Christmas Perspective

 I don't know what it is, 

maybe I'm too serious or something.

I think I'm in balance.

Even though, sometimes it's hard.

I try to just be so very Thankful for all we have and 

all the Lord has given us.

I really think when we really are thankful, it is rarely for material things.

I don't like complainers.

There, I said it.

Funny how something I dislike so much is one of my struggles.

(Ask my husband)

Oh, we are always a work in progress, right?

It seems this time of year, 

everywhere I look people are showing what they are 

getting for their kids and families.

And I get a little jealous.

And I complain.

Even my kids look

and see other children more fortunate than themselves

 and I see those feelings 

come out.

And I think they have no needs.

They have Faith, they are well taken care of.

They shouldn't have a want in the world.

I wish we had more money

I wish we could get the kids more

I wish...

Funny thing is, 

that what we have, is what I call 

a "modest" Christmas, 

is extravagant to many others.

There is always someone less fortunate than us.

There are always OPPORTUNITIES

to be Christ to others

to appreciate what WE have

to LOVE others

to be HAPPY for others 

to PRAY for others, 

BOTH the MORE fortunate and the LESS fortunate.

This past week alone, 

I belong to a Catholic Homeschooling online group (it's national)

and one woman has a 3 year old that is battling a brain tumor and in her final days.

I have a 2 and 4 year old.

I cannot even imagine what this mother is going through, 

even typing this, my eyes well up with tears and I get a lump in my throat.

Thank you God for healthy kids.

Please bless this family struggling, with their last moments with their precious 

daughter.  Lift them up, give them the strength to continue to grow closer to you.

Another woman, many of you know, Marijanna 

 saw her baby on an ultrasound a couple weeks ago, healthy and strong, 

went back in for another ultrasound, a week later, 

to find her sweet little boy had died.

at 19 weeks. 

Right before Christmas.

It brings me back to when we had our 20 week ultrasound 

with Little Red and how devastated I was because I wouldn't be able to nurse him.

Thank you God for allowing me to pump breastmilk for my baby

and feed him with a special bottle.

Thank you God for healthy children.

Please bless Marijanna and her family, as they grieve the loss of their child

I have to stop to cry for her, with her, to share in her pain in 

some small, minute way.

Another homeschooling family just had their 7th child last week, 

they had to move 4 days after  his birth, they cannot afford a new vehicle

to go anywhere together as a family, the mother is overwhelmed 

with all she needs to do for her family 

and they only have enough money for food, 

no presents this year. 

Thank you God for this huge van, I call "The Beast", 

we are all able to go places as a family.

We have enough money for gifts for our children

(gifts they really don't need)

Please bless this family, lift them up, 

give them hope, help them to find You in unexpected places.

In the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations 

and hurrying and scurrying to get everything done, 

Let us not forget to pray for others.

For the lonely

The mourning

The struggling

The depressed

It's all perspective, we may think we are struggling, 

but are we really?  

May we all find that because of the birth of Jesus, 

because he has come to save us,

we are all one body.

We are all connected 

We all need to pray for one another.

And let us be Thankful