Quick and Dirty: Are you a GOOD Christian?

(For those of you who are unfamiliar, a "Quick and Dirty" blog post here at Life Under Construction, is written on the fly with very little editing. Every now and then, it's just gotta get done.)

Every now and then, circumstances line up that give you an epiphany. 

This week, people everywhere have been talking about the Syrian refugee crisis, and more than once I've seen someone say, "I don't you telling me I'm a BAD Christian because...." A bad Christian.

Let's face it, no one wants to be a "bad Christian." We all want to be "good Christians," right?

I've also been reading Victory over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson lately (which I wrote about here) about really KNOWING what your identity is in Christ.

Now, these two things would have coincided without me noticing, BUT THEN...

Yesterday, I was thinking about a situation. It's one where I was trying to FEEL differently because I was trying to FEEL the way I know a "GOOD" Christian should. But I couldn't...

So...I said, "that must mean I'm a bad Christian."

And that's when it hit me...there's no such thing. There's NO SUCH THING as a "good" or "bad" Christian. That's exactly what Mr. Anderson has been expressing in the chapter I was reading, it just took me a while to figure it out.

Christ died to save EVERYONE. If you've claimed Jesus Christ as your Savior, you're a Christian.

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only begotten son

that whoever should believe in Him

shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

If you've put your faith in Christ, then you're a Christian.

I know what you might be thinking: Um...Alissa...there are bad Christians and good Christians. I've seen them. The man who's a deacon and studies his Bible all the time, that's a good Christian. The girl who's partying it up on Friday and Saturday and sitting her butt down in the church pew on Sunday, that's a bad Christian.

I know you might think that because that girl, the latter example, that was me for a while.

I've even thought to myself, I'm so different now...what if I was never even saved.

But that doesn't seem to make sense either. I've felt Jesus with me for as long as I can remember. I have him my heart long ago. Why, then, did I behave so foolishly at different points?

Because I didn't understand my IDENTITY in Christ. I didn't know WHO I was. I didn't realize my value.

I still don't...not all the way, anyway. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

There's no middle ground. You're new or you're not.

So what happens?

Think about these 2 scenarios:

1. You have a benefactor that sends you money each month and takes care of your needs. You may know his name or a little about him, but that's about it. You just know the check comes every month.
2. You have a Dad. You love Him. He loves you. There's a relationship there. He would die for you; you know it, and you'd do anything for him.

In which scenario are you more secure? The money could always stop coming in the first, right? What if you fall out of grace?

See, Satan wants us to THINK that can happen to us. He wants us to think we're just one mistake away from too many. 

But that doesn't happen. He's our Heavenly Father, full of love and grace for His children.

Somewhere (and I don't have time to look it up at the moment) it says that the blood of Jesus has washed us clean. If you're a Christian, you now stand in front of God spotless and pure, no matter what you've done (Romans 3 maybe?).

I didn't get that. Every time I made a bad choice (and it was frequently because I wasn't looking to God for guidance). I hid my face in shame. I wasn't worthy.

The tricky part is, the more I hid my face in shame, the dirtier I felt, the worse my decisions got. 

I've said before that meeting Josiah and his family changed this for me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on HOW. Now, I know...they started to show me that my identity was in WHO I am, not what I had done.

When I understood that, I was able to look God full in the face, to begin to feel His grace. To understand that, no matter what, He wanted me to open myself up to Him...and He wanted me to get to know Him.

Anderson says it's being able to differentiate relationship from fellowship. You will always be your father's child. You can go to Timbuktu or Kalamazoo, and that won't change. Ever.

However, there can be a break of fellowship between you and your father. If you defy him, resist him, or run away from him, the relationship doesn't change (he's still your father), but things aren't right between you.

God is the perfect father. He's ALWAYS waiting for the prodigal to return, ALWAYS waiting for the stray sheep, ALWAYS seeking a return to fellowship with you.

You just have to be soft-hearted enough to receive Him.

So, if you're ever wondering if you're a good Christian or a bad Christian, wonder no more: there's no such thing.

You're just the same as the deacon with the Bible AND the girl doing the walk of shame on Sunday. 

Positionally, we're all the same.

But I URGE you to seek true fellowship with our Father. Walk with Him. Spend time with Him. Learn from Him. 

There's nothing like it.

Land of the Free and the Home of the...Gays?

So, today is a landmark day in history...a day I think we'll all remember.

Today, the United States Supreme Court, the ultimate law of the land, deemed that it is unconstitutional for any state to prohibit gay marriage.

And the country celebrated...

And the country mourned.

I've been praying all day about it, about whether or not I should wade into the waters of public opinion and share my two cent's worth...if it's even worth that. Why should I do that? Do I have anything different to add?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Nevertheless, as I've prayed about it today, I've felt an overwhelming urge to try to whisper a voice of love and hope over the cacophony.

Last Sunday I sang I song in church by Sarah Groves called When the Saints. At the very beginning she says:

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know,
it's more than I can handle.
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I can't let it go. 

And now, that's where I am.

I don't talk about politics on this blog very often...or, well, ever. But this...this, I think, is important enough. So now, I'm going to say something that's going to make a lot of people angry.

Christians, we have to get to a point where we are more concerned about walking in our beliefs than we are about legislating them.

Yup...you heard me. I said it. Walk the walk, people, and then maybe, just maybe, someone will actually want to hear what you have to say about the love of Jesus.

But hey, all you Christians applauding me because I just put those other Christians in their place - yeah you, the ones waving around the rainbow flags today - I have a message for you, too.

We have this book that we believe was written by God through men, it's called the BIBLE, and ya know what it says? It says homosexuality is a sin. BAM. I said it.

It's a sin. If YOU want people to take your faith in God seriously, and therefore, take your witness to the world seriously, then you'd better wake up and smell the Fruit Loops because you're turning your back on what you believe. You are a hypocrite.

So...now that I've made everyone mad. What about this ruling, eh?

Well. *sigh* It makes me sad, I guess. Sad because of where society is and the direction in which it's headed. At the same time...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, right?

Right?

As much as we, as Christians, like to stand on the Bible and declare this country was built on a faith in God, in reality, it was built on those three inalienable rights expressed in The Declaration of Independence.

Liberty is basically the right to be as free as possible, as long as you're not encroaching upon the rights of others.

Now, I know...they want to use the term marriage, which is indeed a biblical term for the joining of one man and one woman for life.

But guess what, we Christians are already doing a pretty good job at botching marriage: divorce, adultery, pornography, disrespect, lack of leadership. We're jacking it all up.

Here's where I'm going, my main point, if you will:

I can love you and still think what you're doing is wrong, but you have a right to do it.

I love people who lie.

I love people who cheat.

I love people who have murdered.

I love people who are gay.

I don't think any of those things are right, but I still LOVE people who do them. Do you know why?

"God proves His own love for us

 in that while we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

Because God has loved me in spite of my sins and continues to love me in spite of them.

Furthermore, God is all about free will, right? He gave Adam and Eve a choice, and He gives each of us a choice, to accept Him or reject Him.

So, I respect your right to choose. I may not agree with your choice, but that's okay. All I ask is that you protect MY right to choose, as well. Please continue to protect MY right to speak...MY right to disagree with you.

In closing, on US money stands the phrase In God We Trust.

Well, do you? Do you trust in God, in His Word, in His divinity? If so, no matter what the world does, no matter what craziness ensues, you are covered. No need to fear. No need to go crazy.

In God We Trust.

Catching A Thief

There's a thief in my house. I just know it. I keep noticing something is stolen, and as much as I try to get it back, I just can't.

It's time. My time is being stolen, and I know just who is taking it.

Yes...facebook.

I don't mean to be there. I get on the laptop to do schoolwork (necessary), write a blog post (necessary), or research something (necessary), and then, somehow, before I even know it's happening, my cursor is in the navigation bar and my fingers are flitting across the keyboard. I don't even have to type in the whole word...my computer just knows. 

"fac" + enter = facebook

Once I'm there, I just go to look at just one thing. Or just tell one person something.

Before I know it, I'm scrolling mindlessly through status updates, pictures, e-cards, blog posts, and share if you love your _______.

I wish I could say I just do it on the laptop, but the thief is on my phone, too! 

I'm in the car with my husband and kids...I'll check facebook.

I'm watching a movie...I'll check facebook.

I'm in bed...I'll check facebook.

It's nuts.

It's almost as though my brain is so used to being engaged in multiple things at a time that I just can't simply concentrate on one thing. Instead of just being in the car with my husband and/or children and taking in what's going on around me, my mind has to busy itself.

It's sad.

And let's be real here, people: no one is holding a gun to my head and telling me to read status updates. The thief isn't really facebook, it's my own poor choices.

Right now I'm at a point where I want to be very purposeful and mindful of everything I do: talking to God, speaking to my children, eating, spending time with loved ones...let's just add facebook to that list. It's time I acknowledged the problem. That's the first step, right?

I won't say I won't visit facebook anymore. Like anything else, it's fine in moderation, but I've let it get out of control.

It's time to reign it in.

What thieves do you allow in your home that steal your time? Your joy? Your peace?

I'll leave you with a few verses today that I'm meditating on in relation to this. Do you have more to add to the list?

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

(Proverbs 25:28)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, 

but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,

 that you may be able to endure it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear

but of power and love and self-control.

(2 Timothy 1:7)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, 

but only one receives the prize? 

So run that you may obtain it. 

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 

They do it to receive a perishable wreath, 

but we an imperishable. 

So I do not run aimlessly; 

I do not box as one beating the air. 

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, 

lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Playing with Razors

My little Ryan hurt himself yesterday. Although he's been told many times not to, he decided to touch his sister's razor in the bathroom.

Sometimes, it's just hard to be a little boy with sisters.

He came to me with a bloody thumb and tears in his sad, little eyes and wailed, "Mommy it hurts!"

I bandaged his little digit and gave him hugs. In this situation he'd already gotten punishment enough, but he did get a little speech.

We talked about why mommies and daddies have rules: to keep their children from getting hurt. We also talked about God's rules for us: they are for our benefit, and keep us from getting hurt. Emily chimed in at that point and said, "And to keep us from hurting other people."

*sigh* I don't know if she knows the weight of her statement

My sister-in-law, Jamie, wrote a beautiful blog post recently about her walk with God, and it so mirrored mine. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I just didn't get it. I had no idea how to go about living it. I thought there were "good Christians," and then there was me, and I tried, but I just couldn't be that good. I was too dirty. 

I made decisions for my life and never once consulted God because I prayed, but I had no clue how to hear His voice in my life; so why pray about decisions? 

I was flying on a wing and a prayer. My plane was in bad shape, and all my instruments were down. I didn't know where I was going, but I hoped I was still sort of in one piece when I got there.

Just to let you know, that's not a good way to go through life.

But then, God brought people into my life that showed me how to walk with Him...and it changed my life forever. He bandaged my wounded heart and continues to every day.

Last night I had dessert with my gorgeous young friend and her wonderful boyfriend. We talked about the blog and church, and she said she's trying to find God for herself. She's had some bad experiences with religion and church and hypocrisy and seeing unfaithful Christians, and now she's trying to work out her faith.

Oh my heart.

I told her I was proud of her and she needs to find Jesus for herself. Hear this: you cannot own someone else's religion. It has to be yours, in your heart. I have faith that she'll find Him, and I'll help her any way I can.

But it made me think back to when I was younger...all three years ago or so. I thought back to all the times I was claiming Jesus and clamoring around in the dark. I think again about people I may have misled or turned away from the gospel. I've asked for forgiveness, and I know it's been granted, but often accepting it is the hardest part.

Please understand this, and I say it not with condemnation but from experience - if you are claiming Jesus, but walking in darkness (not reflecting His light), then you are actively working for the other side. I see that now. There is no middle ground. I wasn't helping, so I was hurting...that's just how it is.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, 

that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, 

we lie and do not practice the truth. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, 

we have fellowship with one another, 

and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(1 John 1:5-7, ESV)

So, if you're there, walking in darkness, and you want to know how to walk in The Light, contact me. Email me (alissaandjosiah@yahoo.com); facebook me (https://www.facebook.com/daizygirl1979); comment here; heck, send carrier pigeons, whatever it takes. If you don't want to talk to me, call or email my pastor, Jim Weston, at Menchville Baptist Church (757-877-4532; pastorjim@menchvillebaptist.com).

Just don't go another day without claiming what is already yours! All you have to do is reach out and take it! There may be a cost (there is with every decision), and it probably won't be painless; I won't tell you a lie. But I will tell you this: it is always worth it. HE is always worth it. The relationship with Him is always worth it.

Life has many "razors", and unfortunately, most of them look like they'd be fun to touch. God's Word is there for us, not to hinder us from having fun, but to keep us and others, safe. We all have scars from the razors we've played with, but God is waiting, hearing our desperate cries saying, "Jesus it hurts!" 

But He's still waiting: to dry our tears, bandage our wounded hearts, and teach us the lessons we so desperately need. Let Him.

Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

Linking up with:
Simply Beth
Juana Mikels
Time Warp Wife

More

Hi everyone! Sooo...was my sweet mother-in-law the only one who thought my last post was going to be a pregnancy announcement? Hahaha. Sorry to disappoint, if that was the case!

Nope. I am not currently with child, and as I'm sure you've noticed, I'm still at Life Under Construction. I do have something really exciting in the works, but it's going to take some time to create. Until then, I'll continue to blog here...cuz I can't stop blogging. That's just crazy talk.

That having been said, let's carry on, shall we?  

For some reason, I seem to be getting a lot of writing inspiration from my nonprofit business class. I don't know if it's the nature of the nonprofit sector itself, or just the fact that I am where I am in my spiritual walk at the moment. Either way, it's speaking to me, and I like it.

The other day I read this little tidbit, and it jumped off the page at me: "Thus, perhaps, accountability needs to include more than just avoiding transgressions and exhibiting model behavior. It may need to encompass demonstrated effectiveness in achieving the purposes for which the nonprofit exists" (Worth, 2014, pg. 128).

Maybe it was the word transgressions that made that whole sentence leap off the page for me.  After all, thanks to Mac Powell et. al. and their song "By His Wounds" that word gets stuck in my head on a daily basis (WARNING: if you go to that link, the video has scenes from "Passion of the Christ" that depict the graphic crucifixion of the savior who died for all of us).

Whatever the case, it leapt off the page.  Still don't see it?  Let me help:

Thus, perhaps, being a Christian needs to include more than just avoiding transgressions and exhibiting model behavior. It also needs to encompass demonstrated effectiveness in achieving the purposes for which the Christian exists.

That. Is. POWERFUL, my friends.

Just a few word changes, and nonprofit management becomes the solid, life-hanging truth of Christian existence...

We were called to more than just sitting in a pew on Sundays and trying to be good.

Don't believe me? How about this?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

For we are God's handiwork, 

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV, emphasis added)

You may notice I emphasized the word handiwork there. We're currently going through Ephesians in our sermon series at church, and my pastor said something a few weeks ago that really stuck with me.  The Greek word there is poiema (poy'-ay-mah), and it is the word from which we get our words poem and poetry. 

You are God's poetry, carefully created cell by cell and hair by hair, and He created you for a purpose.

Please don't misunderstand me, by all means, go to church and sit in a pew because that's often how we begin to grow, and we need the body of Christ.

But if that's all we're going to do? If it's going to end there, then it just happens to be a giant waste of time because "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26).

Harsh? Yes, but sometimes God needs to lay it all out there to get our attention. 

And the good news is, it's not even our jobs to figure it all out.  Just like our faith is not through works, but a gift from God, so also, we cannot save people...only God can do that.  We just have to be willing to seek His face and His will for our lives, and He will guide us to where we need to be.

The path is already there, folks, we just need to walk in it.

So, that's my "business" lesson for the day. I'm a CEO, and it's my responsibility to do more than avoid sinning and act properly. 

I wonder what my next "business" lesson will be!!

Reference

Worth, M. J. (2014). Nonprofit management: Principles and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE       Publications, Inc.

Today's post links up with the following:

Still Under Construction?

By an odd turn of circumstances, we were able to have dinner with our wonderful friends Chad and Brandi last night, and I'm so glad we did!  Brandi and I had some more serious matters to discuss, but we could only manage them in little snippets between talks on religion, babies, and laughing so hard we cried (seriously...Brandi spit out her water and I can't even say anything because I was hysterical).

At some point in the conversation, I mentioned my blog and Chad said something to the effect of "what's the under construction business?  Shouldn't the construction be over by now?!"

It was a comment made in jest, but for some reason it got me thinking.

When does the construction end?  When do you know when you've crossed the invisible plain from spiritually immature to spiritual leader?

The easy answer (and the one I gave Chad) is this: the construction is never really over...and he knew that, of course. :)

The Bible says as believers we are made complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10) when we accept Him into our hearts and receive the Holy Spirit, but we're definitely not perfect.  In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, he said:

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me (Philippians 3:12).

We are never perfected until we meet Jesus, but as the Holy Spirit works in us we should constantly be heading in a more Christ-like direction...drawing ever closer to Him as we become more intimately acquainted.

In looking back over the last couple years, I am amazed at the miracles God has performed in my life, and the way He has worked through the Holy Spirit to change my heart...slowly, but surely.  It's astounding that when we become followers of Christ we are given all the Holy Spirit we'll ever get or need...that's it.  I mean, it's not like I have more  Holy Spirit in me now than I did a few years ago. But some of us take SO incredibly long to actually GET IT.

I've been a believer ever since I can remember, and was baptized at 14, but it took me forever to stop seeing God as my boss - a provider of rules and regulations - and to realize He is infinitely more.  I am still in awe of Him.  I still respect Him.

But now I also have a deeper relationship with Him.

I love Him.  I can't wait to spend time with Him.  I can't wait to know Him more.

I think I'm in an in-between stage right now.  I'm more of a leader than I was, but I still feel like I need guidance quite a bit, too.  Maybe that never changes.

For now, the blog will stay "Alissa's Life Under Construction."  Maybe one day it will change.  At some point, perhaps, I'll be a real grown-up and write blogs that actually guide people more than just share my revelations, but for now, this works.



OH!!  And sort of unrelated, but SUPER EXCITING...

I have a really awesome announcement to make tomorrow (Wednesday).  It's SOOOOO hard to wait, but I don't want to mesh blog posts too much.

SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Extreme Red

Red: the color of rage...and the color of love.

Josiah and I went to see a movie last night (Snow White and the Huntsman, which we really enjoyed btw).  One of the previews was for Katy Perry's movie(?) Part of Me.  It was pretty bold.  It stated in big letters that Katy Perry grew up Christian, showed a video of a young Katy holding up a "Jesus" sign, and then said something like "what if you had a song inside of you and you weren't allowed to sing it?"  This is paraphrased from the trailer, but it's pretty close. 

I was incensed.  I was angry.  How dare they?  That is a blatant attack on Christianity!  I can't believe they actually put that on there!!

I was indignant.  I was thinking (in the shower, of course) about the post I would write and how I would tear into this and the moral and social example she's setting.  I thought about how I would maybe even write a letter to her on the blog, knowing she would never see it, but sending out my message all the same.

But what if she did see it?  I'm sure she'll see tons of them because the way that was done was really rather offensive.  What will she think about that?

She'll probably think the same thing she obviously feels now...that Christianity is about rules and judgment.

Apparently, this girl has had some experiences with church and Christians that have soured her, so much so that she would make sure that was part of the trailer for her movie...part of her.

It saddened me.

I thought of how angry I'd been just a moment ago and how, often, as Christians, we let our feelings about what's right and wrong get in the way of what the Bible says is the most important thing...and it's not wrath.

 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 13)

Ouch.  That stings.

Centuries upon centuries of Christians have tried to use anger and power to push their position instead of love, and I just don't think that's what God wants.

Right then, I prayed for Katy.  Something happened in her life that took a young heart on fire for God and turned her against Him.  I prayed for her life and her heart.

 So, today's post is all about Red.  Wrath.  Anger.  Passion.  Love.  Red.

Done in conjunction with Bigger Picture Blogs: Color Me Creative.  Also linked to Time Warp Wife's Titus Tuesday.

 

Mommy Killed Santa

About four years ago, when Destiny was nine, I decided it was time to tell her the truth about Santa. It didn't seem like a giant shock for her. She is a smart girl, very level-headed, and pretty intuitive. Later that day we were driving towards the mall and I heard her small voice mutter from the backseat, "Santa is dead." I, of course, immediately went into panic mode thinking I had permanently ruined my little girl's psyche and envisioned endless trips to a therapist because "Mommy killed Santa." I asked her to explain her statement. It seemed an inflatable Santa on top of a restaurant rooftop had deflated a bit and fallen over. Thus, Santa was dead. Hahaha...tragedy averted. She was fine.

On the other hand, Mommy killing the Easter Bunny for Emily this year was a different story. She cried and wanted to know why we lied to her. She said, "the next thing you know you're going to tell me Santa and the Tooth Fairy aren't real either!" Um...uh oh.

Why do we do this? Especially those of us who are Christians? Who decided it was a good idea to Celebrate holidays surrounding Jesus with fictitious characters bringing children presents, which then completely detracts from the true meaning of the holiday?

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not condemning those who celebrate this way. Obviously, I'm right there alongside them. Josiah and I were talking about Christmas this year, and he suggested that Santa not bring toys to Mommy's house for Ryan (since he's the only one the myth would still apply to). Santa didn't come to Josiah's house when he was growing up. Sure, they had Santa figurines and they knew who he was and they still got presents. However, his parents are very strong Christians and they simply chose to focus on the birth of Christ in their family. Huh...there's a concept for you.

On the other hand, when I was growing up, Santa TOTALLY came and I loved it. Heck, my parents still mark "from Santa" on their presents to me. I went to school and Santa visited all of the people there, too (at least as far as I knew...I'm sure I'm somewhat mistaken in that memory). When Josiah mentioned Santa NOT coming to see Ryan, I immediately had a negative reaction. "He's only four! I have to take the magic away so soon?!"

That was when it hit me. Here I am talking about the taking the magic away from him if I take away Santa, but in all reality as a Christian, the REAL magic should be in God sending us His son as a Savior, right? How's that for magic?

I still couldn't agree with Josiah right away. I had to mull it over a bit. What about when Ryan goes to school and the other kids talk about what Santa brought? How much flack would I have to take from family and friends over this? My entire life I've just looked at it as no big deal. After all, I've taught my kids what the holiday is actually supposed to be about, right? Nevertheless, in scrutinizing my reaction to the suggestion of removing Santa, I see where my own focus has been. While I taught my children what Christmas is supposed to be about, I'm sure I've spent WAY more time every year perpetuating the Santa myth.

Josiah also brought up very valid arguments to assuage my fears in other areas. Santa will still visit because I am not the only parent they have, and since their father doesn't even believe in God at this point, I'm thinking he doesn't have a problem with Santa coming to his house. He just doesn't have to come to mine. Furthermore, I may get catch a good amount of flack from him and other family and friends for making this decision. They may say I'm taking this whole "church thing" a little far...and I think I'm okay with that.

At some point, I have to let go of wanting everyone to like and agree with me and just do what I think is best. I have made a commitment to focus on my spiritual growth and I think this is part of that road for me. No more myths of men in red suits and bunnies carrying baskets...I'm a big girl now, and I think it's time for me to teach my children where the magic in these holidays truly lies.