Comments on: When You’re Not Enough…

By: The Thrifty Mama » Feelings of Inadequacy

The Thrifty Mama » Feelings of Inadequacy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:08:22 +0000

[...] Okay to Spend More than $40 a week on Groceries When You’re Not Enough [...]

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:17:23 +0000

Oh Laura, you are not alone at all! Despite my desire to be organized and have things simplified to be free to focus on what is most meaningful this Christmas, unexpected circumstances have come up leaving me with a long to-do list, unmet expectations, and a feeling that I just really don’t have it all together. Even the things that would truly help us focus on Christ in this season have been a bit much for me to manage at times, and I have been dropping balls right, left and center.

And in a way, I am glad. Glad to realize once again that Christmas is not about me and my ability to achieve and pull it all off, or to perfect the ideal “simple” Christmas, or even to do all the right things to focus on Christ and on loving others. I can’t do any of it on my own, and it’s really not about me and what I can do anyways.

It’s all about Him this season. Humbling himself, to come to us, who are so desperately in need of Him. This year, I am choosing to be oh-so-grateful that my God would condescend himself to save such a weak, needy, imperfect people, and reconcile them to Himself. And that gives me so much joy this season!

By: Creative Triplet Mom

Creative Triplet Mom — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:50:36 +0000

Oops I posted before I was finished. I did not participate in any cookie exchanges after last year I said never again. I did send out my cards later than normal with such sadness in my heart I am just not in the holiday spirit. Luckily I no longer decorate and only need to take out the Menorah next week. We did go to the MOMS Club holiday party but for once I did not take one photo. Really weird for me since my camera is always an extension of me. We will see Santa on Thurs at the library. The kids for the first time made letters to Santa which they will give to him on Thurs.

By: Creative Triplet Mom

Creative Triplet Mom — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:44:58 +0000

This year due to lack of funds I have only purchased gifts for the kids and for my nieces and nephews. I have called family members and told them ONLY KIDS

By: Vickie

Vickie — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:38:29 +0000

Wow Laura this is excellent! I have pulled way back this year. I did not even decorate our mantel! I want this CHRISTmas to be more about what took place all those years ago than the chaos or struggling to keep up with what everyone is doing. I want TIME to spend with my growing family since I only have a few more years and they will all fly the nest!

You hit the nail on the head with how I have been feeling. I am so glad to see that I am not the only one that feels this way!
Blessings to you and yours!
Vickie

By: Hopefulmom

Hopefulmom — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:56:33 +0000

This year I said, “No Christmas cards.” I did say “yes” to cooking a meal for a family whose daddy is battling cancer and a dear friend who is having ankle surgery today. I feel a whole lot better about spending time cooking for these families than I do about sitting down to address and stamp 80-100 cards. I also feel better about spending the $42 on food for these families than postage.
Just trying to keep it real and actually DO the stuff God says to do.

By: Faye Lewis

Faye Lewis — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:48:35 +0000

Thanks for the eye-opener. I thought it was just me. LOL. I have been disabled for 17 years with a chronic illness. The first 14 years, I did it all! And I paid dearly with flare ups and a long recovery time.

The past 2 years and this year, I have way lowered my expectations of me.

I am sure Jesus would recognize the celebration of his birthday at our house.

All gifts are given with love and charity. If I can, cards go out. On Christmas Eve, I bake a small cake with a few candles and we quietly celebrate the “Reason for the Season”.

Thanks again for helping me justify my actions.

By: Plain Ol' Food

Plain Ol' Food — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:48:42 +0000

Jena said “I have no guilt over this. If the Lord Jesus were here, would he even recognize this as HIS holiday?”

Jena, I don’t think He would. It’s pretty certain that He wasn’t born in December and making a big deal out of birthdays is a relatively recent thing so chances are He didn’t celebrate it then and doesn’t now.

Feeling like all of you describe is what led me to seriously re-consider the whole Christmas thing about 14 years ago, which in turn led me to simply not taking part. After all these years, its just another day. We have no tree, no lights, we don’t do any special cooking or eating, we don’t get or give gifts or cards, etc. I *will* go to Dallas this year to see some family members but that’s simply because they’ll be there instead of Iowa. :)

Giving up the holiday altogether might not be for everyone but I can’t tell y’all how wonderful the lack of stress, pressure and work are. Last year, DH and I went out for Chinese food and watched TV. It was absolutely great!

By: Kirstin

Kirstin — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:29:26 +0000

I’m not anywhere near ready either. I haven’t shopped, don’t know whose hosting what and my decorating isn’t what I would like. Yet I’m pretty okay with it all…except for the shopping part. I don’t enjoy it when moneys tight and I can’t buy for all those I want to buy for or for my kids as I’d like to. So you’re not the only one for sure….I haven’t even baked anything and probably will only do two or three things.

By: Marci

Marci — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 23:08:44 +0000

Wow, I thought I was the only one struggling with this! Everyone else seems to have it all together but I guess it isn’t so! Thanks for posting this, Laura. I needed this!!