The greater thing

What is Christmas really supposed to look like in my home? Not hypothetically, but practically, what would we do differently if Jesus hung out with us from Thanksgiving until Christmas? Would we go to Target together looking for stocking gifts? Would he have waited with the kids and I for 2 hours and 45 minutes at the mall to see Santa?? Does going to church on Christmas eve, buying a few less gifts than last year so we can give more away really impress Him? Is this the way He intended for my family to celebrate His birth?

What about our rich neighbors who are celebrating Christmas as our culture has taught them, oblivious to God's love for them? Do they even know that the root of their discontent and emptiness isn't due to a certain gift they did not receive? Do they know there is actually a hole in their soul that can be filled by the only Gift that satisfies? In my family do they see peace that defies explanation? Do our interactions cause them to long for what we have?

What about all of us Christians? Bustling around, rushing from one activity to the next. Not wanting to say no to anyone because we wouldn't want to be thought of as rude. Meanwhile, in a frantic effort to keep up with our schedules we lose our peace. We live so rapidly that we have begun oozing irritation and frustration all over the ones we are called to love!

If I give my children all the gifts they desire but snap at them because I fear letting anyone down or admit that I am too tired to make more cookies, go to another party or decorate the Christmas tree....what am I teaching my children!? Moreover, what am I teaching the unbelievers who are watching my life? Wouldn't I be a better ambassador for Jesus if I said "no" to a few, or perhaps, many "good" things so that I could truly walk in peace and love? Is my fear of others' disapproval so powerful that it silences the voice of God who is whispering..."it is ok to let that go, come rest with me, let me fill you with my peace so you will drip my love all over the people I bring into your day."
I believe God has been speaking these words to me for many years and it is only recently that I have begun to listen. I am praying that as next Christmas arrives I will be certain that the way my family and I spend our holidays will please God and maybe even inspires a few others to say no to a few things in order to walk in love the way we were meant too.

THERE IS AN ART TO LEAVING THINGS UNDONE SO THE GREATER THING CAN BE DONE

Jacob goes skiing

We went to Colorado last week for a family vacation. We stayed with some of our best friends in Breckinridge. We love to ski and both our older kids started skiing around Jacob's age...
So we rented him skis, and boots, got him all ready and hit the mountain. We lasted one run.
At the top of the lift, right before we were supposed to get off, something made him mad. I still don't know what it was. Whatever it was that ticked him off, frustrated him enough that he started arching his back and tantruming. I thought he was going to fling himself off the lift! I also discovered my "panicked voice". I don't recall ever hearing a voice like that come out of me...that was just getting up the hill.
As we "skiied" down the blue run, John and I took turns holding him under the arms. No green runs at Breckinridge either, everyone starts on blues. The experience was like doing a five minute wall sit at 11,000 feet, holding a 35 pound weight. Needless to say, one run was enough.
Thankfully the ticket was free. He can try skiing again next year.