would actually get it. Yet there it was, a color TV, with a small picture frame size screen, just for me.
The Bible reminds us that God loves us more than our earthly parents and how He desires to give us good things. Nothing is impossible with God. Perhaps He’s just waiting for you to ask Him for that outlandish gift. Though you can’t figure out a way, He can. Three years ago my plea was to stay home with our children. The mountain was huge and I had no idea how God would move it, but He has. Now we have a new list: a Christian coffee shop for Jeff to run and my book to be published. They seemed like crazy dreams, but we know everything we ask for according to His will, we will receive. So, make your list, check it twice and give it to the Father that loves you beyond your comprehension.
Matthew 7:7-11
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Sunday, December 20, 2009
O Smelly Christmas Tree
Every year my husband and I say we are throwing out the artificial tree at the end of the year. It has been with us longer than our children. The not-so-evergreen is dusty in looks and smell, branches are missing and is an all-together pain in the neck to put together. Luckily, last year we packed it away in its tree bag and put it in the garage. It’s been almost six month now since we have brought in the amount of money we need to live on. I left the public schools to Home School and the housing market dropped terribly. We thought it would be easier for him to find another job to supplement, but it’s been hard. But we’ve trusted God and wait on Him, because we feel He’s called us to this place.
So tonight Jeff and I pulled in the Christmas tree bag. We opened the windows to get rid of the musty smell as we started assembling it. And then the elves came to help. The oldest,6 years, is very helpful. The youngest, 3 years, is eager. Everyone had a job and with only half a dozen missing branches and needles all over the floor, the tree made it up.
I sighed as I dug for the ornaments, as it’s hard to think about Christmas when the bills need to be paid. How can we justify presents when we can hardly pay for food we do need? I was thinking how there would not be many presents underneath it this year, even if the job comes tomorrow. There’s still insurance to pay and loans to pay off. We just can’t afford Christmas this year, I thought to myself.
The children eagerly opened the boxes of ornaments and started putting them on. As my son hung the first ornament, he said words that melted my heart.
“You know the best thing about decorating the tree? It’s remembering all the people that gave you the ornaments and where they came from.”
I smiled, for I remember telling him that the past several years. Every ornament has a story, whom it’s from or what trip we got it on. It’s the memories on the tree, not the presents under it, which make the difference.
As I turned on the Christmas music I heard Rebecca yell, “There’s a Tigger one!” Thirty seconds later she called “Another Tigger one!” I laughed, remembering the year every friend gave me a Tigger ornament because they knew he was my favorite. Amazingly enough, they were all different!
Noah told Becca the stories he remembered, I told the stories he forgot and Becca made up some of her own (which she is really good at). After about a half hour the boxes were empty and the branches were bending at the weight of all the ornaments. My heart was full of reasons to love Christmas and I was thankful for all the blessing in our lives. God gave us the best gift ever in His Son, Jesus Christ. A gift money could never buy.
Maybe we’ll start a new tradition this year…no presents beneath the tree. I know our family will give us and send us presents, but I really don’t want that to be the focus for the whole month. Our tree can be a beautiful reminder every day in December of the good times, good friends and fun trips we have had. After all, it’s the memories that remind us of others love, not the presents they give.
I think I’m starting to like our little tree. The holes are filled in nicely with ornaments and it really doesn’t smell so bad…
So tonight Jeff and I pulled in the Christmas tree bag. We opened the windows to get rid of the musty smell as we started assembling it. And then the elves came to help. The oldest,6 years, is very helpful. The youngest, 3 years, is eager. Everyone had a job and with only half a dozen missing branches and needles all over the floor, the tree made it up.
I sighed as I dug for the ornaments, as it’s hard to think about Christmas when the bills need to be paid. How can we justify presents when we can hardly pay for food we do need? I was thinking how there would not be many presents underneath it this year, even if the job comes tomorrow. There’s still insurance to pay and loans to pay off. We just can’t afford Christmas this year, I thought to myself.
The children eagerly opened the boxes of ornaments and started putting them on. As my son hung the first ornament, he said words that melted my heart.
“You know the best thing about decorating the tree? It’s remembering all the people that gave you the ornaments and where they came from.”
I smiled, for I remember telling him that the past several years. Every ornament has a story, whom it’s from or what trip we got it on. It’s the memories on the tree, not the presents under it, which make the difference.
As I turned on the Christmas music I heard Rebecca yell, “There’s a Tigger one!” Thirty seconds later she called “Another Tigger one!” I laughed, remembering the year every friend gave me a Tigger ornament because they knew he was my favorite. Amazingly enough, they were all different!
Noah told Becca the stories he remembered, I told the stories he forgot and Becca made up some of her own (which she is really good at). After about a half hour the boxes were empty and the branches were bending at the weight of all the ornaments. My heart was full of reasons to love Christmas and I was thankful for all the blessing in our lives. God gave us the best gift ever in His Son, Jesus Christ. A gift money could never buy.
Maybe we’ll start a new tradition this year…no presents beneath the tree. I know our family will give us and send us presents, but I really don’t want that to be the focus for the whole month. Our tree can be a beautiful reminder every day in December of the good times, good friends and fun trips we have had. After all, it’s the memories that remind us of others love, not the presents they give.
I think I’m starting to like our little tree. The holes are filled in nicely with ornaments and it really doesn’t smell so bad…
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A Night to Remember
I opened the door, and there he was. My heart raced and my palms began to sweat. It was Friday, Dec. 13, 1996. Inviting a blind date to the staff Christmas party seemed odd to some, but my friend said he was a nice guy and I had to meet him. So here we were, staring at each other, smiling.
A few hours later I found myself leaning against him on the couch and feeling like I fit perfectly against him. By the end of the night I knew he was a great guy, especially when he offered to do the dishes.
That night as I pulled out my journal a piece of paper fell from it. My "list" of everything I wanted in a mate. I smiled, thinking of this guy named Jeff that I had just met. I could tell he already met some of my requirements. Spiritual leader, well, first he would have to become a Christian.
When I turned my lights off sometime later, I paused, not having any words to say to God. My mind was filled with the events of the night, talking and laughing with Jeff, amazed at what a gentleman he was to open doors and serve me. I knew I had no right to ask, but as I drifted off to sleep, I found myself saying, "Oh Lord, if he's the one, that would be really great."
Today as we stood together worshipping God, I felt beyond blessed. Meeting Jeff was none of my own doing or his, but God's perfect timing. Our friends that set us up actually tried 6 months prior and it fell through. It wasn't the right time. For almost a year I was seeking the perfect man. It wasn't until I turned it over to God that He brought Jeff into my life.
Shortly after I met Jeff someone asked me if I believed in love at first sight. "No," I found myself responding, "But when you find the one God created for you, He'll let you know."
A few hours later I found myself leaning against him on the couch and feeling like I fit perfectly against him. By the end of the night I knew he was a great guy, especially when he offered to do the dishes.
That night as I pulled out my journal a piece of paper fell from it. My "list" of everything I wanted in a mate. I smiled, thinking of this guy named Jeff that I had just met. I could tell he already met some of my requirements. Spiritual leader, well, first he would have to become a Christian.
When I turned my lights off sometime later, I paused, not having any words to say to God. My mind was filled with the events of the night, talking and laughing with Jeff, amazed at what a gentleman he was to open doors and serve me. I knew I had no right to ask, but as I drifted off to sleep, I found myself saying, "Oh Lord, if he's the one, that would be really great."
Today as we stood together worshipping God, I felt beyond blessed. Meeting Jeff was none of my own doing or his, but God's perfect timing. Our friends that set us up actually tried 6 months prior and it fell through. It wasn't the right time. For almost a year I was seeking the perfect man. It wasn't until I turned it over to God that He brought Jeff into my life.
Shortly after I met Jeff someone asked me if I believed in love at first sight. "No," I found myself responding, "But when you find the one God created for you, He'll let you know."
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