And you want to grow up

My family can no longer be considered middle class.



I remember my dad saying years ago: Everybody's got their problems. If it's not money, it's something else. Death, illness, prodigal children.



It's hard watching my parents. I've heard finances is the number one cause of divorce. Although they are committed to their marriage, it is always strained with the rise and fall of the economy. It's hard seeing their faces as they explain the situation to us year after year. "With our income down, we can't really afford to buy many gifts for Christmas this year..." It's always the same. We never care! We love the traditions, the family time, the games, the tree. Nobody cares what we get or don't get for the holidays.



Yet, I realized something coming home for Christmas this year: We have a LOT.

We have a whole heck of a lot! We may not be able to buy things much anymore, and we may be struggling with having to live in a cold, dark house in the wintertime, but overall we have an amazing home. My mother does such a fine job of decorating for each holiday, making it cozy. We have a nice TV, even if it isn't huge and modern. We have a computer, allbeit soon obsolete. We have way more than enough. And I realized, if we really do get terribly desparate, there is a lot we can give away and still have plenty. We'll be just fine.



I've also realized this Christmas that we are surrounded by people who love and help. We were given money to make ends meet in the last month of the year by a loving Grandparent. And when my dad was laid off from IBM when I was in eighth grade, now years ago, our church walked along side us, raising some support for us until we figured out another plan.



Even if we had nothing, people would not let us live on the streets. We will be cared for. And year after year, somehow, God provides for our ends to be met.