But really, this season's packing something extra. We're always so excited to stop what we're doing and soak up quality time gathering with family and near and dear friends, but this year's spirit has a different quality to it that I can't quite put my finger on entirely.
Really, 2011 has been such a different year for us. The fact that we changed gears is an understatement. Our big trip out West definitely stands front and center as our highlight and flanking to both sides are really piles and piles of transition. Nothing quite settled. Beforehand we were transitioning out of Mike's job, out of my internship, out of Greenville, back to home, off of the path we were on. Afterwards, we're transitioning back into a path, new jobs for the both of us, back in Greenville, but in a whole new way. Hard to explain, but I think after a year like that we've got an end-of-the-year spirit to go along with our Christmas warm-n-fuzzies.
And in the mix of transition, we're still mulling over things - roots vs. flexibility, to be career oriented vs. missions oriented, renting vs. buying, Greenville vs. home, general materialism that finds its way in vs. intentional simplicity and generosity. After a year of freedom, these decisions have seemed to pile up as far as figuring out how we feel about them. Their creeping in has put us in a reflective, analytical kind of mode these last few weeks.
So on top of all the special things about Christmas I am so looking forward to, I'm also looking forward to curling up with my husband and talking these things over more, praying together and settling with a direction in some of these areas.
We are anxious to hear God's response, move forward into a new year and live inside His will and purpose. It could mean more piles of transition, it could mean waiting, it could mean working steadily, plowing the fields as Elisha (1 Kinds 19:19) until we are called into something else He is doing or could mean something drastic. The point is not to figure out what we want, and truthfully, that changes nearly everyday for us. Whims come and go whether we're feeling particularly bold or drawn towards comfort and security. But we know a God that can absolutely wreck lives as they've been carefully planned, based around perfectly pleasing dreams to accomplish what He's doing - Mary and Joseph, anyone? Virgin fiance gets pregnant, Joseph doesn't call things off, makes it look like he had something to hide, ruins his reputation, her's is most definitely shot, they make the decision to stay in a different city probably to escape all the gossip, have the responsibility of raising God's only son...I can't say that I would have been the first to raise my hand for that. But whatever it is, we just don't want to miss out on it by getting caught up in what we want.
Anyway - a little life reflection never hurt anyone I suppose. And I'm so excited to celebrate Christmas - the birthday of a Savior who gave up his deity to live this life as I do, with all these other distractions, temptations and responsibilities, with a thirst for truth and to live out the purpose His Father intended.
Lots to celebrate. Lots to celebrate, indeed! Merry Christmas y'all!
