This week I had the blessing of spending Christmas with my loved ones, which consisted of two of my sisters, one lovable dog, one cute cat, in one tiny house. Now, for some reason, your girl did not think that one through when she booked the Airbnb nearly six months ago. Why is it that I chose the smallest confined space when we were going to have the most living organisms we have ever had on our Christmas trip, is beyond me? But, like we always do, we made it work, tucking ourselves into the back bedroom (which for the most part felt like a sauna to me), the upstairs low-sloped bedroom, and the comfy brown couch in the living room. We slid, and shimmied by each other in that tiny house in Tennessee, and honestly, though it was an intimate space, it was the cutest thing you could ever picture. Close quarters and all.
As my bestie and I always do (now along with the sweet addition of one Esperanza) we checked off our list of fun-filled items, such as completing the annual puzzle (thank you Hope for pretty much completing it for us LOL), toasting s’mores on the fire, enjoying a high- end meal, cooking a Christmas dinner and of course, drinking lots of wine. Oh yea, and we threw in a couple of tik toks too!
The time flew by with fellowship, love and camaraderie. The opening of gifts Xmas morning was beautiful and had me in tears, though I fought them fiercely. The dog and the cat did a strange dance most of the time, but thankfully, no fur was shed, and no blood was drawn.
It was truly an honor to be in the presence of these women this past week. They have both been in my life for decades and it wasn’t until Hope shared a story of an experience we had years ago where God ministered to us about waiting, that I realized just how long we have been on this journey of waiting together. The Lord has been faithful to bless us in many areas, but it has been a roller coaster ride in the area of family. Yet, as Hope so beautifully articulated this week, I am thankful that I have a family that I can choose.
Friends are truly the family that we choose.
God has used my friendships to develop me SO much. They have taught me selflessness and servanthood. They’ve revealed in me my weaknesses and dysfunction, and provided me with opportunity to grow. Additionally, through them, God has given me a strong support system, healed me from past rejection issues, blessed me with fellowship to dispel loneliness, and comforted me when I am going through a hard time.
In our culture, sisterhood often gets overshadowed by romantic love (and the three of us are still waiting to experience that life long kind of love we desire) but my sisters have been the constant demonstration of covenant these 20+ years. They’ve been the ones I’ve called at 3am when I’m struggling with heartbreak. They are the ones who pop up at my interviews and book launches for my newest book. They are the ones always cheering me on, making life sweeter, when it has had the tendency to taste a little bitter.
Holidays can be a mixed bag for most. We don’t always get along and every family’s dynamic is different, but this Christmas, I’m thankful that these people who are in my life at this very moment, are the exact ones I need to fulfill my call. I truly couldn’t do it without them. I have no doubt.
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SHALOM
What a beautiful Christmas! I love that idea of friends being the family we choose.
Yes it was!