December

December is just a mere seven days away. Generally, I’m not overly eager for the month to be sprung upon us, for a variety of reasons. It represents a lot of disappointment and sadness. But God is transforming and redeeming every aspect of my life. Including my thoughts on December.

December is most commonly associated with Christmas. I do not like this association. Santa Clauses lining the store fronts with their jingle bells and cans of collected money. Commercials and magazines advertising the “must-haves.” Discounts and sales and plenty of reasons to buy. I can hardly tolerate it in America.

Yesterday I saw a plastic dancing Santa Clause outside of Nakumatt and their elephant mascot was adorned with twinkling lights. Sawa Citi also seems to like the idea of rushing the season. They have a decorated tree in the entrance and a (one) Christmas carol is playing on the speakers …on repeat. Ugh. Not you too, Rwanda. I do believe consumerized-Christmas is overtaking the world. (Note: Both Nakumatt and Sawa Citi could be considered grocery stores.)

But, I’m not trying to stand on a soap box. Christmas and consumerism are not the point of this post. In fact, I try to avoid the two. Yes, I will even admit to being a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to embracing the season.

But this particular December is going to be packed with excitement. So, I’m choosing to focus on the reasons to be happy about December, rather than moping through the season and missing out on an entire month and oppotunities to experience joy.

Reasons to Be Happy About December:

(1) The Hanlons (family friends who have been in the States since June) are coming on Dec. 5

(2) The Foltas (family friends who have been out of Rwanda for far too long) are coming on Dec. 18

(3) Bronwyn (good friend, and master of Dutch Blitz, who has been in Canada for university) is coming on Dec. 19

(4) I’ll be completing two-decades of living on Dec. 23

(5) I’m going on an 11 day adventure to South Africa on Dec. 26

And that’s not to mention all of the everyday occurrences that result in unplanned joy and happiness. I’m faced with reasons to smile and give thanks every single day. December is just going to have extra and bigger and better reasons. Yes, because of who God is, because of what He has done, and because of family and friends, I can’t wait for December.