Shopping

I used to enjoy it more. Much more. Maybe if I didn't always have kids in tow, it would be more appealing. Or, if I had more money to spend as I please, I would like it better. Generally, I would rather do something else with my time, and finances.

That is, until....I step into a Super Target.

Oh my, the allure. All the beautiful things to see. Cute kid's clothes, warm socks, comfy sheets, dangly earrings, multi-compartment bags, scented candles, huge coffee mugs, useful kitchen gadgets, photo frames, lotions and potions, it all looks so enticing. The promise of a better life, carried home in a red and white plastic bag.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, there is the biggest pull of all. As a parent, walking through the toy aisles, imagining the sheer joy on my children's faces as they open their countless gifts. Reliving my childhood through their eyes and all the fun toys they receive. How plenteous our tree could look with a plethora of perfectly wrapped packages underneath. The laughter that would fill the house. The gratitude they would express to us with warm hugs..."oh mom and dad, I LOVE it, thank you so much!" The smell of gingerbread wafting from the oven. Little Drummer Boy playing in the background as Bob and I exchange a look, and touch hands, knowing we have given our children such a splendid holiday season. What a gift.

Then, I wake up. It's early January and the smell of gingerbread has left. I become aware that all that stuff that promised a better life in the store, litters the floor of my house, while I threaten the kids with the terrible things I am going to do to their toys if they don't pick them up. The credit card bill arrives, and I faint in horror. I'm still finding little plastic twist tie things from the 500 toys we spend 4 hours unwrapping. The Ariel doll we bought Jayla is now naked, with ratty hair. Her husband Eric has been decapitated by one of the boys. The plastic swords are bent, race cars hiding under the couch. What happened? Reality.

If there were ever a time of year that it is difficult to stick to my guns, it is now. It is the one time of year when it is admirable to over indulge....in the name of charitable giving.

Purposefully choosing to live simply is never harder than at Christmas time. Remembering that we are opting to take this time to celebrate the birth of our living Lord and Savior, takes some seious work. Santa Claus and the excitement of the festivities, even the overall generosity and merriment of the season can detract from what where our family has determined to focus our attention. As the keeper of the home, I have the privilege to set the tone for our clan. I will go against the grain. Fight the strong urges to overdo, over commit, overspend, and pretend that it will bring lasting joy.

What I want most to give my children for Christmas: The gift of simplicity. The gift of celebrating the holiday purposefully. The gift of not giving into the pressure to "perform." The gift of watching Christmas movies together on the couch with popcorn. The gift of a small Christmas, with every present enjoyed, none overlooked. The gift of not needing lots of stuff to be fulfilled. The gift of gazing upon our Lord and being deeply grateful that he was born, and died for us so we could truly live.

I realize they will not fully appreciate these gifts now. That's ok with me because I don't for one minute believe they would fully appreciate all those brightly-colored toys either.