Because of Him!

We are not capable of forgiveness and unconditional love on our own. We are too selfish by nature. Without Him we wouldn’t know compassion and love like we do. It’s all because of Him that we enjoy a Merry Christmas ….even when our circumstances dictate otherwise. I love this picture taken yesterday at our home by my sweet neighbor across the street. His son Aiden loves to wander over to our house when the kids are all outside. We love it to. Scott was chasing Aiden, his normal … when we suckered him into taking our family photo on the front steps before everyone headed out after Christmas Eve Brunch. 

Life is messy and beautiful. The beautiful part is because of Him. The messy part is Us. I’m always amazed at His power … how he takes our mess and still brings joy. This Christmas is about making a choice. Live. Love. Laughter. Togetherness. Over sadness, sickness, and brokenness. Just when we think we’ve made the decisions, God laughs. What God has brought together let no man put asunder. 

Thank you to my parents for being together in my home for Christmas. They were divorced after 30 years of marriage and both found happiness and love again. All my brother and I ever knew growing up was them together. Even the first grandchild, Bryce …knew them together. God has brought more people in our lives to love and this Christmas we celebrated that all under one roof. Together. 

We worry about leaving a legacy or financial stability for our children and our grandchildren. What my parents did for us this Christmas will be the legacy and stability that sets our family free for generations to come. Togetherness. Love. Sharing a meal. Saying Grace Together.

We don’t have a big home. It’s three bedrooms and an office. The side yard is low and if you pull too far off the driveway after a rain, you’ll get stuck. There’s no grand dining room table that seats everyone at one time. And if you are coming over in the winter, bring a pair of slippers. We’re a couple feet off the ground and it keeps it cool in the summer but the floor is always cold in the winter. And it was perfect. We slept inside and outside in campers. The end of the road looked like a campground. We made endless pots of coffee and watched each person open their gifts. 

Stop waiting for everything to be perfect before you live. Stop pursuing the perfect house, the perfect furniture, the perfect family situation. The perfect time is Now. Jesus was born in a manger, “no crib for a bed,” so that we would be forgiven. And, not to just be forgiven but to live free. We did that this Christmas. My Christmas wish is that you set your circumstances aside and enjoy this Christmas Season. I pray you feel the joy of a Savior being born over death and sadness here on earth. After all, that’s why He came. So that battle has already been won.

Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours. 

The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord — has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
-Luke 2:11