Overseas especially, but anywhere we are, holidays are the hardest time to not dwell on what we don’t have and can’t do. Readjusting my expectations while still finding something I can look forward to is the challenge. Our first Christmas in Indonesia a group of us at language school rented a beach house. One of the guys kept saying, “I can’t believe we are (eating shrimp, swimming, watching the sunset, etc) on the coast of Java” whenever homesickness threatened. He reminded us to look at what we did have and not dwell on what we were missing. On the mission field, holidays were the hardest days, but even in this Christ can identify with us. I’m sure Israel’s attempts to celebrate religious holidays were nothing compared to celebrations in Heaven! The challenge no matter where we live is helping your family feel like they are part of your world while having your own traditions.

Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.