Lately, I've had the old Merle Haggard song in my head, "If We Make it Through December." Some of you know it. The chorus goes like this...
If we make it through December
Everythings gonna be alright I know
It's the coldest time of winter
And I shivver when I see the fallin' snow
If we make it through December
I got plans of bein' in a warmer town come summer time
Maybe even California
If we make it through December we'll be fine
I'm gonna tell you, that last line is really resonating with Rachel and me right now. Our life seems out of control. Laundry and dishes are becoming mountains... Obligations almost every night... Christmas presents to buy (with what?)... Christmas tree is up but not decorated... Our almost two year-old put a toy down the toilet the other night so we had to call a plumber... I have an outpatient procedure next week that will lay me up for a couple days... Kids crying at night... Lots of stress. At times, it seems like we're hanging on by a thread. Have you ever wished you could make the clock stop for a couple weeks, just so you can get caught up?
Now don't misunderstand me, I'm not bringing this stuff up to complain. As the new Daryl Worley song says, "Sounds Like Life to Me." Nevertheless, December can be hard. Many are struggling with serious financial hardship, many are dealing with the first Christmas without a loved one who has passed on, many have spouses or children in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's tough on everyone. And in case anyone is reading this who is really struggling, just know you're not alone. We're all in this together.
In the end, all the materialism surrounding Christmas doesn't matter. Unless you're buying an enagement ring or a car, chances are pretty good no one is going to remember five years from now what you bought (or did not buy) them for Christmas. What counts is your spouse. What counts are your children. What counts are friends. What counts is celebrating Jesus.
If we make it through December we'll be fine.
