Christmas Cards and a Life of Purpose

Call me old fashioned, but I absolutely love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I think my fascination for them goes all the way back to childhood, before we had tiny computers in our pockets, and way before social media existed, documenting our every move. When we received a Christmas card in the mail with someone’s photo on it, it was truly a cool thing because we may not have seen those people in long time, or since last year’s card! Watching old friends from far away “grow up” every year was something I looked forward to, and my parents were always so kind as to let me rip open the envelopes for myself. I would say things like “mom, dad! You won’t believe how big the baby is now!” or “did you know that your old friend moved to another state?!” It was like opening up a blind bag as kids call them these days, not knowing what I would encounter on the inside, but excited to find out.

After I read each card and showed them to my family, we always had a special place for them, on the piano which sat in between the living room and the kitchen of my childhood home. We would prop them up in a line where the music books would go, and many years they would overflow and cover each other up so that we had to start stacking them on the piano itself. I loved walking by from the living room to the kitchen a dozen times a day to see all the faces of people we cherished. Our cup was overflowing, just like our old piano full of cards.

But unfortunately, sometimes there were sad things written on the inside. What happens when a card changes in a year due to something unfortunate like a move someone didn’t want to make, a job loss, or a lost loved one who isn’t in this year’s photo? Their card may never be the same, seeming empty, sad, or with a loss of hope. They may not even send a card, and Christmas may be a very hard time for them.

I was reminded of how quickly life can change yesterday, as I was seemingly surrounded by death. First of all, a sweet local family that I don’t know personally (but have been following their page and we have many mutual friends) suffered a great loss. Megan, who has been battling a rare form of cancer for several years, went home to be with Jesus. She leaves behind a husband and little girl, and I cannot imagine what they are going through, especially one week before Christmas. While I know she is no longer in any pain, and wow, I’m sure she is enjoying Heaven and I just know it is absolutely breathtaking at Christmas time, I also know her family is hurting and next week will be very, very hard. I had been praying that she would be able to hang on and make it through Christmas, but for reasons we may never know, that wasn’t part of God’s plan.

Yesterday as her husband posted the news on their Facebook page, it was accompanied by a photo of what I assume to be this year’s Christmas card. I am guessing it has already gone out to family and friends and sits on the mantle, counter, or piano of many folks, near and far. It’s a beautiful photo, Megan looks so happy and strong, and on the front it says “so very blessed”. However, I couldn’t help but think about how their reality has already changed from that card with fresh ink still on it, and how next year their card, their Christmas, their everything will look so very different.

As if I hadn’t cried enough, I then watched one of my favorite TV shows, Counting On. (I love that family!) In this episode, we said goodbye to grandma Duggar, Jim Bob’s mom, as she suffered a stroke and passed away. The episode featured her funeral, where the grandkids all spoke so highly of her and the life she lived for Jesus, which again sent me on a roller coaster of emotions.

Why am I talking about Christmas cards and funerals and all of these sad things? Because through the hearing of these unfortunate deaths, one thing was made abundantly clear about Megan, and about grandma Duggar. They both lived a life of excellence and success. Not according to the world’s standards, but one that I’m sure had God saying to them “well done my good and faithful servant” as they entered the pearly gates of Heaven.

Last night, as I poured over beautiful comments on Facebook left about Megan, and as I watched footage of grandma Duggar’s funeral, it was so obvious that they loved God, they loved people, and they were on a mission to make His name known, serve others, and be a shining light to the world. It instantly struck me that if I were to die today, I don’t think people would be able to speak so genuinely about me and share the same sentiments.

Let’s be honest for a minute. When I (or you) have gone on to be with the Lord, no one is going to stand up in front of the church and tell people how many Instagram followers I had, or that I ran a marathon in a certain amount of time. People don’t speak of how put together and well mannered your child was, how your house sparkled, or how athletic and fit (or not) your body was. Don’t get me wrong, excelling in life, work, and taking care of yourself are not bad things in and of themselves, but what is your primary motive? Is it so others can congratulate you and so that you can make a name for yourself? So that you feel like you “fit in” in your affluent town with the other moms, or so you can get more money to spend on things just to be seen? As a Christian, my main priority in life should be to bring glory to God and point people to Him, and I can honestly say I have been doing a really poor job of it.

When I die, I want people to say their lives were changed for the better because of me. Not to bring glory to myself, but to show that I pointed them to the cross, to the only one worthy. I am reminded of an old song by Ray Boltz that talks about a man dreaming he went to Heaven with a friend and met all the people he touched by spreading the love of Jesus, and who are in Heaven because a seed was planted by him. When I think about grandma Duggar and about Megan, though I didn’t know them personally, I imagine a steady stream of people in Heaven thanking them for giving to the Lord. One day, when I get there, I can’t wait to meet them both and thank them for living a life of excellence. I will also thank them for giving me a gentle reminder of what truly matters, and for spurring me on to live a life that will make a difference for all of eternity. So to Megan and grandma Duggar, thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am so glad you gave.

I dreamed I went to heaven
You were there with me
We walked along the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw a young man
He was smiling as he came

He said friend, you may not know me now
But then he said but wait
You used to teach my Sunday school
When I was only eight
Every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
One morning when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
His pictures made you cry
You didn’t have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that’s why I’m here today

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

One by one they came,
As far as the eye could see
Each one somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done, sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth, heaven now proclaims

And I know up in heaven
That you’re not supposed to cry
But I was almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
And He said my child look around you
For great is your reward

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave