Dear sweet mama,
I know that we may not know each other. If we passed by one another in a store we may
not even make eye contact. It’s not
because we don’t want to look at each other, it’s just that we’ve got so much
we are trying to remember to grab and do.
We are probably juggling at least one child and trying our best to keep
them from grabbing unwanted things and throwing them in the cart.
I want you to know that even though it doesn’t seem like it,
someone sees you. I see you.
I see how you’re trying to juggle it all.
Shopping. Baking. Wrapping. Cleaning.
And I see how you’re giving it your best effort to teach your
children the real meaning behind this beautiful season. Jesus.
But it’s hard, isn’t it?
Precious mama, I want you to know that it’s okay that
everything doesn’t get done. It never
does, does it? Even despite our best
efforts, something always gets left undone.
And it’s all okay.
Because for this Christmas season my prayer for you isn’t
that you get everything done.
It’s that you take
moments to breathe. That you take this all
in.
My dear mama at Christmas time, I know it’s hard to stop and
just be during this busy season. I know that even when you are trying to push
everything aside and be present with your family, in the back of your mind
you’re still going through that to-do list.
I get it. I am right
there with you.
But mama’s, let’s not miss this time because of our shopping
and Christmas to-do lists. Oh God, I pray I remember to breathe in these
precious moments. Help me to savor this
time.
So mama, as you prepare for the busy week ahead these are
the things I am praying most of for you.
I pray you snuggle up under cozy warm blankets with your
kids, and hold their little hands, probably
sticky from eating too many candy canes, and you breathe in these moments.
I hope you get to sit back and not worry about the mess that’s
being made, and you watch your children light up with joy as they open their
presents. A joy that cannot be taken away.
I want you to soak up the smells of your mother’s home cooking and
your aunt’s famous dishes. Those smells that
fill the house with a warmth and love that can’t be recreated. For
those smells won’t be there forever.
I pray that beyond all the chaos of toys on the floor and
wrapping paper everywhere, you remember The One whose birth we celebrate, never intended for you to be
overwhelmed with anything other than joy
and thankfulness during this sweet
season.
Because our kids won’t remember that everything didn’t get done.
Or that the house was a mess or that your cake never did get baked for the
Christmas party.
But they will remember the moments you create with them. They will remember snuggles on the couch and
staying up late watching Christmas movies. They will remember singing Jingle
Bells and Silent Night at the top of their lungs on the way to look at
Christmas lights.
They will remember that this season isn’t about us at all. It’s about Him. Our
sweet Jesus.
So to my dear, precious mama at Christmas time….
I know you may be overwhelmed with your running lists. I know you’re worn out from school parties
and wrapping presents and helping put on the church Christmas play.
But, don’t miss this.
Every year I look back after Christmas has passed and I
think to myself, what was I doing the whole time? I feel like I missed it.
But not this year. This year I
will be intentional about Christmas.
I will sit down in the wrapping paper mess and play with my girls.
I will bake a birthday cake for Jesus.
I will hold my husband’s hand as we watch our girls play
with their gifts.
I will sit back and breathe.
And enjoy. And I will be thankful for the blessings we
don’t deserve in so many ways.
And mostly, I will be reminded that this time, although it is fun, has
meaning because of Him {Jesus} and not because of anything I could ever do.
Baking our birthday cake for Jesus
Credit: Amanda Martinsen |
Dearest mama, let us not miss it this year.
I am praying this for you and so much more. I wish you and your
family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Sweet Amanda, you've touched my heart with this one. I too am praying to be intentional this holiday season and I know what a challenge that is. Thank you for reminding me to stay present and enjoy the little moments that will quickly fly by. Wishing you blessings, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marva! It was a great reminder for myself! I hope you enjoyed your holiday!
DeleteThis Christmas was all wacky because I was sick, but I know I lost focus many times throughout the season! I am so glad our "performance" is not what matters! Thanks for sharing your heart!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I am so thankful our performances don't matter! I'm sorry to hear you were sick!
DeleteLOVE THIS! This year i had so many plans for Christmas, but this year my father in law ended up in the hospital right before Christmas and passed away a few days after Christmas. This gave Christmas a whole new meaning, before all this i was so worried about making sure we bought this, wrapped that, baked this, or watched that. But when my father in law fell ill that all changed. It was about being with family when it mattered the most, enjoying the time we had left with my father in law. Christmas flew by, when i look back i dont remember all the stuff, but all the time we had together this year. Its bitter sweet! This is a great reminder!
ReplyDeleteOh Heather, I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I can only imagine how hard that is to deal with, especially at Christmas. Will continue to pray for you and your family!
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