Christmas 2010

Blessed Christmas to everyone. Here in Minnesota, it is definitely a white Christmas and getting whiter.

This is a healing Christmas for me. Though it's but a small beginning, I'm so grateful. Since I was very young, I've struggled to keep Christ in Christmas. In trying to do so for myself, and everyone else, I've sacrificed the fun . . . smiles . . . and joy. I felt obligated to donn my choir robe and be holy.

Add to that, Christmases on welfare. I came to believe that Christmas was a holiday for the rich. Bitterness and covetousness seemed to sprout like stubborn weeds once I flipped the calendar to December.

Two things happened this year to begin my healing.

#1: We contributed to a well, through Samaritan's Purse, for a few families without clean drinking water. My husband and I felt it was a sacrificial step of faith, but it felt so good! Imagine walking over an hour for clean water . . . something we take for granted. We were able to buy a ham for ourselves, and for friends who have had a tough year (s). That too was great fun.

#2: I've "let" myself enjoy the music. I'm still not big on Santa, but I love Sleigh Bells and a few other carols that you can't help but dance or prance to. A few nights ago, I caught myself raising hands of worship during a "secular" carol -- and almost slapped my hand. I heard a voice in my heart. "Who are you worshiping?"

"I'm worshiping God -- and God knows that," I told myself,"so keep your hands up." I did!

I have put a Gaither Christmas DVD in every morning to listen to while I get ready for work; and when no one is around, I enjoy the sweet presence of God and I worship, sometimes with tears of gratefulness.

I am so grateful for my parents and my husband's parents for bringing music into our lives. Dad filled the house with music from his chord organ. Mom sang, whistled (like no one I've heard before or since) and danced with such incredible playfulness. Ray's mom and dad couldn't pass a band playing without stepping out onto the dance floor and taking advantage of the music. They provided all 7 kids with piano lessons. Ray played for a rock and roll band and now plays with our church's worhsip team.

Well, I've written longer than I intended. It's time to close down and enjoy the Holy Day. Both Ray's and my parents are HOME for Christmas this year along with Steve, Ray's brother. One day, we'll celebrate together.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. "For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His one and only Son . . . "

Ever Growing,
Lonnie

Have you had any similar struggles with Christmas? How do you keep Christ in Christmas?

Writer: Dependent on God

A new year is approaching. I have wanted with everything in me, to be very professional about this blog. However, I've discovered that the expectations I've placed on myself have kept me from writing "anything." Ever been there? So my goal is consistency and improvement. I hope that, if you follow me for a while, you'll see growth. Growth in my walk with the Lord and growth in my writing.

I wrote several children's stories in 2010 and several were published in Kid Zone. I was so blessed to be invited to write stories when themes in their schedule weren't filled. I was also challenged. I had to meet a closer than usual deadline. I had to pray for ideas. I had to pray every step of the way. Once the story went to the publisher, I had to trust God. What if they didn't like it?

I had prayed and continue to pray -- for dependence on God in my writing. I hate the ineptness I feel. I want to think I'm talented and can write words full of beauty and wisdom, with just a touch of surprise and humor. At the same time, I love the dependence, because when good things happen, I know that God is involved in my life. Is there anything sweeter? I think not.

I'm going to close with a recent "aha!"

"For the High and Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this: I live in a high and holy place and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed." Isaiah 57:15-16 CSB

God doesn't just dwell with the lowly and oppressed. He doesn't just give us a shoulder hug and say, "I know this is hard. I'm sorry." God dwells with the lowly and oppressed (discouraged, depressed, etc) to REVIVE them. To revive you. To revive me.

Have a wonderful Christmas! And enter 2011 with expectation. God has plans!

Ever Growing,
Lonnie