Ya! only three more sleeps to Christmas. I tried to play the gee I've been diagnosed with cancer card, but that didn't work, everyone is coming to our house for Christmas and I am making most of the food. Today I'm making Pavlova and Hayley will bring her amazing Black Forrest Trifle, the recipe is from her friend Mel, absolutely disgustingly rich and decadent (the trifle, not Mel). What a lovely girl Hayley is, last Friday while stacking shelves with stock in a store down Mandurah way (she is a rep for Coca Cola) an elderly lady was asking her about flavoured pump bottles, which the store didn't stock. While they chatted Hayley found out that the ladys' husband was going through chemotherapy and not doing well. One of the only things he could taste and enjoy was the lemon pump. After they parted Hayley felt very strongly to give the woman some money as it sound like she was doing it tough but, couldn't find her in the car park when she looked. Being resourceful Hayley asked on Facebook, if anyone knew a lady with a husband seriously ill with cancer in the area where the lady had told her she lived. The response was amazing, someone replied that they had asked their neighbour with a very sick husband if she had spoken to a coca cola rep the day before and she said yes. Several people gave money and Hayley went and bought all the stock of lemon Pumps she could find on the way and turned up at the couples home bearing her gifts. She apologised for visiting without an invitation and explained how she had tracked her down. It was a very teary exchange, as both were overwhelmed. The lady with a stranger's kindness, and Hayley with the joy of being able to bless someone else. Kindness and giving for no personal gain always gives us an overwhelming sense of well being. I think that is why we are told it is more blessed to give than to receive. There is nothing like it, and speaks to us of what Christmas is all about.
Take a moment to breathe, during the preparations. If you are getting cranky at the shops, work or with family, reassess your to do list, and cross some things off, it is not worth the grief. No one really cares if the floor was just mopped, or if there are fingermarks on the sliding door. Once everyone starts spilling drinks and throwing wrapping paper around, your beautifully laid plans for a perfect Christmas will have to be re thought. So remember that God's love is the motivation behind us celebrating Christmas, so take a deep breath and relax, don't sweat the small stuff
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