Like you I've been trying to decorate at home for Christmas, shop for the perfect gifts, plan and rehearse for the big show - "Let It Be Christmas" - happening at River City Church next weekend, keep track of all the parties, school concerts and all those other seasonal outings - all the while trying to be a good parent.
Today I woke up and thought about all the stuff I had to do this weekend along with all the places by kids need to be brought (whoever said that a woman's place is in the home is wrong - if my place is in the home, why am I ALWAYS in the car?!?). And I felt...discouraged! How can one person do all of this? How can I possibly get everything done before Christmas? How can I make this the best Christmas ever? There's no way!
All of you out there with toddlers and babies, be patient! Eventually you will experience something like this - my 13 year old son woke me up this morning with a beautiful cup of steaming coffee and shook me out of my "funk." As we were talking over the day's events, he was looking out the window and excitedly announced "It's snowing - Christmas is in the air!" (It never ceases to amaze me how kids of all ages love it when it snows).
We paused to watch the snowflakes drift to the already snow-covered ground and realized what this season truly means. Christmas is not about snow. And it's not about presents and decorations and rushing around, either. Christmas is about slowing down, looking, watching, waiting and being excited about the birth of Jesus.
Well, we couldn't stay "stuck in that moment" for too long. Kids had to go to school. There are birthday parties today. Production rehearsals tonight. And believe it or not, I have to work today! But in that moment, mesmerized by the snow, I found myself relaxing. I felt open to the season, suddenly excited by the wonder of it all. Once again, God had spoken to me, answering the prayer I hadn't realized I had uttered. And quietly, I thanked him.
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