The Alive and Active Spirit of Christmas Revisited

     It's Christmas time around these parts, and I know that a lot of people are out there shopping for that perfect gift for that imperfect someone.  I am not one of them. 

     Am I a grinch?  Am I just one of those very relaxed persons who would much rather receive than give?  Nope. 

     Years ago, when my husband left his job to seek a better life, we learned what it was to be in serious lack.  We didn't have any money for anything.  We struggled to keep our head above water.  I mean, beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner was a blessing! 

     One year, we had absolutely no gifts under our tree (didn't even have a tree until late Christmas Eve when they went on sale for $5).  We couldn't give gifts to anyone that year - couldn't bring anything at all.  Now in previous years, I was out there searching for the perfect gifts.  But when we had absolutely no money at all, all we could do was sit still and watch all the stuff going on around us. 

     At first, it was absolutely depressing.  But then- it became quite liberating!  We didn't have to deal with all the shopping lines.  We didn't know what it was to stay up late wrapping gifts for all the parties and get-togethers we were going to.  We couldn't.  But we did became closer as a family.  We celebrated the little (and I do mean little!) things.  The children showed us what the true meaning of Christmas was.  They were happy and so were we. 

     Each year, we've increased more and more.  (Last year, we were unable to get the shopping done before the ice storm and all we had under the tree for each of the children was a NIrV Bible.  The children have used those more this year than any toy they have!)  Each year gets a little better than before.  We've learned not to feel guilty for not having something to give Susan's uncle's ex.  We don't feel stressed when we think about the family gatherings.  Why?  Because in our lack, we've discovered the real, true meaning of Christmas and the spirit of loving each other and respecting one another and being gracious with people even when they don't deserve it.

     So I still don't have the ability to buy for everyone I would like to, but I am increasing more and more every day.  I am rich in other things as well.  I am rich in love and rich in grace and rich in faith.  So I apologize for not partaking in the season's rushing, hustling and bustling, but I assure you, my heart is at rest in the Lord Jesus.  I encourage you to do the same.

J is Right; He's Always Right!

I have to stop being afraid of everything! I have to just charge in there and do what it is that I have to do! I have to let go of fear of people and what they think of me; how they respond to me!
I received this lecture from my husband this morning ... Again. I know I should know it by heart by now. And I think my heart really does know it; it's me and my thinker that's having such a difficult time with it! I'm so fussy inside my head! One thought says "Run this way!", but my heart says "Go! Move forward! Plunge ahead straight into victory!" Then my thoughts say to me again, "RUN!"
I guess the end to this confusion would be to shut up the mouth of the loudest one; that horrid one that tells me to be afraid and hide and stick my head in the sand (SHEESH). GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN ME THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD - Don't I know it by now? Indeed. I do know it and most assuredly, I will live it!





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