I was thinking how no one was going to notice all the little things I did to get ready for Christmas morning. No one is going to recognize my thoughtfulness in wrapping the silly little things in their stockings so they have things to unwrap while they wait for grandparents to arrive and settle in on Christmas morning. They won’t appreciate the organization and lists to make sure everyone has the same number of gifts so no one feels left out as we go round and open the gifts on Christmas morning. No one is going to say thanks for making sure Christmas Eve dinner is all planned so we can get to the Christmas Eve service. No one is going to stop and realize that everyone got their own favorite treats in their stocking, just that they are happy to get what was in their own. I doubt anyone will thank me for organizing the gifts so everyone can find theirs or that I planned the order of gifts for optimal happiness. 😊 They will just be happy. And that was the point, to make them happy, not to get the thank you.
I may not be wiping down the counters or the mirrors for the millionth time for their happiness, but just because it needs to be done, and I can do it. It makes me happy to keep the home in order and moving along, even if no one notices the multitude of little things that us moms (and dads) constantly do to keep life happy for our families. No one says thank you when groceries need to be put away. No one says thanks for getting the bills paid. Our kids live in a bit of ignorance when it comes to the many blessings they receive from having you as their mother or father or grandparent to take care of them.
I know it’s easy to sigh and wonder why they can’t keep their fingers off the mirrors, but it’s also a joy to do it with a heart of gratitude. There’s a verse in Proverbs that goes something like this: The stable is clean where there are no oxen. I’m thankful my home is full, even if that means there is always something to be wiped from the counters.
And it’s a glimpse at the Father’s heart. He sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, meeting their basic needs. The sun rises to give us all light and heat each day. It sets to give us rest. Jesus healed even the ungrateful ones. It pleases the Father to care for His children. It pleases the Father to care for His creation, even when they don’t recognize it. And I wonder how many “little things” I miss that my good Father is doing for me.
You know how good it feels when someone does notice and stops to say thanks. We should give that gift to our good Father. And when the bad stuff happens, when the problems pile up, instead of complaining as if God is laying down on the job, it should remind us of all the things we’ve neglected being thankful for, and we should rejoice. It should wake us up to thanksgiving and praise. Problems are temporary, but the love of our Father is for all eternity.
Very well said!!! Love this so much! Thank you for all your hard work that goes into the curriculum that you provide…my boys are in 1st and 3rd grade and we love Easy Peasy! Merry Christmas and God Bless!
My son will not be having a Christmas this year no tree no presents no money I’m glad he’s 16 if you know what I mean but it’s still makes me sad but it’s even worse because he has to have major spinal surgery on top of it I tried to attach his x rays of his spine but couldn’t find a way to attach them to this so you could see and he’ll be by himself how much worse can it get please pray
Our family has skipped Christmas on purpose before. It doesn’t have to be about trees and presents. There is joy and peace and love to be found in every day. I have watched a son go into brain surgery, and I was at peace. That comes from Jesus.
I’m sorry to hear about your son. I pray surgery goes well and that Jesus will comfort your heart and family as only He can.
I just stopped and prayed for you and your family. Praying you find the peace that surpasses your understanding in the midst of what you’re going through. I’m praying God works through this and you experience him in ways you’ve never known and that you’ll remember it as one of the best Christmases you’ve ever had because you experienced Emmanuel—God with you. I type this as I sit beside my sick daughter on the couch, knowing full well I need to cancel all our Christmas dinner plans/guests for tonight. I was so looking forward to it. Sometimes our best laid plans get foiled, but GOD’s plans are always for our best. Maybe this is God’s gift to me. His way of forcing me to slow down and reflect. I pray you find Him in the midst of your disappointment as I have. Hugs and prayers ❤️
You are recognized as the WONDERFULLY AWESOME person you are ,,,the things you do for people (like us) that you don’t even know!! Thank you !!
It’s a gift to me that I get to serve my brothers and sisters in this way. Thanks for saying thanks; it’s always an encouragement. But, I’d do it even if you didn’t 😉
Thank you for expressing what I’ve felt but not able to express. I needed to see this today. God bless you!
Thank you for sharing this post. It was exactly what I needed. It has helped to refocus me on His truth.
Amen and Amen! Very well said, and incredibly insightful. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important, so thank you for this reminder.