Written in 12/2015
Just last evening, I was working on a Blog Post, and got almost done with it. I was going to finish and post tonight, but....I received a true Christmas Blessings today, and I need to write about it!
My during-the-week job is in a music dept. at a High School. If you've read my Blog before, you know what a large part Music plays in my life! This job is challenging, and exhausting, but it is such a great fit for me! Each year as they graduate, I am sad to see them go, because I have grown to know them, and am so proud to have been a part of their HS experience!
Sometimes, in the midst of the school year hustle and bustle, it feels like my job is thankless. Sometimes it feels that noone notices the many little things that I take care of "behind-the-scenes"... Today though, that feeling was proven so very wrong!
I was surprised with a Christmas gift from the Concert Band and Concert Choir kids. This was not just an ordinary Christmas gift though... It was one of the most thoughtful gifts that I have ever received!
Let's start with all of the food.... It might look like an odd gift to you all, but to me, it is an amazing sign of how much they all care for me! You see, in November, I tested allergic to 24 foods. Most of which are very common! So, the young ladies that chat with me daily, have been listening to me say how "hungry" that I have been, because there is so much that I cannot eat!
These girls had asked me for a list of those 24 forbidden foods, saying that they would keep their eyes open for things that I could eat... So, several students took that list to Target, and cross checked ALL ingredients in each one of those items shown above to find out that they were OK for me to eat! When they were given to me, the student said "We don't want to see you 'hungry' any more!"
Then, the flowers...
The students went to the trouble of asking other staff members what my favorites were, and they got it right! This is one of the most beautiful and festive arrangements that I have ever received!
There's more...They also got me a Gift Card to Taco Johns (the only fast food place from which I can eat items off their menu) AND a Gift Card to a Nail Salon, so that I can partake in some pampering.
Lastly, they signed the card "Thanks for everything you do! We wouldn't be able to do this without you! Love, Concert Band I and Concert Choir".
Wow, I am feeling so so blessed! The students have given me such an amazing gift; to know that they care, and that they listen, and that they appreciate me. I am almost speechless, with nothing but a grin on my face and so much joy in my heart!!!
Another way that the students touched my heart today, that they aren't even aware of, is this.... Earlier today, I was wrapping, and making grocery lists, and mailing, and cleaning, and more.... And I must admit, this thought actually crossed my mind 'I hate Christmas'. Now, please don't get upset with me; I don't truly hate Christmas, I love it, but the socially acceptable requirements of Christmastime can get really exhausting! That is where I was at, mentally, today.
All of those feelings melted away instantly, when I received this loving, thoughtful gift!
I guess this gift was accompanied by some much needed reminders to me:
1. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
2. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
3. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
4. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:14-16
May you all be deeply Blessed this Christmas, and may you be reminded of the true spirit of Christmas, spreading love and Christmas joy to those around you!
