Gratitude Friday…
I have to be honest and say my list is not outstanding. In fact, you may find it rather strange. But seriously, is that something new?
Work is experiencing the last minute push to finish-everything-because-oh-my-goodness-its-almost-Christmas. We’re still open next week but we all know once schools are out its hit and miss as to whether someone’s off or not. All this means I worked a little late last night. As I was driving home, I was dreading the cookie baking scheduled for that evening. I had done about half the cookies on Wednesday night and for that I was very grateful. I considered calling Chris to ask him to get started but he’s been working at three schools since genius at the junior high left his resignation letter and keys in the chair the day before Thanksgiving. Poor hubby.
However, when I got home to my delight Chris had read my mind and was almost done baking the last of the cookies. We’ve been working on that mind reading trick since day one and I have to say, we’re getting dangerously close to perfection. So I finished putting the boxes and bags together and started loading the cookies in. I put red tissue paper in first, filled it with assorted cookies and then sealed it with a sticker. I left the “To” portion of the sticker blank and just filled in the “From” and signed Chris’ name. I have no idea who these things are going to but I hate for someone not to know Chris remembered to thank them. He’ll have to be responsible for filling in their names.
So, maybe not so strangely, I am grateful for:
1. Ready bake cookies
2. Pre-decorated ready bake cookies (even better)
3. Target for making boxes and bags complete with stickers
4. My mind-reading husband
5. People in our lives we are willing to spend serious time baking presents for
6. And that we only have to do it once a year
All in all, it only took about 30 minutes before I was completely done. As I’m stuffing, filling and signing, I started to think about the why behind all of these cookie gifts. Yes, we want to make sure the people in Chris’ school(s) know he appreciates them but really, we give gifts at Christmas to symbolize the gift God gave us in His Son.
Are cookies the best gift we can give to relay the message of Jesus’ birth?
Likely not.
Christmas is a birthday celebration. There was a child born, the Savior of the World. It is Him we gather to celebrate. It is to Him we need to give our gifts in the form of praise, thanksgiving and humility.
A personal challenge for me this season has been to let go of all the childish feelings about Christmas. It’s not about putting our life, our accomplishments, our failures or anything else about ourselves on display. Although it sure does feel that way sometimes. When my Lord looks at me, at my heart, at my life, I pray He finds me to be diligently seeking to give back to Him. He is worthy. He is faithful. He is the reason we bake cookies and give gifts to those we love.
I have to be honest and say my list is not outstanding. In fact, you may find it rather strange. But seriously, is that something new?
Work is experiencing the last minute push to finish-everything-because-oh-my-goodness-its-almost-Christmas. We’re still open next week but we all know once schools are out its hit and miss as to whether someone’s off or not. All this means I worked a little late last night. As I was driving home, I was dreading the cookie baking scheduled for that evening. I had done about half the cookies on Wednesday night and for that I was very grateful. I considered calling Chris to ask him to get started but he’s been working at three schools since genius at the junior high left his resignation letter and keys in the chair the day before Thanksgiving. Poor hubby.
However, when I got home to my delight Chris had read my mind and was almost done baking the last of the cookies. We’ve been working on that mind reading trick since day one and I have to say, we’re getting dangerously close to perfection. So I finished putting the boxes and bags together and started loading the cookies in. I put red tissue paper in first, filled it with assorted cookies and then sealed it with a sticker. I left the “To” portion of the sticker blank and just filled in the “From” and signed Chris’ name. I have no idea who these things are going to but I hate for someone not to know Chris remembered to thank them. He’ll have to be responsible for filling in their names.
So, maybe not so strangely, I am grateful for:
1. Ready bake cookies
2. Pre-decorated ready bake cookies (even better)
3. Target for making boxes and bags complete with stickers
4. My mind-reading husband
5. People in our lives we are willing to spend serious time baking presents for
6. And that we only have to do it once a year
All in all, it only took about 30 minutes before I was completely done. As I’m stuffing, filling and signing, I started to think about the why behind all of these cookie gifts. Yes, we want to make sure the people in Chris’ school(s) know he appreciates them but really, we give gifts at Christmas to symbolize the gift God gave us in His Son.
Are cookies the best gift we can give to relay the message of Jesus’ birth?
Likely not.
Christmas is a birthday celebration. There was a child born, the Savior of the World. It is Him we gather to celebrate. It is to Him we need to give our gifts in the form of praise, thanksgiving and humility.
A personal challenge for me this season has been to let go of all the childish feelings about Christmas. It’s not about putting our life, our accomplishments, our failures or anything else about ourselves on display. Although it sure does feel that way sometimes. When my Lord looks at me, at my heart, at my life, I pray He finds me to be diligently seeking to give back to Him. He is worthy. He is faithful. He is the reason we bake cookies and give gifts to those we love.
Very true and you are a shining example of Christ's love! I am so thankful for you!
ReplyDeleteComing from a school I know the gift giving can be a huge task. You are kind to do this and I'm sure they appreciate you time to make the gift. Cookies are good, time is priceless!! Love, Mom
ReplyDelete