Blessed Christmas friends, and what a great time of the year to slow down and remind ourselves what really matters and what really counts … Christ, Gospel, family, and Peace on Earth. How many Christmas (yes here at T Bar M we loudly say CHRISTmas) outings have you been to this month? Just two more days and all the commercial Christmas hoopla "wraps" up and will soon be packed away for another year.
Mom / Dad, your children certainly will not know, and therefore not appreciate, all of the hard work and sacrifices you have made for this Christmas. Guess what? If your motivation was to bless them then sit back and relax in knowing that you gave it your best. If you feel that you’ve got to express your sacrifices and need them to express appreciation - then stop. Stop and reconsider your motivation. Strange sounding, but it will free you from your expectations that might be a bit skewed.
Colossians 3:17 & 23 remind us to do everything for the Lord rather than for mankind. Kids do need to understand value. They do not need to feel bad about your decisions.
How about a family Christmas gift of “I love you more & more, forever more.” That is to imply an unconditional gift of acceptance, support, kindness, and gentleness. I recently polled teenagers in two different settings asking them, “If you could tell your parents one thing, what would it be?” (here’s a sampling) … “understand me, be consistent, back off, communicate, chill, accept me, teach me, say: 'I love you so much', 'thank you', give me a break, lead me, and protect me.”
Wow, take a Camp gift of reconnecting with your child this week and let them know that you are for them. That you believe in them. Isn’t that God’s message for us through a Christmas cradle and an empty Easter cross and tomb?
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