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UNDAUNTED
For a few very hard years this word was my mantra.
The word means
-undismayed; not discouraged; not forced to abandon purpose or effort
-undiminished in courage or valor; not giving way to fear
But the truth is, I was often dismayed by everything that had taken place, and I did battle discouragement. I battled fear and doubts. I hurt and was angry, and sometimes "undaunted" sounded more like a mockery than a mantra, and I was determined to be real about all of it in these posts, thus the name, Undaunted Reality. More than that, though, I was determined to live undaunted, not because I'm so great or strong, but because my God is, and no matter what this world looks like, He is the only reality that matters.
I pray I live the reality of Him beautifully undaunted.

Friday, December 26, 2014

The Perfect Christmas

My favorite two teenagers are playing Pandemic, the game their Uncle Raymond gave us for Christmas. The detailed Megablocks pirate ship is sitting safely on a shelf, and music from The Hobbit is filling the house.

Dirty dishes litter every counter and fill the sink. One of my favorite blankets lies one on end of the couch where I took a nap while watching Muppets Christmas Carol. And there is enough food in the fridge to last through the weekend.

Precious people have sent texts and made time to call.

Laughter has been loud and abundant.

Unfortunately, disease wiped out the planet's population twice, but the prime rib was perfect, so we are calling it a draw.

Last night friends came over to exchange gifts. Their presence was priceless.

I sit here now on my bed with the heater blanket keeping my chilled toes warm, and I will tell you what I've been beautifully conscious of every second of the last few days: It is the perfect Christmas.

Even sitting on the patio wrapped in a wool blanket with my coffee turning cold and the sky turning colors, I knew it, and the wonder of it all filled me so full that when the sun finally peeked over the horizon, my excitement spilled out, and I clapped and cheered.

I thought of the verse from John1:5, "And the Light has come into the world, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Indeed it has not, and where are the angels when you want to shout-sing the Hallelujahs because it is the perfect morning to shout-sing at the top of my lungs?

Every treasure I desire has filled this Christmas. Beautiful people. Laughter. Delicious food, which is a big deal because I made something special for my brother and was a bit nervous. Lovely music. Oh, and there are these wonderful, beautiful people. Did I mention them? :-)

And I just keep thinking, "This is the perfect Christmas. This is the Christmas I have longed for. This is the perfect Christmas."

My heart is full, and the smile has not left my face. My whole soul is at peace and settled in joy.

Yeah. It's the perfect Christmas.

Hallelujah!