Christmas

What a trying month. I can honestly say that we are emotionally exhausted right now. I AM SO GRATEFUL for my family. Brandon and I have had to lean on each other for support, and our kids have been through so much. I am so happy to know that our trials have brought us closer together as a family. I know that us being together as a family and knowing we are all safe is the only thing I could have ever wanted for Christmas. The only thing. I never realized how much joy my children and husband could bring to my life or how reading them a story before bed could be so comforting to ME. They say that the mother is the rock in the family. My family is my support. Waking up every morning to their smiling faces and kisses reassures me that everything will be OK and that they know I love them. My kids mean the world to me and I am so happy to know they are happy. I never understood a mothers love until I became a mother myself. The only thing I wanted for Christmas is to have my family close and I got exactly what I wanted. I am so grateful for that. The story of the Christmas shoes has always touched mine and Brandon's hearts. Life isn't about you. It's about helping others. If we can instill that into our children, won't the world be a better place? Even if we incorporate that into our lives today... It is one more day we are not feeling sorry for ourselves. When you think about someone else... you don't think of yourself. No matter what religion you are... It revolves around the same thing. Christ. Jesus Christ gave his life up to give us more. To let us make choices whether right or wrong but it is unconditional love that makes him so great. No matter how far away we stray from him, we are always welcome back. Christ gave his life for us. Shouldn't we give ours through service and love? This will truly make us happy. So I challenge everyone this Christmas to do something for someone else. Do it anonymously. . . You don't need someones praise to know how it makes you feel. Maybe you are the person that will make a difference in someones life. Why not take the chance...

The Christmas Shoes
It is almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line tryin' to buy that last gift or two not really in the Christmas mood. Standing right in front of me, was a little boy waiting anxiously pacing round like little boys do. And in his hand he held a pair of shoes. His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe and when it came his time to pay I couldn't believe what I heard him say
"Sir, I want to by these shoes, for my mama, please it's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry, sir Daddy said there's not much time you see Moma's been sick for quite awhile and I know these shoes would make her smile and I want her to look beautiful, If Mamma meets Jesus tonight"
He counted pennies for what seemed like years. Then the cashier said, "son, there's not enough here." He searched his pockets frantically then he turned and he looked at me. He said, "Mama always made Christmas good at our house through most years she did without. Tell me sir what am I going to do somehow I've got to buy these Christmas shoes." I just had to help him out, and as I laid the money down I never forgot the look on his face when he said, "Mama's gonna look so great"
I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love as he thanked me and ran out. I know that God had sent that little boy my way to remind me just what Christmas is all about.