Yesterday was not the best day of my life. It had been an incredibly stressful day. I am having major cabin fever because we have been snowed in for two weeks. I have a newborn that I am still adjusting to. It's Christmas. My house is a mess. Laundry is piling up. None of my clothes fit. My Christmas decorations were still not finished. It had taken me all week to make goodies for my neighbors.

I had a few minutes of quiet (Bridger was asleep) I was sitting in my nice warm living room and rocking Lily in my soft recliner. A Faith Hill Christmas special was on. She had an amazing song called "A Baby Changes Everything". At first I was thinking about how our babies have changed everything. These sweet little things come into our lives and create all sorts of upheaval. It's a lot of hard work being a mother.
As I listened to the song and looked out at the beautiful snow on a winter night, I thought about another mother...Mary. At Christmas time I always think of Jesus. But this year my thoughts are with Mary. What a remarkable mother she must have been. As we read about her experience bringing Jesus into this world, and the very uncomfortable conditions she had to endure...I just can't imagine! Surely giving birth to the Son of God deserves a room at an Inn, a warm bed to sleep in.
I am grateful to Mary for the role she played in bringing our Savior into this world. I am grateful for the fact that she raised him and I'm sure played a role in who he became as a man. My heart breaks for her suffering in watching him mocked and ridiculed and hung on a cross to die. I can't even stand to see Bridger scrape his knee!

Mothers are often overlooked for what they do. This year I am grateful for Mary, for my mom, and for all the other mothers I know.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!