If I took a picture of my Christmas tree from top to bottom, you most likely would notice that it is bare underneath the tree. With my Hubby having been laid off from his job in August, funds are currently quite scarce around here right now. I explained to my daughter, yet again, as it was the same situation last year, that there would be no presents underneath the tree this year. Her words were, and I quote, "That's okay, Mama, that isn't what Christmas is about." She may only be 17, but she has the wisdom of someone much older, as she definitely is wiser than any 17-year-old I have ever known.
A few Christmases ago, my son sold his house. He has always wanted a laptop, but instead of buying himself one, he bought my daughter one with some of the proceeds from the sale of his house. He still doesn't have his laptop, but it doesn't matter. It made him very happy to do that for his sister. I have such selfless children, and I am so proud to call them mine. I know we did something right in raising them.
I must interject at this point that someone did step in to see that we had a good Christmas last year. We don't know who it was, although we do have our suspicions. They bought gifts for each of us and groceries. At the last moment, someone else stepped in and gave us a little money, so I was able to buy a few things for my daughter. I talked to my son about it and asked him if he wanted me to get him anything, he said no, you had me for 10 years before my sister was ever born, so I have had a lot more Christmases than she has, just buy for her. Although it broke my heart not to have him anything from us under the tree, I did as he wished. We have had several others step in with groceries and/or money since Hubby's lay-off. We have not gone without even once. There are no words to thank the people responsible. I am not one bit surprised that we have been given so much because we have done the same thing for people along the way as we were able, so I am not one bit surprised to see it come back to us. I learned a long time ago, you just cannot outgive God. When you allow Him to use you as His vessel, it comes back to you again and again.
So, as I look underneath the bare tree, I see not what we don't have, but what we do have. We have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, clothes on our back, vehicles to drive, and most importantly, we have each other AND our faith in God, along with many, many good friends. I have all I could ever want or need. We will still have a wonderful Christmas with good food and great fellowship with our family. My family and I are blessed beyond measure!
A few Christmases ago, my son sold his house. He has always wanted a laptop, but instead of buying himself one, he bought my daughter one with some of the proceeds from the sale of his house. He still doesn't have his laptop, but it doesn't matter. It made him very happy to do that for his sister. I have such selfless children, and I am so proud to call them mine. I know we did something right in raising them.
I must interject at this point that someone did step in to see that we had a good Christmas last year. We don't know who it was, although we do have our suspicions. They bought gifts for each of us and groceries. At the last moment, someone else stepped in and gave us a little money, so I was able to buy a few things for my daughter. I talked to my son about it and asked him if he wanted me to get him anything, he said no, you had me for 10 years before my sister was ever born, so I have had a lot more Christmases than she has, just buy for her. Although it broke my heart not to have him anything from us under the tree, I did as he wished. We have had several others step in with groceries and/or money since Hubby's lay-off. We have not gone without even once. There are no words to thank the people responsible. I am not one bit surprised that we have been given so much because we have done the same thing for people along the way as we were able, so I am not one bit surprised to see it come back to us. I learned a long time ago, you just cannot outgive God. When you allow Him to use you as His vessel, it comes back to you again and again.
So, as I look underneath the bare tree, I see not what we don't have, but what we do have. We have a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, clothes on our back, vehicles to drive, and most importantly, we have each other AND our faith in God, along with many, many good friends. I have all I could ever want or need. We will still have a wonderful Christmas with good food and great fellowship with our family. My family and I are blessed beyond measure!
Author's Note: Photo was taken of my family at my cousin's house on Thanksgiving.
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Lisa