90 Days Until Christmas

It’s 90 days until Christmas!  Wow… I’m just getting used to the beginning of fall, but as history serves me well, it’s really home stretch to the most encompassing, time-consuming, costly part of the year!  It is at this time that I find myself juggling household and family obligations in a mad rush to finish the perfect gift, decorations and party gathering activities.

I’m older now, and hopefully wiser.  My days are gone of having to hide gifts so my children wouldn’t find them.  Sometimes, I miss those days.  Those little ones certainly make for a fun time at Christmas.

But, in all honesty, those days were very stressful.  Especially when my children asked for things that my pocketbook could not afford.  It wasn’t as though I raised my children to be so materialistic, but let’s face it—they saw what other children received at Christmas, and it made me feel sad when they were disappointed that they could not get the same.  It was at this time that I grew to cringe at even the thought of Christmas coming. 

Now, as a grandma, I am still very sensitive about the deficiency that parents feel at this time of the year.  I have grandchildren now, and my husband and I try to be as generous with them as we possibly can be.  But, I also know that we cannot give them everything.  This is a part of the reality of life!  However, I also know that which I just referred to is of an earthly nature.  For we have all riches that are without measure that are available to us.  These are the most important in the big picture of things.  So this Christmas, I am going to be very generous.  My pocketbook may have limits, but not my spirit.  It is in this realm that I must first though fill up with God’s resources.  Galatians 5:22 speaks of gifts.  I must possess these ‘gifts’ before I can give them to others.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, …”

What this says to me is that these are the gifts I need to possess as I am scurrying about the Christmas season.  It’s what I carry in my spiritual ‘pocketbook’, so to speak.  These gifts will guide me through the times I am tired and just can’t take waiting one more minute in a long line at the store.  It is what will keep me in check when my budget needs to be obeyed and not the temptation to buy a more expensive item even though it’s hard to resist.  Finally, it will give me the joy to be able to reach out to others who are in desperate need of kindness.  This is because above all these ‘gifts’ is One who is the mantra – Jesus Christ.  It was His birth and death that allows me to receive eternal life.  This puts the Christmas season in perspective.  The day after the holiday when the season’s merchandise is slashed by 50% and the store aisles look as though a tornado went through, God’s eternal gift remains untarnished and precious. 

So, 90 days it is.  Will I fear or stress?  Oh yes, I will have my moments—after all, I am simply a flimsy mortal.  Why else would I need a Savior?  But, having God in my life does make a difference.  If I had to have a goal for this Christmas season, which I do; it is this~  This Christmas season, I want to make it count.  Not in how many earthly, temporary gifts I can give, or how splendid my house decorating turns out… But, my measure is by how much I can give out to others that would translate into the reflection they would see of the One who’s birthday it really is after all- Jesus Christ.

Years ago, when our children were little, we always made sure that they knew who’s birthday it really was at Christmas.  I even would have a birthday cake where my kids were able to sing “Happy Birthday Jesus”.  I confess though, that I very often forget this unchanging truth, and focus on the attributes of the season that actually remove Jesus from the holiday.  So, in writing this, I renew my commitment to keep Jesus first in the holiday, others in extending love and kindness, and taking time for myself to really see the beauty of Christmas.

In essence, this is what Christmas is really about:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

 

So, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”

Septemberisms

What is a septemberism?  I don't know, but it sounded good, so I looked it up in the dictionary; and this is what I found.... (actually flipping pages of my Webster's right now)..... drum roll~

...The word septemberism doesn't exist in itself, I learned.  The closest I came was "septennial".  So, I looked up the suffix 'ism' and of course, this means - action, practice, quality, characteristic, state, condition, illustration, doctrine, or instant.  It made me feel a lot better about using this word.

September is a starting line for me as my birthday is on the 11th day.  I usually like to take stock of my life-- have so for years.  I make my own 'new year resolutions'.  I laugh at the ones I've made over the years... way too numerous and unrealistic.  But, I admit, I still do set goals-- I like to see progression in my life, but I have learned to simplify and be more content with not-so-lofty targets.

Another definition of September in my life is that it's the beginning of fall and the last  full season of the year.  With that comes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.  It's a time of days getting shorter, leaves abandoning their home, and cozying up with a cup of coffee under a blanket to watch a football game. 

September brings lots of birthdays besides my own that I like to remember... son, Tim; nieces and nephews Christie, Terri, Aubrey, Maddy, and Albert; other family member Gretchen; and friends Susie and Tena. 

Finally, September is a nice pause in the year.  Kids return to school in new clothes and backpacks, and the stores begin their advertising for the Christmas season.  In the words of Earth, Wind and Fire's song "September"-- I too remember...  Two other songwriters Anderson and Maxwell penned their words to a September song that I also related to~

 

"Oh, it's a long, long while from May to December.

But the days grow short when you reach September.

When the autumn weather turn leaves to flame,

one hasn't got time for the waiting game. 

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious few...

September, September , I'll spend with you."







Today is Tim's Birthday

As today is my youngest son Tim's birthday, I felt it only appropriate to post one of his pictures I just viewed today from his blog. Seems like yesterday he was born. I know, it sounds like a cliche, but I was only 28 years old when 'Timmy' came into the world, and interestingly, this is his age today. As a mom, I think I will always keep in my heart my kids as little ones, even though they are now mature adults~ that's how it rolls in the minds of moms... it's a 'mom thing' I suppose. Even as I write this blog, Tim is in Colorado on business and is spending his birthday away from his family, friends and girlfriend Tiffany. But, one thing that I have learned about Tim, is that he values spending times with those he loves; and this is no different. He plans on hanging out with his long-time friend Adam in Boulder this evening. I'm always glad for others in Tim's life. It's reflected in his relationships the great person he is. So, Tim, have a great birthday! As I have told you before, "You're Still a Young Man"! I love you much...