Journaling

The lights on my gloriously cheerful Christmas tree have just blown a fuse for the second time. Perhaps God is easing my disappointment in taking it down now that Christmas is over. I love it and could leave it up forever! I've just been drinking some chai tea (I really wanted Holiday tea...but used it up weeks ago), eating a chocolate and peanut butter truffle, and reading A Legacy of Love by Ruth Graham. This morning I was a little "shook-up". As I tried to bundle up my fussy toddler so that I could run to the grocery store (not something I enjoy), I realized that I had left his boots-expensive boots-at the mall yesterday when I was changing his diaper. And, trust me, that trip to the mall was not worth my toddler's boots!

Christmas always makes me feel like I'm on emotional steroids. So much joy and grief bundled together. I rejoice in the salvation given to me, and cry over a family full of unbelievers who are suffering so terribly-even for unbelievers. I love the gifts I give and receive and feel totally at a loss in how to truly show the love of Christ. I'm overwhelmed by God's grace and disappointed in my failure to live righteously.

Back to my original thought: I am sitting by my fire and reading my book, and it was like honey to a sore thoat! To read about the sweet joy and peace and humor that Ruth Graham shared with her children in the midst of heartaches, and to see the wonderful habits she had and the godly legacy she left gives me a bright standard! It was her example of journaling-her love for writing-that inspired me to write today. I'd really given up on writing in the last couple years...but I think I'll try again!

I've found the crazy mixture of wonderful things and horrible things in life fascinating lately. I want to learn to respond to it all with the purity of God. I may try to write about it more...but for now, my son is waking up!