Comments on: Black Mood Friday

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:01:26 +0000

I thought that I was the only person who bought so many gifts that the children didn’t open them all :0). Mine are older now and the electronic gifts are very very expensive, I struggle just like you in this area and am asking God to change my perspective as well. Thanks so much for being real and sharing your heart.

By: Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)

Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:45:00 +0000

I’ve felt this way for years… that Christmas shopping and gifts tend to get in the way of the real meaning of Christmas… but sometimes I also think maybe I’m a bit of a scrooge… I probably need to find a better balance. I think having some presents for the kids is nice, but for adults, I just don’t get too much.

By: Beth Ingersoll

Beth Ingersoll — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:06:48 +0000

I want to give my family a nice Christmas, too, but over the past couple of years I’ve turned into Scrooge! I don’t want to buy ANY gifts. Christmas has become just another fluffy excuse to be greedy and materialistic. Satan is succeeding in sucking the joy out of Christmas for us all! I pray that this year I will SOMEHOW be able to have actual Christmas Spirit, THE HOLY SPIRIT, clearly evident all over my house. I want to it feel warm and special, like it did when I was a kid. I don’t want it to be just about the presents….but I’m not sure how. It was part of my prayer this morning that the Lord would reveal a way to accomplish that!

By: Carol

Carol — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:04:52 +0000

This is a reflection of how I’ve been feeling as well. It seems everyone I talk to is trying to cut back this year. I think for the first time I’ve actually prayed about what gifts I should give. And the Lord has showed me some really awesome gifts to give. Why I didn’t think of this before? Who knows? Thanks for a great post! Carol

By: Kelli

Kelli — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:52:27 +0000

Great devotion!!! My day was spent with a sick 2 year old and we did get out but it was to go to the Dr. I did have the thought that it would be nice to be out in all the craziness. But being a mom is the greatest and since Dad was at work the only place for me to be was at home with Kaleb. We too start with an envelope of money to buy gifts but that is quickly gone and we still have more people to buy for. The Lord gave us the ultimate gift and He will help us to see the light through all the craziness!!! Have a great night!!

By: Sisterlisa

Sisterlisa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:52:55 +0000

I’ll be number three reading today, however I got my shopping done. :O) We got up at 3:25 this morning, but we only got a few things for our own kids. The rest was for the needy children in our town. Every year we meet the Fire Inspector at Starbucks and break from there to Wal-mart where we brave the crowd to get the most for our money. Individuals in our community invest their funds in this program and we get the honor of spending it on special children. At these prices we are able to ‘adopt’ more children than if we had shopped on another non sale day.

The remainder of our own Christmas budget will be spent making memories with their grandparents. Memories are far more important than a toy that could break in less than a month.

Thanks Jessica!!!

By: Angie

Angie — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 20:28:44 +0000

Surely I’m not person #2 reading this. I always appreciate your blunt honesty. It’s so refreshing. Anyway, this is how I was shown love growing up. It is something I fight too. I’m working with you (and HIm) to keep it all in perspective.

By: Bronie

Bronie — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:25:56 +0000

hi. i’m at home today too, and since it’s a little quieter than normal (with a couple of the kids out for the day), i have time for some self-reflection too. it can be a real buzz-kill.

i just wanted to say thanks for your post today. (smacking the forehead) i needed that!