Well, the hustle and bustle of Christmas is almost behind us for another year. This year was bitter-sweet. It was magical because it was our first Christmas with our new baby, Ridley. He is a gift straight from Heaven. It was difficult, because my mom has been suffering from an environmental illness. Long story short, she has extreme sensitivities to all chemicals, plastics, fabrics that are not 100% cotton, electronics, metals, inks, and the list goes on. There is a lot I could write about her strength and courage, about her suffering and determination, about how good our God is in all circumstances, but those are for another time. This blog is about the true meaning of Christmas.
Back in October my mom was really struggling with her disorder. We had been told by several doctors that there was nothing that could be done. We were feeling scared and hopeless. I had prayed for healing so many times. I read books, searched the Internet, called doctors. I wanted her better. My mom said that she didn't think she could put up her Christmas tree due to her sensitivities. This news was the final straw for me. This news made me realize just how much her life had changed. My mom loved decorating for Christmas. Our home always looked like it was straight out of a magazine every holiday season. I could not imagine a Christmas without my parents' perfect tree glittering in the dim light of their family room with red and green packages stacked up, waiting to be opened. I broke down with this news. I was so sad for her, and for me, for our whole family who could not celebrate Christmas the way we always had before.
It is amazing how God uses difficult times to teach us lessons we need to learn before we enter into eternity with Him. This situation has been no different. I quickly realized that Christmas is not about a tree and packages. It is not about traditions, although they are wonderful to have. It is not about shopping or the hustle and bustle. It's not about Christmas cookies or the ham in the center of the table. It is about Jesus Christ, the great and mighty gift God sent us over 2000 years ago. It is about the Savior wrapped in ragged cloth, laying in a dirty stable, ready to rescue the world from sin and death. If the Savior can spend Christmas there, I certainly can enjoy it in a warm house with those that I love the most. It's funny...the places filled with the most Christmas spirit: malls, bars and restaurants, work Christmas parties, often have the least amount of the true Christmas meaning...Christ!
Through God's grace my mom was led to a new doctor who has taken a more hole-istic approach. She has undergone tests, has drastically changed her diet, and is holding to a strict supplement regimen in the hopes that she can cleanse and heal her body. We are very hopeful and there have been small steps of progress. We are thanking God for this ordeal as it has taught us so much about our priorities and what really matters. She still has a way to go, but at least she is on a path that makes sense. In the mean time we are praising the Lord for these trials and trying to learn the lessons He has for us throughout this ordeal. Please keep us all in your prayers!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
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