Defining Your Journey...
Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 9:34AM 
Every "Eve of Christmas Eve" we sit down for a candlelight family dinner. With the exception of the Christmas tree lights and the flickering flame of the candles on the table, every other light in the house is turned off. A classical Christmas piano CD plays in the background giving the whole night a sense of atmosphere.
The boys each sit in their regular places. Kevin and I take our places at the opposite ends of the table. We look around and smile. A few goofy statements are made, causing everyong to laugh. We hold hands, bow our heads, and pray. And then we begin our discussion. One we have every year...
Every Eve of Christmas Eve, we gather around the table for two reasons: to talk about what God has done and to anticipate what He will do the following year.
Years ago we began every "Eve of Eve" dinner with these two questions:
What has God done in and through you this year?
What do you sense He wants to do in this upcoming year?
One year Luke answered the first question with these words,
"I learned that when you're thankful, life is so much better."
That same year Jake answered the second question this way:
"I sense that God wants me to understand all that's available to me because of Him. And I think He wants me to appropriate those things in my life."
Last year Jordan said something like this, "God cares about every detail of my life. I get the sense that He wants me to be more bold for Him so that others know how much He cares for them."
What a powerful thing it is to stop amidst the busy season and remember what God has done. When we talk about the faithfulness of God, our faith is encouraged and our expectation increases. Instead of being stressed by our long list of to-do's, we are blessed by the long list of ways God has come through for us. When we share the ways that God is stirring in us and wants to teach us, we are compelled to be more earnest in our pursuit of Him
We've shared this wonderful tradition for a number of years now. The questions no longer need to be asked but we ask them anyway; and then we share our answers over a nice Christmas meal.
I pray for moments of peace around your table this year. May you pause and recall the many ways God has come through for you. May you continue onward in your faith journey knowing that He will faithfully lead you. And may your heart overflow with thanks because you know that since Peace came to earth, Joy came to stay.
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