I'm Back!

Wow! Has it really been that long since my last (and first) entry? Where has the time gone?

As a homeschooling mom of one (a four yr. old boy), much of my time has been spent in rousing games of Go Fish and Higglytown Heroes. I have also spent a good deal of time printing out lessons and activities centered around the Thanksgiving and Advent seasons. Hence, my thoughts of late are also centered around such concepts as giving thanks, being thankful, the whole giving vs. receiving battle that circulates every year about this time....

Even as adults, we so often look to what we don't have, forgetting all too easily how much it is we do have. And if that's not a problem there's also the "What do I get for [so-n-so] for Christmas?" Our gifts and measurements so often seem to center around "things". Now, I like a good gift just as much as the next person, but I'm beginning to realize that the reality of having things is not all that it's cracked up to be.

My family and I live in a two bedroom apt. approximately 900 some-odd squ ft. Many people look at us and think, "Boy, they need a house! More room, bigger kitchen, fenced yard...." Granted, it would be nice to have those things- maybe (bigger means more upkeep and more expense)- but I have a slightly different take on "things". We go to Mexico every summer to build houses for families of 3-8 people (give or take) who live in make-shift shacks (gargage doors, tarps, odd plyboard, dirt floors). The spaces they live in are, at the biggest, the size of my bedroom. Even the places we build for them are smaller than our apt. So I look at my own place and now I don't think I need more space. I realize that, truly, we need less stuff!

So my challenge to you as we approach this holiday season, is to take a good long look at your life and be thankful, rejoice at what you do have. And maybe, rather than giving more things this year to people, find ways to bless them with yourself. Offer to help your neighbor/friend with a project. Buy the kids a zoo pass and then go with them. Give your wife the day off (a favorite of mine!) away from the kids and housework. Fix your husband his favorite meal, or give him coupons redeemable for a foot massage. You get the idea.

Who needs more stuff? We need each other!

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. "(John 15:13)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)

"In every thing give thanks...." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)