Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

December can be the busiest month of the year, but somehow it still surprises me to look back at my calendar and recount all of the craziness that has led up to these last days of celebration. The month begins with my husband's birthday and also includes my little man's birthday, so we have to squeeze in time for those celebrations on top of all the Christmas madness. We found space in our tummies for an ice cream cake one week and a Spiderman cake another week and gifts were bought and opened with excitement. That weekend, I coordinated and spoke at our women's Christmas tea focusing on having a "Mary" Christmas. The women's ministry director had a brain aneurysm and asked me if I could take over for her. She was so sad that she couldn't figure out a way to plan this event, but God knew that within days she would be hospitalized and paralyzed on one whole side of her body. A Christmas shopping trip a few weeks later turned into an opportunity to visit ...

Christmas exploded with a flurry of gifts, shiny paper, bows and giggles. Children tore into toys with enthusiasm matching the enjoyment of parents and grandparents together. Amidst the Christmas chaos, I found a girl hovering at my shoulder with a large wrapped gift. "Here's my present for you Mommy." Bright blue eyes peered over my shoulder as I gently tore the paper. "Be careful Mom. It's breakable." The box filled with tissue paper was light and I searched through the tissue to find the gift. Little hands reached in to help me unwrap a heart shaped peice of porcelain. "It's a jewelry box Mom. I picked it out just for you." Her eyes lit up with pleasure as I hugged her with thanksgiving. Tears pricked my eyes in appreciation for the greatest gift I received this Christmas - pure love and the joy of giving. This year marked the beginning of a new tradition for this little four year old girl: purchasing her own gifts for family memb...

I have read so many good poems lately, I thought I would compile them all together here for everyone else to enjoy. Each one draws me back to the true meaning of Christmas and I think they would make a great Christmas program all put together. Enjoy! Micca Campbell's poem at Lysa Terkeurst's site is about the stress and hurry of the season. Renee Swope's poem reminds us to prepare room for the little one in the manger of our hearts. This 1 Corinthians 13 poem for Christmas at Holy Experience puts the focus back on Love, the true reason for Christmas. I also love this poem about How Martha had a Mary Christmas . Happy Reading!

These are the days when people are humming little tunes such as, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." while they trim a pine tree with lights, glittery balls, homemade decorations, angels and stars. Manger scenes are carefully put upon the mantle while hot cocoa is warming on the stovetop and children listen to Christmas stories in their jammies. Fond memories warm our hearts and children's laughter brighten our days. But, for many, these are not the most wonderful days of the year - this is the most terrible month of the year. I have thought about these people recently because many of them are close to my heart. Mentally Ill and Homeless : When I lived in Chicago, I met mentally ill homeless people on a regular basis and it was a challenge for me to know how to deal with these people. They were needy and in a terrible spot, but I was unsure of how to help someone whose needs were so desperate. Have you noticed that mental illness frightens most of us?...