Alyssa woke up the Saturday before Christmas feeling just dandy. On our way to my mom's for Christmas the scene had changed and she was down for the count. The next 2 days she spent her Christmas in the bed of whom ever's house we were at. She just did not feel well. The stomach bug is not a fun bug. She would feel great during the day and then by night have "the rumble" again. All was well on Christmas Eve, until we arrived at the church for our 10pm Christmas Eve service. Matt had to arrive early to make sure all things were "good to go" for the service. We were in Matt's office when "the look" came across her face. The look of, "Where is the closest bathroom and come with me momma!" I knew it was not over. So Alyssa and I ran to sonic to grab a sprite. Since that's what you do when you are sick. You always drink sprite. :) Everyone else had the same idea. Sonic was hopping...needless to say after a 20 min wait to have our order taken, Alyssa decided she wanted to pass on the sprite. So we headed back to the church. She fell asleep, and I sat in the car with her not sure what do to. Bella was inside with Matt..doing who knows what! I did hear that she told a few people Alyssa had a ear confection...that kid!
I watched as people entered the church and I could feel the sweet spirit of the Lord on that evening. The lights were out and I could see the flicker of the candlelight. The piano played the sweet songs of Jesus and people entered the church with their warm coats and their warm hearts. Families, singles, and widows all joined in to worship the Son of God on this Christmas Eve night.
I ran in and grabbed Bella Grace and brought her to the car with me. Alyssa sound asleep in the backseat and Bella in the front. Laid across my legs she wanted me to sing. "Sing me a song, Momma!" So I sang. I sang, Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright.....over and over again until her little eyes locked tightly asleep and her breath raised her body up and down on my leg.
I could see those partaking in the Lord's supper walking back and forth to the table with only the light of a candle and I could hear the piano playing ever so lightly.
I thought about the birth of Jesus and how thankful I was that The Lord allowed us to be in the car for that moment. I needed it. He is Sovereign and all his plans are right. Did I want my little girl to be sick? Of course not, but I know that if I were in the service I would have been distracted by trying to keep the girls quiet that I would have missed that special time...time with Jesus.
It's so very easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of the season and not take a moment for a Silent Night. It is something I will never forget. A moment that I felt Jesus right next to me. A moment where the sounds of my children breathing brought comfort and thankfulness. A moment where I felt his presence and could relate to the words of a song I have sang my whole life at Christmas. Silent Night. I will never sing that song the same...and I never want to miss an opportunity to experience Him because I don't stop and have a silent moment.
Life is ever so constant. Flashing by so quickly. My prayer this year is that I refocus my life on the things that matter. The things that matter to Him. Not live in a viral world, but live in my real life, right before me, god ordained world. Because I don't want to miss a moment with the Savior of the World....
