Merry Christmas in the Midst of the Yuk!

We certainly are a pitiful bunch in the Smoak house. Jennifer had a low-grade fever all last week but the docs could not figure out its cause. We think it was a sinus infection, but because of her symptoms, the hospital would not allow her to come back to work for seven days. Jacob brought home a virus from school and threw up quite a bit on that Friday. Not a fun way to start the weekend. After the weekend was over, I had the virus and twenty-four hours later Jennifer had it. Just in time for her to go back to work and she couldn't! All of our taste buds have been off ever since and Jacob still doesn't have his appetite back. Macayla has avoided it so far, but she has had some dark, puss-like ooze coming from her right ear. She has not had a fever but the ear is very sensitive and causing her pain. We started an antibiotic/steroid ear drop this week. After 36 hours the dark ooze has diminished. But we still have six more days of drops to administer. Her secretions in her nose and throat are still out of control and we have to suction her a lot as she is coughing and gagging so much. I wish I could make it all go away. Of course, none of my "old geezer" problems of gout or joint pain in my hands have ceased. My doctor wants me to get a sleep study (actually Jennifer wants me to more due to snoring!) and a nerve conduction test done as well.

Jennifer's grandmother and my grandparents are all experiencing failing health. Jennifer's grandmother is in the final stages of cancer and we are not sure how long she will be with us. My grandmother is struggling with Parkinson's and dementia among other things and my grandfather struggles to care for her.

In spite of these things, I have been more in the "Christmas spirit" this year than usual. I have to admit that past Christmases has been anti-climatic for me. As a believer, Christ is always with me and His grace is always a present gift. Don't get me wrong, I love the time with family and the wonderful feasts we have together, but the holiday itself has not been as captivating as it has been this year. I have experienced a hope and peace that indeed surpasses understanding. This is not to be confused with "positive thinking." In the midst of these things, I never consciously decided to utilized the so-called "power" of positive thinking to wade through. So many self-help gurus push people to smile their way past problems instead of actually dealing with them. No, we still have to deal with the vomit of stomach viruses, dying loved ones, and Macayla's annual end-of-the-year digression. It's just that Christ has reminded me once again that He is with us in the midst of it. He doesn't invite us to escape the struggles, but to face them; with His strength and for His glory. There was no room for Him at the little inn of Bethlehem, but there is room for Him in our hearts and minds. But so often I put him in the stable out back instead of giving Him his rightful place on the throne. The presence of His peace and joy this season has reminded me of His rightful place. Wise men still seek Him and even lowly shepherds can share the Good News.