This Christmas season has been a very interesting one for me. I was very excited to get our tree up and all of our little decorations set in place. I was in the Christmas spirit and excited for this joyous holiday, and as the days have gone by something has happened. Last night as I was sitting down with my girls my 5 year old looked at me and said, "Mom I think we are focusing to much on presents right now." I looked at her kind of puzzeled because we weren't even talking about presents or Christmas. I said, "Yes, I think your right.
She then replied, " I think we need to focus on God more."
I replied with, " You are right honey, we will do that this week."
As I sit here writing this post I am so blessed for the gifts that God has given us. But I will be perfectly honest I am also sad. I thought this would be a great Christmas, and I know that it will be but there is something missing this year. I was on the phone today with my Mom and it hit me that we are not going to be with family this year at Christmas and that is what is missing. This is our first year without any Grandparents here and in the 12 years of our marriage we have always been with family. It has really hit me lately how much I miss all of them.
I remember as a child spending every Christmas with my Grandparents and I long for that for my children. I don't know why families are so spread apart but my prayer for this coming year is that family becomes important to people again. I am not the only one longing for that. I talk to many of my friends who do not spend the holidays with Parents or Grandparents.
I know we will have a wonderful CHRISTmas because we will keep our eyes focused on Him. My hope is that next season we will be with family.
Right now I am focusing on just "counting it all JOY..."
4 comments:
Susan, I understand what you are saying, I have not spent Christmas with my family since 1989. But this is a time that you and Mark should build new traditions with your girls. And focus on the love that you all have together. How blessed you are to have family. But most of all, focus up. Jesus is the real reason for the season.
Susan, I believe you are in the right place in your heart for Christmas and caring about family. To focus on the year ahead to bring attention to next Christmas is awesome. I loved the comment about we will have a good Christmas though, which warmed my heart. The physical seperation is hard, which I understand.
Presents...hmmmm...so that means that I am off the hook since I have yet to put the package in the mail....Oooops....lol. As for family....Tim and I plan on being in Redoak next Christmas...somehow, someway...we will drive in and try and stay the week...we are already planning for it so tell mom and dad that they need their 5th wheel 'cause I am calling dibs on the guest house!
That made my year. I wil keep on you about being together next year.
Love ya Sis
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