My sweet friends, I pray you are in the midst of experience a holy Christmas, with new traditions and experiences that share the love of Christ with one another.
Mine has indeed, been unusual. I have the flu. Day 7 to be exact. Seven days of fever, chills, aches, sweats that make me seem like I've come off the WMBA basketball court after playing all four quarters and scoring the final 3 point shot. Seven days of coughing, hacking, rib-crunching, throat pinching pain. Seven days of shuffling from my bed to the bathroom to the couch to the bathroom and back to bed. No sign of it going away. And I got the flu vaccine. Apparently it is only 60% effective.
Needless to say, it wasn't how I expected my week to turn out. But God, in His mercy, prepared my heart to let go of the holiday. Although from my bed, I fretted about uncovering and wrapping the gifts. In a moment of strength last night, I located all that needed to be wrapped and put them in bags to be tended to by my family members. But I couldn't find the one and only gift I bought for our son.
What is a flu-drained woman to do? Ask her Mommy for help. She loves giving gifts. Definitely her love language and had one to spare for us. So we quickly changed the label and all was well in the house.
God, also in His mercy, allowed me to have a miserable night yet enough strength to make it through the morning. It might have been the most peaceful, most holy Christmas we've ever had. Hacking, and all. Desked piled high with 7 days of Christmas cards to read. Stacks of laundry lining my dresser awaiting to be put away. Sheets that desperately need changing. I am sure that when this flu finally kicks off (PLEASE God, today!), there will be time to take care of all that. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the sweet sound of happy kids, chuckling family members, and a moment of Motrin-Tylenol-Tea-Mucinex-Sherbert induced peace.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
If you have any good links to keep me occupied in my hacking-shivering recovery, do leave them below. Laughs and inspiring stories definitely help!
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4 Comments:
Lisa, I am so sorry...you poor little sick thing! I admit, I had to smile at your humor in the midst of feeling so bad...your attitude is wonderful, and I can totally understand that at times like these, we truly do experience more holiness than usual, especially when we're so aware that the Lord has HIS plans for us, and we completely give way to Him for His glory. You are inspiring, even if you are not feeling well...I am praying for you to mend TODAY, and have enough strength to particpate and enjoy your family. Blessings to you as we celebrate the birth of our beautiful Savior, Jesus, and may He fill you with peace and joy. And thank you for your wonderful blog...I am so glad I found you, and I hope to get to know you much better next year as we blog together and bring the good news of salvation to our friends!
Mary
Lisa, I'm so sorry to read that you've been sick. What a time to have the flu. But I guess at least you were able to be quiet and still and not get caught up in the busyness of Christmas.
I want to thank you for your Bringing Holy Back to the Holiday. You gave me much to think about and how I spend my time during this season. This year was so different for us financially so we didn't buy any gifts. I didn't even go into one single mall this year. But I made a few things and wrote some letters and cards. I had my husband's family over on Christmas Day and we simply sat around and talked. I had time to listen to the hearts of my nieces and nephew who are teens. It was a good day.
I haven't visited all of my favorite blogs this week but Pioneer Woman always has a sense of humor. And Jill of Forever N Ever N Always posted a few cute videos of her 9 children singing. If you don't know her, I have a link on Heart Choices.
Merry Christmas Lisa. And I hope you remind us all next year about keeping holy. And just maybe we need to grow in holiness day by day.
Blessings,
Debbie
SO sorry for your sickly season, and I pray with you that you are well today. If you are still in the tea/mucinex/sherbert induced state ;) then here is a story I hope will inspire and encourage you ... it sounds like God sent a shepherd or two to YOU this Christmas.
http://comehaveapeace.blogspot.com/2009/12/shepherds-of-christmas.html
Blessings,
Julie
Lisa,
So sorry to hear you've been sick! Your sense of humor is intact, though, and that's a good thing! I'll be thinking of any good links for you--yes, laughter is good medicine!
Blessings, sister!
Wendy (and I'll be praying for you!)
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Blessings, extravagantly,
Lisa