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Ministry Resources

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Ministry Resources

Dear Mama, at Christmas Time




Dear sweet mama,


I know that we may not know each other.  If we passed by one another in the 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 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.  





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?

  
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 okay.





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.




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 your to-do list.  



I get it.  I am right there with you. But let's not miss this precious 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.




As you prepare for the busy week ahead, here are the things I am praying most for you:



I pray you snuggle up under cozy warm blankets with your kids, and hold their little hands, which are 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 is 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 are the smells that fill the house with a warmth and love that cannot 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.








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 work 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.




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!






Photo Credit: Heather Gunter of Rustic South Photography


Merry Christmas!

Love, 
The Martinsen's



                     *This post was originally published on December 22, 2015.*



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