I. LOVED. CHRISTMAS.
You may have noticed that was in the past tense. As a little girl, I could not wait until the day after Thanksgiving when my mama would start to bring up box after box of Christmas decorations out of our basement. Under her supervision, I would carefully unwrap each decoration. And, then she would allow me to decorate. I think the tree was my favorite. My mama & daddy created the most beautiful ceramic ornaments. A couple of times during my elementary school years...they made ornaments for all of my classmates for our school Christmas party. (In case you're under the age of 30 & reading this blog, you used to be able to celebrate Christmas in the public school system & sometimes Santa even came to your classroom. That was not just urban legend. I have proof. See below.)
In high school, I had my own decorations. I decorated my own room. When I got married, I could barely wait to decorate for the holidays. Every single nook & cranny was filled...at one time I had 13 trees.
I decorated my home. My mom's. My aunt's. Local businesses. I crafted & baked. And, we went to every holiday celebration I could find.
I. LOVED. CHRISTMAS.
Until....
my husband walked out the day after Christmas of 2005.
And, life ceased to exist as I knew it.
And, Christmas became a painful memory of what had been.
And, the Christmas season was merely to be endured.
And, I have endured it ever since.
And, this year....I am enduring it still.
Oh, I still decorate & craft & bake....
But, the joy is gone.
In high school, I had my own decorations. I decorated my own room. When I got married, I could barely wait to decorate for the holidays. Every single nook & cranny was filled...at one time I had 13 trees.
I decorated my home. My mom's. My aunt's. Local businesses. I crafted & baked. And, we went to every holiday celebration I could find.
I. LOVED. CHRISTMAS.
Until....
my husband walked out the day after Christmas of 2005.
And, life ceased to exist as I knew it.
And, Christmas became a painful memory of what had been.
And, the Christmas season was merely to be endured.
And, I have endured it ever since.
And, this year....I am enduring it still.
Oh, I still decorate & craft & bake....
But, the joy is gone.
And, I have began to think....what if I started celebrating all year round. What if I make 2014 the year that I celebrate the Reason for the Season 365 days out of the year?
What would it look like?
How would I feel come December 25, 2014?
Would the JOY return?
J. O. Y.
Jesus
Others
You
2014 will be a year filled with JOY.
Will you join me on this journey?
On the 25th of each month, I'll be posting about my quest in returning the JOY to Christmas. In truth, returning the JOY to my life.
There is a plan....sort of.
I don't know where headed.
I just know that it all begins with HIM.
Tomorrow, I will share the plan He has laid on my heart. I'm excited & scared. I hope you are too! Excited, that is....not scared. (smile)
What would it look like?
How would I feel come December 25, 2014?
Would the JOY return?
J. O. Y.
Jesus
Others
You
2014 will be a year filled with JOY.
Will you join me on this journey?
On the 25th of each month, I'll be posting about my quest in returning the JOY to Christmas. In truth, returning the JOY to my life.
There is a plan....sort of.
I don't know where headed.
I just know that it all begins with HIM.
Tomorrow, I will share the plan He has laid on my heart. I'm excited & scared. I hope you are too! Excited, that is....not scared. (smile)
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