Merry Christmas
If you're on my email list then you've already recieved this in an e-card.
Its Christmas again and life's taking a dump on me. I've lost another man. (Just call me the black widow of relationships). I still can't find a job. (Send me your number and I'll fax you a resume). And I'm on the out list with my sister-in-laws. (If you met them you would be too).
Is there anything positive I can say besides that my son's fake-swead jacket survived its accidental trip through the laundry?
Yes, there is. I live in a great country, at a great time, surrounded by great people and have a great God. This country has a welfare and labor system that puts food in my frig and pays some bills. (Not only will we have ham for Christmas Eve but I can make pumpkin bread to give away). In this country churches are able and willing to provide free, monolithic, Christian, Christmas entertainment. (I've been to two concerts and a play so far.)
There are wildlife management areas where I can walk myself into better physical and mental health. (I watched a family of otters play yesterday morning.) Local libraries provide books, beautiful books, and internet access where I can communicate my thoughts to the entire world. (I can even send this letter to newspapers. Of course, they're free too; free to say, "No".)
Speaking of freedom, I'm free (a woman) to teach religion (Christianity) to small children. (We'll be making pop-up nativity scenes this week in Sunday school.)
My grown and nearly grown children are providing us with Christmas this year. (Praise God for fast-food paychecks and generous hearts.) My parents have put me up and put up with me time and time again. (That right there ought to earn then a seat on the right hand side of God.)
I have friends, good, sweet, caring, wonderful friends who leave cornball jokes on my voicemail, forgive me when I snap at them, give the best hugs, make Styrofoam snowmen, and support me even when they know I'm wrong. I have a God, whose greatness is without measure. He forgives me over and over. He loves me over and over. He never ever lets me go. He has already given the greatest gift of all and it was... free.
So I'm putting down the box of tissue, turning the lights up and the TV off because "Yes Virginia, it is a wonderful life". I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. I am.
