Getting a lesson from God in the middle of children's Christmas program at their Christian school, may not seem like a big deal, and maybe it's not. But, I did see God in such a real way and different way last Thursday night, I've got to share it with you.
Each year since our oldest was in Kindergarten, we've attended the schools annual Christmas program. Each year, I'm moved and tear up at their sweet little faces and little voices singing about the new born King. Always sweet, always adorable, always worshipful.
This year there was added excitement as our 2nd son was going to make his debut on stage. He's been practicing for weeks and has enjoyed the three songs his class was going to sing so much. It has been so fun to watch him enjoy his music so thoroughly!
A couple things you should know about #2. He's passionate about life, he's- shall we say. . .loud, and he throws his heart, mind and body into everything he does.
All very fine and noble qualities. Also all traits that can often (O F T E N) land you in some serious trouble as you push your momma right to the edge!!
So, there we were Thursday night, all in our places. Grandma and Grandpa right there too, of course, along with little sister. Camera's ready to go.
Big brothers class was up first and they and he did a great job. ( One down, one to go).
Then here come the Kindergartner's . The little ones always make everyone smile.
As they took the stage with their solemn faces, you could tell they had practiced much, and been lectured about standing straight and tall.
The music began (which I immediately recognized from all that practicing) and they were singing away.
At this point something unexpected happened. #2 stepped up to the mic with 2 of his friends. Seems he had a special in the middle of the song. Never ONCE did he tell us this. I reached over to grab The Hubs hand, and my heart went to my throat.
Sing and sing away they did. LOUDLY, very LOUDLY and adorably. To Jesus, they sang.
I'll admit it, I was so proud. Beaming, really and crying all at the same time.
And, as I pondered the evenings events, I began to think about how God looks at me, His child.
His child who can be stubborn, loud and disobedient. Trouble with a capital T. (#2 is a bit more like me than I care to admit sometimes) But, even with all the trouble I can cause, when I do something for His glory, I believe He smiles. Smiles and delights, might I even suggest beams with pride as I do something solely to bring honor to Him.
No matter how many time outs or spankings I've had ( and trust me, He's had to give me my share!) His love and delight in me never changes.
A father loving his daughter unconditionally, no matter how many mistakes have come before.
So, maybe not the lesson you'd think I'd learn at Christmas concert, but a wonderful one none the less.
My lovely city has a blanket of white this morning.
Nothing says 'it's almost Christmas', like a fresh snow. Not enough for a snow day for the big boys, so it's little girl and I at home today snuggling with hot cocoa and a little Dora Christmas. What a great way to spend a morning!
The house is decked in our Christmas best. I love traditions, so getting out boxes and looking at each well loved ornament and telling the story behind it is so much fun for me!
I've noticed my kiddos are developing this sentimental side too, as they pull out their special ornaments and tell stories about them and listen to the stories of some our favorites. ( I have a ornament on our tree I made in the 1st grade-complete with year, I don't think the 6 year old knew there were years with 19's in them!)
Listening to their giggles and stories this year as they pulled each decoration and ornament out warmed my heart so much. Reminded me once again how privileged I am to have these three people call me mom. God is so gracious!
Of course, having little helpers means your tree doesn't exactly turn out like something that would be photographed for Southern Living. You can tell which child put on which ornaments by how high they are clumped and lumped together.
I don't have the heart to 'fix' them and spread them out. We had so much fun putting them on together.
The day will come, sooner than I'd like to think about, were we'll be singing 'I'll be home for Christmas' missing one of them who couldn't make it home to Mom and Dad's that year, that I'll leave the clumps. I'll leave them and remember.
Not pretty to others, but to this Momma another memory to tuck away until next year.
Nothing says 'it's almost Christmas', like a fresh snow. Not enough for a snow day for the big boys, so it's little girl and I at home today snuggling with hot cocoa and a little Dora Christmas. What a great way to spend a morning!
The house is decked in our Christmas best. I love traditions, so getting out boxes and looking at each well loved ornament and telling the story behind it is so much fun for me!
I've noticed my kiddos are developing this sentimental side too, as they pull out their special ornaments and tell stories about them and listen to the stories of some our favorites. ( I have a ornament on our tree I made in the 1st grade-complete with year, I don't think the 6 year old knew there were years with 19's in them!)
Listening to their giggles and stories this year as they pulled each decoration and ornament out warmed my heart so much. Reminded me once again how privileged I am to have these three people call me mom. God is so gracious!
Of course, having little helpers means your tree doesn't exactly turn out like something that would be photographed for Southern Living. You can tell which child put on which ornaments by how high they are clumped and lumped together.
I don't have the heart to 'fix' them and spread them out. We had so much fun putting them on together.
The day will come, sooner than I'd like to think about, were we'll be singing 'I'll be home for Christmas' missing one of them who couldn't make it home to Mom and Dad's that year, that I'll leave the clumps. I'll leave them and remember.
Not pretty to others, but to this Momma another memory to tuck away until next year.
WOW! Long time no writing. Like you, things are continuously busy around here.
We had a great Thanksgiving weekend at my parents house. Lots of yummy food and even better company. We spent the weekend putting up decorations and enjoying the beginning of the season. Friday evening we spent the evening at our local arboretum which sponsored a luminary walk.
It was absolutely beautiful. We were out in God's spectacular creation walking among candle light stopping along the way to listen to some very adorable boy scouts do a sing a long, a Native American play some flutes and then listen to some amazing Dickens carolers.
As we stopped to listen to them, I looked around and wondered how many people were actually hearing the words being sung so beautifully. The carol that struck me the most that they sang was God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. If you've never paid attention to the words, you should. Basically, the gospel summed in a few lines.
Like many of you, I get annoyed with the whole 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas' agenda that seems so prevalent these days. And I have been concerned that Jesus is being taken out of this global celebration. But, as I pondered these things this weekend, I began to wonder can Jesus be taken out of the Christmas season?
From the tree to the stars, the angels and lights and carols we sing, He is there. Even the X in Xmas has in origin in Biblical meanings.
I am certainly NOT saying Jesus can't be forgotten during the Christmas season as we became overwhelmed with gifts, baking, decorating, parties and political correctness. Yes He can certainly be forgotten, but He cannot be removed. Whether we acknowledge him or not is something completely different. Each decoration we place, each gift we give should be an act of worship to our Saviour born in a manger so long ago, who still saves the world and us today.
So, Merry Christmas to you! Jesus is why we celebrate-so celebrate BIG!
And -God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen let NOTHING you dismay
REMEMBER Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
OH Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Comfort and Joy
OH Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Hello Christmas, where did you come from? Weren't the kids and I just in the pool??
But, yet here you are with your cousin Thanksgiving coming over next week, you aren't far behind are you?
Yes, that time of year is coming quickly upon us!
We LOVE Christmas at our house! Lots of music, parties, trees, cookies and the like.
I will confess right up front that we are a Santa house (please don't judge!) and although my oldest knows who fills his stocking and brings the 'good gifts' my two littles are full fledged believers in the chunky guy in the big red suit. Last year my then 5 year old asked if Santa was really, really real. My response, "There was a real man named St. Nicholas who did some really neat things for some special boys and girls." I'll let you know if it comes up again.
But, I'm not writing this little diddy to debate the shoulds or should nots of Santa.
I am wondering, Internet friends what you do to keep Christ as the front and center of your holiday celebrations. With three kiddos its always fun to look for new ways of reminding them why the whole world is celebrating (even if the whole world can't remember why!).
Here are some things we currently do:
Fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Helps them focus on others instead of the gimmes.
Our advent calender is a nativity scene instead of a countdown to presents.
Each child has a nativity scene in their room.
We bake a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day.
Christmas Eve service at church, followed by reading Luke 2 before bedtime on Christmas Eve.
LOTS of age appropriate books that tell the true Christmas story.
But, I know there is more we could be doing. What does your family do?
Feel free to share one or more ideas with me, I'd LOVE to hear what your family does to keep Christ front and center of your celebrations!
That's what she said. (There's a little Office humor for you)
But really, that is what my little girl said a couple of nights ago as she placed a crown she'd made at church upon her head.
"Welcome to my kingdom"
We were on our way to the grocery store and it's a miracle I didn't crash the car from laughing so hard! She said it with such sincerity too.
"Welcome to MY kingdom"
She's a delight that little person (as are the big and medium ones) and typically not the type of girl you'd say ruled the kingdom.
Oh, don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about. You know the little girl who has to have everything and everyone just so, or she can't function. She grows up to become that woman who still thinks all must bow down in her kingdom.
I think, I was a little bit that girl, and I know I was allot that woman.
Thankfully, parenthood has changed most of that, but there are defiantly occasions when I like to pick my crown back up and demand things my way.
The other major thing that has changed that attitude, is remembering who created the kingdom and my place in it.
God, creator of the universe has allowed the wretched likes of my me to be a servant in His grand and glorious kingdom! (Can I get an Amen!)
What a blissful and glorious thought!
But, there are days when I act like I've forgotten that and try, once again to pick that crown up and put it back on.
And, I must be taught once again who is really in charge. Sometimes those lessons are easy, sometimes difficult--but always full of grace!
So, I will happily take my place in the kingdom, serving the One who created me and everything in it. . .
And, put this silly homemade crown down and someday see it replaced with one I can't even imagine!
I live in a very affluent part of the country.
Although poverty can be found all around me, I don't have to work to hard to avoid it and the effects of it.
And while things may be hard here at home and we think times are tough, the poorest of the poor can't really compare with those in other countries.
Sometimes, I think we really just have no idea at all.
We try to teach our children to give their time and resources to others who have so much less.
One way we do that is, we partner with Compassion International.
Here's a recent blog by one of the members on their trip to El Salvador.
If nothing else, it will give you a little perspective on your day.
This weekend we had some friends over for a big Bonfire at Mimi and Poppies.
Always lots of fun and my kiddos look forward to it every year. How many nights do you get permission to stay out late and run around in the dark??
Well, we had great time, except for what will now and forever more be known as 'the incident'.
I won't got into details, but involved the brothers, rocks and hot chocolate.
It wasn't pretty. It was loud, mean (on both ends) and painful, for one more than the other.
And EMBARRASSING.
I was embarrassed and mad. Never a heart warming, godly picture of parenthood.
So, once you figure out everyone is fine and no physical damage has been done, next come the lecture to end all lectures. And some major punishment is doled out.
But, as I had time to calm down and reflect (why oh WHY must I do these things after the fact??) I am so thankful that the Lord has so much more patience for me! I can't tell you how many times I've embarrassed the Lord and He remains ever the calm and loving parent.
Things at home are back to normal. I've apologized for the way I reacted, the boys have made amends.
But a lesson to me; that I've got so far to go, and that I am so thankful that he Lord doesn't parent me the way I deserve. Not that he doesn't discipline me and that I haven't had my share of 'time outs' and some spankings.
But, never out of anger never out of embarrassment, just love for my well being.
Hope that doesn't freak anybody out. Just me being honest. Sometimes this life journey isn't pretty but Praise His name-always full of Grace!
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