Today, help me welcome She Speaks graduate, Unity Faith Miller as she shares a Christmas Moment with us:
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Growing up, the most important thing at Christmas were the gifts you received and spending time with family. Yes, we attended church and heard about the birth of Christ but that didn't seem important.
A lot has gone on in my life and many Christmases have passed since recommitting my life to Christ. For the past 9 years I have had the privilege to share this moment (Christ’s birth) with my little, big gift from God--my son Thaddeus. I call him my big gift because, according to my doctors, I should not have been able to conceive him. As I began to let the Lord into my life, my passion for His kingdom and Christmas celebrations changed dramatically due to my son Thaddeus.
This change was most apparent last year, Christmas 2010. Still trying to adjust as a single mom and changing old, bad habits, I feared I couldn't provide a good Christmas for Thaddeus. All this worry at a time when I should remember what Christmas was all about.
Philippians 4:6 reminded me, “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
So, on the way to a church event, I started off with the speech I rehearsed. “Thaddeus, you know I love you and I would want you to have everything that you asked for, for Christmas, but…"
Thaddeus interrupts. With his childlike innocence he looks at me and says, "It's OK Mommy, I understand. Christmas isn't about toys, anyway. It's about celebrating the birth of Jesus Mom. So it's OK if I don’t get anything.”
And here I was worrying about what type of Christmas I was going to give my child (material wise). I feared that my son would be upset with me because he didn't “get” enough toys for Christmas.
At that moment it was my child reminding me of the true meaning of Christmas. Here I was making it all about the material things while my son clung to the truth. I felt humbled. I wasn't able to see what God had given me until that day with my son. Out of my son’s comment I was able to focus on what Christmas was truly about.
They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying? Yes, Jesus replied. Haven't you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, You have taught children and infants to give you praise." Matthew 21:16
Unity Faith Miller is a single mom of Thaddeus. By trade she is a nurse but the Lord has called her to the ministry of encouraging hurting women to live life with joy regardless of the hardships. She facilitates Bible studies, speaks, writes, and is a Christian Life Coach-in-training.
No comments:
Post a Comment