And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19
As I finished writing personal notes in Christmas card to friends who I don't connect with on social media, I pondered how you sum up the year without writing a book (which I aspire to, someday...) Here's where I landed:
- Most days, the girls like us (though not always the tweens).
- The girls keep us busy but it's fun.
- Though it can be overwhelming at times, we are so thankful for the privilege to be their mom and dad.
Then I recalled reading
Luke 2:1-22 earlier in the morning: Mary treasured. Here's a teenage young woman who the angel told would birth and parent the Savior to the world (
Luke 1:26-28). She knew the basic facts, yet she didn't know all the details. She trusts her God. She praises the Lord from the bottom of her heart (
Luke 1:46-55). At risk of being stoned (pregnant
before marriage), and surely ridiculed, she carries the Holy Child in her womb. Then she and her fiancé find out they must travel to Bethlehem, nearly 100 miles (nine months pregnant mind you) to pay taxes. The trip does her in; she goes into labor and the only place they could find to deliver was in a stable, likely a cave. (Thank you merciful Bethlehemite who gave them at least some shelter and privacy!) The endorphins after giving birth are powerful, and I recall feeling on top of the world (actually, I told Derrick we could have 100 more babies). And here Mary sits, so thankful for this child she delivered yet knowing this Baby would in fact deliver
her from eternal death. Then come these shepherds who've been visited by an angel of the Lord and sung to by a choir of angels. They have big stories to tell and they're telling everyone about this Baby Mary holds in her arms, wrapped in rags, laying in a feed trough. And at that moment, the past nine months of ridicule and shunning fall out of her mind and all she can do is treasure: take note of every little detail as to not forget a thing. Everyone around her was admiring this saving child, wondering how this baby would save mankind from eternal separation from God, but Mary, though not sure how, was recalling all the details God had worked out so far, thanking Him and actively trusting God's plan to save mankind through this Baby.
So I got to thinking, do I treasure like Mary or do I wonder like these who heard the shepherd's vision of angels? It's easy to wonder: will she ever remember to put on deodorant without my reminding; will they be best friends when they grow up; will Derrick and I have a common denominator when they leave the house; will they grow up to walk intimately with Jesus? But what's better is to treasure our journey so far and be thankful for the privilege of being a family.
A not so surprising Disney adventure.
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| Waiting in line at Disney's Animal Kingdom. |
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| Spring Break in Tennessee with 5 Giffey boys. |
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| Precious memories and times with Auntie Kayla and Uncle Bryce. |
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| Bill Sykes and the work house kid. Who knew my husband could be a villain? |
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| Building relationship with cousin Evie, playing on the farm. |
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| Drum and Bugle Corp Competition at TCF Stadium. |
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| A Twins game in September. |
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| Madison's Jazz Class winning first place at three competitions. The look on her face: priceless! |
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| Daddy Daughter and Mommy Daughter Dances at the Spring Show. |
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| Oodles of Dakota County Fair projects. |
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| Family times in the Swine barn and four piggies to fit and show. |
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| Annual hiking adventure with Doug and Sarah McGrail in the Big Horn Mountains, WY. |
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| A gorgeous fall night for a photo shoot with my golden heads. |
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| Sarasota beach! (Mom's favorite!) |
I hope you will choose to treasure as well! Merry Christmas: Immanuel, God with us!
