HOME IS WHERE YOU HANG YOUR HEART

Our 4th house 1984. Sold in 1989.

We've moved again.  This time to a "Senior Apartment."  We hope this will be our last move.  Our married life has been a roller coaster ride because of all our moves and all our adventures on the high seas. This was our choice as we wanted to live an unconventional life.  God blessed us with these opportunities. But now I see my cousins, who stayed in the same houses, having their travels now.  Maybe they have chosen the better way.

As a child I was uprooted at least five times.  My mom taught all of us that Spokane was God's country.  So in the back of my mind it was my cousins in Spokane I envied.  They lived in one house and stayed put.  At that time I thought I would settle in Spokane and stay there.  But as a college student, and thinking about marriage,  the thought of a white picket fence, grass to mow, flower beds to tend, and housework, I was sickened.  ( My genetics call for minimal responsibilities.) When Chris proposed that we live on a boat I was intrigued.

Over the last fifty-four years we've experienced living in houses, condos, apartments, and boats.  None is or was perfect.  We were looking for a better place-- (Hebrews 11:16  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.)

It is true that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, (Matthew 6:21.) Our real home is where we hang our hearts and store up our treasures. So some day, for Christians, we will be where our hearts are-- Heaven.  The street is gold there.

Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT

Our first house 1966. Photo by Chris.

Chris has fond memories of Santa, Christmas trees, and many toys from his childhood Christmases past.  After we were married his mom continued to give him a toy each Christmas until we had children. Then she gave the kids toys.

Chris with Santa.

The highlight of my childhood Christmases was when my folks gave me a HopALong Cassidy wrist watch for Christmas. They respected my dislike of girly things.

Photo by Bobbi.

Now our Christmases have been enlarged with our grandchildren.

Sammy and Natalie. Photo by Bobbi.

Sammy and Natalie.  Photo by Chris.

Samantha, Andrew, Natalie 2019 Christmas. Photo by Bobbi.

As they grow we downsize.  

Our small Christmas tree. Photo by Bobbi.

So my thoughts on big and little Christmases I relate with this story-- One year, right before Christmas break, I was in a Bible Study Fellowship discussion group.  A member of the group was bemoaning the upcoming chore of making tons of corn tamales that her family liked for Christmas.  My comment was, "God loves a cheerful giver. If you can't do it cheerfully then don't do it."

   

 (II Corinthians 9: 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.)

Later that year I saw this gal in the grocery store and asked if she had made the tamales.  She hadn't, but she thought she would be up to it next year.

So sometimes we need to give ourselves a break.  Through rest, prayer, and some lighthearted times we can keep up the pace later.  

In our family we have decided to downsize our Christmases.  Again this year we are limiting gifts to $5.00.  Our meal will be a brunch shared in the Courtyard Lounge at our active senior community.  Decor consists of a Nativity scene, a basket of greens, and our musical miniature skating rink complete with skaters. 

Photo by Chris.

Photo by Chris

Whether we are the creative types who love to shop, decorate, cook a big dinner, and have a "big" Christmas, or we are the types who prefer a simple Christmas, "Have yourself a merry Christmas," whether big or little. May our hearts be light and let us seek Jesus -- The Light.