Tis the season. Last week Barrett and I were gone for a three-day suicide intervention training and Annabelle was cared for by an amazing family here on island. Then we had yet another Christmas party, we took a befriended single Marine to church, after that cookies were made to help in gifting 400 single Marines baked goods for Christmas. Today I needed to make more cookies but first I quickly watched the Pats lose lamely to the Dolphins while we had breakfast and showered. Then Annabelle decided that disobeying quietly was an OK thing to do at gymnastics. Rallying her took time but we pulled through to balance on beams and swing through bars. Then off to the commissary for more butter and food to make for more potlucks and dinners this week. As we were leaving, Annabelle screamed and ran away from me when the buggy we were using was returned. Nice. We quietly discussed how we love our neighbor by obeying the authorities the Lord put in our lives. Then we discussed how we glorify God…by loving him and doing what he says…like obeying mom and dad. She knows all this and said it quietly back to me. The air was thick with tension in our relationship as I quietly drove home. Tis the season.
Annabelle and I cleared the air once home and had pizza and salad for lunch while learning colors and letters. Cookies made, dinner prepped, and now naptime. I was going to work on an adoption grant but my computer bugged out this morning and erased the entire adobe project I had been working on for weeks. My motivation is gone to begin what technology destroyed.
So I write to process. The Christmas season has become a chain of events of fellowship and serving joy…yet we tire of it. Our adoption is held up by governments retarding signing new legislation. I haven’t kept up with emails. Christmas cards were not sent out…again. My mind is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Is this really the season?
Yes. Oh to know that we do live in a broken world that is filled with pain, disappointment, failed expectations, and loss of hope. Yet Christ came! The Lord of all sent His Son into this fallen world as a sweet baby boy to give hope to all nations, for all time. Jesus has freed me from my sin and death and given me life and hope. He has surrounded me with smiling friends here on island to encourage me when I’m down and help me when needed. My family near and far love us and care for us. My short life here is the worst I will ever feel because I have heaven eternally. Wow! That is my joy! I serve with a happy heart because Jesus made the way for my sins to be forgiven! This is the season. Yes, sometimes it’s easy to be swept into what is wrong during the season, but oh, let me focus on what is right and true! Merry Christmas! And God bless us all! =0) Thanks Tiny Tim!