"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." ~Mary Ellen Chase It's no secret. Christmas is here. Let's be honest. It's been here since they put the Halloween candy away at WalMart. I used to love the Christmas season. As a child, it was simply a magical time of year for me. However, I have to be honest. It's no longer "the warmest time of the year" for me. I'm not sure exactly when it changed in my heart, but well, it has. Now don't get me wrong! I am a Christian woman.....VERY strong in my faith, and I thank my God DAILY for sending His Son to pay the ultimate price for my sins. So, in that regard, I guess you could say I celebrate Christmas every...single...day of my life. (We couldn't have Easter without Christmas!) He IS my Savior...and without question my Hope! It's the "other stuff" associated with Christmas that really makes me stop and try to make sense of it all. So, as I was trying my best to be festive over the last few days and get our house in some semblance of "holly jolliness" before family arrives soon, God (in His always right-on-time Wisdom) talked to me as I was decorating our living room....specifically, our mantle....and our tree. "It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul." We've never had a "gorgeous, Southern Living" tree. By that, I mean, the ornaments haven't all been "uniform" nor matching. No real "color scheme" or theme to speak of. Our tree has evolved over the years of our marriage. It is truly a potpourri of ornaments we have acquired over time.....some mark specific milestones in the life of our family, like these... Others have sentimental meaning, like these.... ......and then of course, there are ones like this that make me cry every single year when I unwrap them as I am instantly transported to that magical time in my life all over again! Well, as I hung each ornament on our tree the other day, God said(so clearly it was almost audible!), "Look at this! You have a rich, full life, Dot. I have given you SO many blessings! Every year new, additional ornaments are hung on the tree. What does that tell you? I'm not done with your tree, Dot. I have big plans for your family. There are more 'ornaments' on the way! Do you trust Me?" My response: "Yes Lord, but here's the deal...." "......God, you know I love my children more than anything in this world! I would do anything....ANYTHING..... to protect them. I know they aren't babies sitting on Santa's knee anymore, but I'm still their Mama! Now, I know none of this comes as a surprise to you, God, but lately, there are people....self-professed Christians.... who have hurt my children! It's not fair, God! Christmas is a time for Christians to celebrate, yes, but also to be reminded of what we are all about ---- love. The Love of Jesus. Unconditional, sacrificial love. It's difficult to sing about "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" right now when my children have been hurt....deeply! Help me understand, God, please!" Well, there wasn't any big clap of thunder or a chorus of angels if that's what you're waiting to hear. In fact, I didn't hear anything right then at all. I thought perhaps I had stumped God. Ha! Silly me! "I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness." You see, I keep thinking about the Golden Rule. You know how it goes, right? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I have also thought of it this way lately...."Do unto my children as you would have me do unto yours!" Sadly, the ADULTS that are involved are, at times, more of a battle than their children! The problem is this....I love the people my children bring into our lives. I embrace our differences. I welcome them with open arms. It's just my nature. It's how I was raised. I believe that's what God wants us to do, so I just continue to do that. I am praying diligently for God to change my heart and take away the bitterness that's starting to set up shop in there. I don't like it. It's toxic and totally counterproductive to peace and joy. Guess what? Good news! Turns out, my children are bouncing back, and it's God's Doing. I know it is. That's the only explanation. Our son? Well, he's moved on....focused on what brings him joy. He is such a positive soul, and he simply refuses to succumb to anything that has negative energy. I am constantly learning things simply by observing his actions. He brings me abundant joy every single day! Our daughter? Now, that's definitely a harder mountain to climb, but she's doing it! Folks have come out of the woodwork to show her (and us!) how much they love and respect her these last several days. The hurt is very deep and has caused much unnecessary pain that won't be gotten over in a day or two, but she WILL make it and she'll be stronger than ever! Of this, I am certain. I am SO very proud of her for continuing to draw on her own faith to get her through this dark and uncertain time. She truly is an inspiration to me! I am awed by her strength and courage! So, you see, even though there are some very fresh wounds in our home this Christmas, I'm digging DEEP to make it a "merry" one. We are going to do our very best to take a step back one holiday on the calendar........to Thanksgiving......when we placed emphasis on being truly thankful for our blessings. Thank you, God, for reminding me that You're still working on my Christmas tree. Yes, I DO trust You! You promised me in Jeremiah 29:11, and I'm continuing to claim that promise, not only for me, but for my precious children as well! "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~Charles Dickens So, what about you? Are you focused on a Merry Christmas? I hope so, but can I make a suggestion? Make sure it's not about the "stuff." Focus on the "ornaments" in YOUR life. Thank God for those blessings, and draw strength and hope from them. Most importantly, thank Him for the greatest gift He could ever possibly give us, His Son--our Savior, the Prince of Peace! Merry Christmas from our home to yours, ~Dot
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AuthorHi! I'm Dot. I refuse to succumb to the "empty nest syndrome"! So, this is my journal.....my photo album.....my attempt to enjoy the next chapter of my life as it unfolds. Welcome to The Roomy Nest! Archives
January 2020
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