A Child's Innocence

Well, it's been a busy few weeks. Thanksgiving was wonderful. The time spent with family was refreshing, and the food was, of course, unbelievable. The boys had a great time playing in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard. Who needs toys when you've got leaves??? We did dig Isaac out before the turkey was ready :) Since then life has been pretty busy, but in a good sort of way. This season always brings about "busyness" but in the midst of it, we have tried to keep our focus on the reason for the season. The boys have enjoyed taking in the symbols of Christmas as we've decorated the tree and the house. Their favorite thing is to take out one piece to our advent calendar each day and hang it on the wall. We've done this for several years now, but this year they are telling ME the story as they place the piece for each new day. It is a blessing to see how much they've learned over the years and to know that it is sinking in. This year, as times are tough not just here, but everywhere, we have tried to emphasize how blessed we are to have the things that we do... even things like running water. We have shared many discussions about those who are less fortunate than us and what we can do to help them have a Merry Christmas this year, while sharing the light of Jesus. Our church has partnered with a local outreach in our community called North Raleigh Ministries. As I talked to the boys about this ministry and about how we could help them, I explained to them that we were going to volunteer some time there when they were out of school. We talked about giving away some toys for other families who are unable to shop this year, and even about the kids using some of their money to purchase a new toy for a kid their age. They were so intrigued and seemed really excited about it all. They started naming off some of their toys that they would be willing to part with. We had a pretty long talk about it all and I was fairly impressed with how much they seemed to understand. They really wanted to help these other kids! And then, Isaac's eyes got really bright with an idea and he chimed in, "I know mommy... I have a good idea... How bout for every toy that we give away we get to buy a new one?"


You gotta love that innocence! Okay, so forget that he totally missed the point of the whole conversation. I could get upset over that, but instead I choose to believe that something is being planted inside of him. It may take several years, but eventually they will understand the full meaning of what Christmas is really all about. Sure, they know it's Jesus' birthday. They know about the shepherds and the angels... they know about the anticipation of a Savior being born... and they know it's not about Santa Clause. They know that Christmas is about the greatest gift that was ever given. The gift of Jesus. Last year Ethan asked me why we get presents when it's Jesus' birthday... I know that deep down, they understand it's not about them. But as long as there are presents under the tree, to them, Christmas will be about what mommy and daddy have been hiding for weeks. I struggled for a while with Ethan's question. Why do we get presents on Jesus' birthday when it has nothing to do with us? But then I realized... it has everything to do with us. It has to do with how much our God loves us and longs for a relationship with us... so much that He came down to earth to walk and talk with us and live among us. I think he is happy to share his birthday with us. I bet he loves to see the excitement of the children as they open their gifts. I will never forget one Christmas night... I was climbing into bed after the excitement of the day had worn down. The lights were out and as I lay there, a little girl all snuggled up under the covers, I suddenly remembered... and I quietly, ashamedly asked my sister, "Do you think Jesus will be mad at me?... I kind of forgot it was his birthday today." Her answer to me? "I'm pretty sure he'll forgive you. At least you remembered now. Just tell him you're sorry." And that's what I did. And you know what? Not a Christmas has gone by since then when I've gotten too wrapped up in presents (no pun intended) to remember my Savior on his birthday. I can only hope that one day my children will be as excited about their Savior as they are about their presents on his birthday... and that at the end of the day, they will remember that it is because of HIM that we celebrate Christmas. One day, they will be able to fully grasp the TRUE meaning of Christmas. But for now, I am happy to let their excitement remind me of my excitement for my Savior. I am happy to keep teaching them the real Christmas story, even if their little minds don't comprehend the depth of it all. I am happy that they are happy. And I'll just bet Jesus is happy too... happy to share his birthday with two little boys that he loves more than they will ever be able to comprehend.

I hope and pray that the birth of our Savior brings new joy and meaning to your life this Christmas season as it has to mine.



blessings... ~c

Evidence of His Glory...

As I was getting in the shower this morning, I thought I heard a quiet tapping on the door, but quickly dismissed the thought, thinking I had bumped it. Soon after, a much more urgent plea could be heard as Isaac, who could barely contain his excitement, eagerly drummed his fingers on the door, begging to come in. He obviously had something important to tell me. Before I could even open the door, the announcement came"Mommy! Mommy! It's snowing!" Such enthusiasm at such an early hour... oh to be young again! :) I consequently rushed through my shower to see for myself this magnificent event. I have to admit that I was quite excited myself to see the mysterious white stuff which has ceased to show it's beautiful face around here in any manner of significance... but in the Fall? Really? I tip-toed down the hallway so as not to disturb the scene... two little boys perched in front of the window, still shivering in their jammies, watching in awe as the snow showered the backyard with its graceful presence. Much joy is derived when stumbling upon such a scene. The excitement on their faces... the sheer joy just to be able to look out the window and see the brilliance of it... not even to touch it, but just to SEE it. What a glorious sight as the snow falling down began little by little to cover the once-green-grass with a pure blanket of white. It didn't last long, and it soon became obvious that there would be no snowman building today... no snow-angels and no snow ball fights... but the excitement was still there... just in the beauty of God's creation as his glory was showered down upon the earth. How blessed we were to be able to take in such a scene today. I hope you are equally blessed before the day is through. I leave you with this picture of the small "dusting" we had 2 years ago...









may God bless you with his favor today... ~c

This is what a snow bunny looks like...

... just in case you were wondering.

blessings... ~c

Prayer

I've been doing a lot of thinking about prayer lately... more specifically the way I pray. Do I really give God the proper respect? Do I come to prayer in awe of him, or am I coming flippantly only to present my requests before him and expect him to take care of them? It seems to me that I too often forget the majesty of who I'm talking to and treat him as just another friend to listen to my woes.
I read something the other day that really stepped on my toes. It talked about the warmth and intensity of our prayers when they concern someone we love or something that deeply matters to us. I seem to be able to pray persistently and intensely when someone I love is hurting, sick or in trouble... or when a situation in my life desperately needs attention... but does the intensity of those prayers really mean that God matters to me? No... it simply means that the subject matter of my prayers matters to me. It means that the intensity of my prayers were not born of God's presence, or of my faith in Him, or of my longing for Him, or even my awareness of Him... it was born of nothing but my concern for that person or that situation in my life... not for God.
I've been trying to be more aware of my prayers lately... and pray more intentionally instead of just throwing my prayers at God. It's not easy when it's not something you've practiced all your life. I want my prayers to be born out of my love for God and my desire to communicate with him and deepen my relationship with him. I want to be thinking more about God when I pray and less about the situations or people I'm praying for.

blessings... ~c