A Christmas Memory

Like most seminarian's 20 years ago we had no disposable income. That's part of the refining and shaping experience of seminary (living by faith and not by sight, learning to trust God for everything, etc.,), but that's another blog. At the time we had a young son, multiple jobs, used public transportation to cut costs and carried a full load of classes. Pizza on a Friday night with a video rental was a major deal!

Before seminary we had a house and careers in the suburbs. Upon moving to Louisville we decided to keep our equity going so we bought a smaller house in the heart of the city. It was very different from the suburbs. The house was very old, drafty and the neighborhood was, well it was rough compared to the burbs. We still laugh at the two brothers in the brownstone across the street who caught their 3rd floor apartment on fire by drying out their marijuana. "Toto we're not in Kansas anymore."

Even though it was much less, the pressure of a mortgage was still incredibly challenging on a seminary budget. However, we were grateful for God's provision. But no matter how hard we tried there just wasn't a lot of money. We would've never made it without the support of both of our parents. Their prayers, financial, physical, and emotional support was priceless.

Shortly before that first Christmas we met my in-laws at the outlets to do some Christmas shopping. Teri had made many sacrifices to prepare for our seminary days and I wanted to give her something special for Christmas, but we had no money. I remember going into a Christmas store that specialized in hand-made figurines, paintings, sculptures and nativities. I spotted a beautiful sculpture of Joseph and Mary. She was riding a donkey and holding heaven's infant, God incarnate. It was so simple, but so profound. I had to get it for Teri, but I only had about $5 in my pocket and we hadn't even met for lunch at the food court!

I made the decision to violate our family covenant not to use charge cards! I had to have that figurine for my wife. As they gently wrapped it, I signed the charge receipt (scanners weren't even around back then) knowing full well I did not have the funds to pay for it. It violated all common sense, but I couldn't imagine a Christmas with nothing to give her. You should've seen her face when she opened it. It was like a diamond, or fine jewelry. She was holding the infant babe that represented the center of our lives and family. Imagine my surprise a few weeks before Christmas when the church where I served as youth pastor gave me a $50 for Christmas, the exact amount of the figurine!

For over 20 years that figurine has been prominently displayed in our home 365 days a year! For us, it is more than a Christmas decoration. It reminds us what life is really about. At Christmas we put it in a different place, or feature it with greenery, etc. It is a constant reminder of God's provision on that first seminary Christmas and His constant faithfulness in the years since. And some of those have been tough years, but He has remained faithful. It reminds us that Christmas is about giving and that God gave first.

BTW we still don't use our charge cards without agreement and having the funds in the bank to be able to cover it.