INSPIRASUNS

I’ve mentioned before in this little blog that our family has some pretty set traditions when it comes to the weeks leading up do Christmas. Well, we have some pretty set traditions on Christmas day too, but that’s for later. I’ve also mentioned that due to schedules this year, our typical traditional activities moved up a week. So, while we would typically be setting up the tree and decorating this weekend, we are taking the weekend to do our Christmas shopping instead.

Our youngest reminded us a few days ago as we chatted on the phone that, “Um, you realize you are a week ahead of schedule right?”. I love our traditions and the memories we have of years past. Cutting down our own Christmas trees, then the Christmas shopping in Chicago, they are some of the most precious family memories we have.

Last night as my husband and I made the two-hour trek over to the East side of Florida to shop, I was feeling pretty melancholy. I was missing the kids and grandkids and wishing we were together to do shopping this year. Then of course I was white knuckling things the rest of the time dodging the crazy drivers on Alligator Alley. Sorry I digress, that too is a topic for another day!

We arrived and checked into the hotel then headed to get a bite to eat. As we made our way to the restaurant we were glancing at the shops and things along the route. I mentioned that I had found several diners via google that we could try for breakfast. We love to find the little local diners when we travel. They have the best service and food and you really learn a lot about where you are when you visit these places. Right as I mentioned that my husband declared, “Original House of Pancakes”. No way I said, they have an Original here?! You see, Original House of Pancakes is a franchise however not a huge chain like other national breakfast places. We had one in our hometown and it was one of our favorites breakfast places to go to on Sunday’s after church. We have such fond memories of going there with friends. Well, that did it, breakfast for this morning is all set 🙂 .

What I felt though after that discussion and even voiced it out loud. “Well, there ya go, Father telling us it’s ok this is where you’re supposed to be this weekend”. Ok, maybe that was a stretch, but it’s ok to think this I believe. God knew how I was feeling, and just that simple realization of a restaurant to remind of us of home, well, that’s what I needed.

Sometimes Father gives us the signs or reminders we need to just simply say it’s ok. And…I don’t believe they have to be huge revelations, sometimes it’s just as simple as a little restaurant place. So today friends, I hope you see the little ways that Father is letting you know that it’s ok.

Have a great day my friends, I’m off to enjoy Original and their, wait for it, no not their pancakes, they actually have the best Belgian waffles on the planet 🙂 . Then, let the traditional Christmas shopping weekend begin 🙂 .

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.