It was still a Merry Christmas

A few years ago I was going over my Christmas list and freaking out over the gifts I bought for my family.  I debated over and over if I had spent too much or too little.  I thought about whether or not I put any thought into the gifts, or if I was just checking them off.  I believe that year I nearly worried myself completely out of the Christmas spirit and into an Ebeneezer mood.

This year I was determined not to let the gifts rule me or get me in a foul mood. With most of the shopping done by December 21st I was ready to hit cruise control.  I had taken care of everything it seamed.  I had presents for employees, friends, family, nieces and nephews, siblings, in-laws, children and especially my wife.

Suddenly, and without warning Trish and Ava both got sick.  Trish had a killer sinus cold and Ava an ear infection.  Suddenly, presents and gifts weren't important.  Suddenly, I was more than willing to give up all the order, budget, and gifts for the surety that they would be okay.  Suddenly, I was less focused on i-Tunes and gift cards, and more focused on spending time with my family, praying they would be okay, and trying to give my love to them so they could get better.  Then, to make matters worse, I got sick with either a stomach bug or a case of food poisoning.  Even as I write this post, we are all still in the recovery stage.

Now, you might say it would suck to have so many people sick on Christmas.  Yes, in a way you are right.  It was not fun to be sick and in pain on Christmas day.  It was no fun to watch Ava scream and kick in pain at night and tug on her ear.  It was definitely no fun to watch Trish suffer through sinus pain.  In that regard it was not fun, but it was in many ways still a Merry Christmas.  How?

Well, with so many of us not feeling well I was drawn closer to God in prayer.  I prayed at night and during the day for their health and mine.  As I thought about their pain and aches it also drew us closer together.  I spent more time holding Ava and trying to be a helpful spouse than at any time before in recent memory.  This was a blessing in so many ways.  The time together was a blessing and the realization that I can do so much more to love on my family was a greater blessing.

It was also a Merry Christmas because this time of sickness drew us out of the bustle of the crowded malls and angry and bitter overs spenders and into a different crowd.  This year I graciously found myself in the crowd that realized that Christmas is all about God's relationship with us through Christ, the best and first ever Christmas gift.  Christmas is also about our relationships with one another.  Yes, I received some very exciting gifts this Christmas.  Some were items on my wish list and some were not but, the most precious gift I received was just being with my family and having them continue to get well.

We are all still plodding along trying to get well but I will call this a Merry Christmas.  What more can you ask for than to have received God's gift to the world, wonderful time with family and friends, and a few new shirts and toys to wrap it all up.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May God make all of your days brighter by his countenance and love.

Catching Up From Thanksgiving

I guess I'm continuing my trend of posting updates.  I'm almost caught up at this point.  This is my Thanksgiving Day post.

When I initially thought about writing a Thanksgiving post I was a bit worried about the content.  I was worried that I would be unable to find enough items to fill a post.  Of course that was narrow thinking.  I too am guilty of putting on my "The World Is Against Me" glasses from time to time.  I'm so glad that my wife pulled out our "Thanksgiving Journal" again this year.  It is amazing how the simple act of finding one thing to be thankful for can suddenly generate a storm of gratitude.

I am thankful for so many great things this year and so many smaller things.  I am thankful

• God sending his Son Jesus the Christ to die for my sins, and those of the world
• God's forgiveness, strength, light and Holy Word
• My wife who faithfully loves and supports our family, especially me
• My children who love and challenge me to be a better, less selfish person
• My mom and dad who love on me all the time
• My wife for fixing one heck of a pre-Thanksgiving dinner
• My mom and dad who give so much to each one of the members of my family
• My dad for treating my kids to dinner
• My mom for treating my kids to "Grandma Camp"
• My siblings who are simply awesome in so many ways
• My sisters for being impromptu babysitters and baby holders
• My oldest daughters for pitching in when asked
• My youngest daughters for providing non-stop laughter and memories for a lifetime
• My friends at church for helping me grow in faith and be accountable
• My friends at work for helping me stay focused and sane
• My friends from basketball for giving me a good work out and great fellowship
• My wife for keeping me encouraged and keeping me grounded
• My cousins for calling and checking in on me and dropping by for a visit

I am thankful for the success that my family and friends have achieved.  I am thankful for good report cards, and the ability to go to school.  I am thankful for the gifts of my children and the gifts of my spouse.  I am thankful for the talents that God has given each of us and the strength and desire he has given us to use them.

I am thankful for:

• The home we live in
• The cars that have taken us to the places we need to go
• Good health and relatively good health
• The neighborhood we live in 
• The president and the elected official who work on our behalf
• The police and military who provide us with so many freedoms
• The employer that gives me a job and the training to do my job

I am even thankful for the growth that happened this year through the many trials.  I'm not saying I'm glad I went through these things, but I am thankful for the fruit and maturity that has resulted.  I am thankful for each day I have been able to get out of bed and do something for someone.  I am thankful for each day that someone has gotten out of their bed and done something for me.  I am thankful for the birthday gifts my wife gave me, the Father's Day gifts the family gave me, the Anniversary date my wife and I shared, and the joy that life together has brought to us.

I am also very thankful for the appreciation, love, care and attention of so many of my family and friends.  I hope that in some way I have been a blessing in the life of others.  I hope that someone will one day list me as someone they are thankful for, just as I am so thankful for so many people in my life.

God of all, thank you for what you have given and what you have withheld.  I pray your love and kindness create in me a deeper and stronger sense of gratitude for all that you have given to me.  Amen.

Anniversary

I wish I was as diligent about writing as I should be.  Sometimes I get so caught up in my own head that I actually forget to put my ideas in writing.  Such is the case once again.  I meant to put up a big post before our anniversary.  I was planning to post something before and after the big day.  Instead I planned it all out in my head and left it there.

It has been almost a month and although it is quite late, I have to post at least a bit about our anniversary.


My gorgeous wife and I have been married for 13 years now.  We have had some tremendous ups and some unfortunate downs.  Through it all we have remained faithful to the covenant we made on that night where this journey all started.  It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Our anniversary night was awesome.  We had a great date and dinner.  Thanks to my friend who got us a great table at Dianne's on Devine.  The food was fantastic.  The service was outstanding.  The dessert was worth all five pounds that it caused me to put on.  The conversation was delightful.  It was so nice to talk, catch up, reminisce, and recap the year.  It was also nice to understand the challenges we faced and how we can grow from those challenges to make this marriage even better.  

I am so blessed to have a wife who believes in the value of marriage, the sanctity of marriage, and the joy of marriage.  I am encouraged to work even harder together so that we become a blessing to each other, and to our children and their children.

 

To My Forever, 

I'd do it all over again with you!  I'd love you, marry you, and pledge my all to you all over again.  I am looking forward to all the many wonderful years we will share together from this day forward.  I'm looking forward to making some wonderful and amazing memories this year and each year to come.

May the Lord bless us and keep us.  May the Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious to us.  May the Lord lift up his countenance toward us [ in our marriage], and give us peace.  (Numbers 6:24-26)

Love Always, Your Forever