Dear Christmas Card List,
First of all, it’s not you– it’s me.
For seven years straight, I have painstakingly selected the best possible photo of the closest likeness of our little family. From the first year when we send a card announcing Mr. & Mrs. Stuckey in their wedding attire, to the year that I was several months pregnant, terribly nauseated and trying to hide my little secret behind a long cardigan, to the next December when 6 month-old Lucy was teething and drooling everywhere and we all cuddled up on a blanket on the lawn of Binkley Chapel and grinned so hard our cheeks hurt. I simply love the process of sending and receiving Christmas cards.
This year we had photos taken by a sweet and uber talented friend. I did the same agonizing in front of my computer screen to pick the best photo of our family, found the perfect card online, calculated how many we usually send… and something in my heart stopped me. It would be how much????
Of course there were coupons and discounts galore, but no matter what I did, the amount stuck out to me in a huge way.
Why? Because Lance and I had just discussed how much it would cost to buy livestock through a Christian World Relief Organization for a family in extreme poverty. And the amounts were exactly the same.
And I couldn’t do it. Something in my spirit alarmed at choosing one over the other– and even if we might not HAVE to choose one or the other, I’m not taking the chance.
I will be honest and say that Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without sending a family Christmas card.
That’s why this year’s decision hurts a little.
But that’s sacrifice. And can I be honest? I am a white, middle class, happily married mom of two– and I don’t feel like I get the opportunity to REALLY sacrifice enough. To give when it hurts. When it hurts something I personally “want” and to give anyway.
And this is one ridiculously small way I can give when it hurts. I need more sacrifice in my life. And it’s almost laughable, that this is my over-privileged choice of sacrifice– but for me, It’s a start.
And before there is any confusion at all, please hear me, This is OUR choice. You, my amazing readers know, that I would never announce a personal conviction and expect you to take it as your own. Next year, we might just send a Christmas card again– it may be something else we give up. And if you always send one to us, please don’t stop– they make us SO HAPPY!!!! And we will be filled with all the warm fuzzies to open our mailbox and see you inside. <3
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If you are interested in joining us in helping a family in extreme poverty, here are a few options:
Linking up (for the first time in forever…) with my Five Minute Friday crew— I’ve missed you all!
Absolutely Beautiful. I applaud your honestly to open up your heart and share your sacrifice in a real and relevant way. I am so glad that I stopped by. It’s funny, but today I am going to purchase Christmas cards. And for me, this new season of restoration and renewal is such a blessing. I have been a long journey with God as He has manifested my calling. In the process the financial suffering and sacrifices have been great. So today I am blessed to buy and send out Christmas cards. All for His Glory!
Oh, Joan I love that. How even something seemingly meaningless like being ABLE to send Christmas cards can be such a testament to God’s faithfulness and provision. I know just what you mean, friend. Send those cards with JOY! I’m glad you stopped by too!
Absolutely Beautiful. I applaud your honestly to open up your heart and share your sacrifice in a real and relevant way. I am so glad that I stopped by. It’s funny, but today I am going to purchase Christmas cards. And for me, this new season of restoration and renewal is such a blessing. I have been a long journey with God as He has manifested my calling. In the process the financial suffering and sacrifices have been great. So today I am blessed to buy and send out Christmas cards. All for His Glory!
Oh, Joan I love that. How even something seemingly meaningless like being ABLE to send Christmas cards can be such a testament to God’s faithfulness and provision. I know just what you mean, friend. Send those cards with JOY! I’m glad you stopped by too!
This is awesome, Cindy. I think this is absolutely what it means to love others as ourselves. Too often I give out of what’s left, out of the crumbs.
YES. Ronnica. So true. Hope you have a Happy Birthday this month. 🙂 Merry Christmas, old roomie. <3
This is awesome, Cindy. I think this is absolutely what it means to love others as ourselves. Too often I give out of what’s left, out of the crumbs.
YES. Ronnica. So true. Hope you have a Happy Birthday this month. 🙂 Merry Christmas, old roomie. <3
I love your honesty about how it feels a little strange not to send cards, to break your traditions but your family is doing it anyway. As much as I love that I love you very last paragraph. I think so often we read or see what someone else is doing and we feel we need to follow ago. We think we have to jump on the band wagon but we never stop to ask God what He would have us to do. He calls us all to give/serve in different ways at different times. Thank you for sharing your heart without guilt.
Hey Amy! I wish I could say I shared this without a million second thoughts. I’m always so concerned with making this space one where someone will feel welcome, that I often worry to much if my sharing my own experiences make others feel less than.
But it’s true, I’m trying to recondition myself to always check with God before I assign myself something to DO or NOT to do. <3 Merry Christmas Friend!
I love your honesty about how it feels a little strange not to send cards, to break your traditions but your family is doing it anyway. As much as I love that I love you very last paragraph. I think so often we read or see what someone else is doing and we feel we need to follow ago. We think we have to jump on the band wagon but we never stop to ask God what He would have us to do. He calls us all to give/serve in different ways at different times. Thank you for sharing your heart without guilt.
Hey Amy! I wish I could say I shared this without a million second thoughts. I’m always so concerned with making this space one where someone will feel welcome, that I often worry to much if my sharing my own experiences make others feel less than.
But it’s true, I’m trying to recondition myself to always check with God before I assign myself something to DO or NOT to do. <3 Merry Christmas Friend!
I love this! I don’t think many of us know what true sacrifice really is, myself included. We have so much! God bless your decision!
Love this! My husband and I never send Christmas cards but I love the small sacrifice you’re making. We sacrificed our entire Christmas one year to buy and deliver presents for homeless teens. But instead of just dropping them off, we stayed to watch them open their gifts and shared a meal with them. It was heart-wrenching. Since then, we try and sacrifice something every year. Because you’re right, there’s not near enough sacrifice in my life.
Love this! My husband and I never send Christmas cards but I love the small sacrifice you’re making. We sacrificed our entire Christmas one year to buy and deliver presents for homeless teens. But instead of just dropping them off, we stayed to watch them open their gifts and shared a meal with them. It was heart-wrenching. Since then, we try and sacrifice something every year. Because you’re right, there’s not near enough sacrifice in my life.
I like the way you explain this, “But that’s sacrifice. And can I be honest? I am a white, middle class, happily married mom of two– and I don’t feel like I get the opportunity to REALLY sacrifice enough. To give when it hurts. When it hurts something I personally “want” and to give anyway.” How many of us really sacrifice ENOUGH? Like you, I call it sacrifice but then I get what I want anyway – what’s wrong with that picture?
I am so sorry for your miscarriage. Love sent your way. xo
I like the way you explain this, “But that’s sacrifice. And can I be honest? I am a white, middle class, happily married mom of two– and I don’t feel like I get the opportunity to REALLY sacrifice enough. To give when it hurts. When it hurts something I personally “want” and to give anyway.” How many of us really sacrifice ENOUGH? Like you, I call it sacrifice but then I get what I want anyway – what’s wrong with that picture?
I am so sorry for your miscarriage. Love sent your way. xo
Oh I love this, friend! We did this last year… and it I thought it was going to be hard – but what it really was was a bit of a relief! This year, I am back to making some cards by hand – but it’s because I want to, not because it’s something we always do. Plus – we have cut back in other areas to be able to give more. (I am even contemplating not writing a Christmas letter this year! Gasp! – with all the Social Media options – plus my blog, I figure anyone who wants to know what we’ve been up to, already knows!) Stay strong, sister! The gift you are giving matters – in more ways than one!
Oh I love this, friend! We did this last year… and it I thought it was going to be hard – but what it really was was a bit of a relief! This year, I am back to making some cards by hand – but it’s because I want to, not because it’s something we always do. Plus – we have cut back in other areas to be able to give more. (I am even contemplating not writing a Christmas letter this year! Gasp! – with all the Social Media options – plus my blog, I figure anyone who wants to know what we’ve been up to, already knows!) Stay strong, sister! The gift you are giving matters – in more ways than one!
This is incredibly inspiring, Cynthia. I totally commend your decision. Just yesterday we received our large box of Christmas cards to mail out and I have to say that my heart dropped a little upon opening the box. Those cards sat in my “shopping cart” for days until I finally pushed the purchase button to send them on their way to our house. I had a lot of trouble this year, but I did it anyway. And now that I see the cards, not only do I not care for them, but I’m left with the wonder of what that $135 ridiculous dollars could’ve gone toward that actually mattered.
Please understand that your post did not convict me. That feeling was already there. But perhaps it just goes to show that when we feel that conviction we need to act on it and not feel pressured by the need to fit in.
I truly loved this post. Wonderful words!
This is incredibly inspiring, Cynthia. I totally commend your decision. Just yesterday we received our large box of Christmas cards to mail out and I have to say that my heart dropped a little upon opening the box. Those cards sat in my “shopping cart” for days until I finally pushed the purchase button to send them on their way to our house. I had a lot of trouble this year, but I did it anyway. And now that I see the cards, not only do I not care for them, but I’m left with the wonder of what that $135 ridiculous dollars could’ve gone toward that actually mattered.
Please understand that your post did not convict me. That feeling was already there. But perhaps it just goes to show that when we feel that conviction we need to act on it and not feel pressured by the need to fit in.
I truly loved this post. Wonderful words!
This is beautiful! Thank you for being so open and honest. Another Gift Catalog that I’ve given from several years is Gospel for Asia’s catalog. I love their ministry, and the ways that you can give through them.
This is beautiful! Thank you for being so open and honest. Another Gift Catalog that I’ve given from several years is Gospel for Asia’s catalog. I love their ministry, and the ways that you can give through them.
So much good here! I mean, all of it – so good. Good that you are honest. Good that you are sharing. Good that you are challenging us all – without even a hint of judgement. I was so touched by your words. And they made me smile too. Blessings to you this Christmas season!
So much good here! I mean, all of it – so good. Good that you are honest. Good that you are sharing. Good that you are challenging us all – without even a hint of judgement. I was so touched by your words. And they made me smile too. Blessings to you this Christmas season!