Christmas Eve . . . Not Quite What We Planned

Ok. So, one day I'm gonna get pictures up with my posts, but this one has no pictures. It's Christmas Eve. Most parents stay up getting their children's gifts put together, wrapped, or something of the sorts. Well . . .that is how we started. Todd had gone to get some plywood to put a train for the boys on and I was beginning/finishing wrapping gifts. Yes, I can start and finish in one night. Over the past few years, the Lord has convicted our hearts about our spending/gift giving at Christmas. Truly, we have no needs nor wants. Well, maybe wants, but our wants is what we have been convicted about. Why do I live a comfortable life full of wants and "stuff" rather than using that money to further the gospel and share with those in NEED? We have a LONG way to go here, but none the less, the Lord has convicted us . . . that can make spending money unnecessarily a little more uncomfortable. Anyway, that's not what I intended to write about. So . . . carrying on about our business hoping to get to bed pretty early :) Todd comes home and is carrying the plywood upstairs and then stops and says, "Come look at this!" We saw a HUGE spider web that covered our entire handrail going to our upstairs. INSANE! Then, as we looked closer we noticed tiny spiders in it. A LOT of them. Then, we saw them on the opposite wall. And at the door and blinds at the bottom of the stairs. There were tiny spiders EVERYWHERE!!! SO, at 9:30 we get out the vacuum and start vacuuming it all up (and thankfully our boys slept through this whole thing). Done with that . . . or so we thought. Todd saw more on another wall upstairs. We continued to trace these spiders trying to find the sac they came from. Hundreds, actually maybe THOUSANDS of spiders!! We keep following the trail only to find they started . . . in the Christmas tree!!!!!! AAGGHHHHHH!! So, by now it's 10:30 or 11. We know we have to get the Christmas tree out!! Immediately!! So, on Christmas Eve, late that night, we are dragging our Christmas tree outside in the cold rain. SOOOOOOOO many spiders and webs in it . . . we couldn't even salvage any of the decorations! We finally finished cleaning and wrapping . . . what a night!! Despite the unpleasantness, at least I can say we have a memory, we found them before they COMPLETELY infested the house, and really, we should be thankful for the warm, dry shelter of a house that we have.

The season of Christmas

Christmas!! A time of joy, family, and celebration that our Lord came to earth to be our Saviour. Emmanuel, God with us!! That truly is what it is about, right? All too often I feel the answer to that question is no. Honestly, I can become quite a scrooge this time of year. We go, go, go, and then go go go some more. It is truly one of the most difficult times of year to live out of town from family. I'm already exhausted even as I sit here typing and it's only Dec. 10. I haven't bought the first gift. And I have no idea when I will nor what to buy. Not one free moment between now and mid January. It frustrates me . . . my head feels like it is constantly spinning. I can't help but feel that we get it all wrong. None of these things are bad. Family is great. Nothing wrong with giving gifts. I love to eat and enjoy a good fellowship with family or church friends. The whole month is spent hustling and bustling around to fit everything in. And somewhere in there we fit in Christ. None of us would want to admit that it's that way . . . and I don't want it to be that way . . . but I feel like I'm running in a cogwheel and can't get out. Why can't I change? I'm sure much of the reason is expectations of others. Maybe another reason is exhaustion :) BUT, my desire is simple. To celebrate with thankfulness that God is with us!! That is the one thing I can do . . . celebrate that glorious truth each and every day. Remind myself of that every day (every hour) and from that it will spill out in my speech to others. Lord, please remind me daily.