Still Being Molded...

In lieu of buying gifts for each other this year, we adopted a family to give presents to this Christmas. We weren't sure our kids would understand or grasp why we were doing this, but we felt a strong conviction to do so anyway. Our children will be far from neglected at the five different family Christmas celebrations we will attend. Plus, I broke down and bought a box of the new hot chocolate with colored marshmallows that they keep eyeing every time we are buying groceries!
We had a great time shopping for this family together and Zane understood a lot more than I thought he would. My favorite part of this whole experience though, was when Bryce and Zane delivered everything this morning. When they got back, I asked them how it went and if they got to meet the family. Bryce said that the little boy, close to Zane's age, immediately ran up and hugged him. Zane said, "It only took us 2 seconds to be friends, Mom." Those words were so sweet to my ears.
Just like so many people, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off all week. (where did that expression come from anyway...yuck.) I've been reminded several times to "be still". Our world is so much about the big, hungry, lit up, decorated, shopped for and then exchanged celebration. I'm thankful for the little reminders of Jesus, during a holiday all about Jesus.
My greatest gift? Jesus.
My favorite gifts this year? My son's 2 second friend and a little yellow sticky note that Zane gave me, reading "I love Mom. I'll give you $2 to the dollar store. To Mom". He has $4.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might love through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:7-12