A Christmas Letter

To the boys,

Let me begin by saying how much I love you, how much you have brought to my life. I thought I had everything in life that I needed and was content, but then God gave me you and suddenly I knew a deeper joy, a greater love, of how to love and what it meant to be loved in return. And part of that is in knowing my Saviour, my God, my Jesus.

He is the reason for celebrating at Christmas, He is the one gift I most want you to have. Please understand that Christmas is about Him, not me, not you and certainly not Santa Claus. If we never watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer again or exchange another gift, I'd be okay with that. Because really I have all I need in Christ and you. Having received Gods gift in Jesus we can then give the gift of giving ourselves to those whose needs are greater than ours, sharing a warm smile, a kind word or a much needed hug and a whispered prayer.

I so often feel inadequate, when trying to express my love for Christ and when it comes to modeling that love in my life, I fail miserably. So please forgive me, please understand that when I am struggling with my own human brokenness that I love you and that I want the best for you. That I want you to know and love Jesus as much as I do. I am often shy and fearful especially around crowds of people and that fear paralyzes but you have shown me that it's okay to shake a strangers hand and perhaps make a friend.

Especially you HT, there isn't a shy bone in your body, so willing are you to be friendly that sometimes it scares me. I think that sometimes you are testing peoples willingness to be friendly. You are my charming boy and I am often charmed by your antics, the stories you tell and your exuberance for life. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will have wisdom and discernment and an angel on your shoulder when I am not there to guide and protect you.

And for you my sweet baby boy, my littlest one, you are so young and so cute and cuddly, sometimes I think I just can't get enough of you, you give the best hugs and melt your mama's heart when you give her that half grin, that little smirk and that look that says, "I see you Mama". You seem to be a bit more reserved than your brother, but are certainly no less charming than he, you have such a sweet spirit and a quiet nature, always watching, looking and then deciding if its for you or not. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will keep that heart of tenderness pure and that you will have a heart for Jesus.

Last, but not least, to my dear husband, I meant it when I said yes, all of it, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. We've known a bit of triumph and of trial, the last few years. The former brought us joy and the latter, I hope, has made us stronger. I love you for always and forever, no matter what. My prayer for you my love this Christmas and always is that you will find comfort and purpose as you walk this road of uncertainty that you sometimes find yourself on. Know that you are not alone, that the one who cares for you is He who made the heavens and the earth. And God has given me you and you me and we are "together for good".

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28