Merry Christmas!

"Sleigh Bells ring...are you listening?"  plays in the background, causing me to wonder if I am really listening, and if so, what am I hearing? Lately, I find myself running from store to store, shivering in a cold car, grabbing a quick lunch, and re-reading my list of “to do’s”, hoping I can check something off. 

But listening….? I pause to consider what sounds catch my attention during this busy holiday.

We waved goodbye as our daughter, Tina, and her little family boarded the plane in the middle of November to begin a new adventure in South East Asia. We had been together almost a year, and the three little girls had filled many of our hours with laughter and play. Their departure left behind a sad quiet home for Don and me. We no longer hear the giggles of little girls, the call of a mommy for peaceful play, or even the cry of the littlest one trying to be heard in a busy family. I miss those sounds and know hearing one of their little voices would cause me to stop and look around. Wow...right now, I’d love to hear those sounds, but I know God has great things in store for them in their new home.

I’ve noticed my ears are very attuned to little sounds drifting up from my elderly dad’s room.  I hear him moving about, raising or lowering his hospital bed, or rolling over with a few struggling groans. There’s the  hum of his electric recliner being overtaken by sounds of peaceful snoring of contentment.  Sounds of his word processor have silenced now by the overcoming of physical needs. That’s a sound I miss, but it’s been replaced by loud TV voices of news and advertisements to compensate for hearing loss.

There have been some dark nights when Dad sounds an alarm into my deep sleep. That piercing alert awakens my listening, causing me to run through the dimly lit hall and down the stairs as I try to quiet my beating heart, calm my fears, and pray silently for wisdom to face whatever I encounter.

Sounds of morning awaken me as I hear Don beginning his busy days with a few early hours of study. He has a regular routine of consistent noises. There’s the squawk of the microwave door, chime of the timer, then I hear him picking through the ice bucket in hopes for a perfect number in his water glass. These sounds warn of a quickly passing day, and leave a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me.

As Christmas Day approaches, the sounds of baking, cleaning and sewing fill my home as I busily complete the finishing touches. Anticipation has our home waiting for the sounds of a wonderful week with our younger daughter, Caryn, and husband, Mark. They’ll bring a new sound to our home this time when we are introduced to “Rosie” their “Jack-Rustle terrier”.

This past month I heard some new sounds as I filled in for the receptionist on campus. Besides the constant ringing of the phones, I’ve heard cheerful greetings, of in/out schedules, laughter and some good conversations. It’s been so enjoyable to hang out with co-laborers and hear segments for mission outreach.

Through my Bible study, I’m learning that the best sound is whispering “Peace” to a troubled world and giving Hope of the bright future when His children will sing a joyful sound around the throne of God, saying
                                    "Worthy is the LAMB!"

Because of God’s gift of His Son at Christmas, we’re expectantly listening for that wonderful sound of His voice, calling us before His Throne! 

Until then, I enjoy hearing “sleigh bells ringing” celebrating His precious SON and hope all the sounds you hear this season are joyful ones of praise!

Love Because of His Gift,

Don and DebiWeaver