I was just reading the newspapers and several stories caught my eye. One was about the tragedy in NY. It is sad to think that a young man lost his life due to the greed and selfishness of others. I even heard that two men shot each other dead in a California toy store. Shocking. Mob mentality is a dangerous place to be. Then I read an article about a group of well meaning people petitioning advertisers to stop targeting kids with their advertisements. Good luck folks. I do not see them stopping especially when their response to the letters was simply; no, because the realtionship between a parent and a child is what keeps them safe even in an economy that is struggling. In fact the article went on to say that the companies realize that parents will sacrifice their own needs and wants to extremes to keep their children stocked up and looking goos in front of their friends. Sad but it does seem to be true.
A few months ago, I began struggling with a health issue. I have had migraines and back problems but this was different. I thought it was me and the particularly rough start to school. The best description I can give is that I felt like I was moving in super fast forward at all times. Yet when I laid down to sleep I could not. My stress level was through the ceiling and I just felt like I could get nothing done. I had a OBGYN appointment that I had been putting off (Since the "undiagnosed infertility" I had been stubborn about going to the doctor). The nurse took all of my vitals and was concerned about my bloodpressure. I normally have a relatively low BP but it was 174 over 114. I ended up at the doctor's for quite sometime, they wanted to take my BP several more times. It never dropped from the original reading. So let me make a long story short. I have high blood pressure. My GP did an EKG and my heart is not damaged We talked about diet and weight and he said although I do need to loose weight and excercise that is not what caused my HBP. It is hereditary. Weight loss and excercise may drop it 5 points but I was in need of meds. One of my favorite christian writers, Shelia Walsh, said once that taking a daily med for a condition is her way of reminding her self that ultimately she is not in charge and that she needs rely on God for everything, including her health. So I have been dedicated to taking this medicine and my metforin meds and amazingly I not longer feeling like I am fast forward.
So what is the connection to Christmas? I dreaded my birthday this year because of my health. Now that I am feeling back to myself I am ready for the holidays.
About 7 years ago Darrel and I decided that we never wanted gift giving to take over the holidays. So we set out a plan. Three gifts were good enough for Jesus and so they are more than enough for us. So we plan on three gifts for each other and Maggie: A Gold gift this is the gift that is valuable, something that the person really wants (Think about the list to Santa); then a frankesence gift. This is a gift that is spiritual. Something that reminds the person of their creator and the blessings he has given us. Finally a Mryrr gift. Originally this was an oil used to cover a body in prep for burial. We use this as a gift that covers the body. Usually clothing of some kind.
This system has really helped us keep our focus straight during this crazy time of year. It has made it possible for us to enjoy this season instead of stress over it. We are able to celebrate advent, go to Wassailfest, enjoy White Christmas giving at church, spend time with loved ones. With the health issues I am facing I needed Christmas. The peace and preparation for the coming of Christ. I needed to breath and enjoy the blessings God has given me.
So for those of you that read my blog let me encourage you this season. Enjoy your children, teach them what Christmas is really about and then enjoy! They will not remember what gift you buy this year but years from now they will remember the time you spend together.
