Looking back at the year, there are many things that could label this year “a rough year” for our family…a shattered wrist requiring months of therapy and an inability to hold my children, a failed adoption, the breakdown of all major appliances, including our water heater on top of the load of paying for two adoptions, and most currently, still waiting after 8 months to bring our new son home while dealing with the chicken pox. In all honesty, I have given in to the temptation to have a pity-party and feel like I “deserve” certain things. Even after I had set out to give more to others this year, I have believed the lied that I “needed” new things, different things, better things. In reality, I had lost perspective. How great our God is! How much he has given us and blessed us with! While I stay nestled in our cozy home with warm clothes, sipping hot chocolate, listening to crisp songs playing on freshly installed new speakers, I have lost touch with the heart of God and his heart for those in need. Those who have nothing compared with all I have been given.
And, after a hard day spent Christmas shopping :), the current edition of the Shaohannah’s Hope newsletter caused me to think. How easy it is to lose perspective during this time of year when the world is telling us what we “need” and reminding us what we don’t have. When, as Christians, we have the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ. I pray that this Christmas would be a time when you would find perspective through the gift of our Savior.
Alison
*In typical Dear family fashion, we will not be sending out a Christmas card this year, but here is a fun new picture of the kids.
