Friday, December 14, 2007

Snow


We have lots of snow!! It makes this Christmas season so sweet. This is a picture taken from my back door. The kids have been out playing in it almost everyday after school. My favorite is the untouched snow. I did not grow up with snow, so it is still very fun for me.
Snow reminds me of forgiveness. Christmas time is one of those places or seasons in our life where expectations can literally drive us from thing to thing or place to place. Often times how we approach this time of year and what we do is based on what others expect rather than on what we know we should be doing or shouldn't be doing. We place unnecessary demands on ourselves!! Maybe even our good intentions are a bit unrealistic and ideal. Because in the midst of planning and making Christmas memories, we still have everyday life happening all around us.
I am doing a little self-talk to myself this morning. I have had some good intentions and great ideas, but have yet to accomplish everything. The last couple of nights there have been interruptions, others who have needed things, kids not feeling 100 percent etc.. But what message do I want to communicate to others and especially my children. The message is that God became flesh, left his heavenly throne to become a living sacrifice for our sins. There is so much about the Christmas message that I desire for my kids to understand. Not the pretty decorations, gifts, baking, parties and so on. The message of love is what I want them to see. God loved them so much that He was was willing to give up so much in order for us to be reconciled unto Himself.
My kids won't remember in a few years whether or not the cookies were decorated just so or even if there were bows on their gifts, but they will remember if mom was a little uptight and short with them in the midst of the Christmas season. Like yesterday!! I was trying to finish something and all (it couldn't of been just one) of my children were in the room and I used a tone that I was not proud of to express my frustration. It wasn't just the tone but the body language and everything that comes with it. And the worse part was that the offense did not deserve it or even come close to this type of reaction. Immediately, the Lord convicted me and as I looked about the room filled with Christmas decorations and the sight of Christmas planning all around me, it made me want to take back my tone and everything that went with it, in lieu of everything around me. No amount of physical beauty in the home can replace the atmosphere that a mother or father brings.
Last night I asked for forgiveness and then I went to bed. I knew I was tired! Today, I am looking at the beauty of the untouched snow and the picture of God 's love and forgiveness it reflects for my own life and I am more and more thankful for Christmas.

9 comments:

Tammy said...

Chris, this was beautifully put. It's so easy for us to feel overwhelmed at this time, and often it is because we all let ourselves feel obligated to do too much.
Such a great reminder!
Enjoy this time...and all your wonderful snow, too!

Linda said...

Such wisdom in this Chris. While I was waiting for this page to come up (dialup is oh so slow) I read Sarah's (In the Midst of It) post for today. It was about her grandma's funeral - she spoke about the way her grandmother would be remembered. It was for all those things you mentioned - not one word about getting the decorations just right or the icing just so. It is a precious legacy to leave behind.

Susanne said...

What a wonderful post, Chris. I don't want my family to remember me as driven at this time of year, but flexible and there for them.

Enjoy your snow, we were out playing in it today. What a huge yard you have.

Cyndi said...

I loved the comparison between snow and forgiveness. Loved it.

Melissa said...

I'm right with you. I'm trying to let go of some things so I can maintain my sanity & self-control!

Lylah Ledner said...

hi chris...what a beautiful, beautiful picture with a heart felt post. love it....i came over from 50's housewife blog.

i'll come back for a visit with my cup of coffee! blessings...lylah

Lisa Spence said...

Beautiful...in post and in pic...

His Girl said...

glad I found your blog! great post. thanks for the reminder :)

Judy said...

Thank you Chris. Your wise words have helped bring me right back to where I need to be in my mind and in my heart. I love this sentence... "No amount of physical beauty in the home can replace the atmosphere that a mother or father brings." It puts a tear in my eye. Thank you for sharing your sweet disposition and heart for God with us! You are loved!