I must say I truly LOVE Christmas- I love everything about it. Nothing is more fulfilling than making cookies and sweets with the kids, going to church functions( because Jesus is after all the true meaning of Christmas), and seeing family you never get to see. However, I have noticed that this year my Christmas spirit is starting to dwindle a little. I was a the peak when we were decorating and putting up the tree etc. but now I am starting to feel like it will be a blessing to get it over with.
Everyone is so wrapped up in the materialistic things this year....and of course no one can afford it. My husband and I were talking the other day about how kids would react if this year for Christmas they received the gifts our grandparents did back years ago....a piece of fruit and maybe some hard candy and if you were lucky a small and perhaps homemade toy....The cries of devastation would be heard round the world. I did get tickled ,when at our church Christmas play rehearsal with my 3-7 yrs old kids , I asked what they had asked to get for Christmas this year and they replied Ipods and a four wheeler ( Thank God Cara is still relatively simple...the only thing she wants is a tent (and if it was made from cardboard she probably wouldn't notice LOL)
Then you have others who love the show of Christmas! and to be honestly ...it's just down right disgusting. Now I'm sure you are contemplating my scrooge- ness ...but I really do like Christmas. I like the simple things of it. This year for the most part we aren't doing gifts with family ( only the kids) and that is who it is really for anyway. Why spend time and money you don't have to give someone you never see something they don't really need.
Now on to Santa....Thank goodness my Mother-in -law doesn't have a computer because she thinks we are down right horrible for this. I have never told Cara that Santa is real. She knows that he was a nice man who used to give out toys.....now she enjoys every Christmas movie from Rudolph to the Grinch but I felt that it wasn't necessary to make Santa the all-seeing eye of Christmas. When we were in the mall, we stopped to see Santa and at first she was hesitant, but seeing her cousin bound up and ask for her easy bake oven, she figured she would try it out. After we left, I asked her what she thought about it and she replied...We'll he seemed like a nice man.
I'm thankful for all the Lord has saw fit to bless me with in life. I have a wonderful family. I am so thankful we all attend church together. I'm so proud of Jacob and his desire as a young man to be at church with his family ~ That says alot of his character. Since Christmas is on a Sunday this year, We will be at church that morning. It was almost appalling to hear a lady, at our church dinner Sunday, explain that she would see us after Christmas because she wasn't going to be there because they had so much to do.
Now isn't that true worldly Christmas fashion- If you weren't planning on attending church Sunday - I hope this blog does shame you into going. After all isn't worshiping God does seem quite respectful seeing as this is HIS holiday.
On a final note please remember...despite all the cliche` saying you hear thru out this season, Jesus is the reason for the season. If it wasn't for his life we would not have ours. Counting your blessings isn't just for Thanksgiving....... MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Dealing with the public
Growing up I always had a job...as a matter of fact between 16-18 I had about 2 to 3 at one time. I actually knew what responsibility was unlike some kids coming up today. Eventually life and mostly the Lord led me to where we are now and I get to work from home. I really enjoy it and it benefits us tremendously because we need me for our business and I need me to watch my kids so....it works. I am, however, a working Mom and do have to deal with the public (over the phone ) on a daily basis.
I truly find it amazing how entitled people feel they are. We work with a certain "class" of people. Most of them my house would fit in their bathroom . LOL. Needless to say some of these folks were born to money and others probably worked their way thru life to get to the point where they can enjoy it. Despite their annoying requests these people do provide me with my paycheck--- so I will not go on about how difficult they are.
So to get to the point- the other day my husband and I were talking about how we are no longer going to cater to these people and how it was getting ridiculous( as it does around Holidays)and I happened to start thinking about how ridiculous we are to God. If anyone has ever took the time to really understand that God owes you absolutely nothing , they might could see their selves this way.
A while back our pastor preached several messages about our relationship with God that got me thinking. For most of my life I have been under the impression that God loves everybody and most of the people you sit around in church- well they are all going to heaven. Well that is very incorrect- Our Pastor made things so much clearer to me thru the scriptures and it has really burdened my heart. We all deserve hell- That is what we deserve, we can do nothing to earn our way to heaven.
BUT God thru his infinite mercy reaches down and picks us. How amazing is that!! God chose me. Despite all of my past, all of my faults, relentless sinning, he chose me and made me a part of his family. I have begun to be almost ashamed to pray the way I used to - You know about 1 min while you are already in bed half asleep and think well...I could use this or this?
Have you ever just started out by simply thanking God for all he has given you? If not you should try it sometime......Here's a thought for the day ...and it is borrowed...What would you have today if you only had what you thanked HIM for yesterday??? Needless to say, even when I get aggravated with stupid people and think there is truly no end to the madness- I just think about how I have annoyed God over the years and his loving kindness still see fit to bless me!
I truly find it amazing how entitled people feel they are. We work with a certain "class" of people. Most of them my house would fit in their bathroom . LOL. Needless to say some of these folks were born to money and others probably worked their way thru life to get to the point where they can enjoy it. Despite their annoying requests these people do provide me with my paycheck--- so I will not go on about how difficult they are.
So to get to the point- the other day my husband and I were talking about how we are no longer going to cater to these people and how it was getting ridiculous( as it does around Holidays)and I happened to start thinking about how ridiculous we are to God. If anyone has ever took the time to really understand that God owes you absolutely nothing , they might could see their selves this way.
A while back our pastor preached several messages about our relationship with God that got me thinking. For most of my life I have been under the impression that God loves everybody and most of the people you sit around in church- well they are all going to heaven. Well that is very incorrect- Our Pastor made things so much clearer to me thru the scriptures and it has really burdened my heart. We all deserve hell- That is what we deserve, we can do nothing to earn our way to heaven.
BUT God thru his infinite mercy reaches down and picks us. How amazing is that!! God chose me. Despite all of my past, all of my faults, relentless sinning, he chose me and made me a part of his family. I have begun to be almost ashamed to pray the way I used to - You know about 1 min while you are already in bed half asleep and think well...I could use this or this?
Have you ever just started out by simply thanking God for all he has given you? If not you should try it sometime......Here's a thought for the day ...and it is borrowed...What would you have today if you only had what you thanked HIM for yesterday??? Needless to say, even when I get aggravated with stupid people and think there is truly no end to the madness- I just think about how I have annoyed God over the years and his loving kindness still see fit to bless me!
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