Susan DiMickele. She's talented. She's hilarious. She's author of the book, Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom's Adventures in Life and Faith. Susan pushes you to think harder about your life and your heart, and today, Susan is our Share Your Story guest (insert loud shouts and thunderous clapping).
In this post, Susan discusses Christmas lists with Amazon links, "Over Consumption Issues", and why baby steps matter. Here's my friend, Susan.
: :
My son’s Christmas list is two pages long with corresponding Amazon links. He’s made it easy for me. I don’t even have to think – I just have to point, click, and surrender my credit card. My daughters – who aren’t quite so tech-savvy -- have cut and pasted magazine pictures on their lists to Santa. I keep trying to throw the magazines away, but just when I do, a new one arrives in the mail.
Let’s just say we suffer from OCI (“Over Consumption Issues”) this Christmas.
I know what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the same thing. Things have gotten really over the top. Is it really possible to cultivate a spirit of giving this Christmas? Is there hope for an OCI family?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m inspired by the season of giving and especially by your blog Amy ( I’ve been reading it for over a year!) – but when I look at my own lifestyle in addition to the three OCI kids I’m raising, I get a bit overwhelmed. Even paralyzed. And I can only move forward by taking teeny tiny baby steps.
What do baby steps look like?
It’s Sunday morning. We’ve
Before I can take some aspirin, Spiritual Mommy takes control and announces we are having church at home. After all, it’s the least I can do during Advent. I make the ultimate power move and turn the TV off. Unannounced. Next, I move the white board into the living room. My children are watching with eyes wide open, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Ok kids, we’re going to make a chart with two columns. Each column has a question, and you must provide your own answer. Take some time to think it over. Here are the questions:
Column #1 - “What Do I want this Christmas?”
Column #2 - “What Do I want to give this Christmas?”
Next, we talk about possible answers. “It’s ok to put down whatever you want,” I tell them. “There are no right or wrong answers. Once we’re done, we’ll look at both lists and we’ll pray together and decide what we can get and what we can give.”
My children become silent. They hang on to every word. Next, they surprise me.
They don’t ask for stuff. Nick and Anna ask for family time, health, and peace. Abby asks for a new friend. What do they want to give? Real (albeit small) tangible goods to friends, family, and those in need. Nick wants to give toys to hurting kids. Anna and Abby want to bake cookies to thank special friends. And we all decide to participate in several food drives. What interests me most – and encourages me most – is that they pick projects that are small and measurable. Unlike me, they’re not overwhelmed – and they’re not paralyzed. They want to jump in and make a difference.
It’s a start.
Even an OCI family can take baby steps.
What’s your baby step toward giving this Christmas?
Thank you, Susan. Ok, friends, I knew you would love her, and you do. Please take a minute to check out her book and peek at her blog.
Image credit.
10 comments:
Thanks Amy. I love being at your site today!
this is a wonderful idea. I really think that is a small step that many families can take together!
You are doing a great job reinforcing what matters most! My kids would still have a long list of what they want...and probably a short list of what they want to give. Maybe. I'll try it tonight.
This is awesome, Susan. I laughed out loud at your husband leaving to "run errands." I may have done that myself from time to time!
Great post for parents who want to reset priorities. I'm sharing this with the www.TheHighCalling.org community today. Maybe there's still time for the rest of us to get things under control! :)
Susan,
I know you are crazy busy, especially at this time of year. So, I truly appreciate you making the time to share your words here!
Ann,
You never know, they might just surprise you.
Michelle,
You nailed my favorite line. Yes, all of a sudden, my husband just disappears because he must go to Lowe's for _______________. And I bet he thought he was the only that used that trick!
Jennifer,
Yeah! Glad you are sharing this message over at THC. It's such a good one.
Thanks Ladies for all your encouragement and Jennifer for passing this along to our friends at THC. Michelle, I thought my husband was the only one who decides to "run errands" when things get crazy at home!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Children are much more thoughtful and and caring than we sometimes give them credit for, especially when it comes to helping other hurting children.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful scene with us.
<3 Kendra
Kendra,
Agreed! Kids often get it when we miss it. Thanks for reading.
Post a Comment
Talk to me, friends.