This time of year we miss those who cannot be home with us. For families who have someone they love incarcerated, our emotions may run amuck. We might blame ourselves. We may feel angry with our loved one for putting themselves in this situation. We might run through a list of “could of’s” and “should have’s” wondering how we missed it.
That’s how I felt the very first Christmas that my son was imprisoned. I found a letter that I wrote to him that first Christmas season and how in the midst of my despair, I found something to laugh about.
Well, my son, I do have the Christmas tree up. Guess who climbs the tree? That’s right–Midnight. Sox stands guard from under the tree skirt.
I find this hilarious to watch. Yes, I let the cats get away with this behavior of messing up the finely decorated tree. Why? Because it is funny and I have decided that life is too short not to find something to laugh about. That makes me laugh, so I allow it.
Today, I went to go straighten out the beads, replace ornaments, and flatten the tree skirt back down. When I got to the tree skirt, Sox came over and laid down on a ruffled area. She meowed at me as if she was saying, “No leave this alone. I have it the way I like it.” I told her I had to straighten it out and said, “Shoo!”
She stretched out in a display of defiance. I picked her up and she dug her claws into the skirt pulling it as I lifted her. She let out such a loud shriek that bounced off the walls, it sounded like several cats squealing. Startled, I released her and she ran off. I think she is still having tantrums as she’s avoided me throughout the day.
Yes, my dear, I laugh at the cats messing with the tree. After all, “a merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NKJV).
Though I laugh at the cats, I confess I’m really sad we can’t be together for Christmas. But I’m encouraged by God’s word. God promises to restore to those who hope in Him twice as much (Zechariah 9:12). God is still a miracle working God and we will trust in His divine plan.
As I’ve said before, we can’t always understand what God does. But we must trust, believe, and have faith in God through Jesus Christ. Though we cannot be together physically, we have strong family ties of love. Stay in Christ so you shall pass through the fire and not be burned.
Love, Mom
My friends, I do not know your situation, but God does. Take a moment to reflect on the things you have around you, and perhaps you will see something funny. I do believe the Lord wants to give us something to laugh about in the midst of our pain.
