It seems that all of December is just a few weeks of getting ready for one day. It’s just one day but it’s such an awesome day. I want to make it as perfect as the culmination of my best memories. It won’t be. It will be a day full of the same pit-falls and frustrations of most days but it will be so much easier to look past them, smile through them and celebrate.
I’m trying so hard to keep my mind focused this year. Not that I’m big into commercialism and keeping up with everyone. It’s more of a need to get my mind off of myself and on the truth. I have had a couple of really rough days. Parenting is not easy…if it were easy there would be a whole lot fewer people in prison. Parenting is tough, it’s nitty gritty, hands full, heart broken, spilled milk tough.
I trust. I trust that all the hard work will produce good character. I trust that all the tears will produce soft hearts and I trust that God sees it all, knows me, knows what to do and knows how to move my hands and feet in the right direction.
You seem to do a fabulous job at raising your young men, which is evidence to me that the Lord is carrying you quite well even on those weary days and leading you through with clear guidance. I think all of us struggle, at times, to create the warm happy Christmases we wish for our children. there are so many things we “could have done” but didn’t have time, energy, or money. In the end, the eyes of youth look past the “failures”- they must!- because how would we all have so many great memories?! Surely our parents had disappointments and unachieved goals of the season, too- we just never saw them. The glow of the lights, the taste of chocolate, and the magic of the story of Christ kept us all in a stupor of wonder and delight! I trust the same is true for our children.
I am sorry to read that you have been having some tough days. Sometimes it seems like there’s something in the water, and tough days are in it for everyone I know, even myself! Hang in there, though. We suffer so that we can have joy!
I wish I had something insightful to say- but I’m pretty tired. So I’ll just say hang in there, you’re doing a great job with those kiddos. You’re raising three wonderful, polite, caring boys and that’s obvious to everyone that meets them.
I don’t think Christmas will ever match up to our memories of it but I’m sure your kids enjoy everything you do.
I know, both from observation and reading, that you do a good job parenting. I’m sure it’s probably the toughest job one could do! Saying this as a spectator, not a parent, I’d still encourage you to cut yourself a little slack and be certain that all of our parents made mistakes and had unfulfilled expectations. I know you turned out well. I think I’m alright too. Your boys will certainly learn from their mom’s priorities and know that big or small, Christmas is a celebration of something so much more valuable than gifts and activities.
I know what you mean. I’m surprised every year to find that there is a December 26th. I wake up and realize that I have not prepared for that day or any of the days ahead. My pantry is empty and there’s no money left in the bank 🙂
All of that energy and focus going into one day – I still think it’s worth it. And your kids will never know about the things you didn’t do.
For the record, the hard parenting work really will pay off. And even when it’s hard for you to see it, it’s obvious to everyone else already that you’re working at this and doing a great job.