That Baby Changes Everything

Everyone told us that having children would change our lives and perspectives.  “A baby changes everything,” they said.  And I knew that was going to be true, but until becoming a mom I didn’t know exactly what things would change. 

If you follow my personal social media, you saw this weekend that my perspective was changed on “that one” child that never behaves for the church Children’s Christmas Program.  Before becoming a mom, I always thought the child who was totally “off script” was funny and often even cute… then this weekend it was our own little cowboy jumping off the stage and falling to the floor as if he had been shot.  He brought a lot of giggles to my Facebook followers (and yes, I eventually laughed about it too), but as it was happening I wanted to crawl under the pew and hide. 

Motherhood has brought a lot of change to my perspective on Christmas, too.  I have wanted to start special traditions- several of which he as refused to participate in, so I had to let go of my starry-eyed ideas of being an InstaPinFace perfect mom.  Other times it has slowed me down from my frantic preparations to snuggle as we read Christmas books or watch Christmas movies.  It has made me take in the awe and wonder much more often.  I giggle and smile more during the season.  Last night his “ooohss” and “ahhhs” were over 2 simple strands of Christmas lights.  And the simplicity of that joy made my heart flutter.

Having a little one also changes my level of anticipation.  This year he has a couple of gifts that I hope he will find extra special and fun (I sure hope he doesn’t crush my dreams again like with the “traditions” haha!)  And because we are excited to give those gifts to him, I am really looking forward to Christmas morning.  I also find more anticipation in the family gatherings as well.  I have always loved getting together with my family, but even more so now, because I love watching them interact with him.  They get to share in the joy that we find in him each day.

People weren’t kidding.  A baby changes everything.

It has also changed my perspective on the most important baby we could ever celebrate.  Understanding the love for a child, makes me overwhelmed to think of the love God has for us that He willingly sent His own Son to come to earth as a baby.  To think that baby wasn’t heralded by kings and royalties, but was born in a stable- talk about crushing your InstaPinFace Perfect Mom dreams.  That humbles me.  THAT baby truly changes EVERYTHING.  It changes my life to feel so loved by God.  It changes my level of anticipation to want to share the joy I find in Him each day.  It changes how I see my faults and failures and “off script” moments. 

Just like all the people who tried to prepare us for parenthood, Isaiah prophesied that baby would change everything.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 

Wonderful Counselor changes my heart, and helps me to sort through the things in life that I don’t understand.  Mighty God has shown me just how powerful He is, and that he truly cares for and fights for His children.  Everlasting Father has made His faithfulness evident in my life, even on some of the hardest and darkest days.  The Prince of Peace has given me a peace that passes my own understanding, even in the midst of life’s storms.  In my life, THAT baby changed everything. 

My prayer this Christmas, is that I would continue to be changed daily by THAT baby.  Because he didn’t stay a tiny baby, He came to be my Savior, and I thank God that changes EVERYTHING.

May you and yours be richly blessed this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of the baby who changed everything, Emmanuel, God with us.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Lights

One of my very favorite things about Christmas is the lighting.  I absolutely LOVE to sit by the glow of the tree.  I have our tree lights on timers so that pretty much any time it is the least bit dark outside, the lights are on. 

It has been a little more fun to enjoy the lights this year, because the space in our new home allowed for more lights.  There is a big tree in the living room, and greenery on the mantle, greenery on the stairway railing, and a small tree in the dining area.  All of these are lit at the same time and the lights reflect off of the hardwood floor making the room glow almost brighter than it does with the actually living room lights on (ok, maybe that is because the living room lighting is TERRIBLE).  In the basement we have another full-sized tree and greenery on the mantle, and again the glow is so beautiful the light shines even to the top of the stairs.

To me, there is something comforting about the glow of those lights.  It makes me feel cozy and safe.  It makes the sad feeling of the 4:30 pm dark much less gloomy.  It brings a beauty to the house that is totally different.  The tree lights make snuggling with a sleepy toddler even more snuggly, and Hallmark movie “couch dates” with the hubby more romantic.  That beautiful, warm glow brings a little extra peace to the busy season and joy to my heart.  And in January, it KILLS me to take down the tree, because I just hate the thought of that beautiful lighting leaving my home.

It also reminds me, that Jesus tells us to be the light of the world.  And when I think about how much I love my tree lights, I realize what a huge and humbling task He asks of us.  I want my light to make others feel safe and cozy.  That they could come to me if they needed a soft place to land.  I want that light to make me different, because after all it isn’t MY light that they are seeing, but who Jesus is shining out of me.  I want that light to glow with a beauty that is totally different than anything else, because it glorifies God.   I want people to see a light that brings a little more peace to a situation, and joy to their hearts.  And I want to be horrified at the thought of that light ever leaving my home and my life. 

I am ashamed to admit that some days, my light isn’t as beautiful as the Christmas tree.  I get easily frustrated and discouraged, I don’t always choose joy like I should, and some days busyness and exhaustion get the best of my light. 

I pray that this Christmas, the lights I love so much will constantly remind me of the light I am called to share with others.  The light of Jesus that makes such a difference in every circumstance, the light I never have to put away no matter the season.

“You are the light of the word.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14, 16

Tis the Season

One of phrases we often hear this time of year is “Tis the Season.”  Tis this season of giving, tis the season to be jolly and joyous, tis the season is even tossed around jokingly in front of other phrases… tis the season to battle the sinus crud.  But often it is so true…. It is just a season.  We don’t watch Hallmark Christmas movies forever (ok, maybe a bad example), as much as I love sitting by the lights of the tree I won’t leave those decorations up all year, we won’t sing Christmas carols at church all 52 Sundays of the year, we don’t decorate sugar cookies every weekend, we won’t hear jingle bells in the mall in May…. It is just a season.  And it seems to pass so quickly.

Parenting is NOT always fun and easy, but the last week has brought a lot of those moments where I just marvel at how fun and sweet it is to be the cowboy’s Momma.  I wasn’t feeling well one night last week, (tis the season for sinus crud) and he came bounding in to where I laid on the couch to tell me he brought me a drink to make me feel all better.  He has asked multiple times for us to sing together, and even told me I needed to sing louder.  He has said and done funny things, wanted to snuggle on the couch, begged to lay on the floor together and read books, and flashed his dimples for a zillion silly reasons. 

Yesterday, he made a little door hanger at his daycare that says “Santa, Please stop here!”  While the true meaning of Christmas is always first and foremost in our home, we choose to also have some fun with Santa, so I “oohed” and “aahhed” over this craft and complimented his coloring.  I read it aloud and then asked if he would like to hang it on the door knob to the door between our kitchen and garage.  He agreed that would be “a good place for it.”  Then for the next hour I kept catching him going to the door, opening it, looking out, and then saying “No, he’s not here yet!”  It took me a couple listens to realize he was looking for Santa… after all, we had just hung a sign on the door requesting him to stop here. 

And I will be honest, I have tried to savor every moment of this.  Because I realize it is just a season.  There will come a time my pre-teen boy won’t be overly excited about helping me get over the sinus crud, there will be a time he no longer wants to snuggle on the couch or begs me to sing loudly with him.  There will come a time he won’t want to lay on the floor and read books.  There will be a Christmas where he will no longer watch out the door for Santa to stop.  This is just a season, and I know it will pass so quickly.

Since becoming a mom, there are parts of the nativity account that stick to me so much more vividly than they ever did before.  Especially the verse in Luke “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2: 19)  She knew this little boy of hers was truly special.  She was holding the Messiah, the Savior, Emmanuel in her arms.  I highly doubt she had any idea how God’s plan for his life was going to unfold, but she knew how much she had to treasure him.  Getting to cradle the Son of God was only going to last for a season. 

As I have studied that verse more this Christmas, I realized something I hadn’t before… it is repeated again later in the same chapter of Luke.  When Jesus is 12 and his family takes a trip to the temple in Jerusalem and he sticks around to talk with the teachers and his family leaves without him…  After he has been found, and they have left for a second time, again the verse reappears in Luke 2:51 “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”  I can’t help but wonder if she treasured them because she knew it was only for a season.

So if you stop my by house this week, you might notice all the laundry isn’t folded, and not every dish is clean.  Some nights we are eating re-heated leftovers, and you will hear endless shouts of rodeo phrases from the basement.  And I will be down there joining in, or snuggling by the Christmas lights, or reading stories, because this is only for a season… and I don’t want to let it slip by.

But in the meantime, I’m so thankful the best gift we celebrate this season will LONG outlast this season.  That God’s gift of Jesus is eternal, and I pray I will treasure it in my heart every day.  In this season, and beyond. 

“But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2: 19)