Christmas lights

I absolutely love driving around looking at various displays of Christmas lights. There is something to be said about seeing my hometown in this way. It immediately transports me back to a simpler time when I was a small child driving around on Christmas Eve. I remember one man's home that had this AMAZING beveled glass door and a tree right in front of it. It was incredible. Not too long ago I was back in the town I grew up in and saw this same tree in front of the same door. I confess there was something reassuring about seeing it still the same. At my own home now we have white lights on our shrubs and around our door. It is very pretty. My sons, however, feel that we need more lights in various colors. They want them lining the rooftop, the chimney and windows. They would really love a few blow up Santas and Snowmen to finish it off. I told them we were not the Griswolds on the Christmas Vacation movie! Although I may not want my own home to look like that, I secretly LOVE seeing other homes that do.
Tonight in particular we drove around on the other side of town from where we live. There were homes bejeweled in an array of colors. Some had flashing lights, some had lights that danced to music and still others had their lawns completely covered in ornamental signs and figures. No matter how the are decked out, every home has their own way of celebrating and showing off for the holidays. Isn't this just like all of us? Some people ignore the holiday altogether. Some prefer to order everything online and order it packaged and ready to give. Some simply purchase gift cards so the people on their list can pick out what they want for themselves. Some of us like to spend a great deal of time (and sometimes money)finding just the perfect gifts for each person on our list. We search high and low, we go to extreme lengths to satisfy the need we have to see our special loved ones' faces when they open the gift we have picked just for them.
Isn't this how the Father lavishes us with gifts? He picked his own Son to lavish love on all of us. He chose to package it in a way we could remember and see through the words of Matthew, Mark and Luke. He gives each believer gifts of the Spirit so that we can use those gifts to better serve his kingdom. He does not cut any corners and he absolutely adores each recipient, wanting only the best for each of us.
This Christmas I want to focus on that. I want to focus on the fact that I can never outgive my God! I can never package anything so neatly and beautifully as his gift he gave to the world in that manger over 2000 years ago. AND the very best gift I can ever give and share with those I love is to share my gift with them.
Merry Christmas!

Our big backyard

I had to have a big backyard. When Greg and I were searching for a house to buy 4 1/2 years ago, we had a 2 year old and an eight week old little boys. I knew our backyard was going to serve as another world to them. I wanted trees and a hill for sledding and places to hide. I envisioned camp outs, games of tag, red light green light, treasure hunts and exploring. We certainly got all I hoped for and more. Our lot may not be huge in acreage, but we have a fabulous yard. The top is level and great for a swingset/jungle gym. The hill is perfect in the winter for sledding and sliding down. The bottom is full of trees and flower gardens.
When I think about it more, wanting a big backyard is akin to wanting BIG possibilities. Wide open spaces (I loved that Dixie Chicks song) to roam and dream in. I did not know then that we would have another little boy, which we do, and how many children would regularly frequent our home. I dream BIG.....and that is ok. I have big aspirations for my life, my family and my friends. I believe God has some amazing things in store and I am excited to see what role I will play in it all. I hope it is full of fun, adventure and definitely some time spent in HIS creation. Only time will tell.....