And so, we pray.

Like many people, the Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year. There is so much to enjoy about it.
One of the reasons to love the season is how easy it is to teach the children about being charitable because there are many opportunities to give. In December the needs are obvious, and plentiful. Usually, we would choose a couple of special things we would like to do together as a family, then talk to the kids about it and follow through, teaching them about helping others and how very much they have to be thankful for, really important lessons.
This year however, with the birth of the baby in the horizon, and the hospital bills that will be incurred, we do not have extra. Plus, being SO pregnant, I do not have an abundance of energy to be going out doing more than the necessities of running this household. Preparation for a baby, plus caring for the other kids, is all I can truthfully handle right now. I even asked Bob not to put lights on the front of the house because taking them down and storing them away will be just one more thing to do, amidst all the busyness of welcoming the baby and incorporating her into our family, and into my daily responsibilities.
This has left me feeling like I wish I was doing more. I feel like something is missing. I do not want to make excuses or be selfish. I do want to offer something and to not be overly self-absorbed.

And so, we pray. Fervently, we pray. As a family we pray. When I am awake at night, I pray. The children think of people to pray for, and they pray. We are praying for Jayla's classmates, more specifically than we usually would. We are praying for those children who will receive the Samaritan's purse boxes. We are praying for those who are alone this Christmas, for those who are ill or have sick children, for those who don't know Christ, for those who do not have enough to eat, for those without homes in which to live, for those who are serving in the military away from home, and their families, for those who are forgotten, for the children who will have no gifts to open, for each of our extended family members and their specific needs.
This is what we have to offer right now, and that is what we will give. Truly praying for people does take time, and thoughtfulness, I've noticed more than ever. Next year, things will be different and we will do something more. At this time, when someone, anyone crosses our minds, we pray. It is something to offer, and it is what we are committing ourselves to do in this season of our lives. We pray.
Psalm 6:9
The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.