Christmas 2009 builds up my Prayer List

Whew! I blinked and Christmas was over! December 25 seemed to take forever to arrive, but it was gone in an instant. The girls were happy with their gifts to the best of my knowledge, but there were a few remarks  concerning items they didn't receive. WHAT? If they only knew the monetary amount spent on Christmas this year.  That's when it occurred to me...my girls are spoiled! Yes-I mean SPOILED ROTTEN! How did we get there?

I've tried to teach them the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus is the most important gift of all, giving is better than receiving, yada yada dah, but each year their gift lists are getting longer and more expensive. Several friends tell me they limit their children's gift list to three items. It feels like we've dug a hole too deep to drop back to three gifts each. They would probably go into shock.  Then again, what do you expect from girls that receive cell phones at the the ages of 10, 8, and 6 years old? We are to blame, no doubt about it.  The question is, how to fix it? We will definitely have to pray about how best to approach this situation that will take the focus off of the gifts and commercial hoopla surrounding the time of year that should project more emphasis on the birth of Jesus.

This Christmas was a little more emotional than usual.  The loss of my Mamaw (although a wonderful addition to Heaven), the declining health of my Papaw, and the negative issues of part of my family who shall remain nameless.  The first two can't be helped. The latter group should have acted as adults and come together as family for the sake of my Papaw regardless of what their problems are. This is the first Christmas without my Mamaw. Papaw had enough to deal with on that alone. Besides that, with his health, only God knows whether He will allow Papaw to be with us next Christmas.  Okay, I've vented! They will never read this blog, but I do feel better. I will have to keep this one on my prayer list as well as my attitude concerning it.

Although my Christmas had it's moments, I have to be thankful for the loved ones I have still on this earth...thankful that God has blessed me more time with each of my girls and my husband.  My heart breaks for a particular family that has lost a child. He's in Heaven, but the pain here on earth for mom and dad has to be unimaginable. I'm praying God gives them comfort while trying to live each day without their baby boy. I'm praying for those who are sick and still waiting on their miracle.


Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.
Psalm 71:20-21


Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5