I need some help with my Christmas letter!
Honestly,
it has been quite a challenge to write a Christmas letter this year.
As I have thought through all that we have received, endured,
survived, and enjoyed.....the only conclusion that we can share this Christmas season, is that we have MUCH to be thankful for! It's not easy to write about though.
God
is teaching us, molding us, pruning us, and blessing us! In the
midst of tumultuous circumstances, he gives us the 5 most precious
grandchildren ever! When we want to succumb to the challenges before
us, we take a breather, and spend a night in Myrtle Beach, enjoying
the ocean, searching for sharks teeth, & walking along the beach.
We spent the July 4th weekend at a friend's mountain home with our kids and grandkids. It was such a great time! We don't take it for granted!
When
it seems that work is just too hard, we receive the most loving
encouragement from our “kids”! Whether they bring us supper,
drive three hours to visit us and bring our grandkids down for hugs,
or help us at work----we are so blessed! Or, a friend from the past comes to South Carolina and drives 2 hours to Columbia JUST to have dinner with us. What a love gift God gave us in that special evening!
When I am writing my Christmas letter, I want to be encouraging, and I want to share all of the wonderful, exciting, beautiful things that show God's Glory in our lives. This year, most of what immediately comes to mind about this year falls short of that. Of course, we have learned much. My last post about "definitions" truly expressed my "aha" moment of the year. Wow....giving God my definitions!!?? This is BIG! I have not fully mastered this yet, by the way.
So, as Thanksgiving draws closer and closer, and I usually have my Christmas letter written by now, I am taking a few moments tonight to pray. God, how can I declare YOUR Glory in my Christmas letter this year when I feel so overwhelmed with life? How can you "shine", when I don't feel like I'm a vessel fit for such a purpose? Is this a year to skip the Christmas letter, or does God have something that He'd like us to share....even about this most difficult year, that would point others to Jesus, our reason for the season?!
This week, our son Mark has had a "health crisis". He ended up in the hospital, and he could have had a stroke! Whoa! He's only 33 years old. God uses these situations to remind us that life is short, we must love each other, take care of ourselves, and keep our hearts right with God! We never know when such a crisis will occur! Thankfully, he had great doctors and they were thorough. He will need to make some lifestyle changes and take a couple of medications. The blessing is, that he will be fine! God heard our prayers for Mark, and we are thankful!
The last 6 weeks of the year should be filled with "wonder", laughter, joy, anticipation, baking, family, etc............and though it most likely will contain some of the above, I'm tired. I dislike decorating for Christmas by myself. My dear husband has his plate full----I hate to ask anything else from him! Though I have always loved baking, it was much more fun when the kids lived at home. I have barely taken time to "Swiffer", and now I need to decorate and rearrange the house only to take it all back down a few weeks later?
I need a good "pep talk"! I may also need help or permission to decorate less, or bake less.
Tonight, as I should probably get started on a Christmas project I have planned for the grandkids.............making them sock puppets...........I find myself in my "jammies", warmly cuddled up in bed with my computer. I guess I am just relieved that Mark is ok, that he is now home, and well. ( I just took him home from the hospital this afternoon)
For tonight, I'm just going to ask God for our Christmas letter.............after all, the season is all about Him!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Pam
