Humble

We feel entirely grateful and humble this holiday season. A couple of amazing things have happened to us.

Someone picked us to do the 12 days of Christmas for. We have done this before but have never received it. I have to say it is tough to be on the receiving side. It is amazing though how it has brought the spirit of Christmas into our home. Someone has been very generous to us. The kids, even though they are teenagers, have been abuzz with excitement and delight. We have received a gingerbread house, several goodies and a nativity piece each day. I am a lover of nativities. They are incredibly special to me. Each day, we have been so excited to see which piece we are getting. What an amazing gift this has been. Every year, as we set up this nativity, we will remember the generosity in which it was received.

The other night, the doorbell rang. Nathan came in the house with amazement and said, "Someone gave us a big jar of money." With it a note came explaining that this anonymous family had saved their money this year. It was their "Christmas Jar." The intent was to give this jar to a "deserving" family at Christmas time. The only problem is that we do not feel like a "deserving" family. We have the phrase "We're not worthy" running through our heads. Although, we have challenges up ahead, we still feel so blessed. We don't feel our struggles are any more than anyone elses, just different. We have a warm place live, food on our table, love in our hearts and an abundance of extras. We have never gone without. So naturally, when this jar came, we felt guilty. There are so many families out there that are going without. The intent with the jar was that we should use it to do something together as a family. So, we are going to humble ourselves and do with it what was intended. We understand that this is a way to tell us that we are loved.

Although we do not feel worthy for such an outpouring of love, it has brought us to tears and taught us a couple of things. One, it is not easy to receive. But, important to humble ourselves and allow others the blessings of sacrifice and service. Second, it has taught us lessons on giving and sacrafice. We cannot repay the love shown to us, but we can "pay it forward." A very valuable gift that I can teach my family. It will mean more to them now when they give, because they know how they have felt. Third, it has taught us that there are some amazing people our there that have much to teach us. We will learn from their examples. The 12 days of Christmas and the Christmas Jar will live on.

What an incredible Christmas season this has been. This love and generosity has truly brought back the "magic" of Christmas into our lives.