A First

This Christmas Eve finds Mike and me all by ourselves because Lucas and Courtney are not coming in until late tonight and they are staying in Atlanta with Laurel Lynn and her family. They will have Christmas with them and their boys. We usually do our Christmas on Christmas Eve, but due to her new job, Courtney couldn't get off today. This is the very first Christmas Eve I have not had my boys with me. I must admit, it is very bittersweet!! Jeremy and Kendra went with Kendra's family to the Candlelight service at their church tonight. I am thankful that Jeremy is hearing the wonderful message again tonight. I pray that it will penetrate his heart and he will fall in love with Jesus. Mike and I were going to Crossroads to hear their Christmas program, however, when he got home from walking the dogs around lunch time, he said that he would start painting the kitchen if I would go buy the paint!! (We just redid our kitchen countertops and sink and it really needed a paint job!!) Anyway, I told him I would go and buy it, but I had way to much to do to get ready for tomorrow night, and that I wouldn't be able to help. So when I got home with the paint, and he began to get everything ready, of course, I joined in!! We got it all primed in about 3 hours and I started the trim with the actual color!! It is going to look great!! Mike keeps saying, "Looks like an HGTV kitchen!!!" Anyway, needless to say, we didn't make it to church. However, we had Christmas music playing in the background the whole time we were painting. In my heart, I have been worshipping all day long!!! I am feeling a little guilty about not going to church to worship, but I know the Lord is more interested in the attitude of my heart than if I am sitting in church on Christmas Eve night. I am so thankful that He sent His Son into this world so that we are not condemned, even though we sometimes condemn ourselves for not doing what we feel like we should do just because we've always done it a certain way. I love you, Jesus!!! Merry Christmas to everyone!!!