My Christmas List
This time of year, wish lists tend to get very long. Or maybe they're just very expensive. As a kid, I would overflow with anticipation as the JCPenney Wish Book arrived in the mail. Not that my parents ever actually bought my gifts from there, but the arrival of the catalogue signaled the arrival of Christmas. What kid doesn't love poring over toy ads, dreaming of all the fabulous things that could soon be his? Everything looks so shiny, new, and exciting as opposed to the broken toys with run-down batteries and lost pieces in their closet.
Even now, as Christmas looms right around the corner, close enough to touch, I find myself at times making my mental wish list. There are no letters to Santa these days, but the wants are there just the same. A few new clothes, a new computer, a new camera complete with photography lessons, a vacation, maybe even an ipad, which would be the ultimate indulgence for me. We could all come up with long, pricey lists if we had to.
But these things don't hold the same luster as they once did. I find myself wanting more. Call me greedy.
This morning, I heard the dreaded crash followed by a moan of someone who knew something bad had just happened. I had to ask the question. "What was that?" A moment of silence and then, "You don't want to know." When I entered the dining room, I saw exactly why the person involved didn't want to tell me.
Something completely irreplaceable had been broken beyond repair. A precious memory in the form of ceramics. A moment in time that can never be recaptured. A treasure involving my most treasured possessions, my children.
Part of me wanted to get upset. Really upset. But quickly the truth flooded my heart and mind.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (and gravity shatters.)
While it is a precious earthly treasure to me, my treasures are slowly but surely being stored in heaven instead of here on this broken, temporary earth. I was hit by the reality that all, all my earthly possessions will one day look like this shattered plate...or worse. It will all be burnt up. Gone. Forever.
It is truly understanding and believing this truth that makes accepting the fact that the plate with my sweet children's footprints is broken and that I will most likely not get any of the things on my wish list pretty easy. Why would I pine after things that will be gone in an instant?
So I find myself making a new Christmas wish list. I find my heart longing for the things that matter. I would forego multitudes of earthly treasures for a good dose of true humility, because it is upon that foundation that the things of eternity are built. Understanding that I am nothing and He is everything. I desire a heart of compassion and gentleness. I desperately want my life to be characterized by love for Jesus and love for others. I want holiness. Unquenchable joy. Faithfulness to my God.
The beautiful, glorious truth is that all these things can be mine. My wish list can be fulfilled all because of the wish God granted in a manger. Mankind had longed for and looked for a Savior and God, in His mercy, gave us just that. And so much more.
What do you wish for...long for this Christmas? Ask the Giver of all good things.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18
Even now, as Christmas looms right around the corner, close enough to touch, I find myself at times making my mental wish list. There are no letters to Santa these days, but the wants are there just the same. A few new clothes, a new computer, a new camera complete with photography lessons, a vacation, maybe even an ipad, which would be the ultimate indulgence for me. We could all come up with long, pricey lists if we had to.
But these things don't hold the same luster as they once did. I find myself wanting more. Call me greedy.
This morning, I heard the dreaded crash followed by a moan of someone who knew something bad had just happened. I had to ask the question. "What was that?" A moment of silence and then, "You don't want to know." When I entered the dining room, I saw exactly why the person involved didn't want to tell me.
Something completely irreplaceable had been broken beyond repair. A precious memory in the form of ceramics. A moment in time that can never be recaptured. A treasure involving my most treasured possessions, my children.
Part of me wanted to get upset. Really upset. But quickly the truth flooded my heart and mind.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (and gravity shatters.)
While it is a precious earthly treasure to me, my treasures are slowly but surely being stored in heaven instead of here on this broken, temporary earth. I was hit by the reality that all, all my earthly possessions will one day look like this shattered plate...or worse. It will all be burnt up. Gone. Forever.
It is truly understanding and believing this truth that makes accepting the fact that the plate with my sweet children's footprints is broken and that I will most likely not get any of the things on my wish list pretty easy. Why would I pine after things that will be gone in an instant?
So I find myself making a new Christmas wish list. I find my heart longing for the things that matter. I would forego multitudes of earthly treasures for a good dose of true humility, because it is upon that foundation that the things of eternity are built. Understanding that I am nothing and He is everything. I desire a heart of compassion and gentleness. I desperately want my life to be characterized by love for Jesus and love for others. I want holiness. Unquenchable joy. Faithfulness to my God.
The beautiful, glorious truth is that all these things can be mine. My wish list can be fulfilled all because of the wish God granted in a manger. Mankind had longed for and looked for a Savior and God, in His mercy, gave us just that. And so much more.
What do you wish for...long for this Christmas? Ask the Giver of all good things.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18
Great reminder but you still need to glue that plate back together!
ReplyDeleteAmy, this is just beautiful. Wow, what our days would look like if we we thought of Jesus all day and not the things around us.
ReplyDeleteI have a similiar plate that the kids did (pre-James), and it broke also. I glued mine back together and you can still see all the cracks. But now when I look at it I can think about what you wrote.