Sometimes I Write

I did something really stupid lastnight. I went to Walmart to grocery shop…on the Saturday before Christmas. The mile long line to get into the parking lot should have been my first clue. I parked the van way out and prepared for the trek to the door. (I needed the exercise to walk off the fudge I had eaten for lunch) I sadly watched a dozen people pass the Salvation Army bell ringer trying their best not to look him in the eye. I dropped in a handful of coins and he wished me a Merry Christmas. Our eyes met, I smiled, and I wished him the same. At that moment, I wished I could have dropped in a few thousand dollars, but I know my small gift will help someone. His smile may have been the last one I saw at Walmart. Every aisle I went down was packed full of people with overflowing shopping carts and tired looks on their faces. Yes, the spirit of consumerism was thick in the air. I wondered how many of those people were getting into debt up to their eyeballs to provide a memorable Christmas for their loved ones. Sound judgemental? maybe a little. Sometimes I just get so tired of going against the flow. I cannot shelter my children from the advertising that is hurtled at them from every direction. I hate it that my 2 year old is a target for all of the world’s best toy makers, and I ‘m so thankful she’s (sort of) still in the “rather play with the box” stage. Max definitely has a list for Santa, and though it isn’t long, it’s a little pricey. Pete just loves to tear open the packages, which is why they are now hidden under the guest bed, and in the laundry room instead of neatly arranged under our tree.

I mentioned all of this in class on Sunday morning, and my friend Joe leaned over to his wife and whispered “Suff Mart”. I smiled and got his attention, “Do you mean Madame Blueberry?” He did. Madame Blueberry is a character from Veggie Tales. In one episode, she is very “blue” because she doesn’t have enough stuff. Some salesmen show up to convince her that she does indeed need more to be happy. They then escort her to their new store “Stuff Mart”. It holds everything she could ever want in every color, shape and size. (Sound Familiar?) During her spending spree she overhears a conversation with a father and son about not being able to afford a certain toy. The boy is disappointed, but perks up when his father promises quality time at the park instead. She can’t understand how the boy could ever be happy when he was denied the object of his desire. On her way home with all of her purchases, she sees a family that is celebrating a daughters birthday with only a slice of pie. They live on the ground…she lives in a tree house, quite the status symbol. She is again puzzled that the little girl is singing a song about being thankful for what she has when she obviously has so little. Long story short, she does learn her lesson, and so did my kids. Yeah for Veggie Tales! I think we’ll watch this one again this week!

In order to fight the negative aspects of the holidays (stress, greediness, overspending, etc., we have begun some new traditions in our family.

We buy our kids each three gifts for Christmas. Two small ones which are wrapped up for our family gift exchange on Christmas eve, and then “Santa” leaves the big one, unwrapped, in front of the tree for them to discover early Christmas morning. Benny helps the kids leave milk and cookies for Santa and they sprinkle reindeer food outside for Rudolph and his pals, then it’s off to bed. On Christmas morning, after much rejoicing over the cookies, milk and reindeer food being eaten, and ofcourse the goodies Santa has left, we lay out all the gifts that we have received from each other and our loved ones, and each of us chooses one to give away to someone who may not have as much as we do. We want to instill the spirit of giving in them while they’re young so that it will be second nature to them when they’re old. We also spend time talking about all of the ways we see Jesus in the traditions our culture has, and how important it is to remember that without Jesus, there would be no Christmas!

I highly recommend the book The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel, artwork by Jeannie Mooney. It is available on her website this month only for $10.00. If you buy it in the store, it will cost you more. I ordered one for our family and one for the other Nowell family in Wyoming. Both were autographed and shipped within 2 days. www.lisawhelchel.com If you are unfamiliar wih Lisa Whelchel, you’re missing out! She is best known for her role as Blair on The Facts of Life. She is now a homeschooling mother, speaker, author, pastor’s wife, and all around encourager to mothers everywhere. Though we have not met face to face (yet), I consider her a friend. Please check this book out, as well as her other three.

Well, reading back over this post, I can see the transformation that has taken place in my general attitude. I was a bit weary when I started, but now I feel great. I really do have a lot to be thankful for. May all of your holiday shopping be over quickly, and your giving to others last forever. Be generous with the bell ringers and those they are representing. As a child, there were many Christmases that I was on the receiving end of their generosity and I’ll never forget it. Whether you can do a little or alot…DO SOMETHING! Happy holidays friends!