This Christmas season was a bit more crazy than we are used to. Add three young children anxiously awaiting Christmas, and you are guaranteed more crazy :) All in all, thanks to so many of God's angels here on Earth, we were able to provide an AMAZING Christmas for our kids. Several times it was deemed 'the best Christmas EVER!'
Papa and I were continually amazed at how many people love and care about our kiddos. The day after Christmas, we received a call for our CASA (court appointed special advocate). He said he wanted to drop by because he had some things for our kids. He shows up with four BEAUTIFUL hand made quilts. These quilts were made by his mother and sister as part of Project Linus. (www.projectlinus.org) He has to be near 70, so I'm guessing his mother is somewhere in her 90's, and she and the ladies at her nursing home make quilts that Project Linus distributes to children in hospitals, foster care, and any child in need of the comfort a blankie can bring. I was truly touched that these women do this, and that our children received one.
Later that afternoon, Papa went to the mailbox to get the mail. Of course in the stack were several Christmas cards, ads for the newest sales, and an envelope with no return address. Assuming it was another Christmas card, we ripped into it. However, what was inside took us by surprise. It was a Christmas card, but inside was a very generous gift with a business card that said 'Sons of Santa'. Written on the card were these words 'Take care of those kids.' I immediately tried to google these Sons of Santa to get more information, however I didn't have much luck. After reaching out to Facebook, my cousin informed me that the Sons of Santa were part of the biker organization BACA or bikers against child abuse. (www.bacaworld.org)
How these people came to learn about us or our kiddos is beyond me. But it really got me thinking about how different these two groups were....a 90 year old woman in a nursing home quilting, and a biker gang that speaks out against child abuse. Both of them took it upon themselves to bless us and our kids this Christmas. I am truly humbled and amazed at God's provision and blessings.
I also spent a lot of time thinking about Mary. Mary Did You Know has always been one of my favorite Christmas carols. Now, some of you might think this is a stretch....but bear with me. In my head it is profound and makes perfect sense ;)
I figure Mary and I have a lot in common. Both of us spent time raising a child(ren) that were not ours from the start. Mary held and rocked Jesus knowing that she would one day have to give Him up. I hold and comfort kids that most likely will leave me someday for their 'real parents'. I am sure Mary soaked up all the snuggles and time with young Jesus because she knew that one day His mission and purpose would take Him away from her. I soak up every hug and snuggle and 'I love you' because I know that someday they may go back to a life that does not encourage such tenderness.
But in all my comparing, I came up with one major difference. I love, comfort, and nurture these kids because it is what they are lacking (have lacked) and what THEY NEED. I wonder how many times Mary held baby Jesus and realized how much SHE NEEDED Him. How much the whole world had lacked what He had the power to give. I wonder how many times she tucked Him in at night and pour out her worries and concerns for the future as He snored peacefully near by.
As a mother, it is a lot to take in...it is a lot to think about. I'm not sure that I could have done what Mary did. However, when push comes to shove...she was willing to be used. She was willing to say 'the heck with what others say....I will follow His will for my life, and not my own'. She was not afraid to be uncomfortable in a selfish world that preaches comfort at all cost.
Francis Chan is one of my favorite inspirational authors. God used his book, The Forgotten God, to encourage me to take a pretty big leap of faith a few years ago. And his words and quotes ring in my head quite often....
“But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through.”
As you stare 2015 in the face, are you willing to be uncomfortable? Are you willing to take a step that DEPENDS on God coming through on His promises? Everyone's comfort level is different and thus what makes us uncomfortable will look different. Whatever it is for you, I pray you have the strength and faith to be uncomfortable this new year.
“It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.”
This was PROFOUND. Wow.
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