Christmas Card Prayers

One lost a mother. One lost a son. One lost a husband.

Too many to count have lost jobs.

This morning I sent out Christmas cards, thankful to finally get them out of my house and into the hands of people who have not heard from me in a couple of years.

But as I was addressing the cards this past weekend, I was struck by how many people on my list have gone through really hard things recently. Loss. Disappointment. Great hardship.

My heart aches for all the grief that’s out there, because I know that grief seems especially close at this time of year. Even long-held grief rears its ugly head and reminds you of the empty place at the dinner table or the days spent in the hospital at just this time of year.

Grief is especially active right now.

As I stuffed envelopes I found myself praying for my friends, especially those who have suffered this past year, losing loved ones and jobs.

And I wondered, yet for the thousandth time, why me?

Why am I blessed with healthy children? Why do I have a happy marriage? Why are we able to stay in our home and dodge the economic bullets that seem to have ravaged so many people these days?

I’ll admit, it is the question on my mind so often—why me? Why us? Why, Lord?

It’s not that we’re smarter, wiser, more astute than others. It’s certainly not that we’re kinder, more generous, or more loving (if you think that, you obviously weren't at our Christmas card photo shoot). Our being “spared,” for now, has nothing to do with us or the way we live or the way we act at all.

We can’t bring blessing upon ourselves.

Old Testament prophets knew that blessings come from the hand of God. Job knew it too, and trusted it completely. As far as I know, Lot did not blame God when he lost everything, including his wife.

So if this blessed life that I have been given is not at all from my own hand, I must simply accept it with a heart filled with gratitude.

This year my prayer has been that in every Christmas light (even the ones that keep going out in front of my house!), in every glistening ornament, in every flickering candle flame I would see God for who He is—the giver of every good gift.

And if you are grieving this year, I am praying that you will be able to see Him too.

Linking this post to Emily's Tuesdays Unwrapped. Head over there to read more.

Photo credit #1, #2.

Five Minute Friday: Tired

Well hello, Friday. I'm happy to see you again, my friend. Shhhh. Don't tell the others, but you're my favorite.

It has been a while since I've taken part in Lisa-Jo's "Five Minute Friday" party, but I thought I'd take a few minutes to write today.

A friend's Facebook post this week has made me think so often about the days when my girls were babies, sleeping so sweetly in their crib after a long, long day. I wrote about it earlier this week, and then today's prompt from Lisa-Jo made me think of it again.

I hate that I have so many regrets about the mom I was when my girls were younger, but there it is. I do. Have regrets. Don't we all?

I guess I'm just processing some of those this week.

GO

I have never been so tired as I was in those days. The days I remember well with a mixture of joy and shame.

Did my weariness lead me to be that crabby mom, that tired mom who justified her temper because of her exhaustion?

That tired mom who counted down the minutes, seconds, until bedtime and who took so little pity on her young ones in that moment.

That mom who, after a couple of hours of peace, would sneak into her daughter’s room, brush the hair from her face, and just stare at the wonder of God’s handiwork.

Was it exhaustion that finally compelled me to pick up my sleeping baby, bring her close, nuzzle her neck, and breathe deeply the scent of my offspring?

And was it bone-weariness that caused me to hold her, heart breaking, love swelling, until the tears fell?

One exhausted mom. Shame-filled, hope-filled, prayer-filled.

One sleeping baby. Resting, dreaming, forgiving.

STOP

Head on over to Lisa-Jo's for more Five Minute Friday posts.

Longing

For H

Pots banging, kids screaming, T.V. blaring, mom yelling. 

Long days.

Water splashing, kids squealing, dad reading. 

Sweet relief.

Pink pajamas, soft blankie, cuddle time. 

Precious moments.

Eyes closing, tiny hands relaxing, downy hair falling across the brow. 

Remember this.

Looking down, reaching out, holding close. 

Tears falling.

Joy, sorrow, pride, regret. 

Motherhood.

Simplifying Christmas with Magnet Street

Sadly, Thanksgiving is over. I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving with all of its quiet, restful football-watching goodness.

I'm sad that it's over, partly, because I know what comes next.

Hurry. Rush. Party, party, party. Shop, shop, shop.

It's all a bit much.

I mean, I love Christmas--where on earth would we be without the Incarnation? I love the true meaning of Christmas.

But we've gotten so far away from that, haven't we? All the busy-ness and rushing around just makes me crazy, so I'm always looking for ways to simplify the season.

I've tried the not-sending-any-Christmas-cards-this-year way of simplifying things, and that works for a year or two, but after a while the pile of cards we receive starts to dwindle and I'm pretty sure our friends have forgotten all about us. That's the boat I'm sitting in right now.

So cards are definitely going out this year if it kills me. And it just might (kill me!) if getting all five of us together to have our picture taken is any indication of just how much of a pain-in-the-you-know-what the Christmas card endeavors are going to be this year. I tried for weeks to get us all in the same place at the same time, and, after several texts and lots of pleading, possibly even some groveling, we finally found 30 minutes last Saturday to be in the same place at the same time. Let's just say it did not go well. You'd have thought I had lined all five of us up for a root canal!

Hopefully your family will be a little more cooperative than mine was (although we did manage to get one good photo out of about 75 tries). I can't get your family together, or sitting quietly and smiling like they actually WANT to be there, but I CAN help in the area of getting the card you want at a great price.

Enter Magnet Street. I've told you about them. A great company run by great people with great values. Truly, I love this place.

This year, Magnet Street has some beautiful Christmas cards to choose from. Check these out.

Photo cards.

Folded cards. I love this classic style.

Folded cards come in 4x6 or 5x7 sizes. Isn't this one pretty?

Even some fun and funky styles like this one which reminds me of my niece, Kira, for some reason. 

Want to simplify your Christmas season? All you have to do is go to the Magnet Street website and click "Christmas Cards" under their "Life Moments" tab and get designing.

Here's how ours turned out. I have to say, I absolutely love it, except, of course, for my most unfortunate choice of sweater that makes me look like I'm about nine months pregnant. Will I ever learn to look in a mirror before I leave the house? Probably not.

The best thing about using Magnet Street for your Christmas cards is that they are completely personalized. Want your card to be red instead of green? No problem--you can easily change the color settings. Want a different font? You can change that too (I did!). Every inch of your card can be customized to fit your needs. You can even leave a note for their designers with your order.

When you're finished, you can share your design on Twitter or Facebook. Cool, huh?

Now, here's the best part. Magnet Street is offering my readers 25% off your entire Christmas card order. All you have to do is enter the promo code EFF97DBZE5 at check out. (Just copy and paste that one--it's a little hard to remember.) 

But wait! There's more! I told you Magnet Street is a great company run by great people, right? This year, for every order that is placed with the promo code above, Magnet Street will donate one meal to a hungry child through Feed My Starving Children, an amazing organization that sends ready-made meals to malnourished children overseas. And not only will they be sending money to Feed My Starving Children, they will be sending their people to go pack up the meals that will be shipped overseas. 

So there you go. Saving money AND saving children at the same time. Seriously, I can't think of anything better.

So, if you haven't done it yet, go order your Christmas cards from Magnet Street. And if you haven't taken your family photo yet, well, all I can do is say a prayer for you because I know that might be the most difficult thing you do in the next month.

So tell me, how was your Christmas photo-taking experience?

Disclaimer: Magnet Street has kindly offered me cards in return for this blog post. The cards are cool. The post? All my own. 

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 24

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Today I am most thankful for the Incarnation. The Word became flesh.

As we enter this Christmas season, my prayer is that my eyes would see Him, my ears would listen to Him, my heart would be attuned to Him, and my words would glorify Him.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 23

This guy.

The light of my life.

The one who challenges me, encourages me, fights with me, and helps me see the world in a new way.

My husband of 26 years, 3 children, 8 residences, and countless trips. He knows my heart and loves me still.

He puts up with my lust for travel when he would much rather be fishing.

And that, my friends, is true love.

I'm thankful that God gave him to me those many years ago, and I'm thankful that we both look forward to the adventures God has in store for the next 26 years. Together.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 22

This one.

My firstborn. My guinea pig, poor thing.

The one who lives life to the full.

The one who embodies joy and shares it with everyone she knows.

The girl who isn't afraid to be the life of the party or the listening ear.

A sister, kind. A friend, always.

How could a mother be so blessed?

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 21

Last day of classes, for a week anyway.

Enough said?

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 20

I'm thankful for a day of REST today. As I sit in front of the fire and the Bears game, I'm realizing just how much I enjoy quiet days like this.

Thank you, Lord!

How about you? What are you thankful for today?

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 19

OK, I'm a little late in posting. So sue me.

I'm still thankful for several things today yesterday.

1. I'm thankful that the cold I thought I was getting when I woke up didn't materialize and ruin my day. I guess that makes me thankful for Zicam, too.

2. I'm thankful that I had energy to tackle the grocery store(s) yesterday and that the lines weren't as bad as I thought they would be. I'm also thankful that I got my shopping done early--College girl is coming home on Monday, you know!

3. Most of all, I'm thankful that after weeks of trying, the five of us actually managed to find 30 minutes together in front of a camera for our Christmas card picture (thanks, Ginny!). Despite the most unfortunate sweater selection on my part (hello?! looking pregnant much?!), we did manage to find something to use for our cards this year.

4. I'm thankful that after a two-year hiatus, Christmas cards will actually be sent this year. I'll be even more thankful if I get a card or two in return.

So even on the most ordinary of days, I'm learning that I have a lot to be thankful for. I'm loving this daily exercise.

How about you? What can you share today?

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 18

Being in the middle is not easy. Trust me, I know.

You're always being compared either up or down, and you hardly ever just get to be you.

But if you're determined and smart and fiercely independent, you'll make your own path in this world.

Just ask this one.

The middle one. The one who will be leaving her mama in a puddle of tears next year. The one who knows herself at 17 so much more than I did at that age. The one who makes me want to be better.

The one I'm thankful for today.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 17

This week I'm doing tutorials with each of my students which is basically a 15 minute, one-on-one meeting to discuss their next paper. Today I met with 10 students, and I have to say that I'm thankful for each and every one of them. Even the 28 I didn't meet with today.

My students are diverse and interesting and thoughtful.

Some say thank you after every class.

Some fall asleep.

I have learned a lot from my students (I hope they can say the same of me), and I have enjoyed them immensely.

Most days.

No matter what, though, they have given me a new reason to get up in the morning (at 5:45!) and have made me realize yet again that I am a teacher at heart.

What about you? What are YOU thankful for today?

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 16

I'm thankful today for my parents and sisters (and their families), especially that they are ALL coming here for Christmas. I'm finding myself getting very excited about Christmas this year!

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 15

The text I received this afternoon from my daughter pretty much sums up what I'm thankful for today:

"Okay, WHAT IS WITH THIS WEATHER?? It's like winter got lost on his way here!"

Yep. That.

PLUS, I got to spend the day with my dear friend. Bonus blessings all around!

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 14

Things did not go so well in class today. Let's just say that technology is not my friend.

But even though a large portion of my day did not go as planned (lesson planned, get it?!), I still have lots to be thankful for:

- a chance to get to the grocery store . . . and money to pay for the food we need. I saw a woman in the store who seemed like she could barely afford the can of soup she was buying and it made me want to cry.

- time to hang out with my girls.

- garbage pick up.

- a husband who likes to come home to us every night.

- joy in a student's eye.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 13

So much to be thankful for today.

- Church. I love my church and am so thankful for those who serve so faithfully there.

- Ministry. We serve in a ministry we love, outside of our church, called Missionary Furlough Homes. The foundation owns 18 townhomes here, and we offer them to missionaries on furlough for a very reasonable rate. We serve as houseparents to one unit--it's a perfect fit for our family and one I'm grateful for.

- Family. Everyone in our family was scattered hither and yon this weekend, but we're all back where we're supposed to be tonight. I'm thankful for journey mercies for all of us over the past few days.

- Friends. We went to dinner tonight with some wonderful friends, two of whom met in my class a loooonnng time ago, and one of whom claims to be my biggest fan. I don't have the heart to tell her that I'm not worth fanning over, but I love that she reads here.

We are blessed beyond belief, and it's been great to count them all this month. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us this week.

So tell me, what blessings are YOU counting this weekend?

What is Hope?

I can’t go.

Compassion does not know me; I’m just another blogger in a vast sea of bloggers to them.

And yet, something in my heart wants to do what they are doing. To touch lives, physically; to give hope to the hopeless.

I read their stories—Sophie’s and Ann’s—about a boy abandoned, Jonathan, and they make me cry here in my comfortable home with people all around me who love me. I realize, reading about life in Equador, that it isn’t even so much about the daily needs—the rice, the bread, the food. It’s about hope.

How can one boy have hope alone? I wonder as I read his story. How can he survive? Abandoned. Alone. Ashamed.

And that’s when I know that hope does not come from food or shelter or even the love of family. True hope comes from this Bread of Life, the word we can chew on, the promises that are new every morning.

All he has is hope that is living, active, sharp. And he holds onto it for dear life.

Are you?

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope. Psalm 130:5

{photo credit}

Compassion International is helping provide hope for kids all over the world. Would you consider joining them as they bring true Hope--the Word of God--to children? Just $38 a month will do it. 
Click here to sponsor a child.

Thanksgiving Challenge - Day 12

A day in the city with Julia today. I'm thankful for amazing, warm weather which really helps make a day great!

Hope for the Weary Mom

Some of you might remember that I write a once-a-month post for moms of girls over at the MODsquad blog (every third Monday just in case you want to put that on your calendar). I'm so proud to be a part of what's happening over there--encouraging mothers of daughters to raise them to know Jesus.

What you might not know is that there is a counter-part to the MODsquad for moms of boys called the M.O.B. Society. If you have sons, you might want to check that out.

Every Saturday in November, the MODsquad and the M. O. B. Society are coming together for a series called "Hope for the Weary Mom" because, as we all know, weariness knows no gender. It just is. 

Today's post is written by the founder of the M. O. B. Society, Brooke McGlothlin, and I tell you, it is fantastic. Even the title (which I'm always telling my students to PAY ATTENTION to!) will make you laugh: Beer & Cigarettes {hope for the weary mom}. Pop on over there if you need a little encouragement on this Saturday.

Thanksgiving Challenge - 11.11.11

Need I say more?