Ask, ask, ask!!

Can you believe I’m even using that word with what time of year it is???

Let me guess, parents. You are as tired as I am of getting asked for something different nearly every day for Christmas by your sweet children! Unless you shut the TV off for an entire month preceding the glorious 25th of December, the sights and sounds of every mechanical, battery-operated, soft and cuddly and cool toy and gadget available are bombarding your children. And that leads to a lot of ASKING…at least, in my house it does.

But today as I was wrapping Christmas presents, I couldn’t help but think of something of another kind that was “asked” last Christmas. Let me set up the scenario for you…

It was Christmas Eve, and our Whittle party of 5 was all seated around the kid’s Christmas tree with the overhead lights off and only the glow of the colored lights to light the room. As we looked around at all the handmade, homemade and significant ornaments, Scotty began to ask the kids which ornament they loved the most and why. My very-sentimental oldest son, nearly 9 at the time, looked for a minute and then picked his favorite for this year: a hip-swiveling Elvis that his Elvis-loving grandmother had recently bought for him. (We laughed and agreed that it was a pretty cool ornament.) My sweet little girl, 4 years old, pointed to a green-hand painted wreath clay ornament with her picture in the middle that she made at school, proclaiming it her favorite. (It was high on our list, too, as you can imagine.)

My middle son, age 6, had been sitting quietly while the others took their turn, clearly deep in thought about what his favorite would be. Scotty finally turned to him and asked him to show us his pick. When he did, Micah stood up and walked over to one side of the tree, carefully removing his top choice. It was a rugged looking cross, very simple in design. Though deeply moved, I wasn’t altogether surprised. Micah had just recently made a salvation decision, asking Jesus in his heart. And now his already-tender spirit was even tenderer to the things of God. Wiping away tears from my eyes, I could see Micah’s bottom lip beginning to quiver. I decided to ask him a question. “Micah, why do you love that ornament so much?” Still emotional, he looked at me and very simply said, “Because of Jesus.” I probed a bit more, though I sensed I already knew the answer. “Is it because of what He did for you on the cross?” As little tears slipped down his cheeks he couldn’t speak, but instead shook his head in an affirming “yes.” I reached up and hugged him and no more words followed after. We didn’t need any.

I was so glad I had asked.

So as I reflect on this sweet scene today, as I ready myself for the big day this year, I am reminded of the importance of "asking." In this season of the “ask,” let’s remember to ask our children questions that remind them of their faith. So often we don’t hear their heart simply because we get busy and forget to ask them about what is going on inside it. After all, their little souls hold great truth that is often just waiting to come out. If you take the time to "ask," I know their answers will bless you as much as Micah’s did us.

Here’s a picture of my now 7-year old Micah a few weeks ago, putting on his best “Santa.” :) Since I asked him the question last year, I am pretty sure I know where he stands on what this season is really all about. :)


Lisa

P.S. If you want to read another sweet “Micah” story, go to my web page (linked through his blog or at http://www.lisawhittle.com/) and go to “Recent Writings.”

Some Serious Fun!

After my last week’s blog about our SS class, I feel it’s only appropriate for me to share with you some pictures of the “thriving” group of which I write! On Thursday night, we had our first ever Christmas party with many of our couples in attendance. (If you read the last posting, this is where the stiletto heels came in!) Between the beautiful decorations, delicious food, and great conversation, we had an awesome time laughing and hanging out together! (A special thanks to Judy Perry and Laura Davis -- love you girls!)

And…the night was capped of by a surprise appearance by Santa and his #1 elf! Here are some pics of our special guests from the North Pole, along with some of the couples who were there…

And...Santa and Me...
Before... and ...after

I love so many things about our fun and “THRIVING” class (see last week’s blog post for more). But one of the things I love the very most is how much we laugh together. As you can see in the Christmas Party pics, we laugh…act silly…and enjoy life together.

As a self-professed realist (I’m actually a pessimist, but realist sounds so much better!) it’s especially good for me to laugh and have fun. My husband has a much more fun and optimistic personality than I do, and he is the always-on naturally gregarious people person. But living with him for 12 years has helped me to come out of my "realistic" shell and embrace relationships with others in a new way! And laughter and fun is a great benefit of that.

By the way, did you know that Jesus endorsed laughter?

In Proverbs (17:22), He calls a cheerful spirit, “good medicine.” Since, as I write, my oldest son has a terrible case of the flu, the thought of “good medicine” as a cure to illness certainly strikes a very relevant chord with me! And the book of Job nods to God’s intent for joy in our life in chapter 8 verse 21, when he says, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy!” Sound good to you? Yeah, me too!

In the busy state of all of our lives, I think sometimes we have forgotten how to laugh and have fun…we stop thinking of ourselves as lively, exciting people who love to live life and instead, think we need to be serious and mature all the time. Sure, bills and mortgages will do that to you, but life can still be very much enjoyed while living it responsibly! Instead of looking back at our college days with nostalgia over all the fun we had (and we now miss), why don’t we begin to have some fun and enjoy our journey in this stage of our life, despite all the challenges and stressors?!

I’m in! How about you?

Now is a great time to add one more “resolution” to your list for 2008: LAUGH! But rather than looking to do it over the next year, resolve to do it without an end in mind. I’m trying to do more of it lately…and the more I do it, the more I like it!

I did a lot of it at the Christmas party this week. I have to say, the Elf tunic, sash and shoes were probably enough to keep me laughing all night! (Thanks, Mike.) :) I can’t wait to post the pics from our BIG event in May. (Which remains, as of now, still a secret.) Now THAT will be some seriously, serious fun! :)

Lisa

P.S. Ok…a few more photos of a different kind. Elf and Santa (aka, Mike and Scotty, respectively) just completed a half marathon on Saturday, along with their buddy, Ashley. See them at the finish line. Yep…I’m just a little proud! :) Lots of fun stuff this week. (Easy for me to say, right guys?)