Christmas Blessings

I was thinking about how so many of us are struggling in various ways...(including myself)...and yet, this has been one of the most peaceful Christmas's I've had. Christmas is not my favorite time of year as it always brings such strife, conflict and warfare. But this Christmas, despite it finding us in less than favorable circumstances, has been fairly uneventful and calm (in the emotional sense). Circumstances have raged on...but I haven't felt out of sorts at all this year.

Perhaps, it is because I have refused to think about material things at all. We set a very small budget for the children (out of necessity) and my husband and I chose not to exchange gifts at all. We have done several things to keep our focus on Jesus. I think I've finally accepted that this is the way it is and there is no use in desiring anything different simply because "anything different," is not God's will for us. Just doing that has helped a great deal, I think.

In addition, we've been studying Revelation and pondering Christ's second coming, reading Hinds Feet on High Places aloud, discussing how it mirrors our own lives now...and doing other fun type schooling. But this year God has rained down special blessing. He's been teaching me how to accept my Cross with joy. It's been a very long and difficult battle but one in which He gave me a test recently. While I didn't do perfectly, I did much better and I receive that as a victory. I can also say that it is only by His grace. Sometimes I don't know how I get over the hurdles, but somehow He makes it possible. It's more like I simply have to relax and rest, rather than struggle and do. (If that makes sense.)

Much like our Thanksgiving Tree, I would like to share some of the special blessings that have been rained down this year:

Two brand new large coffee mugs, since we were down to only one unbroken one, purchased at the dollar store. They are my favorite shade of blue and they hold 1 1/2 cups of coffee. Those were from my children, bought on a spur of the moment.




Three children who play instruments (guitar and bass) and blessed me with Christmas Carols. This was a dream come true. Long story, short: One sad Christmas more than 25 years ago I saw a young man playing guitar for his family through a Norman Rockwell picture perfect window as I sat at a stop sign...when my life was far from picture perfect. Anyways, I had wished that I could be in a family like that. I hadn't thought about that young man in a very long time...so the sudden remembrance of that situation and those sad thoughts...while realizing that I had not only one guitar playing young man...but THREE, was a tremendous blessing and one that literally left me on my knees with gratitude for a God that didn't forget and didn't have to bless me this way, but did. (After all He did give me an amazing family already...He didn't really have to MAKE them be guitar playing! LOL) He is so very tender hearted towards those who love Him.



I am grateful for one nine year old son who got teary eyed when people clapped for him after playing Silent Night on the guitar perfectly, wonderfully, blessedly! So sweet! It was a joy to see him feel validated and appreciated!

Sadly, Mars wasn't bright enough to show up in the picture.

The boys and I sat outside under the stars tonight (actually a full moon with Mars glowing brightly underneath) and sang Christmas Carols. This will be one of my very favorite memories of all time.

So how about you? What is your Christmas blessing this year? As small as a dollar coffee mug or as grand as a lesson learned... Will you share? I'd love to hear about it!

Merry Christmas!