A new family tradition?

This year we decided that there really aren't many things that we really NEED. In view of that fact we are limiting our spending to far below what we have spent on Christmas in the past. The kids are spending $5-10 on each other and we are spending around $30 on each person. Our large gifts to each other will work this way: the boys will pick anitem out of the World Vision catalog to "give" to the girls and the girls will do the same for the boys.

I have to admidt that I had my doubts, I like getting and giving gifts! But I am finding that my excitement about Christmas has not lessened, it remains the same. I also get excited thinking about using the money to help people who REALLY need it! The kids are totally excited about it and have both picked out simple items, but ones that I have no doubt will be loved!

We are hoping that this will become a tradition that our kids can pass on to their kids, the tradition of giving to those in need because that is who Jesus came for! We will be praying that the gifts we give will express the love of our Lord.

The real meaning of Christmas is not the giving and receiving of presents, but remembering the gift we have already received!! May we remember!!!

A new family tradition?

This year we decided that there really aren't many things that we really NEED. In view of that fact we are limiting our spending to far below what we have spent on Christmas in the past. The kids are spending $5-10 on each other and we are spending around $30 on each person. Our large gifts to each other will work this way: the boys will pick anitem out of the World Vision catalog to "give" to the girls and the girls will do the same for the boys.

I have to admidt that I had my doubts, I like getting and giving gifts! But I am finding that my excitement about Christmas has not lessened, it remains the same. I also get excited thinking about using the money to help people who REALLY need it! The kids are totally excited about it and have both picked out simple items, but ones that I have no doubt will be loved!

We are hoping that this will become a tradition that our kids can pass on to their kids, the tradition of giving to those in need because that is who Jesus came for! We will be praying that the gifts we give will express the love of our Lord.

The real meaning of Christmas is not the giving and receiving of presents, but remembering the gift we have already received!! May we remember!!!

The tough stuff

Seems to me that most of us have no desire to work through the tough parts of life. I am no different, I have no desire to work through tough stuff; however I do know that when I do there are great rewards on the other side. We sometimes feel like when something happens that is hard to deal withan that God is punishing us or is unhappy with us. I have found this to be not true! Often I have found that God grows me through these times. I become a healthier, better person through the experiences in my life.

I do not seek these experiences, but I am learning to accept them. I am also finding that my process of letting go of these things and trusting God is a huge aspect of my spiritual journey. The straight and narrow as it is called I feel is more of the obedient and narrow.

God and I have been talking about the process of following. My western culture has embedded the idea of the shortest distance between two points always being the best. We serve a God who is outside of that. Seems to me that He keeps telling me that the shortedt distance between me and Him is simply obedience.

Last night we had a meeting at 6, around4:45 I felt a strong sense that I needed to go and spend the time up to the meeting in prayer. I did. The meeting went well, but at the end all I know is that I was obedient and because of that I felt a sense of joy and that God was pleased with my obedience.

I am doing my best to live a life of quick obedience, not perfect but my best. I once heard that "slow obedience is no obedience". I believe that this is true for adults as much as it is for kids!! May we be quick to be obedient, and slow to forget our need for being obedient!!