Just Planting Daisies

The leader asked for praises in kids church this morning…

The smallest boy raised his hand “My elf came!” He said proudly.

The other children piped up “My elf came too” , “Mine too” said another. 

“Raise your hand if your elf has come”  Said the leader. Little hands raised high about the room and waved with excitement, but the one little girl in pink sat quietly with her hand not raised… 

After all the elf commotion calmed, she quietly raised her hand and waited to be called on. I stood in the back of the room holding my breath.

My “SHEPHERD” hasn’t came yet because he got stuck somewhere” she said happily as if she had “faith” that he was coming, he was just running late! 

Shew! I was relieved that I hadn’t let my youngest daughter down and I was so proud of her. She didn’t skip a beat, when saying ” My SHEPHERD” not ” My Elf”

Back several years ago, When my girls were at that age and all the Elves on the Shelves were coming to visit their respective families, I struggled whether or not I was going to embrace that tradition or steer clear of it.

I wrestled with the thought of this “ELF” coming into our home causing mischief and chaos. As if I needed another small person in the house causing mischief and chaos. I was quite sure we had enough of that without creating more! It just didn’t make any sense to me. I couldn’t get on board with another fictional character taking up time around the Christmas season that should be spent focusing on the Birth of Jesus. I was convinced we didn’t need an elf! 

But as mothers often are, I was riddled by guilt, because my children were seeing other children who were talking about the things their elves were doing and they felt left out of the fun. 

If you have an elf on the shelf, I am not judging you. I am with you. With love from one momma to another. We are all just out here doing our best to make Christmas memories with our kidos. Keep on keeping on ❤️

Now, I have never been one to follow a trend, I am always the one who goes against the grain! Just ask my Dad.

But a “SHEPHERD ON THE SHELF” that guided you toward Jesus!!! YES, that was a tradition I could get behind and well my kids have loved it! They ask every year. “When is our Shepherd coming?”

So, like my little girl in pink said so proudly, and with much faith, in kids church this morning, Our SHEPHERD hasn’t come yet because he is “stuck” somewhere. But knowing she is anxiously awaiting for his return warm’s my heart!

Is the Shepherd really “stuck” …No, but honestly life happens, and well the Shepherd often gets lost in the shuffle, just like Jesus gets lost in the shuffle of light’s, parade’s, shopping, and gifts!

Fitting, the whole lesson that I and the other leader taught in kids church this morning was centered around God’s blessings. God’s blessings do not come in a pretty wrapped gift under a tree at Christmas. Those gifts only bring temporary happiness. But trusting in Jesus as our savior, brings eternal happiness in Heaven.

So, I guess it is time for our Shepherd to make his way back to our home, so that he can help us get back to the true meaning of Christmas.

See his debut in the picture ⬇️ 

Do you want to create that lasting tradition in your home, that points to Jesus during the Christmas season? You can find the Shepherd’s Search here https://amzn.to/4iK6P5U