It feel like life is on GO mode and I'm just reporting everything (or at least some things) that we do and not doing or saying anything that's of any real importance--or at least anything of any real substance.
It feels like all I'm doing is talking about me and our life. And yes, I do realize that that's kind of what a blog is, but still. It's still bothering me.
I think it's because I get like this every year. I look around me and see how abundantly blessed I am, in every single sense of the word and I just have a hard time reconciling that with how many people live life without so much that I take for granted. And I love Christmas and lights and music and parties and fun and presents, but I hate it a the same time, because I feel like I spend so much time and money on things that don't really matter, at least not in the grand scheme of things.
And I struggle with what to do with that. It's the same struggle that I've had for years and year. And probably will for years and years to come. How to balance, how to give in a sacrificial way, how to make a difference, how to not get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas in America, but use this time of year to give and be generous. And how to enjoy Christmas with my friends and family and still use my time and energy to give to those that really need it.
Does anyone else struggle with this? I feel like a crazy person sometimes, but it's something that I just can't shake at Christmas. Why I should have such abundance when others around the world have such a lack of basic necessities.
So for the next 10 days up until Christmas, I'm going to focus on ways that we've found to try and find this balance. Sure, we'll be doing a lot of fun Christmasy things around here, and I'll probably post some of those too, but that can't be all this season is about.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas too.
To end with, I just wanted to share this picture.
I teach at an inner city public school in Houston. Yesterday we had a door decorating contest. I left it completely up to them to do; I just handed out some supplies.
The first thing a kid said was "we need a baby Jesus in the middle and we can put everything else around that." And that's exactly what they ended up doing.
I don't know if we'll win or not, but I think it's the best one out there.
Nevermind the fact that they spelled Christmas without a t. :)
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