What I Learned This Christmas

What I Learned This Christmas

I am the kind of person who shops all year round to pick up gifts at great deals. I am a planner and hate last minute things that throw my schedule off. This past week I made several last minute trips to stores to shop for gifts, wrapped presents again and again, unwrapped and re-wrapped presents, stalked people via the internet, rearranged my schedule to make visits I had not counted on, and stayed up many late nights.

I then woke up Christmas Eve with a 100* fever and feeling like I had been hit by a truck. I still had one last visit I had to make so with a prayer, I got ready to go. On the way there, I didn’t feel so sick. I slowly realized that I was not in as much pain as I had been at home. I also began to think that I had not been as tired as I normally am.I then began to think about all the other things that seemed to be on track that week. My house was clean, I had cooked dinner every night, the bills were paid, an angel delivered a new laptop (at cost), my depression and anxiety hadn’t flared up, every store I had visited had short lines and happy cashiers, and I had a smile on my face.

How did I accomplish all this when I was running around all week. My husband had helped but normally weeks like this would leave me in a tizzy and completely overwhelmed. Then I realized God had allowed everything to fall into place because I had left behind what was important to me in order to serve. The gifts I had bought and all the wrapping paper wasn’t for me and mine, but for children of prison inmates.  A special program ran by Angel Tree Ministries. Our church had worked with another local church in order to help these families this holiday season. The families that I had the blessing of ministering to were unable to come to our pickup event and still had not picked up their gifts. I couldn’t imagine any children without gifts on Christmas morning and volunteered to track these families down.

I don’t tell you this because I want any special recognition but to let you know what I learned this Christmas. When  you give of yourself unselfishly the rewards you receive are so much greater than anything you could ever imagine. As I spent Christmas with my family I was happier than I had been in years. Things that would have got me stressed just made me laugh. A game of bunco with my parents, husband, and children turned into the funnest game of Bunco I have ever played. The laughter, thankfulness, and joy that flowed this Christmas was more than I could have asked for. I can only pray that every Christmas from now brings me a reminder of the lesson I learned this Christmas.

 

Hi, I’m Gwendolyn and I have been a stay at home mom since 2009. I have been with my husband, James, for 10 years and we are proud parents of Jayme (8) and Nicholas (14). We are also parents to 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 hamsters, 2 fish and a snake. My father-in-law lives with us so it is always non-stop at our house. I had the honor of becoming a step-parent when I got married and have a great relationship with my step-son. I always used coupons and shopped for bargains but was forced to step up my game when my husband was disabled in 2005. I get an incredible rush from saving money and finding great deals. My life is a constant journey and I look forward to sharing it with you all.