I absolutely love Christmas time. I love everything about it. I love the lights, the cookies, the parties, the presents, the family time, the music, all of it. I love that everyone is a little kinder to one another during this season. Christian or Jew, Atheist, or whatever, everyone is just kinder. It is a season when the blinders are less effective. It is harder to just go about your business. I grew up in an area where EVERYONE celebrated Christmas. Lights on every house, traditional Christmas Carols were sung at school, no Happy Holidays-- it was Always Merry Christmas. I live in LA now, and it is very different. While not everyone here celebrates Christmas, it is no less fun for me! I still deck the house out in Candy Cane Lane like splendor. We sing, we bake, we talk about Jesus, we love Christmas, just like we did when it was what everyone did. We also get to see what life is like for those who don't celebrate Christmas. That is interesting too! From what my friends tell me, being a Jew on Christmas is awesome! It is a no pressure, traffic free, line free, day to go have fun! Our Jewish and Atheist friends love the lights, the joy, the time with family and friends, the helping others, just like we Christians do. I am sure that is pleasing to our Lord. Loving one another, is important. Many are giving sacrificially, I am sure that makes God smile. He does want us all to honor him by acknowledging his sacrifice for us, but he will reach each of us in his own perfect timing. In the mean time, he cannot be displeased with the love he sees. Praise God for the blessings, for the softened hearts, for the generosity of many in this season. May it stretch throughout the year.
I enter this new week a little tired, but smiling. Why? No drama this weekend. We had sunshine, and sports, and cuddle time--- less the drama. Most families don't experience the intense level of emotions that the Rhodes clan does. Sure, they have the hectic life of families, perhaps some fighting, the normal mess--- perhaps a little teen hormone induced drama....but we have drama of a different kind in our house. The kind of drama caused by a brain that is shooting off crazy chemicals induced by years of trauma. When our son Victor is home, the whole world is a great big land mine. Saying the wrong thing, calling him out on behavior, or even suggesting that he not eat a 4th serving of ice cream can cause the the peace to recede, and for chaos to ensue. He is now in a boarding school for kids with emotional issues. As sad as it is that our family isn't all together--- I must admit that the peace in our household is a welcome blessing. We are learning more and more
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