R is for ...

REMEMBER.

This, I think, might be my word of the week as it keeps floating through my life in different ways.  So, REMEMBER has layers of meaning ...

REMEMBER the birth of Christ.  It changed our world.  It changed our lives.  Yesterday my to-do list was longer than my day ... this time of year, seems like that happens a lot.  And as I looked around me as it was done, I realized most of it wasn't near as important as it seemed.  I need to REMEMBER that people are more important than stuff.  And that I really don't need so much "stuff" and that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, not perfecting our holiday hosting.

REMEMBER those who are special to us.  We do this with gifts and Christmas cards and it is such a sweet time ... sometimes the only time we see or hear from someone dear to us ... and so often the only "real" mail we ever receive.  Yesteday I received a gift in the form of an email from a sweet, precious girl (woman) who was in my small group when she was an 8th grader.  She took the time to stop in the busyness of her life and tell me that I had made a difference in her life ... and you know, it made a difference in mine.  It doesn't take a wrapped present under the tree, or even a card in the mailbox to remind someone that they've made a difference in you.

REMEMBER those who won't be with us this Christmas.  I have three friends now who have lost a family member at Christmas ... Kime's family lost their wife and mom, Tom lost his wife (and we all lost our Debbie) ... and now Dutch and Dustin and Mrs. Georgia have lost their Dad/husband.  Many others of us have loved ones who will spend Christmas in their eternal home.  Can you imagine the celebration around the Throne?  Makes us miss them ... but what a gift to know they are happy and at peace, able to do what they could no longer do in their lives.  I love Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Going Home for Christmas" ... I can't make it through without some tears.  But it's always a sweet reminder of the blessing of being HOME for Christmas.

Lastly, REMEMBER those in need this Christmas ... its a great to get outside ourselves and give of what we have.  Something very small to us can make a huge difference in someone else's life.  Even something as simple as a simple courtesy or kind gesture. 

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord.  I will remember your miracles of long ago."  Ps. 77:11