New Traditions

A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

“Why don’t you guys just stay over?” my sister said as we were making our Christmas plans. “You know the kids would love a sleepover anyway.”

I nodded. “Let me talk to Kyle, but that sounds fun.” As I told him about our idea, he readily agreed.

A few days later, we packed our vehicle with food, games, and presents, along with our overnight bags, and made our way to my sister’s house. We spent several hours preparing dinner, watching movies, and playing games. As the evening wound down and all the other family members left, Kyle and I, along with my sister and her husband, put our swimsuits on and quickly headed outside to their hot tub while the kids watched a movie. We spent the next hour alternating between jokes and laughter and dreams and goals for the coming year.

As we settled into the guest room a little while later, I whispered to Kyle, “I think we’ve started a new tradition.” He agreed as we both drifted off to sleep.

The next day I thought about not only how much fun we’d had this year but also the hard Christmas we had walked through years earlier when our oldest sister passed away from cancer. The grief seemed, at times, to overwhelm us. I was encouraged that we could once again come together, laugh, and make new memories, even while remembering and missing our sister.

New traditions can offer us hope when we are hurting, reminding us that although we may cry and grieve for a season, there will also come a time for us to laugh and even dance again. I’m grateful that God gives us space to do both, sometimes simultaneously. No matter where you find yourself today, his promise is one of hope and joy. Don’t be afraid to incorporate a new tradition into your holiday; God may just use it to bring a new season to you and your family that you haven’t experienced before.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

What new tradition can you incorporate this Christmas season, especially one that could bring renewed hope and joy to your family?