December 28, 2008 at 7:54 am (Family, Focus, Holidays)
It is December 28, 2008. Christmas is over. New Year’s is just a few days away. Now is the time to evaluate the “Season”. Was it good? Were there disappointments? Will we be glad when it is all finished?
I have always loved Christmas! It has everything wonderful wrapped up in one big present. The meaning of Christmas is vital to our Christian walk. If it weren’t for Christmas (and Easter), we would not have a Savior who came to earth as a man and then died on the cross for our redemption, our faith would be worthless! This is truly an important and meaningful time to remember!
Christmas is also a wonderful time to see friends and families. Many memories are made during this time of the year. It is important to me to keep a strong connection with my sisters and their children. I want us to make memories for ourselves!
And, of course, Christmas has it’s own special foods. It is almost magical sitting down to Christmas dinner. The smells, the tastes, and the conversation are such a beautiful fusion of the senses. Each one is good, but the blending is incredible!
This year, the Christmas Season has been bittersweet. This is the first year without my Mother. My sister and her husband announced that they are moving to Missouri. My uncle passed away on December 23. The funeral was held on Christmas Eve. Each of these events is sad, but the combination of them is overwhelming.
In the book of Job, Job experiences wonderful blessings of God, followed by horrendous tragedies. As he is suffering through all of this, his so-called friends try to give him advice. They wonder why he is facing so many difficulties. They ask about the sin in his life. He declares, quite adamantly, “Why should I accept the good from God, and not the bad?” He isn’t saying that God randomly sends us good, and then slaughters us with bad. What Job conveys is the blessings of the plans of God. His plans include wonderful gifts, and also difficulties. But I can have assurance and encouragement knowing that God is in it all. I will live this day, this month, this Season knowing that God is good!
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December 15, 2008 at 9:59 pm (Uncategorized)
I have been accused of always expecting something to go wrong! When my kids were in college and they would call home, I would often ask, “What’s wrong?” Nick would get irritated and say, “Nothings wrong!”
I’m not quite sure how it began, but I guess I do have that “tendency”! It’s not that I am a pessimist. I don’t think I am. I think I am an optimist. I love to see good in people. I love to anticipate the fun I am going to have when I am with my family and friends. I don’t like to talk negatively.
But there are times when I find it to my benefit to anticipate the worst. Like today, for instance. I had my first mammogram since I had surgery. I had myself convinced that the cancer had re-occurred. I knew that when I had this test, they would have to “break it to me easy”. But I had pre-planned how I would react. I knew who I would call first and what I would do.
So after having the mammogram, I was told I could sit and wait for the results. As I sat down, I picked up a book about how to deal with a re-occurrence of breast cancer. I started to read…or at least I tried to read. But my mind kept racing…
And then the Tech came out and asked me to go to a private area…I knew what was coming. I braced myself for it. I took some deep breaths. And then I looked at her.
“You have an early Christmas present! There are no signs of cancer! Enjoy your family!”
I was so overwhelmed, I started to cry! God is good! I love His surprises!
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December 4, 2008 at 10:59 am (Great Teaching, Lessons Learned)
I am finishing a book that was given to me to read on my flight to India. However, instead of reading, I slept! (I just love Ambien.) So, I am finishing The Last Lecture by the late Randy Pausch. In case you don’t know his story, Randy was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh who died from pancreatic cancer in July of this year. He gave one last lecture in September 2007. This lecture has been put into book form. It is an inspiring book full of wisdom and common sense. I highly recommend it! Here is a short segment taken from the chapter entitled “Be the First Penguin”.
“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
“It’s a phrase worth considering at every brick wall we encounter, and at every disappointment. It’s also a reminder that failure is not just acceptable, it’s often essential.
“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.”
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