What are your precious Christmas memories? I’d love to hear!
For me, I always remember our Christmas Eve candle light service at our church. I remember my great aunt and uncle giving us a small gift bag filled with soap, pencils, some form of candy and any other small amenities that were necessary. I remember sugar cookie baking and decorating at my Nanny and Pappy’s house. I can reminisce, when I was a little girl, waiting on my parents to get home Christmas morning so we could open presents and eat our annual cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I can even remember the one year I got a little grill for Christmas (sure wish my pretend grilling skills followed through to my grown up life!). And as I became older, one of my fondest memories will always be milking the cows every Christmas morning.
I know, milking cows on Christmas morning?! Why would anyone enjoy that? Well, I have to be honest, I enjoyed it so much because of who I spent it with. It wasn’t “just another morning milking”. It was Christmas morning and even though I had moved out years ago, I still got to spend it with my parents. We were working in the cold and sloppy cow mess instead of warm and eating yet one more cinnamon roll, but that just didn’t matter to me.
Embrace where we’re at each Christmas.
As I look back over all the years of my life, Christmases look somewhat similar but somewhat different every year. If there’s one thing I can say with complete assurance about life is this: the only thing that stays the same is the constantly changing aspects of our lives.
Something may change that can cause us to be sad but somehow God always brings what we need into our lives. I remember when we quit farming five years ago. I was devastated and so lost. It was only a few months later that I started dating (my now husband). With his hectic and busy work schedule, I naturally traveled often to see him because his routine wasn’t nearly as flexible as mine. Do I miss the farm, yes. Do I love my husband, absolutely! I couldn’t say that things were better or worse, they were different and I was embracing that different. I will always have that yearning to get back on the farm but God did provide me with another love. Honestly, if we look at every piece of life, God is constantly providing!
Embrace the moment you’re in. It might not be happy, it might not be how you planned it, it might be leaving you devastated but embrace it. God is working in your life, even when you don’t see it. He will come through and bring the next thing into your life. I’m not saying that your heart won’t hurt ever again but what I am saying is He will provide you with something new! And quite possibly and most likely, in the least expected way.
If your heart is sad this holiday season, just promise you’ll take a look around and try to find goodness in whatever stage you’re in. It can be big or small, one thing or a multitude- the criteria doesn’t have to be the same for everyone just as long as you take the time to recognize, praise and embrace.
And as you’re embracing, make memories. They might be different from years in the past, but that’s ok. Because in a few years from now, this phase of life would be what you felt “normal” was and you’ll feel the same way all over again.
Embrace each phase and stage, find the good and fill your heart with all the “in the moment” goodness! There’s so much to live for and so many promises and love in each new day. Afterall, a little baby was born in a manger for you and I; therefore, we have much to be thankful for this holiday season.
Be merry, share love and give all the "glory to the newborn king"!
Merriest Christmas blessings to each of you my dear friends!!
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