Last Updated on December 24, 2024
Kind of older mom here with some encouragement, I hope.
It gets different.
People always want to say, “It gets better.” And, although, I agree that some things do get better, most things just get different. I guess it also depends on what your definition of better is.
I always think of better as easier. So far, easier hasn’t happened, but I can say that different is not always a bad thing. I’m thinking right now of the Christmas season and I”m happy to say that I’m strangely peaceful. That is different for me. Usually I’m all twisted in knots with things to plan, purchase, and produce so I can encourage my children to see their Savior in this holiday season.
When my children were little, I was constantly looking for the thing or things that would make Christmas really special for them. I didn’t want to waste a moment. I wanted memories made daily. Special crafts. Perfect parties. Deep spiritual ponderings. And, inevitably on December 26th, I’d think about all the things I didn’t do rather than all the things I did.
Isn’t that just silly, and yet so normal?
Maybe its that I’m a little older and wiser, or maybe I’m just pooped. Probably a little bit of both. Mostly I’m tired though. Single parenting even after fifteen years still takes it out of me.
For the first time, instead of trying to make things perfect, I’m thinking about priorities. What is the most important thing? Well, obviously, Jesus! So I’m asking myself some questions…How do we celebrate this season of Him? What brings us closer to Him? What brings us joy?
My children are ages 17 to 30 so they don’t care as much about all the presents and parties as they once did, or as I once thought they did. It’s our little traditions that are the most meaningful.
It’s the new nutcracker we pick out every Black Friday. The lasagna dinner before the Christmas Eve service. The cookies delivered to first responders. The same movie we watch late on Christmas Eve. The breakfast casserole the big kids make before going to bed. The fun decorations set up for Christmas breakfast. The silly stocking gifts the kids unwrap while yawning and drinking coffee. The gingerbread house contest on Christmas Day. The big dinner in the afternoon with family and friends around multiple tables crammed together between two rooms.
Nothing fancy. Just little things that we always do that bring comfort and joy.
Those things don’t stress me out at all. They are just what we do together. We love spending time together. That is what brings us joy. Worshiping with our church family. Serving others. Welcoming others to our Christmas table. Those things bring us closer to Him and each other.
The joy of the season isn’t wrapped up under the tree. It’s His presence, opened and ready to bring us all the joy we need.
