Simply Norma

Gifts.  Most people like to receive them.  They come in various types — gifts of money, time, clothes, jewelry, etc.

The giver takes joy in watching the gift being opened.    Their mind waits in anticipation to see if the gift will be warmly received or if the gift will just be set aside, never to be looked at again.

The Father in heaven did the same.  He sent us the gift of His Son, Jesus, and watched to see how warmly He would be received.

Is He disappointed?  Some days, yes.  But other days He smiles as He watches His children accept Jesus into their lives.  He watches as their lives are transformed from pain to joy, war to peace, embarassment to pride, hate to love.

The transformation happens quickly or slowly just like opening a gift.  One person rips the wrapping up and pulls the gift out hurriedly.  Another, slowly and painstakingly looks to see where the paper is taped, takes one piece of tape off at a time, removes the paper, folds it and sets it aside, looks at the box and checks for any tape, removes the tape, removes the lid from the box and then removes the gift.

Is there a right way or a wrong way?  No.  Both are right.  And the Giver, God, takes joy in watching the transformation of His children.

Today was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for us in Minnesota.  Normally we wait for the “usual” time but since we will be in Chicago for those 2 days, we celebrated our small family’s Christmas early.

Christmas Eve finger foods

These are fresh vegetarian avocado egg rolls which also have shredded carrot and cucumbers.

Inari Inari is a Japanese dish that has cooked rice (with vinegar) and includes sliced carrots and cucumbers.  It is held together in a tofu wrap.  Very delicious.

Pineapple, orange slices, pickled herring, green and black olives accompany the mint and almond M&M’s.  This is the first year we’ve tried the new M&M’s.

Smoked salmon, crackers and edam cheese finish off the list of finger foods.

There are many marriage vows.  Some are traditional and some are written by the bride and groom.  One of the ones I recently saw included the words “I will serve you with tenderness and respect.”

At the entrance to the apartment complex where I live, this statue sits almost unnoticed.

When I first saw it, there was no snow.  After Minnesota got hit with a few weekends of snow, I looked at the statue surrounded by snow.

I was reminded how in marriage we need to continue being tender and gentle with one another in spite of the adversities and life changes that we go through.

This is how God’s relationship with us is also.  In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

Rest in this world of busyness.

In our Father’s love as in our marriages we find rest for our souls.