…for colds.  Someone has been sick in our house for almost a month now.  Weeks ago it started with allergies when we had terribly windy days.  Then it moved to colds for the kids and they missed several days of school right after Thanksgiving.  Then last week, Kenny and I came down with colds.  This is the first time we’ve been sick at the same time. Twelve years of being married; I guess we should be thankful this is the first time.  We’ve decided it’s much better when one of us is 100%.  Survival mode to the max when both parents are down.  Hopefully we’re over the worst of it, but we are still far from 100%.

We even moved our real Christmas tree to the garage about a week and a half ago.  Since we all have allergies, we wondered if the tree was making our symptoms worse.  It was a sad day when we told the kids we were un-decorating the tree and moving it out.  Once we are all feeling better we plan to move it back in.  Hopefully that happens before Christmas!

December might be the worst month to be sick.  We’ve already cancelled a number of fun things over the last weeks.  And, there are always so many Christmas preparations to be done. The first days of being sick that was all I could think about.  The many Christmas tasks that I so enjoy each year.  Wrapping gifts, preparing Christmas cards, baking, etc. How was it all going to get done?

Once again, God is teaching me much while sick.  I’ve been told that I over analyze at times.  When I’m sick, I look for what God is trying to teach me.  I do believe that sometimes he allows my body to fail and get sick when I need to slow down and hear from Him.  However, sometimes we’re sick simply because of all the germs and there’s no heart issue to deal with.

This time, though, I feel I’m learning about what is really important during Christmas time. For example, many of the tasks on my list are expectations that only I have created.  No one is telling me I need to bake bread for the whole neighborhood.  It is something I created years ago, a tradition I love doing for our neighbors and that I feel I need to continue.  Are they expecting bread from me?  Probably not.  Will our Christmas card be enough of a gift if I don’t feel like baking?  Of course.  I have come to the place where I am “okay” with not baking the bread.  This is a HUGE step for me and I’m so grateful for getting here.

So, instead of the hustle bustle December we often have, this one is shaping up to be much different.  We are plowing through more cough drops, hot tea, and Christmas movies than ever before.  We are spending much more time at home together which really is wonderful.  As Kenny and I spend yet another evening recovering while watching another Hallmark Christmas movie, I’ll be thankful for a warm home and a family to love. More downtime at home helps our hearts turn inward to think on the truly important parts of Christmas.  I’m ever mindful of that tiny baby that changed the world forever.  And I’m forever grateful that I know Him and that He loves me.

How is this December shaping up for you?  Is it full of preparations and hustle bustle?  Are you able to see through all of that to the truly important reason for our celebrating?  What can you do to simplify and think on Jesus this month?  My prayer for you this Christmas is that you’ll know the love of the Savior who came to the world as a baby so many years ago.