Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner.  So often we perfectly paint a picture of it in our heads that starts out on the canvas something like this: 

Everyone sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace with family gathered from near and far, perfectly wrapped presents under the tree, smiles, laughter, celebrations of the year that is passing and conversations of how wonderful the next year will be, family photos with everyone smiling and even the dogs facing the front with pleasant canine expressions on their faces, snow on the ground, gingerbread houses that stand strong throughout the night, and church services together with candlelight that lights up little ones faces while everyone sings “Oh, Holy Night.”   

I wish that I could type and cause a really dramatic sound effect to come through in my writing, but that is impossible, so I will just do this……………………………………

Christmas is right around the corner.  Daughter is driving.  Dad needs her car, so I have all of the kids again with me on the way to town.  We struggle getting ready for school, everyone fusses and fights.  Mom ends up crying on the way to town and lecturing everyone for the 10 minute drive, pleading for obedience and kindness.  Presents are stashed around the house in so many places that it will be a true Christmas miracle for them to appear on the 25^th, some are even being stored in an old Dodge pick-up.  I hope it is locked!  The perfect Hallmark comes on, but everyone scatters to do their own thing.  Only one gingerbread house made it through the night, the Elf on the Shelf forgot to move again, and I better balance my checkbook!

Discouraged, I open Isaiah 9 and read   “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  I know with all of my heart and soul that that I better be careful not to miss the meaning of Christmas this year.

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born!  Luke 2 says that Jesus was placed in a manger because there was no room for Him at the inn.  The angel said “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

The story seems so perfect!  The story also seems so old and distant at times.  It happened over 2000 years ago.

The Bible and the story of the birth of Christ is more than just a meaningful story in history.  It is a meaningful story now.  It is not just a wonderful story of the past. It is a true story of the present and of the future.  I dare not live a day without Jesus! 

This Christmas, do not only marvel at the birth of Christ that happened so many years ago, imagining Him as a baby in the manger.  Celebrate what that story means for you now in 2015.  Your present circumstances have everything to do with the birth of Jesus.  Your future has everything to do with the birth of Jesus. 

The reality of it all is that your tree may be perfect, your church may be thriving this holiday season, and you may adore your gifts, but if your relationship with Jesus is not first is your life, nothing else matters. 

He was born, lived, and died for you.  That is the real gift of the season.   

Christmas is coming...

My daughter just started my column for me.  There was a nice centered title that read “Christmas is coming.”  She indented the first paragraph and began telling about how it was all about Jesuss.

I have had several experiences recently that have reminded me I do not have small children anymore.  My oldest now has her license and took the whole crew to school last week for the first time without me. 

I stood in the carport and watched them all leave.  It was really strange!  I have carried them everywhere with me.  It has always been 4 plus 1.  Them and me.  Last week, the equation changed.  It was just 4.  They did not need me to be the plus 1.  I cried and smiled. 

It hit me again that I no longer have little kids when I asked my son to pour me another cup of coffee yesterday.   Not long ago, I would have never asked him to remove a glass pot full of hot liquid and to pour it for me, much less to walk across the kitchen to give it to me. 

That spells DANGER anyway you look at it with a small child; however, you see, my son is not a small child anymore.  He is big.  He is big enough to handle hot coffee and breakable cups.  He is big enough to help me.  I no longer have to just help him. It works both ways now. 

Since they are so big, I challenged all six of my passengers this morning on the way to church to do something to help someone every day between now and Christmas…to make it REAL!

Only a few hours later, I had a chance to practice what I had preached at the dollar store. I let three people who had only a few items go in front of me.  We kept our cart parked and motioned the next person in line on up.  The kids did start to look at me like I was crazy when I let the third man go.  He was the only other person in the store I think, so we stopped there with the kindness and proceeded to check out. 

My boys had a chance to help someone too today.  We were taking a friend home and noticed some cows out in the road.  The crazy cows started following me down the blacktop road when I passed them.  You would have thought I was waving a bag of range cubes.  We spotted a gentleman trying to herd them up on his ATV.

I asked him if he needed help.  He did and the two big boys with me jumped out.  It was quite the show to watch them with their new friend get the cows back into the gate.  There was a lot of mudding, running, and hands flying in the air involved in the process.   It took time and determination. 

Mr. Willard, their new friend, thanked them for the help.  He could have done it alone, but the round-up was faster with the two teenage boys.

I realized as we moseyed on down the road that we were looking for someone to help and we found them…just like that!  Ask the Lord to send you someone you can help.  You may spot them sooner than later.

Need some help yourself this week?  Luke 2 tells the story of the birth of Jesus.  The whole reason He came was to help us.  I am in awe of that truth.  He was born a King to help me.  He was born a King to help you.  Let Him help you today!  He is Christ the Lord. 

Best for Last

I am proud to say that I was at the grocery store the day that Blue Bell returned to its precious spot in the freezer among all of the good, but not great ice creams.  There was a crowd and the official Blue Bell men were there in uniform stocking the goods back up. 

It was big time!  I purchased one gallon of vanilla.  There was a two gallon limit. I did not want to be greedy though. 

It was my half day at work so I tied the precious commodity up tight in the sack and snuck in into the freezer in the teacher’s lounge.  When my kids filed into the library one by one from the bus, I asked them if they wanted a scoop of Blue Bell.  I think our homework that day was sweeter for sure, and for one moment…I was the best mom on the planet!

I saved my own personal treat for later that night.  I quietly retrieved my stashed bag of Oreo Thins, my favorite coffee mug, and I created my own Blue Bell vanilla, cookies and cream mixture. 

It was amazing!  I ate it slowly and cherished every bite.  I guarded my cup too since the kids had already had their share.  I did not make a public announcement that I was eating my Blue Bell, because I did not want anyone barging in on my parade and asking for a taste of my treat. 

Confession time:  I have a habit of saving the best bite for last when I am eating.   I let my taste buds build up until the very last second when I am eating.  Then, I WOW them with the last little bit of whatever is my indulgence of the moment. 

I did this with my Blue Bell and then something went really wrong. I dropped my cup on our concrete floors and it shattered.  (If this was a movie, there would be sad music playing here.)  Yes, I was sad that my Starbucks Valentine’s Day mug was shattered, but really I was much more devastated that laying in the middle of the ceramic mess on the floor was my LAST AND BEST bite of ice cream and Oreo!  I contemplated on trying to pick up the one remaining, bite but knew in my heart and mind that it was a complete loss. 

My youngest daughter came in to console me.  She could tell I was upset.  She knew why too.  She said “Oh Mom, I am sorry. I know you save the best bite for last.  Was that your last bite, Mom?”  I looked up at her from my position on the floor cleaning up the mess and said “Yes, it was my last and best bite.  I will never do that again.”

I realized at that point that saving the best for last is stupid! It is dumb to save the best bite for last with food and it is dumb to hold back anything in life!   A friend lost his dad this week.  He would agree with me that in life, we should not save the best for last!  I was at the Senior pep rally today.  Senior parents would agree with me that nothing should be saved or stored up in life because kindergarten to college is quick.  When it comes to loving, laughing, forgiving, and making memories with people you live with, work with, study with, play with, nothing should be held back. 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow.  We have to make the most of today.  So, get right with those around you and enjoy every second of the time you have with them.  Get right with Jesus and enjoy your relationship with Him.  Psalms 144:4 says “Man is a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.” 

Do not save the best for last or for tomorrow.  Tomorrow may not come.   Your best is TODAY!   

 

Too quiet

Last week I cranked up my electronic blanket.  It makes my bed the most comfortable, cozy, and warm place in the world. I live in a house full of polar bears, and I am not one.  Five of the Monicos are naturally hot natured.  Do the math…there are six of us here, and I am the only one who is cold natured! 

Their casual winter wear is shorts and t-shirts; however, I bundle up in multiple layers and sleep in toboggans nightly by mid-December.  I survive by telling myself we are saving money on our heating bill.

The first night I slept in my blanket was like heaven!  I crawled into my warm cocoon and dreamed that I would never have to come back out of it.  I did.  My youngest child woke up at 1:00 for some strange reason and was wide awake. I went to lay down with her because she is my “baby” and the only one who still wants me to cuddle.    

When I got to her bed and laid back down, I knew something was wrong!   Our electricity had gone out.  Her ceiling fan was not working.  It was so quiet and so dark.  I laid there forever and could not go back to sleep.  It was a strange noiselessness! 

My little “hoot owl” was wide awake too. We talked about how we did not need the fan to keep us  cool, but we sure did need some noise in the room. 

I tossed and turned.  I flipped and flopped for what seemed like eternity.  I thought about my life and how I am so accustomed to some type of noise at all times, even when I am sleeping.  It is not just noise either. I am sadly accustomed to continuous activity. (Am I the only one?) 

This face paced, smart phone, talking, texting, hands-free , be productive at all times world we live in keeps our minds so stimulated that when we want to try to sit and just do nothing, we struggle!  I hate to admit it, but even when I want to sit and be alone with the LORD, I struggle sometimes.  It is hard to keep my mind still and okay with just being alone in the calm of the presence of the Almighty.   It is a sad truth. 

Flipping through my beloved Jesus Calling devotional last week and wanting read a little bit more, I found a wonderful treasure on August 2^nd.  (Yes, I am a random, pick any kind of day person.) 

The author, Sarah Young, wrote, “Bring me the sacrifice of your time; a most precious commodity.  In this action addicted world, few of my children take the time to sit quietly in My Presence.  But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water.” 

Blessings that flow like streams of living water sound really good to me.  What about you?  If you want to be blessed with your work, give the Lord your time.  If you need to be blessed at school, sit quietly in His presence.  If you desire a blessing for your family, turn off the action of the world and just be alone with your Father. 

This all reminds me of Mary and Martha from the Bible in Luke 10.  Jesus ended up telling Martha “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” 

Like Mary, choose this week to leave the hustle and bustle.  Choose to be quiet and still with the Lord. 

CAMO

Have you ever thought you were hiding really well from someone or something and then realized you really were not hidden at all? Been there, done that…just last weekend!

Opening weekend of deer season around here for me began with sleeping in and then cooking up a nice breakfast for my hunters. 

 After we ate, I decided to head off on a walk up the road with my adventuresome son.  I had spotted a deer several times and managed to convince him that I totally understood the path that this nice buck was taking on a daily basis.  He wanted check out the scene before the evening hunt planning session began, and I needed to walk off my biscuits and gravy.

I did what any mom would do who was pretending to be cool and know something about deer hunting.  I geared up in camo and painted my face with some roll-on camo face paint that was sitting on the bar.  It looked more like it was for Halloween than deer season, but under the shadow of my camo cap, it was perfect.  I looked dirty and woodsy, but smelled like Tom Ford perfume.  (I forgot that scent is a factor when hunting.)

We eased up the road and assessed the situation.  It seemed that what the area right off of FM 833 needed was a tripod stand.  My son knew just where one was and said we could move it together.  That is just what we did.  I got the front.  He got the back.  With only 6 or 7 breaks and a lot of us saying “1,2,3, go,”  we made it.

The stand ended up nestled in behind a cedar tree.  It was perfect and hidden.  I thought I was perfectly hidden too in my camouflage gear until a truck drove down 833, honked the horn, and waved right over in my direction. 

I could not believe that whoever it was saw me.  I was SO in hiding. I was so super-duper supposed to blend in with the surroundings.

I was disappointed that my attempt to go unnoticed was an epic fail. However, I was excited at the same time because I knew the LORD gave me my thought of the week. 

It was like God spoke to me right there in the woods and said “See, you can’t hide from that person and you sure can’t hide from me.” 

We often try to hide things, hurts, issues, problems, and the truth from the people around us.  Sometimes we succeed.  The longer we attempt to hide and conceal the truth too, the better we get at it. 

We can become masters in deception and manipulation with those around us; however, we can never hide one single thing from the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He knows all and sees all!  He knows how many hairs are on our head.  He knows our thoughts and Psalm 139 says He even knows our words before they are on our tongue. 

If you think you are hiding anything or just need to know that the LORD is near, read Psalm 139 completely.  It is beautiful!  It offers such peace!

Why such intimacy from the LORD? Why such a close watch?  My friend, God is so near to you because He desires a personal relationship with you. 

Fool the world, but you can’t fool God.  Loose everything or everyone, but you will never loose God.  The LORD knows you and loves you.  Please take that to heart this week and strive to know HIM more and do not waste any more time hiding.  It will never work!    

Vacation

I am currently away with my daughter on a softball trip.  It has truly been a blessing and a great way to start Thanksgiving!  I often tag along with her on these adventures.  My friend tells me all of the time that it is pretty cool I get to be with my kid while she chases her dream. I agree! 

If it were not for her, I would be at home and stuck in the same old rut.  Getting out some and going to new places is good for me.  I traveled a lot in my teens and twenties.  I forgot that I enjoyed it.  Motherhood does that to us.  I remember now the joy I find in seeing new things and living a bit outside of the routine of work and housework. 

I am cracking up at the present moment because she just went to meet up with her friends and told me to text her if I needed anything.  What could I possibly need?  I am in a hotel room with snacks and a laptop.  I am in good shape! 

I assured her that I wouldn’t need a thing and reminded her that I was an adult.  She laughed and told me not to open the door for strangers and walked on out.  Kids these days…

We made our way this afternoon down Highway One to Newport Beach.  I enjoyed two, not one because they were so yummy, hand-dipped ice cream bars.  I admired the locals pedaling their bikes along the crowded streets and took off my shoes to feel the sand between my toes. 

After we ate, the girls were ready to shop.  The adults on the trip suggested that we walk out onto the pier and take it all in.  The younger crew agreed, but we could tell that the retail side of the picturesque town was sucking them in.  They were ready to drop a few bucks on some junk. 

They followed us, respecting our wisdom every step of the way.  We ended up seeing a shark, a seal, a few stingrays, and an amazing sunset from the end of the pier.   The great thing was that all of what we saw was FREE of charge.  It was nature at its finest, and all part of God’s amazing creation. What we witnessed was better than anything money could buy.

That’s the thing.  The best things in life are free.  Friendly board games at the kitchen table (usually poker for us), early mornings spent in the deer stand, car rides with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up, and things like sunshine on your face after a spell of cloudy weather are the best.   

As we approach the holidays, keep the free things in life first on your list.  Take that walk after dinner with a loved one, sit down to enjoy a second cup of coffee with your friend, and join your children on every adventure that you can. 

Most of all, spend some time this season with Jesus.  He craves a relationship with you…and it is true, the best things in life are free because His love for us is free.  He guarantees peace on earth now and eternity in heaven for anyone who is willing to receive Him.  Knowing Jesus won’t cost you a dime, but not knowing Him could cost you everything! 

Give Thanks!

I pride myself on spending our Thanksgiving break giving thanks and doing a whole lot of nothing. I do not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving; neither do I participate in Black Friday.  I tried Black Friday one time at Toys R Us when the kids were little, but it just was not worth it.  I still remember where I stood in line with my basketful of goods in the far back corner of the store and where I left my items to get out of line and head home.  I went back to my In-laws in Dallas and enjoyed another cup of coffee before my kids even got up. 

We do have the tree up now.  It tried to fall on me today, I mean literally.  I had to hold it up until my husband came to my rescue.  Somehow we got it stable again without having a full blown disaster.  As usual, I got tickled right in the middle of the fiasco. 

I have reminded myself to laugh and intentionally have fun since the rain began Friday.  I have been inside of the house with four kids and three dogs.  We do good with one Hallmark movie day, but three days of togetherness is pushing it for sure! Getting along takes work.

I realized this weekend that there are many parts of Christmas that can seem like work too.  That is not good news for me because I already have a few jobs. I have the wonderful job here of being a wife, mother, and head organizer of our family, and a teacher.  Quite honestly, I do not need for Christmas to seem like another job.  None of us do.  The stress and mess can take away the real meaning of the holidays for sure, and it starts early in November. 

It came to me though that really as a Christian, one who believes in Jesus Christ, that I do have a job at Christmas. My job is to use the special time of year to tell others about the real meaning of Christmas.  It has nothing to do with my church affiliation, age, or how long I have known Christ as Savior. It has to do with all of the people I will come into contact with and that the holidays are on everyone’s minds.

Everyone seems to be looking for a way to give meaning to all of the hustle and bustle!  I can tell them. You can tell them. We can tell them that Jesus is the reason for it all!

I remember several years ago when my friend knew I was pooped from the holidays and honestly frustrated.  She asked me to join a group and make ornaments that would be exchanged and used along with a Jesse Tree devotional book with our families. 

That simple tradition has really helped us!  It reminds us daily why we are knee deep in all of the hype.  It reminds us that while the hype of stockings and Santa maybe fun, the real reason for it all is Jesus. Every home in my opinion needs something like this to do daily as a reflection.

Be ready to tell someone about the birth of Christ.  If there are new jobs that fall upon you during this time of year, remember that the most important task you have is to share the truth about the good news of Jesus.  In Luke 1:10, the angel said to the shepherds “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all of the people.”