Thursday, December 18, 2014

Failing at Christmas

I fail as a mom everyday!  Those failures can add up quickly, and especially during this time of year.  My house doesn't look like a magazine.  The recipes aren't always delicious.  And my wrapped presents under the tree are hideous.  They look like my kids wrapped them, no joke, but it was all me!  How do I handle the small failures that add up to equal one epic fail?

All these thoughts started recently with our annual making of the gingerbread house.  We've tried kits, graham crackers, and so forth, but nothing looks picture perfect.  This year we went with a different approach...a log Christmas cabin with pretzel rods.  We started off strong, but before long it collapsed...epic fail!  I was frustrated and disheartened.  But, on the flip side, the candy was good, the hot coco we drank while making it was delicious, and we did laugh at parts of our building process. And thankfully, we had a few more crafts that actually turned out great!  (Check out our snowman mason jars at http://showingjoy.blogspot.com/)



I burnt an expensive bag of almonds that I was trying to make for candy gifts...but I successfully made my first key lime pie for my hubby's b-day!  Yay! (Check recipe out below!)



I made Christmas crepes for my girls and the first one was a definite mess, but the others turned out splendid.  Try, try again when things don't go your way!  I tell my girls that a lot, and this little experience reminded myself of that!



I printed the cutest Christmas lists for the girls to fill out, and my oldest informed me there might not be enough spaces for everything she wants.  Ouch!  Sting!  That was a major epic fail feeling as a mom!  But,  I was able to look past it when a few hours later she quoted Luke 2:8-14 and my little one, on her own, wanted to make a birthday card for Jesus.  Yay! Maybe they do get Who we are celebrating.



My gifts look like I wrapped them blindfolded, but isn't it what is inside that counts?


I may feel like the failures are huge, and our life this month feels like a whirlwind mess...and if I let my mind go to a bad place, I can feel like an epic failure...but isn't it what is inside that counts? 

 Isn't it Who is inside that matters?  

Am I letting the One we are celebrating rule in our lives and hearts?  Spending time with Him when it's busy, talking about His love and grace while we bake and decorate and wrap and be crafty.  Singing Happy Birthday Jesus all through the day.  

Keeping our eyes on Him and not the failures that make me feel frustrated...that's what can bring the joy instead of the heartache!

I hope you don't have the failing at Christmas feelings I have experienced over the last few weeks!
But, if you have, turn your eyes to the Savior we are celebrating for.  He looks past our failures and loves us unconditionally!  Epic fails and all, He loves us! 

Merry Christmas...no matter if it's not picture perfect...Merry Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:8-14

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.



Pie Recipe...