Mother’s Day 09

I had such a good Mother’s day this year, I’m still soaking in it.

Not only did they pick out the best cards ever, give me the best gifts ever, but they let me help plan the weekend to be sure I felt blessed.  They helped me.  Hands on.  I got to be with both Moms, have them for lunch, and have my own dinner out.  It was the bomb.  Which is a good thing, in case you don’t know the slang!

I didn’t feel the best, but they made me feel the best.  I love my family…

There will never be a photo of my son I treasure more, I can assure you.  I had hesitations about posting it, it meant so much to me, how proud he was to take my present into the restaurant to surprise me.

All the kids could not wait for me to get my presents this year…it was so cool.

(If you read my blog, realize is precious to me, so I’m sharing with you out of the sweet places in my life to share with you…don’t mention it to the kids, okay?)

“Flash” saw me take a photo and ran back for his own present to carry…gotta love that!

Boy wonder took my picture for me while we ordered food.  The waitress thought we were a hoot, I’m sure.  It was so pretty I hated to open it!  There is just something special about store-wrapped gifts, isn’t there?  I wish I could wrap that well!

Still ordering food.  What a crazy kid!

So, the polka dot box had in it a new set of wind chimes.  Mine bit the dust about three years ago, my good ones…I’d gotten a needle to work the string back through the clanker about ten times.  I love them!

The bag had in it…a replacement of my iPod Nano I left at the hotel in Nashville over spring break.  You all, I nearly cried.  The minute I opened it, my daughter slapped her hand over my mouth, literally.  She said, “I knew you were going to scream, so I was prepared.”  I was totally speechless to be honest.  It was an extravagant gift I never asked for in the beginning, I could have lived with out it…just something he knew I’d enjoy…a wonderful and lavish gift to begin with, a very great mercy to replace it.  I still get all mushy thinking about it.  What a great guy…

Untitled

I’m at a different place today than I was a year ago.

I’m not sure that I can articulate it in a writing or a post.  I just know that things are different.

I know that I’m needed to be available here more, to have meals ready, to create “routine” and “order” and “flow”–not perfection, but good, well-executed effort and forethought.

I know that I’m needed to be in balance myself:  rested, eating well, and striving toward personal goals of fitness and good spiritual and mental health–if I’m not where I need to be…my family is not where it needs to be.  I suffer with less headaches and stress when I go to bed early (I am SO a late night person…love it, convince myself I need it!).  I do better when I eat less raw sugar, and eat more whole foods.  My body and mind feed better, I am on less “buzz”, I have less times of “coming down”, I have fewer headaches.  I feel less tired.  I exercise more disciplines in other areas when I’m disciplines in this area.

I’m trying, by the grace and help of God, which I pray for very regularly.  Well, I say “pray”, but honestly, “beg” is probably a much better word.  I want to be who I need to be, not only to give glory to God, not only to be what I’m made to be…but, mainly, now, at this point in the journey, so those around me can be who they need to be…those I love most, and who are most near and dear to me.  This is a big jump–to change personal habits, eating, sleep preferences so that I can be who I need to be for the group.  It is a dying to self.  It is a new perspective given to me, not one I am making.  The changes have been happening before I knew why they are happening, actually.  I just see the effects, and I thank God for doing something…some “things”, I have been unable to do on my own for many years.  I think the goals and scriptures, and prior striving probably play a part in how much easier it seems now, but ultimately, on top of it all, I still cannot do it without Him.  I am too “me”.  Not that “me” is bad…it is just filled with many preferences, and rationalizations, and learning that he has to deal with.

I read a scripture yesterday while sitting in church.  It said that if you examined yourself (before taking the Lord’s supper is the context), the Lord would not judge you as harshly, but if you did not examine yourself, that he would judge you more harshly (I Corinthians 11:27-32).  The passage wasn’t referring to the ultimate judgment after death, but a discipline and judgment here on earth that showed itself in sickness and/or weakness.  So, I guess God does allow those two things to humble us when we refuse to admit where we are.  No, that doesn’t mean that anytime we are weak and sick that it is a result of un-confessed sin, but it does confirm that God can use times of sin and weakness to humble us, slow us down, get us quiet, and have opportunity to deal with us.  It’s the same principle, I think, as that of “grounding” a child.  An imposed time set aside to pull away and get quiet and let God speak.   I know God has used them at times in my life when I needed to slow down and rest or just change course, or have time to “reset“.

It was interesting to me, though, that if we examined ourselves, he is more gentle with us. He wants us to be looking, and trying, and striving on our own.  He doesn’t want to have to do it all for us.  He wants us to look and see if the fruit in our lives is lining up, or if we need to work in some areas, perhaps even confess to other people and seek help.  Many of you have probably had times with a child when you said, “I know you were in a tight spo.  Perhaps you were afraid to tell me, but if you had only come to me, I could have helped you!  Don’t be so afraid of my punishment that you move away from opportunities I have to teach you what you need to know and help you make it through those times!”

I have.

Right now, I am inclined to look at myself.  To confess.  To try to deal with things.  To seek help.

We don’t have to make mountains out of mole-hills, but we do need to live honest lives, true to ourselves and to the God within us.

—-

With all that heavy thinking that comes from a week of heavy parenting and self-reflection as a result, today’s agenda is chicken pot pie (the chicken is pretty much ready to get in the oven now and I’ve been ot the store for ingredients this morning already–yeah!), rice, and milk.  It’s a hearty meal with veggies and bread already in it, so that will be it.  Lunch for me:  (unknown due to a need to be out of the house, working on that plan to keep up healthier less sugar and white breads I’m working on). I feel SO much better and level all day.  It’s wonderful.

Today:  helping the kitchen crew with the chain saw ministry.  People right now are here from South Carolina in disaster relief efforts to help with tree-limb clean up from the storm.  They are here from long distances, in the freezing cold, ministering.  It’s 25 degrees here today.  They’ve been here about a week.  Four more people are possibly coming today, and possibly a new team, or a second team tomorrow.

An angelic kitchen crew has been working through the storm, and now to help feed the crews.  I’m just now getting things settled enough to volunteer.  I hope I can a few days this week, barring home emergencies.

—

Though I can blog less, God is refreshing me and filling me with new energy from you.  One day last week, one of you sent me a new worship CD from an artist you know I love that just came out.  {humbled–it sang me to sleep last night when I couldn’t get to sleep with too much on my mind}.  Another day, one of you dropped me a beautiful and cheery card.  {smiling still}.  Yet one more day, one of you dropped a package in the mail with some fresh scrapbooking supplies, for dreaming of “me” time.  {tickled pink}.  A couple of you “heard me out” and gave me a pep talk, a smile, courage, hope.  Trials have rolled lately, and I’m still learning to roll with them.  Without the ever-presence of God, above all, I would be so very lost.  He keeps me singing.

I love you all.  Thanks for seeing, thanks for blessing.  Thanks for doing that little bit more that raises my head and causes me to take a breath of fresh air from a higher climate.  It goes a long way.

Wherever you are, many blessings to you this week as you “pursue” those things that bring glory to him:  righteousness, faith, purity, love, grace…may they ever more be yours as you seek Him.

Grabbing Up Time with Kids

This year, the oldest is starting middle school, which means there is an hour between the time his school starts and I take the younger.  Then, I have the two younger for 45 minutes in the afternoon.  I’m looking for creative ways to build in special times with them in that time, rather than wishing it away (which is hard…we sat in the van 45 minutes yesterday with the air on high, still hot).

We may use the bus at some point, esp. in the morning, but  this morning, I had a great time with my oldest.  We drove to the trail and walked, and jogged, and raced, and he acted silly and I took pictures.  It was a vacation within a day.  And…he told me about things that happened yesterday he didn’t mention today.  And, I know to pray for him in new ways.  And ask about different things.  I am so thankful for this morning.

Yeah, you only think you are beating me

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

First Day of Spring Break with All Kinds of Fun

Three Bloggy BFF Peoples: Me in my nerdy sunglasses (still prepping for Lasik), Kim (Sing Me Home) , and Stacey (Wet Granola).  Kim makes me want to grow out my bangs…thought I’d probably not be able to deal with hair in my face.  Stacey knows so much about brand name stuff it leaves us all going “Huh?”  She keeps us in the know, and she gets it for nothing, somehow!

Stacey and her little one.

Lots of Bloggite children.

Dear friends Stacey , Rosie, and Beth (former owner of our Daisy Dog)

“Mom, how much longer are we staying?”

 

Chris, our budding author,  gives Boy Wonder some football time… 

while his daughter is blowing out a flip flop hanging up in the mud.

Jenny, Chris’s better half, and one of many quilts.  (They all admired my plastic flannel table cloth when our bottoms started getting wet from the flooded grass.  I do what I can.)

Kim’s offspring–going to need to hose that girl off.

Goldy builds a castle, decks it with dandelions.  She looks pretty good here, but don’t look at her back-side!

Unusual request for braids today.  

She said, “I look cute!”  Love that.

Tons more people and activities of the day, but I was too busy faking everyone out with my inked tatooed butterfly feet peeking through my new $15 Sketcher leather sandals. They all said, “I thought I had you pegged!  I couldn’t believe you had tattoos!” After the joke was over, we tattooed everyone’s feet with pretty butterfly stamps.  I’m kicking myself for missing that photo opp…quite a sight!

One of our best starts to Spring Break week ever.  With rain expected tomorrow night into the rest of the week, it was great to catch some rays and good company. 

We’ll be around if you missed us and want some company, just give us a ring, locals!  Love to see you!

Bees, Birds, and Such

Thanks for your help on the last post.  I’ve had some great emails and conversations to help explain, and perhaps round that out a bit more.  I’ll try to come back to that when I get some more words in my pocket.  I used all my “words for the day” today.

The Hub also invited me to a very nice lunch out today.  Not many private lunches in a while with a heavy work schedule.  I was so excited he called.  We watched “Enchanted” with the kids last night and it was actually really good.  I’d recommend it to just about anyone just because it was so unique.  I also finished the Bee Movie this week.  If you watched it and haven’t seen the behind the scenes and “making of”…I thought that was as interesting as film.  I didn’t realize Jerry Seinfield had written, produced, AND done the main character voices.  Their creative process and technological feats were great to watch.

Speaking of bees, during our reading time tonight, my older son tonight asked me what sperm had to do with babies.  {AUGH!  Girl!  Breathe!  You’ve been preparing for this talk}.  What brought it up anyway?  Oh…I had almost kicked him and he said something very funny which… I can’t remember right now.  Oh, now I remember, he said”Don’t take away my manhood!” 

They kill me.

Anyway, I told him I’d tell him later (when others where out of the room).  

He is rapidly approaching middle school and in the throws (I think that might be wrong word “throws”?  Is that right?) of adolescence (which ”throws” us all), I thought it was time to talk about the birds and the bees instead of reading our Hardy boys chapter.  We never got back to reading. 

Twenty minutes later, his Dad was impressed with all we covered.  My mind is still reeling at the moment, but the talk itself could not have gone better. He was ready–he didn’t giggle the whole time this time and has gotten used to some early stages of adolescence at this point.  He needed to know why decisions and His walk with Christ will become so important for him in the next half of his life. 

Wow. 

I told him that a lot of boys may get stuck on this subject and some find it terribly entertaining to talk about all the time, but that nothing in this world compares to the great adventure God will take us on if we do things his way, in His time.  We talked about girls pregnant very close to his age and the lack of focus and priority that can cause that to happen.  He was a little shocked.  It IS shocking.

The Hub said his Workout Coach was telling him about a great Focus on the Family video thing used in like a weekend getaway for boys with a Dad.  I hope we can find that and do ”phase 2″ this summer–a mom’s perspective can only go so far. 

We encouraged him to let other kids parents decide when they needed to hear and certainly his sister (Lord, help), and to always talk to us if he needed back-up or if his friends gave him a hard time about any of these things. 

Man…I’ve felt led to pray pointedly for my family this week…who knew?  Relevant conversations.  Only God can ready you for those. 

I hope I said what he needed to hear and no more!  Grace, grace….I know I’m covered in it, praise God!

Bloggites, this leaves me with a very important question I could not answer:  what DOES all this have to do with the birds and the bees exactly?  Nature?  That’s it?  Hmph.  Gotta be more to it than that for a saying to stick around this long.

I told him I’d get back to him as soon as I figured that out.  He did giggle at that. 

My kids have been so hysterical this week with their quips and quirks–they roll right off their tongues.  I wish I could write them all down.  I have just laughed and laughed…it’s been a fun week of motherhood.  I truly can’t believe how they can make me laugh!

Easter Family Photos

My camera’s timer feature is my friend.   Thanks EM, for sharing the new shirt for my boy last year, worked great with Goldilock’s green dress.  Red was able to wear last year’s clothes, as well.  So easy this year.  Leftover shoes worked for everyone, so I’m glad I didn’t fight the war of new ones. 

A new dress for Goldilocks this year.  She’s outgrown last year’s, or more probably worn it to death!  She loved it. 

Grace and simplicity in all this year.  God knew my heart. 

The forsythia outside my bedroom window is exploding in bloom!  Wow!

Before photoshop:

A dreary day.  So, Photoshop is also my friend.  It was grey, windy, Red’s sweater wasn’t pulled down, and his eyes were nearly shut. Stealing eyes is a great trick.

. 

Cold outside, but lots of fun inside. We finally got that quiet, down time I needed with the kids.

One loved pink and flowers…

One can make football out of anything! 

 

Loved seeing her dressed up at the sink, offering to help peel potatoes!  She picked out her own dress this year.

A treasured baby afgan in silky yarns brought out for a much needed shawl–I’m wearing it myself this Spring with knitting and crochet all the rage.  A treasure we are enjoying again.

“The Three Amigos”

Before church…COLD!  We made it fast!

We tucked Red’s shirt in 15 times if we did once!

I stayed up ironing, finding socks for the boys–we were still tighter on time than we wanted to be the next morning.  But, the turkey was roasting and it was great to have The Hub home to help us get ready.

The peripherals, though not the important thing, help give the honor, celebration, and focus to the special-ness of the day, I hope.  (About the only time I get all three children in a decent photo, too!  Not sure I got one last year due to the cantata costumes.)

AND…{drumroll}…I am technically 25 years old today.  I prefer this birthday!  :D  What a GREAT way to celebrate my “birthday” in Christ!

A Big Day for Boy Wonder

I hate to interrupt the world’s longest post before you have a chance to cringe at the length.

However, Boy Wonder got a medal today!  He placed first in History, his subject of choice for Academic Team this year!  He was so nervous about the test today, but he did himself proud.

His team also scored First overall and will go to Regionals. 

They scored runner-up in Quick Recall by a narrow margin.  We are very proud of him and the team!

He takes after me, obviously.

Focus on the Family: Resources You Need

One of the difficulties I’ve had in keeping up with Focus on the Family programs is that the content wasn’t often suitable either for my “young listeners” or my time did not line up for listening when they aired on Christian radio.  I enjoy it, but just didn’t have time to plug it into my day. 

Driving home from the store, I just got to listen to the first broadcast I’ve heard in a while!  It had me tearful and I couldn’t get out of the van when I got home for fear of missing the end.  And, ya’ll…it’s 20 degrees here today.  

Pastor John MacArthur encouraged listeners to pray for our nation as he presented a sobering message which warned that God may abandon America to judgement.  Dr. Dobson inserted part of the way through is speech, taped portions of a program that was presented to high school studentsin Bolder last April (2207) in Bolder.  Teachers were given the opportunity to require students to attend this ”Conference on World Affairs”  where speakers encourages high schoolers to experiment with all sorts of s*ex.  They presented s*ex as a grand shopping experience of trial and error, and stated that it was not necessarily something of commitment.  Just something you should enjoy and have fun with in a balanced and responsible way.

God deals one on one with us today in a way he did not in the Old Testament, but he also deals with us as a nation and societies.  Our societies follow a typical path of desentigration, as laid out in the New Testament, and in this speech. 

Moms, Dads:  We have a responsibility to make sure that our kids know truth, and that truth is not defined for them by some other value system.  We are to be peace-loving people.  But, Dr. Dobson made a statement that sticks with me today,  that said we have come to the end of the line when Godly wrath against sin can no longer be tolerated by a society.  Pastor MacArther said that in Canada, pastors from the pulpit are now limited by their government as to what can be preached against as sin from the pulpit.  

If you are interested in hearing the whole broadcast, it was well worth the time:

• Listen Now (part 1)- 1/14/2008
• Listen Now (part 2) 1/15/2008  (The one I heard today)

Their radio ministry shaped a large part of my teenage mentality toward family and ethics, and prepared me for what I’d encounter in college before I got there.  I’m so thankful for their frank and sensitive, but forthright discussions.  I’m thankful for the way they take a stand and help families.  Check them out!  Focus on the Family (www.fotf.org) 

As a note:  We also check all our family movies there at Plugged In.  The reviews are well balanced, informative, and very helpful in choosing what’s appropriate for your kids at different age levels.

Teaching Kids to Cross-Stitch

This morning, I wanted to teach my daughter to cross-stitch.  I had bought her a tiny little ornament kids for her birthday that says “Princess”.  We stayed in our pjs, cuddled in my bed, and learned basic patterned stitching.

She is ready for real canvas, some knots, snags, and is prepared for the PATIENCE it takes with it.  She wasn’t ready a year ago!  I honestly think it takes repeat exposure to prepare them…like riding a bike. 

For kids learning, you might want to collect:

• a small hoop (keeps their stitches uniform and the fabric more clean and starched)
• a water-erasing fabric pen, so that you can mark fabric for them (unless you want to sit and count squares for them all day!).
• a highlighter, to mark parts of the paper pattern they have finished
• (NO thimble is needed at this age).
• Tape, for the edges of the fabric– clear or masking tape– to keep the canvas from unraveling and getting dirty
• a magnetic pin holder,
• Zip lock project back.  KEEP scissors and needle and thread in after EACH use (we’re still working on this!). 
• For preschoolers:  plastic canvas, XL plastic or metal “needles” (no point at all on those) available in kids at the dollar store often.  These start with a “half-cross” only pattern, so they can learn it with some help.

Kid Review:

“This is fun!”

“It’s fun to do something all together, the same thing at the same time!”

“I like this!”

I think it was a hit. 

As I helped them, I was able to actually finish up a few projects I’d started in high school and in college that had been left to sit through the years.  My husband’s wanted some of my finished pieces in our house, so I thought I’d try to get them washed and started and framed for Christmas.

Bookmarks:  I did these in college for Christmas gifts from a library book.  I just wouldn’t give one away until I made a new one from the pattern of the last.  One more of those to go.  It will be my last.

The other two larger pieces, I did as a teen, but never finished them totally.  I needed to finished border and details on both, initialed and dated them…they represent a blend of early and late skills.  Those things have touched my hands over twenty years!

One says:  “Pray:  that God may open a door, that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ!”

The other says:  “Be anxious for nothing”.   

I have a pattern book with some trucks and tractors on it, hoping I can teach my eldest, too.  Basic sewing skills are so helpful to have.  I’m glad mom fought with us and our knots through winters as she tried to sew herself.  What a challenge!

Misty and her girls dropped by for a few minutes today for a visit…we were in flannels.  I asked, “Where’s the baby?”  She answered, “Um, still in my belly.  He’s still pretty easy to carry.”  I don’t know what I was thinking.  I’ve had three so long, I assume everyone else does, too!  I can’t believe Zoe is getting so big!  Time for another baby for them!!!  I can’t wait!

Plans:  for the rest of this day:  cleaning bathrooms and floors, unstopping the toilet,  laundry, supper, and making Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. 

Tomorrow:  finishing up shopping, Hub’s work party, wrapping, and housework. 

And…I’ve resolved to do fun stuff with my kids EVERY DAY!  Tomorrow, Hub’s party, and hopefully a game or puzzle.  Mexican Train is calling my name!

Peace on Earth? Where’s the Peace, God?

The world say,s “Where is the prince of Peace, then?  Why are we at war?  We pray for peace, but there is no peace!  If there is a God, he is not a God of war!”

Well, could I suggest that we finish the verse: 

“Glory to God in the highest

And on Earth, peace

to those upon whom his favor rests.”

We just sort of stop at, peace on earth.  No cost.  No favor needed from God.  No conditions.  Just peace!  Peace!  PEACE!

Perhaps this is part of what is behind the verse, “You say peace, peace!  But there is no peace.”

So, what does it mean.  First, through Jesus and what he did for us by dying on the cross, overcoming the grave three days later, and rising from the death, we have God’s favor. 

Walking in obedience, we realize, or experience, God’s favor. 

Through God’s mercy, we sometimes are graced by his favor. 

But…the verse is clear:  we need his favor.

I was trying to explain this to my daughter when I corrected the TV shows tonight who kept stopping the verse short…we all do “Peace on Earth”!  Cards do:  “peace on earth!”, songs do  “Peace on earth, goodwill to men!”  

She said, “Yeah, if they’d just read the whole verse they’d get it.”

I said, “Well, tell me, what do you think it means.”

“Say it again.”

I quoted the verse again.

She said, “I don’t get it.”

I said, “Get down off the arm of the chair and sit on your butt.”

She did.

I said, “What would have happened in this room right now if you had not just gotten down when I told you…would it be peaceful in here right now?”

“No!”

“So, you did what I told you to do, and now, there is peace.  Things are in order.”

“Oh, so when we obey, we sort of…have peace.”

“That’s pretty close.”

That’s a nine year old’s understanding.  As adults, we know we have his favor earned by the shed blood of Christ.  Yet, there is a parental blessing, a “walking-in-good-fellowship-favor” that only comes from things being in order. 

Know Jesus, know peace.  

No Jesus–no peace.

I challenge us all to learn the whole verse, and to teach what it means where we can!

Same House, Different Address

“What do I have to give to You?”

I love that line from a Christmas Carol.  I don’t even know the name of the song.  Wow, what if I were to ask each day, “What do I have to give to You today, Lord Jesus?” 

Volunteering at School:  Today, I got to stay in Flash’s room for a while.  I measured and weighed all the kids.  Some weighed more than me…first graders!  Wow.  It was a joy to stay and be part.  I was actually looking for a lost coat, but I usually get lasso-ed for service when I’m in the building, and I never mind.  It’s always such fun.  I think, “This is why I chose to stay home” every time my schedule lets me stay.  We got caught up at home yesterday some, so it was a joy to be near. 

Kid’s Cold Med Patrol:  I realized I’d forgotten allergy meds for the kids and have decided to just keep a bottle of purple Dimetapp in the van for such occasions.  The kids, when they walk into the dry building, seem to immediately need it on Monday morning in particular.  New smells and humility and pollutants, no doubt.  I highly recommend children’s purple Dimetapp for kids, it has both decongestant and antihistimine in it, so the “wired up” and “sluggish” qualities are balanced out…they seem level on it.  I give them a break on the weekend if they don’t need it, just to flush their system.  They needed it this weekend!  They’ve gottent to where they remind me when they can’t breath, and that’s a HUGE help to me.  Ah, the joys of the kid’s getting a BIT older.

Christmas Cards:  This weekend, I worked on out of town Christmas cards.  First, let me say, if you are local and I didn’t get you a card through the church exchange, it was either an oversite, or the list just got very large and I had to stop somewhere.  I tried to get my Sunday School class, elderly, and new members.  Next year, I’ll try to add the deacon list, but I didn’t have that handy.  I caught a few of you perusing through the directory, but not all.  At this point, I’m asking myself: “Oops, did I get them?  Or them?  Hmmm, I don’t know!”  I think I’m sending some cards twice doing that.  This has been the first year in a few years I’ve not be sick through these months and have tackled cards, so I don’t have a good flow chart.  It was fun.  I enjoyed it.  I missed some people.  And I’m okay with that at this point.  I hope you are, too! 

Spiritual Insight while Doing My Cards:  Two years ago, I was addressing a card to a relative –it’s always been delivered fine, then all of a sudden “RETURNED TO SENDER”.  WHAT?!  They hadn’t MOVED!  They are in the same house, some lot, same spot on the same road.

I asked around, seems there has been so much development AROUND them that their address had to be changed!  That could be seen as a bad thing. 

But, it can also be a good thing when you think about it in spiritual terms:   

When Satan comes looking for us, sending usme his trash mail, it won’t get to us anymore, sometimes, even when WE haven’t moved!  We throw things off when we as a body are built up.  The changes in the neighborhood change ALL of our addresses!  We throw him off!  Wow!  That just makes me want to shout!

Let’s keep building up the neighborhood!

 

 

 

“The First Gift of Christmas”!

The Polar Express has become one of my favorite Christmas movies.  I think it carries a lot of allegorical shadows toward the Christian message. 

This year, I have been the humble recipient of the “first gifts of Christmas” from my children, just like the movie.  I’ve always prepared gifts for the fam, but never have I been out-blessed first.  The first gift waiting under our tree? 

Mine.  {Wow.  Let me just breathe this thought in!}

The kids had “Santa’s Workshop” at school where they could find gifts inexpensively. My daughter beat them to that and was already buying us gifts with her own “character counts” coins…money she’d earned for good behavior.  I can’t believe she gave that up for us!  So giving a spirit!

There were things both my youngest would have loved to have, but they took great delight in finding gifts for others.  (Except for my oldest, and that’s WHY his grade was probably left until last!  5th grade!) 

It leads me to ask the question Polar Express asks of us:”Do I Believe in the Spirit of Christmas?”

This year, to a much greater degree than others, I’ve appreciated the relief that our Christmas celebration offers from the harsh, bitter reality of barren limbs.  Limbs who echo the harsh realities and deep seasons of life for many, many in my circle.  But, Red shirts, jolly smiles, warm thoughts, carols of old, twinkling lights…they remind us, if we let them, of celebration, joy, and hope we have in Christ.  Only an echo, a shadow, of the hope that is to come, but one surpassing all earthly joys and treasures we look forward to, blessed and ultimate relief.  We have but a shadow, but at times, the shadow is enough hope to get us by.

My son gave me my necklace, already slipping it’s way out of his little hands and  throw a hole in the end of his package and said, “Mom, I want you to have it now.  Open it today.”

Finally, he insisted for so long, I opened it, ready to join in his glee and excitement.

He said, “Let me see.  Oh, Mom.  You look beautiful.” 

I said, “Well thank you!  It had to be the most beautiful necklace there.  You did a GOOD JOB picking it out!  I’m so proud of you!  It’s the prettiest necklace I think I’ve ever seen in my whole entire life!  It must have cost a whole lot”  He beamed and told the truth, he’d forgotten his money, but got to choose from the $.25 pile.  (We went in and paid for it!) 

“I bet you wish you had a mirror right now so you could see how beautiful you look.”

“Yes, I sure do.  Thank you so much.  I can’t wait to see.”

I want to tell you that you look beautiful, too, wearing the gifts of the season God just can’t wait to give YOU!  His first “gifts of Christmas”.  AND…I’ll just bet that He can’t wait until Christmas, either.  He won’t be out-done by a six year old boy, as totally adorable as he was in that moment.  God can’t wait one more day, one more second, for you to open the joy of this very moment, this special day, one He prepared for you with great care.  God gives lights, frost, twinkling snow, crisp breath, music, clear nights, warm fireplaces, blankets, and soft robes.  Put it on!  Wear it with a smile.  Hear him tell you how beautiful you look, and…I’ll bet you just can’t wait to go to the mirror and see how beautiful you look dressed in His regal treatment either.  Just like my little one, He says to everyone you two meet:  “I gave that to her, I picked it out.  I bought it.  Isn’t it pretty?”  And you will beam to His glory, just like me.

You can best that I’m the only woman around these parts wearing double or triple layer silver beads with her sweatshirts this season, but you can also know this one thing:  I look beautiful to the only one who matters, and so can you.