December 11 – “Worth the Waiting”

Today was Christmas present opening day for the Vaughan Family in Mansfield.  It started great and actually got better.  We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel, courtesy of one of the sweet senior adults in Josh's church.  She treated us back when we evacuated and insisted on the "privilege" again when she found out we were back.  That's some good breakfast.  I recommend the cinnamon biscuits.    After breakfast we stopped by the mall to see Santa and ride the carrousel.  Christi finished up some Christmas shopping.  Nathan and April picked up something for Josh for graduation.  Pleasant enough for a trip to the mall.  And it killed some time while we waited to open presents.   We also stopped by the church.  They have been collecting "stuff" for us.  I wonder how much will fit in the Explorer on the trip home?  Josh said we could leave some there or at his house.  Good thing.  There was a lot.  Baby clothes.  Towels.  Sheets.  Some kind of new fangled play pen.  Wow.  Kind of like opening Christmas presents.  But not exactly.  That will come later.  Wait.   All the while we were waiting for Kel and Christina and Jachin and Micah to arrive.  Their arrival would signal the start of opening presents.  We killed some more time this afternoon by watching a movie.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Great book.  Pretty good movie.  Long movie.  What time is it now?   They finally arrived around 7:30.  Hugs all around.  Kids snooping at the packages.  Actually, Uncle Nathan had been teaching Zak how to snoop all day.  But finally, the time had come.  Everybody gathered in the same room.  Christina directed traffic around the tree.  Jachin wore the Santa hat and delivered gifts.  We opened them one at a time so everyone could see what we got and say proper thank-yous.  I got the Prince Caspian movie.  Also some black slacks (that would be Chris helping me dress properly).  I was pretty excited about the new slippers as well.   And speaking of slippers.  Josh got a new pair as a graduation gift.  That was pretty significant.  See, he used to have a pair, but could only find one.  So he would wear that one slipper.  Then when the other foot got cold, he would switch it out for awhile on that foot.  We teased him about it last night, so he disappeared into their bedroom and came out wearing his slipper – and one of Christi's.   I guess it works for him.  Seems to have worked for his son, too.  Last night Zak came through wearing – you guessed it – one of Christi's slippers.   Tonight was well worth the waiting.  Not because of the presents themselves.  We'll forget about those in time.  But it will be a long time before we forget our Christmas together in Mansfield.  Well worth the waiting, indeed.      Isa 40:30-31 says, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."   Father, sometimes waiting is not any fun.  Thanks for reminding me that it's worth the waiting.  Amen.