He Calls Me MeeMa!

This week I heard the best new word coming from the sweetest little voice!  This year was Destination Christmas for our whole family and we spent it on the beach in Florida.  A week with our whole family is a rare occasion but spending it with our grandson is DOUBLE the joy and fun. The day after Christmas we were all together when I heard him call me "MeeMa!" for the first time. My heart just melted and jumped for joy and it really made my day! Actually, it has made my whole week, Christmas, and all!

I have had many names in my lifetime.  I am a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mommy, Mom, mother, mother-in-heart, granddaughter, cousin, niece, etc. just to name a few.  I've wondered for years what our grandchild would call me (he calls Steve, "Papaw").  Just to hear his sweet little boy voice call me "Meema! Meema! - over and over again is music to my ears and totally priceless!  I just wanted that moment to stop in time for just a little longer....it was the best Christmas present ever!

As I wrote in my journal this week, I reflected on Psalm 139 where God knew our names long before we were conceived or born.  He knew a long time ago what Jackson would call me.....

"You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit.

How I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day..."

(from The Message)

I really didn't want to be called a traditional name like "Grandma" or anything like that but I love "Meema!"  It would probably change over time to something like "MeeMaw" as he gets older but this is perfect!  We've enjoyed our time together playing with his new toys, going for walks, eating together, shopping, etc.  He doesn't sit still for long!

Soon it will be a brand new year with new sounds, opportunities, and changes....

Happy New Year to you.  And may 2010 be the best yet!

What Will You Give Him?

This is one of my favorite Christmas items that I get out every year when we start decorating our home for the holidays.  It was given to me by my very good friend, Claire, who passed away several years ago to ovarian cancer.  She knew how much I loved the Little Drummer Boy at Christmas time and found this for me.  I haven't seen anything like it since.

I know I have not been actively writing in this blog for the past year and hope to resume some regular posting after the first of the year.  This year has been an extremely busy one and has gone by so fast. But, I'm still hearing beautifully with my cochlear implants and am so grateful that I can hear, especially at this time of the year with Christmas music, messages, and the love, laughter, & joy of friends and family.  I just talked to my Dad on the phone just before writing this!

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My favorite theme and song surrounding Christmas is "The Little Drummer Boy." This song takes me to the manger where Jesus laid and I am at a loss to explain why, exactly, this song stirs my feelings so much. The fact is, this song, like no other of the season, fills me with quiet hope and joy. Maybe it’s because it lets me view God and Jesus with the same sense of wonderment as the little drummer boy, himself. He didn’t have anything to give but his music, and he gave that willingly and without hesitation.

Those who know me know that I collect ANYTHING that has to do with a little boy who plays his drum. Our Christmas tree is decorated with drums and drummer boy ornaments. I have various displays such as music boxes, plates, knick knacks, pillow, and even a flag with the little drummer boy. Why do I treasure this symbol? I have pondered and asked myself that question many times. Even though the Bible doesn’t say anything about a drummer boy playing for Jesus, the song has been special to me because of the beautiful message that in it. . .

Come, they told me, pa rum pa pum pum. . .
Our newborn king to see, pa rum pa pum pum. . .
Our finest gifts we’ll bring, pa rum pa pum pum. . .
To lay before the king, pa rum pa pum pum. . .and so the tune goes. . .

Do you know the song? Do you know the story? Do you know the message?

The message is about a little boy who thinks he has nothing to give to the Savior. He apologizes in the song by saying, “I am a poor boy, too, pa rum pa pum pum. . .I have no gift to bring, pa rum pa pum pum. . .that’s fit to give a King, pa rum pa pum pum. . .

I read an American Indian quote the other day that touched my heart and it goes like this: “The drum must be the Great One’s favorite instrument because He gave all of us a heartbeat.” Isn’t that beautiful? You know what? It wouldn’t surprise me if the drum was Jesus’ favorite instrument because the little drummer boy gave his heart and soul when he played his drum. When he played the drum, the music that beat inside him brought a smile to the face of the baby in the manger. The little drummer boy in his own way was showing us what we should all do ourselves. We should share the beat and rhythm of what is inside of us. For God wants our hearts and the things that make our hearts beat. I truly believe that what is inside of us is the most sacred and holy gift of all.

So, my question to you is, what will you give when you come to Jesus at the manger? What will you bring when the time comes? Will it be the things you have? Your money? Stuff you have accumulated over the years? I have said this before and will say it again . . . the best gift you can give to anyone is yourself. Don’t wait. Because if you do, you will deny yourself and others the blessings the God has for us. Whatever is in your heart should be shared with those you love. We all have a heartbeat and a rhythm. When we share what is deep within our hearts, then our light will shine before others. Our “drumming” will be spread throughout the world, just like it did when the Little Drummer boy played for his Savior.

So, as you treasure and ponder at Christmas time, think about what you will bring to Jesus? It is time for you to give your heart and play your best for Him. Then, he will smile at you, too!
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The above post was originally written December 27, 2006 but I wanted to share it with you again.  I love the Little Drummer Boy, his trusting faith, and his willingness to give what he had....his love.  These last few weeks I've heard several different variations on the song "The Little Drummer Boy" and am reminded over and over of His gift to Jesus.  What will you give Him this Christmas?

Merry Christmas to you, my faithful readers!  See you next year!