"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
How awesome is that?
My Christmas break has been such a wonderful, eye-opening and memorable break so far. It's interesting to me that every year I appreciate Christmas for a different reason. This year, I feel blessed.... very extremely blessed by the people around me.
Yesterday and today I was able to spend good time with my youth pastor's family from when I was younger. It's crazy how some people can leave a lasting mark on you. This family is fabulous and seemed to be placed in my life at just the right time to create mentorship and friendship. Not only that, but lots of old friends have been in town for the holidays so we had a mini youth group reunion! It was so fun laughing together and reminiscing about some of the greatest memories I have. Keeping in touch with my youth pastor's family and watching childhood friends grow up have been so awesome. I strongly recommend staying in touch with people you love :)
My great-grandma is 93 years old and living in a nursing home. She's had Alzheimer's for years now. Over time, her health has gone up and down, and she's gone on and off of hospice. So many scares, so many times when we thought she would get to meet her Lord that night, but every single time she somehow pulls through. I guess I'm lucky to have longevity in my genes. But these days, I think, "Why would I want someone I love to keep living when she's unable to eat or drink herself, needs assistance with every aspect of this so-called "life", and can not recognize her own family members?" It's interesting when you're able to realize that hey, I'm not praying for Granny to keep "living" her life in THIS world anymore when she has such an incredible, miraculous LIFE to live somewhere else!! It would be selfish of me to want her to stay here. Well, this past week, Granny started going downhill again.
Christmas is not just a one day celebration. It's an atmosphere of love. This year, if my Granny passes away around Christmas day, my mom and dad will have to travel across the country to help my extended family with funeral arrangements, etc. And it might be just my sister and I spending Christmas day together.
All that to say...I'm glad that Christmas has become more than just a day. If Granny passes away this week, it would be strange not spending Christmas with my parents, but in the long run, I think I can share the love with my family who would need my parents more on December 25th than I would. And I can thank God that Granny might be celebrating Christmas in a much better place.
Cheers to the end of an amazing semester and Merry Christmas!!
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