As we come closer and closer to Christmas day, I seem to be increasingly pensive and reflective. Nine years ago tomorrow, my cousin Dan moved from his earthly home to his heavenly home. He now lives with his eternal Father in heaven, but his earthly Mom and Dad miss his more than any of us can ever know. I am sure there is a void with him not being here.
On a much lesser scale, I feel a void too. Our soon to be son is alone this Christmas, without a family to celebrate with. He doesn’t have a Mom and Dad to give him hugs and kisses, show him love and wish him Merry Christmas. He doesn’t get to celebrate Christmas with us this year. We are separated.
Earlier this week, I dropped some items off to be delivered to our dear friends living in Lesotho working at Beautiful Gate (an orphanage). I included a small gift for our son to be given to him the day we are “matched” with him. Josh and I picked out a sweatshirt for him. We washed it and then slept with it so that it would smell like us and like our home. Then, I sealed it up in 2 ziplock bags to be sent to Lesotho. As odd as this sounds, it was extremely difficult for me to seal those bags and leave the sweatshirt with the other items to be brought to our friends. I felt like I was giving away the only piece of our son that we had and entrusting it to other people.
As I was thinking about this last night in bed, I realized that this might have also been somewhat of what God had going through his mind when he gave his only son as a baby to us. As a mother, I cannot imagine how difficult that decision must have been for God…to willingly give up your son to be raised by Mary and Joseph, knowing full well what was to happen to him in the future. What an amazing gift God has given us!
I pray for all of our friends and family at this time and pray that we remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Please pray with me for all the children who are mother and fatherless this Christmas that they might feel God’s presence in their lives. Also, please pray with me for all parents without their children, that they may be comforted.
Merry Christmas friends!
Jaclyn
