A present that really lasts.......and anger turned into peace

When I saw this bag sitting on the kitchen table tonight, the first thing I thought was "I need to call my mom!".   Now this is silly on so many levels.... since my mom has been gone since 2011.  But here's the reason.... it was one of those "Black Friday" shopping trips, oh so long ago.  I really don't think that my mom had any idea that this bag that she got for Doug would still be in use 25 years later!  Gwen got a pink bag and Doug got an orange bag.  I can't remember exactly what store we purchased these at (wish I knew, I'd be tempted to go back and buy something there!).  Even the zipper still works on this bag.  It isn't like these never got used.  For a long time these bags were the only suitcases that Gwen and Doug owned.  They went on camp outs, sleepovers, mission trips, and vacations. They flew with us to California and Florida and went back and forth to Minnesota more times than I can count.  Yes, these were a first rate Christmas presents that were given in love by my mother.  Yes, tonight I was missing my mom!

The bag is on my kitchen table because we are "doggy sitting" for Sammy and Kylie.

Doug and Susie are getting away for a few days.  They really need this time away and alone.  It is so good to be able to DO something that makes a difference for them.  We love these doggies!  They are very at home in our house.  And they are not much trouble.  Mostly they sleep in their beds.  And I must admit, I was quite thankful this evening when I took them for a walk and it was pleasantly WARM outside (I think it is in the upper 30's).   I don't know if I would have been so willing to let them leisurely sniff around if it had been 20 degrees colder.  But, tonight we had a nice walk.  

While I was letting the dogs just investigate our neighborhood, I had a chance to look up and appreciate the night sky.  And I took some great deep breaths of cool air.  And it was a great time to talk to Jesus.  Sometimes doing something different really lets you break out of the routine prayers and just have a great conversation.  Tonight was like that for me.  I was surprised that I was really angry today. Angry that I can't call my mom.  Just angry that Lucas is not here.  Angry that our family is so upset.  Angry that Doug and Susie are going through this.  And the thing is, it was okay that I was so angry.  I felt so much love and peace from Jesus that it really almost took my breath away.  Even though I expressed all these bad feelings.  In spite of the anger, Jesus knows and he loves me anyway.  Isn't that amazing? And not only does he cover me with his love, he brings me another measure of peace.  So that walk did more for me than it did for Sammy and Kylie.  And in that I am so thankful.

Jesus, thank you for letting it be totally okay for me to be angry!  Thank you for reminding me that your love is so much bigger than my feelings.   Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me that no matter where my feelings go, I can express them to Jesus.  Jesus, bless Doug and Susie and give them rest, peace and love during this time away.  Thank you for your care and protection for my entire family.  Amen

The best "last minute", wasn't on the list, Christmas Present....

I am assuming that I am not the only person out there that struggles with trying to "top" that "best ever" Christmas present from years past.  Well, today I was thinking about the year I bought these crazy strap on skis for the kids.  I remember  being at the Stride Rite shoe store in the mall picking up some new shoes for Doug.  Then I spotted these plastic skis on a rack near the cashier.  They were ridiculously cheap - about $5 a pair.  So I just couldn't resist them.  Ken told me that they were junk and would never work.  There were plastic straps that Velcro closed over the kids boots.  I sort of thought that they might just be a novelty that got a few spins around the house.  The picture above doesn't do justice to the hours and hours of fun that Gwen and Doug had with these ski's.  They were actually really great.  They lasted through 2 winters and so many runs up and down the hill in the park behind the house.  And I think every parent in our neighborhood asked me where I got those skis.  Yes, it was the best "last minute", not on the list, Christmas present that I ever bought. 

I've done really good this year sticking to my list.  And, as I just blogged about this week, I've even made a few of my gifts.  I don't have much time to wander the stores so I am not apt to see that "special" item, either.  While I was doing my Bible reading today (yes, I am still managing to sneak in a few precious moments of quiet time each day, in spite of my new schedule), I was reading in Luke and there was the familiar Christmas story.  Oh, how I just love that scripture.  Today, I was taking it very slowly, and really looking at every verse.  There is so much in that chapter.   During my drive to work today I had the memory of those skis along with Chapter 2 from Luke running through my head.  Both of these had an "unexpected" quality about them.  Now I am not, in any way, saying that any Christmas present can compare to Jesus coming as a baby.  But, for all of us, this unexpected baby is the best present we could ever receive.  And I will continue to celebrate all of those times when we delight someone else with a great unexpected present or when we are surprised by someone else giving us a great gift!  And part of my thought process today was that having a list may not be the best thing at all!  I have been wondering how many amazing "best, last minute, not on the list" items I might have missed because I was so focused on my list! 

All of this is just another reminder that we need to be EXPECTING the UNEXPECTED!  I think that will be my new motto in the months ahead.   And it is a good one. I want to keep an expectant heart for all that Jesus might have in store for me.  I think that this thought might be the best, not on my list, thing that I can both give and receive! 

Thank you Jesus for prompting me to buy those skis for that long-ago Christmas.  And Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me that I need to EXPECT the UNEXPECTED in every way and in all of the days ahead.  Please slow us down and remind us to see what you did for us in the birth of Jesus.  Thank you for the Christmas season and the lights and the joy and the music.  Amen