As with everything, there is a reason that God led me to the book Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life by Charles Swindoll.  It was one of those books that was found in the dusty corner of a thrift shop ministry. Each day, while reading this particular book,  I am being challenged to re-build (with stronger mortar this time around) some major cornerstones for 2012.

I plan on exploring each of these cornerstones in future blog posts. Today however, I am going to explore the following question, which was presented in today’s Growing Strong reading. It’s answer demanded to be written.

The countdown is over. Christmas has come and gone. But what about the last few days? Did they leave any lasting impact on you or your family? Whether good or bad, put in writing how this year’s Christmas went for you.

 Christmas 2011 was a holiday season filled with emotional diversity. I hurt deeply as my heart broke over the loss of my dearest pet Marbles. I rejoiced beyond measure as my heart overflowed with the comfort of family.

It was a simple Christmas. No big tree, no over the top Christmas shopping, no Christmas baking, no Christmas decorating, not even one Christmas card was sent out.

It was a season of living in the moment, feeling both the good and bad. It was a season of not getting lost in the busyness. It was a season of staying still. It was a season of enjoying the quiet. It was a season of getting to know my life beyond the influence of the externals.

There was much sorrow and joy to be found this Christmas season and each moment had its own resulting treasure. The treasure of learning more about myself than I ever thought there was left to know.

I learned that I can love and be loved without any expectations. I learned that I can listen without having to be heard. I learned that emptiness is not a bad thing. I learned that fullness is not measured concretely.

With all its sadness and joy, this was the best Christmas season ever.

It is with hope that the New Year will present  its own treasures as I take what I learned over this past Christmas season and continue to live a quiet life filled with simple faith.