So, one big thing that I haven’t talked about on the blog in a long time now is the very real and exciting reality that Holly, Will, Sam and I expect to welcome little Jack Spitzer Roberts into the world, maybe by the end of this month.
Even though we’ve lived pretty far from both sides of our family since 1998, we’ve never lacked for love and support from the people who surround us in our day-to-day lives.
Church is amazing that way. The folks at Caney Head-Roopville-Welcome, Wesley, and now Shepherd of the Hills have showered and showered us with the stuff of raising babies, each and every time that the opportunity has come around. We are eternally grateful for the adopted brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, moms, dads and (especially) grandparents who have been the day-to-day stand ins for the real ones who live a little more than just around the corner from us.
One thing we know about having and raising babies. We couldn’t do it without you. Well, maybe we could…but it wouldn’t be nearly as easy…or fun, and we wouldn’t do it nearly as well.
A couple of weeks ago, Holly and I ran across a catalog of baby-raising accessories. It’s pretty amazing to see what’s out there.
Did you know that for just $20, your baby will never have to suffer the indignity and discomfort of a cold baby wipe?
That’s right, there are really baby wipe warmers. Yes, I did check to make sure nobody gave us one of those before writing this piece.
Having a baby in the U.S. in 2006 requires more technical gear than you’d need for a month of backpacking across Alaska.
As first-time parents, Holly and I were pretty susceptible to the baby-panic-oh-my-lordy-what-if-we-didn’t-think-of-everything-and-scar-our-child-for-life syndrome that the baby-gear industry seeks to induce.
Then I took some trips to Honduras and saw a different culture of baby and child-rearing. Like the 8 day old baby girl I saw wrapped in an old blanket and laid on a bench, outdoors where the chickens were scratching. There were no safety straps. There was no decorative-padding pattern. Did I mention there were chickens?
I don’t tell that story as an example of a practice we necessarily plan to adopt at the Roberts house. I do tell it as a point of reference and perspective. Mostly, to raise a baby, you need energy, faith, strerngth, stamina and support --- more than stuff. The church has always given us those things in ample supply, as well, and that’s a beautiful gift.
Right now, we’re headlong into the time of year when the non-essentials really have the power to outweigh the really necessary things that matter. There are lots of choices to make ---- and many decisions are waiting. I’m working hard this year to become more conscious of those fork-in-the-road moments each day.
An example: Christmas lights.
For years, I have been a Christmas lighting fiend. Not that I’ve ever achieved any spectacular, Clark Griswold-like results, but it’s not been for lack of planning.
For every home in which we’ve lived, I’ve developed master plans, thought through the possibilities and purchased all the necessary cords, bulbs, plugs, hooks and strands.
We shouldn’t even talk about The Tree. Every year since our marriage in 9 years ago, Holly has dreaded Tree Day. You see, I’m a recovering light-wrapper.
Don’t know about wrapping a tree? Don’t start.
This year, I actually just sort of…well…. “shoved” the lights into the tree. When finished, I wasn’t angry or frustrated, and my lower back wasn’t throbbing. I was finished in time to watch football.
Guess what?
The tree looked great. My little boys lay beneath it, staring up at the mass of twinkling lights, making Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.
I put lights up in our yard, and the entire process didn’t take more than a half hour. The “WWWOOOOWWWW!” that came from my 3 year old when we lit them up that night was infinitely worth the time and energy.
I’m working hard to become a “satisficer,” not a “maximizer.” This is not my nature.
Maximizers buy baby wipe warmers. More than that, they probably read back-issues of Consumer Reports to make sure that they buy only the baby wipe warmer with the ultimate features at the best price.
Maximizers do not have the most fun.
Satisficers do.
According to Barry Schwartz, “satisficers” enjoy life, simply because they have the ability to utter, and mean, a simple, magical phrase: “That’s Good Enough.”
Happy is he or she who can say, “Good Enough.”
Immediately, I feel the impulse to defend the pursuit of excellence. Immediately, I feel the need to defend myself, and assure you readers that I will never set low standards for ministry…or anything else for that matter.
I told you, I’m recovering. It will be quite a process.
What about you?
What about Jesus: maximizer or sufficer?
On the one hand, he did say, “be perfect, therefore, even as the Father is perfect,” but he also said, “do not worry.”
So, which is it?
Hard to believe, I know, but I really think there is a middle way. Excellence is a good thing. The question is, to what end? Why am I maximizing? Do I want people to think well of me? Do I have fear that I won’t control an outcome? Am I afraid that someone else will get ahead? Do I really care first, and only, about the glory a situation, choice or decision can bring glory to God?
Tough questions. Is there a way I can take God seriously, but not myself? I think it’s possible. I need to hear that message at this time of year, because there’s a lot of “gear” out there. There’s not nearly as much love.
What if the goal of our Christmas celebration this year could be pretty simple? What if it could be about The Message, not just The Tree? I’m thinking that there really is a way to make Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope our priorities this year.
Is “stuff” blocking the path to those priorities? Time to say “Good Enough,” and let it go.
I think The Book says, “Neither Christmas lights, nor cards, nor schedules, nor pressure, nor advertising, nor traffic, nor baby wipe warmers shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” Something close to that, anyway.
May this be your most joyful, most fun Christmas ever.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
A “Christmas Letter” currently making the rounds on the internet, author unknown:
10 Ways to celebrate Christ's Birthday A letter from God to His children:
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short.
I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.
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