The Blessing of The Christmas Flu, A Silent Night at Last
“No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best… when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things.”
~ George MacDonald~
I had never thought of getting the flu as a gift. It felt more like a curse. I was driving home from the grocery store 2 days before Christmas. I had to pull over. My stomach had decided there would be no holiday “rush” with maybe the exception of rushing to the toilet at regular intervals. I cried as I rolled up the window.
I had never thought of getting the flu as a gift. It felt more like a curse. I was driving home from the grocery store 2 days before Christmas. I had to pull over. My stomach had decided there would be no holiday “rush” with maybe the exception of rushing to the toilet at regular intervals. I cried as I rolled up the window.”I don’t have time to be sick!” “It’s Christmas!” I had every minute of the next few days already scheduled to the hilt. It didn’t seem to matter to my stomach. I made it home, and my husband tucked me into bed. “Maybe I’ll feel better in time….” I thought as I drifted off to sleep.
By the next morning, it was evident that the pox that was upon us, was contagious. My boys then, both under 5, were sick. I, was feeling a bit better. Whatever it was, it was 24 hours of misery, then, it was over.
Our normally frantic Holiday plans had changed in the rolling down of a window. There was no fight over who’s house to eat dinner at and who’s to have dessert. (We weren’t exactly talking about food, anyways;) There was no worry of how to spend the holiday divided between my divorced parents, grandparents and my husband’s family. There was no crazy rush to get to Christmas breakfast at my Dad’s. (A nice idea, but hard with kids who want to play in pajama’s on Christmas morning!)
There was just, us. Our family, a tree, a manger and a visit from Santa Clause. (Apparently, Santa’s not afraid of contagion.)
By late Christmas eve, the worst was over. All was “silent and calm”. Actually, It was the first “Silent Night” we’d ever had during a Christmas season. Christmas morning, I woke up early, had devotions by the tree, then snuck back to bed to wait for my guys to see if Santa had been there. (He had!) I no longer felt cursed. I felt blessed to be able to rest, and enjoy the day.
The Christmas flu…. it was an unexpected gift, that year. At first, I thought Christmas was ruined. I thought we were cursed. But in the end- God gave us a precious un-hurried day, a day we had time to actually celebrate the birth of His Son, Jesus.
There are lots of things that don’t appear to be gifts on the surface. But- if we look carefully and find God in them, He just may change our perspective.
The effects of that Christmas, have lasted much longer than the flu. We learned something invaluable. We learned that you can say “NO” when you have to. (Well- that, and we learned that people to fight to have you over if you’re communicable) After experiencing the gift of Christmas Flu, we decided not to pack our holidays like a turkey with stuffing. Now, we alternate where we spend the holidays, one holiday, one part of the family. Yes- someone is always upset. Yes- they get over it. (Mostly)
I have to admit, there have been lots of times where I’ve been “stricken” at an inconvenient time, and I didn’t find it a gift. Truth be told, those were also the times, where I didn’t bother looking for God in them, either. I was angry, hurt or frustrated, and wanted to stay that way. I wanted to pout, I suppose. You know what? They’re not as memorable. They aren’t life changing.
I can’t help but wonder how often George MacDonald has been right….I wonder how many times I’ve missed enjoying the gifts of God because I didn’t even recognize them?
This holiday season is barely getting rolling. (though it DOES start earlier every year!) My prayer is that we’ll all be looking for God in all of our doings, and so- we’ll find Him in all things!
Can you think of some situations, that you’ve found God in, once you recognized that they were His gifts? (instead of curses..maybe like our Christmas flu?) What lasting effects did it have? (We enjoyed that Christmas so much,(well, once we stopped puking we did!) that we cut back our christmas craziness so we are able to enjoy it so much more- and focus on Him, instead of beating traffic, and stuffing ourselves with two dinners so no one is left out!)
We had that happen one year and yes, it was a gift, because it meant the same thing for us, no dealing with running here and there and everywhere amidst fights over who gets to visit when (which are especially fun with divorced families aren’t they.) Prayerfully considering how to handle the holiday traffic jam this year.
His gifts are perfect aren’t they.
I so remember the year I got the flu as a Christmas gift….it was the most homespun Christmas we’ve ever had…a lovely memory…a gift.
Tracey, that was awesome. I’d love a Christmas like that too. It sounds so peacefull and simple which just feels right.
Tracey that was beautiful. I am sorry you got sick, but isn’t it funny (ok now you can laugh not then) how God gets our attention and MAKES us stop. What a blessing that can be.
To bring back memories of last year Tracey! Both my wife and our son had a serious bout with the flu of the Christmas holiday that we didn’t even manage a tree (though the house was decorated and I had a pint sized Christmas Tree from one of my students). The blessing was, as you so eloquently put it, that it slowed us down to reflect on what was really being celebrated. thanks for a great post… I am glad I happened upon you this morning.
Laurel Wreath… His gifts are perfect, agreed- when we recognize that they are from Him…. other wise it’s pretty easy to miss it! (well- it is for me- anyway;)
I hope this year- I’m able to focus on what’s important, without getting sick! It’s early- just mid November- not too late for any of us! 😉
Eric- glad you stopped in, sorry for last years flu— but glad you were able to see God’s blessing in it!
Oh— a confession guys… the year my older two took turns with the chicken pox? Yeah- that month spent at home, I pouted through;) (my 2 oldest are 17 and 14— long before chicken pox vaccine!)
Our latest tribulation in life has turned out to be a huge blessing. While not going into specifics, I have lost a great deal in the last few moths. However, I have found love where I didn’t know any existed. I found strength where I thought I was weak. I found my independance and my renewed determination.
Oh, and then there was that pesky infertility problem that lead us to adoption and our wonderful girls!
Hi Tracey,
This is a wonderful story and so true of many of us. I often wish I could duck out on all of the family obligations and escape to a mountain cottage with my husband, daughter son and Jesus. What a blessing. Love and hugs, Lynn
Indeed what a blessing the flu turned out to be for you. Thanks for the reminder as the Christmas season approaches, to slow down and choose our activities carefully. Good post!
You know – sometimes I think that God slows us down to just get refocused on the things that are truly important.
Thank you Tracey for sharing this wonderful (I know it wasn’t wonderful to get sick – but the rest was) story with a Christmas spent in peace with Him and your own little family :smile:.
The past 2 years we have spent “christmas” alone b/c of all the chaos it all, so you totally hit me with this. What a wonderful deciphering of something we all would deem bad!
i love this … excellent … amazing what i “see” when i allow God to open my eyes