As a mother, I often feel like I am on the front lines of culture wars. This year I didn’t go Black Friday shopping. But two days later, I was forced to brave Walmart for milk (no blizzard pending).
The scene was so quiet, so serene, and the Christmas aisle was like my own pine-scented paradise. Except I was all alone. There was no warmth.
The whole endeavor to find an advent calendar was fruitless. In fact, I found nothing among the Christmas items but gift-related products. Wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, and tape.
Isn’t Christmas about spending time together?
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NaNoWriMo is now over (I didn’t quite reach my daily writing goal), and the Christmas season is upon us.
If I’m honest, I need rest. My family needs me to rest. And the blog – even if cathartic – is stressful to maintain.
During the final days of the season, I want to offer my family a mother and wife who is present by deliberately reconnecting with the world around me and largely disconnecting from the realm at my fingertips. Truly, I’m not sure there is any other way to savor these fleeting moments.
My son, now three, is more aware of Christmas than ever before. And I hope to look back on these memories with him and see a loving and less-distracted mother.
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Regardless of what I encounter in the aisles, I know that Christmas begins in the heart.
This year, I want to point my children to Christ by giving them a mother who knew how to let go – to pray more, to read more, to listen more.
May you be blessed this Christmas.
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One Year Ago: A Sticky Catharsis
Unlearning 
All the blessings to you and your family this Christmas, Lauren.
One day, you should have your son guest post on your blog. My 8-yr old wants to write on my site, really badly!
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Thank you, JT. I wish those same things for you this Christmas! As a side note, I have enjoyed all of your recent posts – it’s surprising how money rules so much of our thinking as parents. I would love to discuss one of your blog posts with my college freshmen next semester – will be looking for a good one 🙂
And you nailed it! My son is already quite the performer and, if able to write, would LOVE to have the spotlight for a post. I can only imagine the insights your 8-year-old would provide given Daddy’s wisdom 🙂
Merry Christmas, Friend!
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It would be an honor for me if you discussed a post. Or, I’d love to even participate in one of those discussions in person if you were open to having me! 😊
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That’d be awesome! I try to expose my first-year students to writing and communication across disciplines. You know I teach in Southeast GA, right? 😉
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Hey, if I’m in the area, I’ll give you a heads up! I travel a fair amount and sometimes to more hard-to-get-to areas.
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“back on these memories with him and see a loving and less-distracted mother.” great reminder. I was great at being all about Christmas with my oldest, and now that my daughter is hitting three I’m already hitting burn out!? 😦
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Thank you for the kind words. I’m increasingly convinced that Christmas can be translated to mean “burn out”…or maybe it’s just the end of the year busyness that gets to us. I, too, have found it difficult to give my best now that I have more than one child. The distractions are endless, but I’m reminded that – at least for myself – most are choices I make. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!
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Happy holidays! 🎄
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Thank you! Wishing you a joyous and restful holiday season as well 🙂
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I think you’re wonderful! I too aspire to be that loving and less-distracted mother! And as we make our transition to two (hopefully soon😉) , I’m sure I’ll be getting some tips from you, friend! You’re an excellent mother and friend.
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Thank you, Ashley! I’m grateful to have encouraging mothers like you to make the journey so much more rich. Just think of how we will feel in 5-10 years. Maybe our minds will convince us we knew what we were doing all along 🙂 In the mean time, good friends and Jesus go a long way!
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