No ... it's not my two fwont teeff! LOL But that song is stuck in my head now ...
Every year my mom says that all she wants for Christmas is for her family to be healthy and happy, and every year, I think how sweet that is. And I agree, but I still busy myself making a list of "stuff" I'd also like for Christmas. I think I just take my family's health for granted.
In fact, this year I wrote my Christmas letter before Thanksgiving, in which I talked about how my family is healthy. And then my father-in-law was in the hospital over the whole Thanksgiving holiday. Oops, I thought. I guess we're not as healthy as I thought. But still I didn't pause enough. Yes, I prayed for him and asked others to do so as well. But overall, there was too much to do, too much to think about.
Then my mom called with the news that there might be something wrong with my sister Erin's baby girl, who Erin is currently carrying at about 28 weeks. I was shaken, but my faith told me that everything would be fine.
But it wasn't until we were at Charlie's parents' this weekend celebrating Christmas that God reminded me how blessed I am to have a healthy family. He reminded me so vividly that I am to rejoice and humble myself in gratefulness for the most important things in my life.
Charlie's dad was back in the hospital earlier this month, but he received excellent care and underwent a procedure to fix the problem in his heart. He was a bit tired and not quite himself this past weekend, but his prognosis is great. And I am so looking forward to seeing him with his energy restored and his body healed.
We got to spend two days with Charlie's sister Melody, her husband Kenny, and their darling daughter Eva, who's one. We've seen so many pictures of her that we definitely feel like we know her, but to see her in the flesh was such a blessing. She reminded me to never take for granted the wonder of hearing a loved one laugh and seeing them smile.
I talked to my mom on Sunday, and she gave me the wonderful news that Erin's baby will be absolutely fine and that the baby's heart has a small hiccup that should cause her no harm in her delivery or her life. Yippee!
I am so happy that things have worked out so well, and I will especially cherish this Christmas as a reminder of what a gift it is to have the people I love in my life. I am also reminded that I have an internal joy and peace that only comes from my savior Jesus Christ. For this I am most thankful! And I know that if things hadn't worked out well, I could still hold on to this peace and joy that surpasses all circumstances. And for that, I am also grateful.
But, God, I've gotta say a big THANK YOU!!! I am sure glad to have my loved ones are healthy and happy this Christmas. Whew!
May you and yours be happy and healthy this Christmas. But most of all, may you have the peace and joy only Jesus can give.
Merry Christmas!
Tracy
