God is Still in Charge

The Christmas season is over. The welcoming lights on the neighbor's homes and throughout the community have gone out leaving a sense of darkness and even a little gloom. The house once dressed in it's holiday refinery now looks bare and empty. All the decorations are packed up and in put away in the attic....that is, except for the last few things I missed like the mistletoe ball that hung over the hall doorway and the balls that I found behind the chair that had fallen off the tree.

Well, there is also the table decoration that I found at an after holiday sale for 75% off and the cute Christmas tree molds that I found at the grocery store for $.25 that are the perfect size to make tree-shaped Rice Krispie treats next year. I just couldn't pass up those bargains. So there will be one more trip up to the attic.

There is always something a little sad when this season ends. Although I have to admit that I miss some of the "fluff" and even the "trappings" of Christmas...the lights and decorations, the shopping and crafting to have gifts for those I love, and the carols of Christmas being played everywhere you go. But what I miss the most is who I become at this special time of year. I become more thoughtful, more patient, more kind and considerate, more sensitive to the needs of others, less caught up in myself, more outgoing and comfortable with initiating a conversation with a stranger in a long checkout line, more excited about seeing family, more time spent trying to become closer to my Savior and trying to truly understand and appreciate His great sacrifice in my behalf, and more time trying to become like Him. Although this is who I should be and who I want to be all the time, it is so easy to slide back to old routines and old habits... to succumb to my "carnal" state with all its' temptations, inhibitions, and weaknesses. No wonder I feel a little depressed after Christmas.

I was so impressed this year by the many acts of thoughtfulness and service by so many of the family. You have really set the example as to what Christmas is all about. Many of you instead of giving gifts to those of us who are already blessed with SO much, have given to those of God's children who are really in need. And I know there are those of you who have done the same thing quietly in your own way. We as a family are so blessed in that none that I am aware of is without work or struggling just to survive in this time of economic stress. This coming year is going to be a challenge for all of us in one way or another. But with the love and support of family and the love and support of our Heavenly Father we all will be OK.