Little House in the Suburbs

When I was a little kid, I loved reading the Little House on the Prairie books. Even at a young age, I found myself enthralled with a world that was so different from my own. Their lives seemed so simple, so happy, so fun. I wanted to be a part of it. So much so that I wondered whether God had put me in the wrong century. I wanted to chop wood and bake bread and sew my own clothes.

Realistically, I know that if I went back to that period in history I would last about a day. And now that I’m a grown-up, I know better than to long for a place in history different from my own. I was born in the twentieth century and figure I was put in this time and place for a reason. But there are still days when I wish I was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Last week, I got a little taste of what life would have been like in that time period. No, I wasn’t living in a little house on a barren, windswept plain. But, I was living without power and would for most of the day. It went out early in the morning as I was lying comfortably under our down comforter. The lights flashed and, just like that, our electricity went out. ‘No biggie,’ I thought to myself, ‘It will come back on shortly’. But, after about thirty minutes, it was apparent that the power wasn’t coming on anytime soon.

So at 6:00 in the morning, I scrambled to find a flashlight, which of course was missing from the drawer where it was supposed to be. Ever the resourceful one, my husband found a camping light and hung it from a ceiling fan. It cast a weird, eerie glow but it would have to do until the sun came up.

The second order of business; how were we going to make it through the day without heat?  Thankfully, the switch to our gas fireplace turned the fire on. Pretty soon, we had a warm and cozy spot to contemplate what kind of plans we could make for the day ahead.

We had no TV, I couldn’t do any of the chores on my list without electricity, so the kids and I lay in front of the fire and did something very unusual. We talked. Next, we had game time which didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. Connect Four was a hit for all of two minutes. Then we tried Operation which, even after we’d changed the batteries, didn’t work. Finally, we got out the cards and Jack and I played a viciously competitive game of Go Fish.

When the kids began to get restless, I bundled them up and sent them outside to play. Meanwhile, I tried to figure out how I was going to keep the food in the fridge and freezer from going bad. Buckets of snow seemed like a good way to go, but when I checked the fridge it was barely cool. So I went for option number two; put the fridge food in a Rubbermaid and the freezer goods in a cooler and set them both out in the snow. Worked like a charm. 

After lunch, which was a simple fair, we watched a movie in the car. Since we have a gas range, I was able to cook on the stovetop and made popcorn for a special treat. As the afternoon wore on, I kept hoping that the power would return. Unfortunately, when I listened to the radio, they announced that the power for some would not be turned back on until Saturday morning.

At that point, we were ready to get out of the house. We drove over to the local Godfather’s and commiserated with our fellow neighbors who had also lost power. Again, the reports there confirmed my fears. We would probably not have power for another day.

I headed home determined to make a not-so-good situation into a day of blessing. And, wouldn’t you know it, just as we were preparing a cozy little nest in front of the fireplace, the power came back on. The kids and I did a little happy dance. I turned up the furnace, and, that night, we were able to sleep all snuggled up in our own beds.

While I realize this experience was a far cry from a true little prairie house day, I couldn’t help but feel some kinship with those settlers of old who had none of the modern conveniences we have and seemed to live a full and happy life anyway. All in all, it was a good day. You might even say a great day. So much so, that the next time the power goes out, I’ll be ready, maybe even happy to go without it -  at least for a day. And if that day never comes, I can always make a trip to the basement and cut the power myself. Connect Four, anyone?

Overcoming Evil

Two things happened today. Two very important things. Two very different things. Late this afternoon, I went to share some Christmas spirit with the nursing home residents here in my small Nebraska community. I hadn’t wanted to go, even though I promised myself that I would visit there once a week, there was a part of me that just didn’t want to visit today. But I’m so glad I did because the second thing that happened today made me want to crawl into a little cave and never come out.  I received a phone call just as I was pulling out of the nursing home parking lot. That’s when I found out about the shooting. Another one. At an elementary school. What? Children, the innocents of our society, gunned down in a place that should be full of happiness and hope and sunshine – school. My first reaction? What is wrong with this country? Are we safe anywhere? Church, Home, School, Grocery store, Shopping mall?

Even as I write this tears are welling up in my eyes. I can’t believe this. I can’t believe this awful thing has happened again. I can’t believe, don’t want to believe, that parents just like me have to face this nightmare - their child mercilessly killed at the hands of a stranger. They now face the first Christmas of many without their little ones, their babies, their loves.

I have to admit that when my husband told me, I wanted to crawl into my bed, cover my head and never come out. Never. This world is so dark, so evil, so scary sometimes. I just don’t want to face the reality that is playing across television screens everywhere tonight. Children killed in school. How much worse does it get than that?

Then, a memory and a bible verse pulled me out of the dark, made me remember something important, very important. It’s a short verse but it packs a powerful punch when you feel like you just can’t keep going in such a dark and scary world.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 If there was ever such a thing as evil this horrific act was one.

Then, the memory. I thought back to that Christmas party. A simple thing really. Santa, some music, festive decorations, food and drinks. And me. This happy memory lived out just moments ago brought back into focus something that we as believers in Christ need to hold fast to. Even on the darkest of days.

Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

I have two memories today. One good. One evil. And with these memories there comes a choice. Do I cower in fear, trembling, afraid of all the darkness surrounding us these days? Or do I choose to remember that I brought a smile to someone’s face when I offered them punch today. I made someone laugh when I told them a joke. I gave someone the gift of hope when I talked with them about the true meaning of Christmas. I cheered someone up just by smiling at them. It’s those memories I’m going to choose to keep at the forefront of my heart, thoughts and feelings today.

Jesus told us that we are the light of the world. Don’t be overcome by the evil all around you. Be God’s light. Shine in the places He has placed you. You’re there for a reason. Share Him. Share Jesus. It’s the only light than can overcome any darkness. Don’t be overcome by evil. Let your light shine in your little corner of the world. The people you share your light with may be cowering in a very dark corner of their own mind, heart or spirit. Bring them into the light. Let them know that even in this world there is hope.

deck the halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. Boy, that’s a lot of las. As I pondered these well-known words to this familiar tune I couldn’t help thinking about what “‘tis the season” really means.

Like ‘tis the season to be grumpy because your kids are bouncing off the walls.

Or ‘tis the season to be impatient in that long line at the store.

Or grouchy because you stayed up late making those special Christmas cookies.

Or testy because you’ve gone to four stores only to find that the gift you want for your child is sold out.

Or heartbroken watching, waiting as a loved one lies on their death bed.

Or disappointed because dog-gone-it you didn’t get the slippers you wanted from your husband who seems to screw that up every year.

Or worn out because of all the baking, and shopping, and wrapping and giving.

Or just plain tired, and, as you finish all the important things about Christmas that really didn’t make you happy, you wonder why you’re not more jolly. Why it seems that all the joy of Christmas has been sucked out of the season, leaving you feeling deflated, tired, angry, sad. ‘Tis the season to be jolly? Hmmmm, for many of us, not so much.

I thought about this season, this season of love, of giving, of cherishing and I thought to myself, ‘I could identify more with the grumpy, or tired, or busy fa la las. Really, is this what Christmas is truly all about?  Today, I was reflecting back on Thanksgiving and wondering why it is that we take two of the most important holidays, giving thanks to God and celebrating our Savior’s birth, and ruin them, absolutely ruin them by letting other stuff fill up our hearts, our souls, our lives. I can’t help but think that the Devil takes great pleasure in turning our hearts toward everything but the most important parts of these holidays.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Oh great another lecture concerning what this season should really be about – worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus.’ But you know what I think God wants even more than our worship or our accolades of praise?  I think he wants our attention, our affection, our thankful hearts- peaceful and quiet and filled with his love.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha? Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus learning from him while well intentioned Martha hurried around trying to prepare a meal for her Friend.  But if you read the story you’ll realize that what Jesus really wanted from Martha was her attention. He wanted to teach her. He wanted to give her some focus, some perspective. ‘Mary has chosen what is better,’ he told Martha, ‘and it will not be taken away from her.’

What are you choosing this Christmas? The things of this world – they won’t last, but the true reason for the season, Jesus, and his love for us, will. So if your heart is feeling a little empty, a little less jolly then you’d like, take a cue from Mary. Sit at Jesus feet and let him fill you with his love. Then, no matter how you deck the halls, you’ll be doing it with just the kind of heart you long for, the kind of heart you’re meant to have – a jolly one.

crazy christmas memories

My birthday was yesterday and for the first time ever I wasn’t really excited about celebrating it. In fact, I was kind of dreading it. The question I asked myself; why? Why am I not excited to turn thirty-nine? Why am I dreading this day so much? Where was the eagerness I felt as a kid when I would literally count down the days ‘til my birthday? 

I really didn’t come to any earth-shattering conclusions, but something did occur to me. This would be the first birthday I would be celebrating without Mom. And there was one little thing, just a minor thing that I would miss in particular. Each and every birthday, Mom would call me up and sing that special birthday song. It’s amazing how such a little thing came to mean so much.

In fact, the morning of my birthday, I thought, ‘Who’s going to sing "Happy Birthday" to me this year?’ I prayed a little prayer that somehow, someone would call me up. And God didn’t disappoint. No, it wasn’t Mom, but it was still pretty good. A dear aunt of mine called late afternoon and sang to me. Not only that, she left it on my voicemail. When I played the message back, tears began to roll down my cheeks and I started to cry. I realized in that moment how precious even the simplest of traditions can be.

It’s kind of like Christmas. I don’t know about you, but I have all kinds of special memories about this holiday and the traditions we celebrated year after year. If I listed all of the special things we did as a family to celebrate, I could type for hours. But I won’t bore you with the details. Okay, well, maybe just a few of them.

Let’s start with Christmas Eve. On that magical night, my family and I would pile into the car and drive to church where us kids performed our Sunday School Program. I remember that the church was always packed, and I was bursting with excitement when we performed in front of everyone. After the program, as we filed out, members of the congregation handed out white bags of candy and other goodies to all the kids. Then, it was back to our house to watch the “Sound of Music” while Mom finished preparing our meal. Soup was usually the main course - clam chowder and broccoli cheese. Yummy!

From my earliest memories I know that we opened presents on Christmas Day, but eventually us kids petitioned to open them on Christmas Eve. After enough pestering, my parents consented and a new tradition began. After presents were opened and exulted over, we all headed to bed anxiously awaiting Christmas morn when we would open presents from Santa. It always took me a while to settle in.  Sometimes after everyone was asleep, I would sneak into the living room to see if Santa had come. Since my parents had turned off all the lights and turning them on would have given me away, I had to settle for fingering the presents and trying to figure out which one was mine.

And Christmas Day meals. Who could forget those? Prime rib, twice-baked potatoes, the traditional strawberry jello salad, broccoli slaw. Oh, it was all so good and perfect and right. And as I write this, I have to admit that part of me is sad that those traditions are a thing of the past.

But, as my dear, sweet husband reminded me the other day, I have a new family, now; two beautiful children who are excited and anxious for Christmas to come and counting down the days ‘til Santa visits our house. And I guess I’m realizing that it’s time to move into the future. While walking down memory lane can be fun, there comes a time when it’s important to create new memories –to begin new traditions that my family will cherish for years to come.