Alligator Juice

Traditions

The smell of cat pee triggers my brain back to junior high and how my cat sprayed my book bag.  I still took it with me to school, and wasn't too popular that day.  I am aiming for a different kind of nostalgia for my family.  I've never cooked a Christmas meal, and I want to start cooking something every year that will fill the house with delicious smells, associating my kid's noses to thoughts of Christmas, home, and family.  Activities like reading books, and baking are things I've done with my kids.  When I hear about other traditions I get overwhelmed, I want special memories for my family too and when you aim for perfect it will never be good enough.  A friend had wise words for me, bringing me back to reality.  We are not here to entertain or put on a  show for our kids, its about being together as a family without outside pressures sapping our energy and joy.

My husband's parents went into a nursing facility shortly afer we were married.  His Dad had Parkinsons disease and severe arthritis in his back.  He had back surgery and almost didn't make it out, he was too old to endure such a major procedure (he went to be with the Lord in 2006).  His Mom has Alzheimer's disease and hasn't recognized her son for several years now.  I'm ashamed to admit, I see it in other families when they visit too, an attitude of just stopping by, then off to bigger and better things.

I have been doing some souls searching.  In my BSF group (bible study fellowship), I was challenged to dedicate to the Lord everything I do-including Christmas.  If I turn over my Christmas plans and entirely surrender it to Him, imagine with me what that day would look like.  I picture not a perfunctory visit, but a planned, intentional visit to the retirement home regardless of the sad conditions of once proper and distinguished people, most of them retired missionaries.  We can sing Christmas carols (well, I might do exactly the opposite of ministering if I sing), read the bible, have our kids color pcitures and pass them out, bring baked goods to the workers.  The Lord is there,in the lonely, depressing places we don't like to see. 

Merry Christmas!  I would like to know what meals your family likes to eat for Christmas, let me know in the comments.

 

Friends

I was sloshing my hands in dirty, murky sink water.  Washing dishes, drying dishes, serving food, replenishing drinks.  Squeezing through a  packed out patio trying to serve appetizers, now that was awkward.  I was honored to help cater a Christmas party for my mentor Mom from MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers, a popular ministry for Mom's with preschool age kids).  Her husband invites coworkers over for a delicious meal, and before desert is served he shares from his heart why for him, Jesus is the real reason for the season and the best gift of all.  It was short and sweet and full of love.  I don't know what ministered to me more, the party, or that their friends (husband and wife in their life group from their church) of 20 years were there serving along side them.  They call on each other whenever they throw parties and help each other out.  It was a testimony of friendship, a testimony of making life about more than the usual grind and opening up your home to share the love of Jesus.  I learned as I washed dishes next to their dear friend that one of their life group members committed suicide by hanging himself in his home.  He suffered terribly from depression.  The gracious host of the party was the one who found him, and in shock and horror cut him down.  Life gets hard he said, you need those friends you can call on.  I know, and thankfully, I do.

I went to my high school friend M's celebration of life service, it was a true testimony to the amazing woman she was on earth.  She asked to be videotaped while in her ICU room, struggling for every breath.  Her body was dying, but she was smiling and adamant that the people viewing the recording go to heaven and the way is by Jesus,and no other (see John 14:6).  There is an alternative which is hell, she warned, and she didn't want anyone headed there.  She was excited to see Jesus face to face.  She couldn't be a more faithful servant.  She most certainly fought the good fight and is receiving her reward (2 Titus 4:7). Her husband, with strong resolve, insisted no one feel sorry for him.  He knew the risk when he married her only 1 year and 10 months ago.  He felt humbled and honored that Jesus would have M in mind for him as part of His will for his life because she was so worth it. The Lord's will may not be what we had in mind or would have wanted, but M's husband is an example, to trust and accept regardless (Luke 22:42).  You might suffer, experience unbelievable heartache.  Yet he is God still, He knows best and he has a plan and a purpose for our lives. 

“We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be”  C.S. Lewis

Next time you dine at BJ's, order a pizzookie, the entire cost goes to the Cystic Fybrosis foundation.  Think of M when you do.