Friends and Family

This time of year, it is just one of my most favorite things to get in the kitchen, bake and watch all the Christmas movies on Lifetime. I cannot help but tear up at each and every one of them. They seem to all have a story that is trying to show us that what is important is our relationships with our family and friends. This year, because we are moving, I am unable to have decorations out. We don’t have a tree for the second time in my life. The first time  was when we had sold our house at Thanksgiving and was living with relatives during the Christmas season and I promised myself I would never do that again. It was just too hard watching all the programs with decorations, friends houses putting up lights and sitting around their trees. But….once again, here I am, during the Christmas season, without all the “things” that normally help get us in the Christmas spirit. But for some reason, I am not sad. Randy and I said goodbye last week for a month, for him to go to California and me to head back here to pack up the house. God is growing me up and continually giving me gifts of His presence. In fact, this morning, it dawned on me that the 3 weeks I was out in California was just preparation for this month. When I was at the corporate apartment, unless I called someone or they called me, I was alone for about 12 hours a day. I realize now that God was getting me used to being by myself since He knew that I would be here in Dallas without Randy. It is those things that cause me to remember that Christmas isn’t really about the decorations, the trees or the shopping. Yes, those things make it pretty, bring back so many memories as we place ornaments on the trees and shop for those we love, but it is a time to reflect on what God gave us; His Son, to carry our burdens, to come along side us when we are lonely, to save us and to perfect us as He grows us up, both, spiritually and physically.  I heard an expression today on one of the movies while making a carrot cake. “Christmas reminds us that we should be grateful of Friends who are like Family, and Family who are our Friends” God has truly blessed our family with just that. We might have our little differences, but most everyday, we would pick them as friends, if they were not already our family. We are truly blessed. Merry Christmas to each of you and remember to make each day count for honoring the Christ Child, who is our reason for this most precious time of year.