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Christmas Is "Extravagant Love!"

12/25/2016

The definition of extravagant is "going beyond what is reasonable."

People feel and express love in different ways. Some rarely say "I love you," some hold back their feelings for fear of embarrassing themselves or being rejected, some have nevrr experiened extravagant for themselves an haven't a clue how that kind of love might look, feel or be expressed.

For me personally, God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth, is my example of "extravagant love," as He expresses and offers His heart and Eternal "home" to everyone through Jesus Christ, the blessed Savior and Redeemer King of Kings. - John 3:16-17

For me personality, extravagant love is best expressed in Christmas and Easter. Imagine giving and then laying down the life of your only child to save those who may not ever acknowledge, much less value and receive the sacrificial gift of the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.' -John 1:29 This act is truly love that "goes beyond what is reasonable!"

The singing group Casting Crowns has a beautiful song entitled "Your Love is Extravagant" that describes God's love perfectly for me, and I hope you are drawn into His love by listening to this song, as we prepare our hearts to welcome, receive and celebrate His extravagant act of eternal love.

https://youtu.be/-DqlLAVm0cg?list=RD-DqlLAVm0cg

What comes to your heart and mind, when you think of giving and receiving "extravagant love?" Does extravagance come in the form of something material? Is it expressed in words and deeds? Do you give of yourself "beyond what is reasonable," or hold back your love, afraid that it will not be appreciated much less returned? Does your love carry conditions or expectations?

Have you accepted and embrace the "extravagant love" of God? If not, perhaps you will do so this Christmas and it is my Christmas prayer that the light of Christ will shine in our hearts, as we accept and receive a love that cannot be explained any other way than EXTRAVAGANT!

Rejoicing in His Extravagant Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info

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At Home WITH Christmas!

12/21/2016

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Christmas 2001 was a very special Christmas before our son, Kevin, died. He was 28 years old, engaged and making plans for a future with his beautiful fiance.' Knowing that it would be his "last Christmas at home," he told me that he hoped it would be one of the best ever and it was.

Little did we know that it would be his last Christmas at home, but not because he would be married, but because he would be gone from us due to sudden cardiac death on January 10, 2002.

On Mother's Day 2001, he gave me a poem that a friend of his helped him write. He told his friend all about me and they composed the poem together. Kevin found his favorite picture of he and I (which is my favorite picture of us, too) when he was about 6 years old. Before giving me the poem, he took the photo out of the album, cut it into the shape of a heart and placed it at the center of the poem, which is now a cherished keepsake for me, his Mom.

His friend also told me (at Kevin's memorial service) that Kevin told him that he had a strong desire to "say all the things he had always meant to say to me" in the poem, which he entitled "My Beautiful Mother."

Because I miss my youngest son at this our family's favorite season, I read that poem again today, after hearing the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" playing on the radio and I thought of how I would give anything, if Kevin could be "home for Christmas."

For a few minutes, I reflected on our many Christmases together as a family and I found myself taking down the poem where it hangs on the wall to read it again, focusing on the part where he writes . . . "I'm sorry for those who can't remember Christmases spent with you in the month of December. I still look back at what I miss, so many things you healed with just a kiss. I close my eyes desperately to relive the past, only to find out that it can't last . . . "

The part "I close my eyes desperately to relive the past, only to find out that it can't last" suddenly expressed my feelings exactly, but at the very same time another thought came to me that Kevin is now at home WITH Christmas - with Christ Himself, and my sorrow and sadness was replaced with a profound sense of peace.

Though our family will spend another Christmas without Kevin and he will be missed as he has been these past 15 Christmases since he headed off to Heaven, we once again hold onto the promise of John 3:16 that who ever believes that Jesus is the "way, the truth and the life" will spend Eternity with HIm; our entire family believes that promise and Kevin believed it, too, so surely he is at HOME WITH CHRISTMAS, and we're one Christmas closer to being there, too!

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
www.amotherlikeme.info
amotherlikeme@gmail.com

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"Happy Birthday?" YES!

12/1/2016

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When I consider that our son, Kevin's, 43rd birthday would have been this December 8th, it causes me to consider how one celebrates an event without the "guest of honor?"

How do we celebrate special days without our loved one that we are missing so much? What is the significance of a birth date without the one who was born here with us?

For me, a mom who lives everyday of my life without our youngest son, all I can think about is that I know with every fiber of my being that Kevin is very happy as a citizen of Heaven and that somehow I must muster up gratitude for this truth, as promised in God's Word.

The reality that he is enjoying unending joy and peace is what I celebrate now, as well as remembering him as a baby, a child and a young man . . . thankful for all the years that he graced this earth and our family with his presence.

When I try to imagine our 28 year old son turning 43 years old, I can't help but wonder what he would have looked like, how many children he would have by now, what career path he would be on, and I also imagine him living with the cardio-myopathy (enlarged heart) that suddenly caused his untimely death. From what the doctors said, he would have probably suffered from heart problems the rest of his life, and may have even had to have a heart transplant one day, completely changing his life. In my motherly selfishness, I might have once said, "That's OK, we'll take care of you!" But, I also know that would have been miserable for Kevin, and I would not have wanted him to suffer so that I wouldn't have to live without him. At 28 years old the length of his days here on Earth came to an end - an appointed time by God. He was not meant to celebrate anymore birthdays here with us.

As we approach December 8th, I know that I will reminisce about birthdays past concerning our son. We have always made a big deal of birthdays, because we see that day as the day that God blessed our family with our loved ones. Those days are priceless. I'll pull out pictures of "birthdays past" smile, laugh and shed tears of joy and sorrow intemingled with that gratitude I speak of so often for "had Kevin never been born, that would have been the real tragedy."

I miss my son, and oh how I would like to throw him a 43rd Birthday Party, but I also rejoice in the knowledge that he has gone on before us and that he is HAPPY as a citizen of Heaven!!! So, "Happy Day You Were Born," my son - we will always remember and celebrate YOU!

With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info

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Christmas Is "Extravagant Love!"

At Home WITH Christmas!

"Happy Birthday?" YES!

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