Being that I now live in Dallas, I do not go to Rockwall often. It is weird not having anything there anymore. My best friend, Caroline lives there, but we get to see each other quite a bit in Dallas. This past weekend I took a babysitting job in Rockwall that Caroline has. She was out of town, and knew I am needing some extra cash these days. It was so weird being around a 12 year old boy. Because I am not around them often, I am not sure what is normal or not-normal...but this boy was very special. He is so smart. He had intelligent conversations with me about the election and certain issues. He tries to understand his mother's illness, Multiple Sclerosis. He tries to understand why his father left his mother for his secretary when he was 5. He tries to understand why his Dad didn't come to his baptism when he was 7. He tries to understand why his father has not met his teachers until this year(6th grade). He tries to understand why his mom wants to date other men, when he thinks he can take care of her.
Honestly, I am so glad I took this job and I will actually be watching him again this weekend. He has gone through so much and he is only 12. I was reminded there are so many things that can pollute our lives, and yet this 12 year old is so forgiving, kind, funny, caring, willing to help, loving, creative, and young.
I enjoyed being a kid again. We went to see Madagascar 2...thank goodness these animated films have great one liners. We watched the Disney channel, played games, played with Lego's...really I was a kid.
On Sunday though we decided to go to Lake Pointe Church. He and his parents were members there before the divorce, and he said he and his mom don't go there much anymore. He was completely fine going with me though, and I am so glad we did.
Pastor Steve discussed how every year he challenges the members to put Christ in the center of the Holidays, but he does this during the holidays. He decided this year to challenge us to do this before the holidays hit. He said something that has really stuck with me, Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays we have not polluted. It is still about family and relationships. They set up a Thanksgiving Wall for people to write what they are thankful for and what God has blessed their lives with as a reminder of how special this holiday is. It really is so sad how all the stores have Christmas decorations up and gifts displayed. Many people have already decorated their house for Christmas, hung their lights and everything. I am not saying everyone who has decorated is not going to enjoy Thanksgiving, but many of us are looking forward to Christmas so much we are missing how wonderful and fulfilling Thanksgiving can be.
I love Christmas. Absolutely love it. I could listen to Christmas music all year long. I could leave the decorations up. I really do love it. However I do think Steve is so right. We have polluted Christmas with all this stuff. I am challenging myself to not only stop polluting Christmas, but to glorify God with a day of giving Thanks and being with family.
Even the sweet little boy went to the Thanksgiving Wall and wrote down how thankful he is for his mom and his cat. Even just these small moments are so rewarding to say Thanks be to God.
