THOUGHTS FROM
BETH’S DESK
By Beth Ann
December 16th brings
back a “special” a Christmas No So Long Ago
My thoughts, like many of you, are
cluttered with the busy-ness that Christmas has b ecome. Just a few moments ago I received one of
those e-mail stories that tug at your heart a bit, you know the ones; a
heartwarming but sad story with hopefully a happy ending. As I read about a family who lost their home
in a fire close to Christmas, tears b egan
to well up in my eyes. What was a long
time ago suddenly seems like yesterday.
I have been worrying over all the Christmas chores that I have not yet
accomplished and now, I find myself reflecting back to a Christmas that is very
often too real and close in my memories.
December
16, 1983 as I was returning home from a doctor’s appointment and shopping for a
few last gifts, I saw my daddy’s car along the side of the highway. At first I thought perhaps he had a flat but
that didn’t appear to be the case. My
four-year-old son was with me and we pulled over to inquire. My father approached the car as I rolled down
the window and I remember his words to this day, “Honey, there’s no easy way to say this, your
home burned down today.” I quickly
inquired about my older three sons and he assured me they were okay and safe at
his house with my mother. My mother sent
my dad to stop me from going home because she feared I would go directly into
labor at the sight; I was 8-months into my pregnancy.
The first night was difficult for all of
us. As my husband was completely
exhausted from fighting the fire and watching his childhood home go up in
flames, I was pacing the floor with a few contractions… but prayer and being
physically strong warded off early labor.
It was an extremely humbling experience for us all, waking up the first
morning without a toothbrush or even a change of underwear. The next days, weeks and even months remained
difficult as well as challenging.
Farming was my husband’s occupation and as
most of you on the farm know, those years, like now, were skimpy. The Christmas gifts I had purchased were all
gone. There was nothing left of the
house or anything within it. There was
no money to replace the Christmas items or anything else. Family, friends, neighbors, church families
and strangers gave to us, some sacrificially.
We received money, clothes, toys children’s b ooks,
Bibles, kitchen and household items.
Boxes kept coming in. The hearts
of people in our community and others around us were reaching out to us in our
time of need. Emotions are very strong
at Christmas time; people want to give.
One neighboring farmer gave us $200 and said, “Go get those boys
Christmas gifts.” I did!
That was 31 years ago and now here I am
back to worrying and fussing over the holidays and things that really aren’t
that important. Christmas is a
celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a celebration of God’s love
reaching down to us, in human form. He
was b orn in a humble situation, nothing
fancy, no riches; yet, we’ve turned this celebration of God’s love into a
fanfare that goes b eyond all
practicality and is many times practiced without love and without God in our
hearts.
I’ve learned many things from that tragedy
long ago. Never put “things” away for
good – there is nothing better than now.
It is more blessed to give than to receive. That Christmas we could not give… it hurt, to
just sit and receive. Your home is not
your place of dwelling but an understanding and connection of the heart. People would comment over the fact that we
lost all the baby pictures – I told them, “but I have all my babies.” I told the boys; anywhere we are together we
are home. The gift of LOVE – is what is
important, that is the gift given by God at Christmas.
The child I was expecting was a surprise
to us on earth but planned in heaven. In
December we lost all that we owned but in January God gave to us a new life, a
new son and a new beginning. Each member
of our family has a different memory of that time long ago – I hope that
through it all, they each one remember how God was (and is) there with us every
step of the way; through every trial and every situation.
All of you have memories of good Christmas
times and bad. If we each take time to
reflect and remember what is truly important we should be humbled and realize
that the only thing really important is to show God’s love to others while we
are here in this lifetime. In all we do
and say we should always “glorify the Father” sharing His love with all those
around us.
I’m looking forward to Christmas and
spending time with all my loved ones.
Gifts don’t matter… hugs do. I
now have 12 grandchildren who make the house more than come to life! Each member of this family is a special part
of my life – each unique as God has created them… With another new life in our
family, Myliah Love (Our 11 months old baby girl/granddaughter) we again see
the miracle of God in the eyes of a child! To look in the eyes of our newest baby child
and witness the miracle of life just as Mary and Joseph did that night in
Bethlehem a long time ago, is a blessed miracle indeed.
Each December 16, I take time to reflect
back… and I am encouraged to know and remember the true reason for the season -
How Great Our Joy!
Sit down, pour yourself a cup of tea,
coffee, hot cocoa or eggnog and read the Christmas story. Reflect back on all the great things as well
as the tough times in your life and remember what God and has done for you… and
humbly – thank Him!
From my heart and soul to yours “Merry Christmas” and May God richly
bless you in your continued life here on earth and in heaven. Go tell it on the Mountain – that Jesus
Christ is b orn.
Luke 2:10-14 Then the angels said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is b orn
to you this day in the city of David
***
Our lives become intertwined throughout the years... Taking time to step back and reflect is always good... making new friends is wonderful - keeping the old is even "more" special!
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