This month finds me care-giving 5 days a week. Three days I watch three grandchildren, and the other two days are spent helping my brother who is having cancer treatments. Hubby is still unemployed. I've not yet been to a single store to do any kind of Christmas shopping. I haven't had time to bake, and only a few decorations are in place, intermingled with the remnants of Thanksgiving stuff, which I haven't had time or energy to pack away. A few boxes and tissue paper have been strewn around the house for over a week. Most have remained in the basement. The month is looking very different from other years...
And yet...it doesn't matter. Because not only am I not doing the things I normally would be doing, I am finding peace in staying out of the frenzy. I'm sure there will be a present of one form or another for everyone to open on Christmas Day. But I have no desire for pretenses or for spending money we don't have. I've actually been making a little game out of buying some used items from the on line swap group I'm in. Next week I am hoping to have a couple of days to get my creative juices flowing and see what I can come up with.
If there is anything I have learned from the experiences of the past year, it is that nothing in life can be taken for granted. Every moment of every day is a gift from God. What we do with those moments is our gift to Him.
Today I pulled out a gingerbread train kit that I had purchased last year at an after-Christmas sale for $5. Elylah (almost 6) and Ethan (just turned 3) had a great time putting it together and decorating it. So glad I remembered to bring my camera...
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful...And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17
6 comments:
You have it all right! Love the pictures of your grandkids! I haven't done any shopping either yet. Money is extremely tight for us also and I'm trying to not "give" as much either and looking for something to make to go along with a less expensive gift this year! Enjoy your day. I was praying for your brother yesterday.
Oh my! Your Grands continue to be the cutest ever! What a joy to do that gingerbread project with them and to know that GOD had that all planned.
Praying for all of you this Holy time of year. Truly the trappings are of little value, it is the heartfelt JOY of JESUS that warms our hearts.
Wish I could give you a BIG Christmas HUG. Someday!
out of the tough things you are going through this Christmas season shines the spirit of Christ. This is what you can give to your family for Christmas...
What fun to see the rest of the pictures of the gingerbread train adventure!
The gift of "Presence" is what God gave in Christ - and you're following His example as you give YOUR presence & time to Don & the children...
Hi Jacquelyn,
so sorry to hear about your brother and will sure lift up some prayers for him. Some years are just different and beyond our control, and the easiest thing to do is just accept it like you are doing! Good for you...........
Your grandchildren are simply adorable and look like they are having the time of their life with that gingerbread train, these are the wonderful things of life, enjoying those delightful looks on their lil sweet faces, and time well spent with your brother.
My post today was ideas that I used last year when we were in the same place you are.............
maybe something will strike you,
or give inspiration.
I think giving yourself permission not to stress over it all and to turn it over to the Lord is the best recipe ever.
May this be one of your most joyful and Merriest christmas's ever,
Love and Blessings hon, Nellie
Funny, you and I have the same blog
background. Hey, great minds think a like! lol
I was thinking about a Christmas we had many years ago when we were only married 2 years, we arrived in a foreign country just 5 days before Christmas, and could not spend any money cause we did not know when hubby was gonna get his first paycheck, but how the Lord took care of us was truly miraculous, it was probably one of our most amazing Christmas's really, and we have been blessed with many wonderful Christmas's.
Your circumstances are just right
for the Lord to do something really neat and amazing for yall. Can't wait to find out what he does.
Love and Blessings hon,
Merry Christmas,
Nellie
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