This will be a lean gift-giving year for us, and I'm already dreading the day after Thanksgiving, when the floodgates open and Christmas shopping is on!
But, the pressure I feel is my own. It's wrapped up in my ideas of what Christmas should look like for my loved ones. The proof that I'm the one with the contentment issue is here:
Chapstick! Little Elisabeth would like her own chapstick. We can do that.
And then there's one of our older children not quite knowing what to put on his list. Not because he wants so many things, but precisely because he doesn't want so many things.
Books. Pens. Play earrings. Play horses. Baby dolls. Pack of cards. Army men. A pack of cars.
The lists are humble ones.
And they leave me thankful that we've never been able to shower our children with extravagant gifts--no iPods or computers when they're 8 or 10. No car when they're 16.
That's not a judgment on those who can do that for their children. God works different ways in different families. Rather, it's simply an acknowledgement that we might have different children had we been able to give them those things. The hedges God has put around us have forced us to be very intentional about other things. And the fruit I see in our children is beautiful.
Their stockings might be lightweights, but I believe their souls are full, heavy with the knowledge of God and His goodness. Some of us are blessed to have fat stockings and fat souls. Thanks be to God for that blessing! But, if God should only give our family one, you know what I would choose every time.
If there's a sadness about you because you long to give more things than your bank account will allow, remember the expectations might very well just be your own. Rest in His provision, praise Him for the glorious truth of the gospel, the amazing gift of Jesus, the grace of contented hearts, and trust in the good work He continues to do in your family. These gifts are priceless.
With love,
Trisha
***Perhaps your family doesn't exchange gifts. But, please, this is not the place for a discussion on whether Christians should celebrate Christmas or exchange gifts. We celebrate, and we give, and we thank God we can.
No apologies Trisha. There is much to be said for simpler things. Bigger houses & bigger incomes are not always the blessing they appear to be. I can tell you that of the few gifts my children get this year, my greatest purchase has been shoes & socks for the angel tree children at their school. Love you & I hope ya'll have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes, Trisha. So beautiful and...rich. Love you!
ReplyDeleteI am with you on wanting to so much more for my children, especially, it seems, at CHRISTmas. Yet, time and time again, it seems that it is Momma who is the one who wants more while they enjoy the less. When John was basically unemployed for two years, we also had to "suffer" through the lean gift giving. Our children's solution? Let's just MAKE gifts for each other. That is probably their favorite CHRISTmas, and it was simple!!! If I could just remind myself of that....... Then, last year, they showed such disappointment with the season. Why? Were the gifts too simple? Did we not lavish enough $$ on each one? Did we give more to one than another? No. Daddy had to work the day after CHRISTmas so that we weren't able to enjoy our traditional Day After Game Fest. That's what matters to them the most - not the gifts. Trisha, I think today you and I have families to be thankful for. :) Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!
ReplyDeleteSweet post.
ReplyDelete