Home for Christmas

Christmashappiness

18 Dec

Written By

It’s been a long journey, friends, but the good news is we have a contract on our house! Yes, less than 36 hours from the time the house went on the market, we had not one but two offers. That’s my God at work! The closing date is set for January 8th.

Additionally, we found the motorhome we wanted but didn’t know if it would still be available by the time we have the money from the house. But God worked in that situation as well and made it possible for us to put a small deposit on it, meaning the guy will hold it for us until we have the funds to purchase it. Is that amazing or what?

You would think with all that God has been doing, I would be completely ecstatic, but instead, I find myself sounding much like Charlie Brown in his Christmas movie.

“I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.

Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy’s right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.”

— Charlie Brown Christmas

Yup, I feel your pain, Charlie Brown. I, too, understand what it’s like to not feel the way I’m supposed to feel. To be unhappy even though the Lord’s blessings are pouring down on me right and left. I guess I tie with Charlie Brown for being the Charlie Browniest.

As I contemplated my feelings, something dawned on me—a possible reason for my melancholy. For the first time in my life, I won’t be home for Christmas. Sure, I’ll be with my family, but I won’t be home. I don’t have a home. My home of 19 years is under contract and currently unoccupied. My future home is sitting in someone else’s yard awaiting payment in full. My current home is a basement full of boxes and one lonely snowman sitting on the mantle, surrounded by a menagerie of stuff. Not an ideal Christmas setting.

It’s sad not having a Christmas tree from our favorite tree farm or Christmas stockings hanging by the fireplace. It’s difficult to face the Christmas season knowing it’s our first one in twenty years without a sweet pup snuggling in our bed and waiting eagerly for his or her presents. So much has changed this year, and it’s all been for the best. But it hasn’t all been easy. Some of it has been harder than I can explain.

I’ve been battling these feelings over the past week or so and trying my hardest to not become the Christmas Grinch. Fortunately, this morning, the Lord gave me a sobering reminder as I read through the account of the ten lepers. You remember the story, right? Jesus met ten lepers and told them to go show themselves to the priest (a requirement before a leper could return to civilization). On their way, they were each healed, but only one returned to give thanks to the Lord. Jesus was rightly disappointed by the lack of gratitude the other nine lepers had and blessed the one for his thankfulness.

As I read through the story, a question kept floating through my brain—which one am I? I had to admit I’ve been like the ungrateful nine. I’ve been so caught up in what’s going on, I forgot to give thanks for all God has been doing in our lives. I’ve been so busy fretting about not being home for Christmas that I failed to realize I have more homes here on earth than I can count and one awaiting me in Glory.

Maybe the reason I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel is because I’ve failed to have an attitude of gratitude. Perhaps my unhappiness is a direct result of my unthankfulness. Yes, the more I think about those ten lepers, the more I realize just how much I have to be thankful for.

You know, when Jesus saw the ingratitude of the nine lepers, He could have restored their leprosy. He could have had the attitude, “If you’re not even going to be thankful, I’m not going to heal you.” But He didn’t because He’s loving, caring, merciful, and gracious. The Lord could have looked at my stinky attitude over the past weeks and said, “See if I do any more for you, you ungrateful pest!” But He hasn’t, and I don’t believe He will. He’s a good Father, a faithful Friend, and so much more.

Dear one, perhaps you also have a Charlie Brown attitude this Christmas season. Maybe things aren’t going the way you had hoped and you’re wondering why you can’t enjoy the joy of the season. If so, may I urge you to praise the Lord? Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Thank God for everything He’s done and everything He is. Make yourself at home in His presence and allow His joy to fill your heart. We are so blessed! Let’s not lose sight of that.