Tree branches and wise men

Whether we’re ready or not, Christmas is upon us.

The Preschooler told me yesterday, “I’m not telling you what I made you for Christmas, but it starts with an ‘ah’ and it goes on your fing-ah.”

I love hints like this. She and the Spouse both have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to gift-giving. Last Christmas he surprised me with some fabulous checkerboard spandex pants. You might remember them because they are truly unforgettable. But, for reference they are pictured here:

This all stemmed from a miscommunication of sorts, so I’m still trying to figure out how to incorporate these into my wardrobe. I was hoping to wear them to watch Tennessee play in the Sugar Bowl this January, but it looks like I may have to wear them just because we’re “champions of life.”

Yesterday I had the older two girls with me while we ran a quick errand to the mall. Shopping with two rather than three should be a cinch, but that’s never how these scenarios play out. And, it’s especially not how it goes when they’re hyped up on sugar after Christmas parties at school. We completed our mission, but on the way back to our car one of them {I’ll withhold her identity} walked through the landscaping and got her hair stuck in a tree. I mean her hair was literally wrapped around a branch making it impossible for her to move or free herself from the tree. You can’t make this stuff up. You also probably couldn’t do it to yourself if you tried. A sweet man was walking by and volunteered to help, but I assured him we could figure it out.

I try so hard not to draw attention or make a scene in public places, but parenting {or wearing gifts from my immediately family} makes that an impossible mission. I feel like God is using many facets of this stage of life ~ particularly the parenting challenges ~ to mold me into a softer and less tightly wound person. It’s hard to be in a hurry when you’re unwrapping your child’s hair from a tree in the middle of the mall parking lot. And, I don’t need to be in such a hustle bustle in the first place because it blinds me to the needs of the people around me. So I’m thankful for the reminders, no matter how ridiculous, to slow down. There was also this conversation between our middle child and the Spouse just this morning:

2nd Grader: Were the wise men married?
The Spouse: If I saw a big star in the sky and wanted to go on a journey and follow it for a couple of years, do you think your mom would let me go?
2nd Grader: Umm, no.
The Spouse: Right. So, they probably weren’t married.

Well, that was humbling. If you’re anything like me and you get caught up in the hurriedness of this season, here’s my wish for the both of us. May the people we’re with get their hair stuck in tree branches more often. And, may we be the kind of people who let those we love follow a star. Better yet, maybe we should follow it, too.

I want to thank you all for reading these posts, many of them nonsensical, throughout the year. I don’t think I would continue to write here if it wasn’t for the sense of community it creates with you all. When I hear from you via email, text, social media, or in person, I’m reminded how grateful I am for your friendship and how glad I am to maintain connection with you by way of these stories. So, again, thank you for bearing with me and being with me here. I wish you all the peace a Savior who made his dwelling among us makes possible for us this season. And, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13