I’m great at starting things – not so great at finishing them. Enthusiasm drives hard work until I’m tired and encounter seemingly unsolvable problems. Then it’s quitting time.
Six Christmases ago was a milestone “stuck” point in my life. But instead of quitting, I gained a new perspective that continues to motivate me today.
Life in that season was turbulent. Besides stay-at-home mom demands, my brother had died from cystic fibrosis four months prior. The grief coupled with the strain of being strong for my parents was unsustainable as my too-tiny support network crumbled. My closest friend suffered a health crisis, and our friendship faltered. My nerves were a frazzled mess, a sparking fuse. I merely hobbled from day to day, trying to show up and not blow up.
My husband was my sanity-saver. How could I show my deep appreciation through a thoughtful Christmas gift? He deserved the best, but I could only offer my broken.
Our almost three-year-old son had a gift suggestion – make a movie with him and “Bee-bee”, his 16-month-old sister. Acting evoked nostalgic memories of my late brother and I producing plays for our parents. Long-elusive joy bubbled like an oasis to a desert-parched wanderer. Yes! We were doing this for Daddy!
I duct-taped blankets around each kiddo and fastened towels to heads. Introducing – Joseph and Mary!
A green construction paper sign marked Nazareth on one side of our home and a red one announced Bethlehem on the other. (Green for go, red for stop…) We decked out Bethlehem with a foam star dangling over a blanket fort stable (which only needed repair a half dozen times because Mary kept crashing into it). Assorted plastic animals, a stuffed polar bear, and Scooby Doo anticipated the birth of our Cabbage Patch Jesus asleep in a bin of crumpled tissue.
Lights, camera, action!
Ahem. ACTION!
Mary and Joseph padded barefoot down the hardwood hallway halfway to Bethlehem before they stopped, the camera battery died, and the curtain fell on a fuming mama. Bubbling joy turned mirage.
Only later, after viewing all three minutes and forty seconds of me urging Mary and Joseph to “Go to Bethlehem!” (the grandparents roared with laughter) could I appreciate the bigger story — the story we were trying to capture, no less.
Instead of balking at God’s plans, I could reach out for His hands. The nail-scarred hands that understood painful journeys. Instead of fixating on me – my pain and my failure – I could look up to Him. The One who made the journey twice, in essence. The first time He was born in Bethlehem. The second time He was born in my heart.
There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:6)
I don’t have to be afraid that I’ll get stuck halfway and quit.
Even when I’m temporarily stuck, I will make it to “Bethlehem” – the place where blessings are birthed and the mess is made worth it.
For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants. (Philippians 2:13)
Slowly, I watched (and continue to watch) God do just that. My parents and I persevered to joy despite grief. I grew my support network. And my close friend and I are the closest we’ve been in fifteen years. My husband is still amazing.
What I initially considered an epic failure turned into my all-time favorite family Christmas tradition. The next year, with vastly adjusted expectations, we filmed again. Mary sported a pacifier and a pillow-stuffed shirt that fell out in the sprint to the stable. This year will mark the seventh edition of “Halfway to Bethlehem,” and as long as the kids permit, I don’t plan on quitting!
Dear Jesus, thank You that You never quit on us. Empower us to run in the wake of Your victory.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Pearl,
What a delight reading you here this am.! Love this story. Don’t we learn some of the best lessons from our children? So many times I feel like I’ve gotten stuck halfway there. Praise for a God who moves in us and enables us to follow Him when there is nothing left in us to get us out of the muck and mire we are in. Our job is to abide in Him and then wait, with expectation, as to what HE will perform. Like you calling and continuing to call your children to “come to Bethlehem”, I am thankful for a God who woos us, continually, to come to Him. Beautiful!
Christmas blessings friend,
Bev xx
Glenda says
Both the message and your words Bev soothes my soul! Much love to all… Merry Christmas!
Pearl Allard says
Sweet Glenda, Merry Christmas to you, also!
Pearl Allard says
Bev, thank you for your sweet words and Christmas blessings to you, also, friend! Kids teach me so much. So thankful with you for our amazing Heavenly Father who calls us His kids no matter our age. May He continue to perform His work in and through your life as you bless many!
Michele Morin says
Amazing how beauty comes from the places in our lives where we’d least expect it.
Thank you for persevering and for sharing the outcome — evidence of God’s faithfulness to meet us wherever we are — with such inspiring words.
Pearl Allard says
Michele, you’re so right – beauty from the unexpected. I kind of love how God has no problem casting off the conventional when it doesn’t suit His purposes. So grateful that if we have to endure the hard anyway, He can make art with it. Your kind words are a gift. Merry Christmas!
Sadie says
I thank you as I really need to stop trying to meld the fragments of my many Christmases into a perfect day every year. I’ve been broken so much in this last 3 years and know only Jesus Christ is my gift… I will rest in that this weekend as I have much to be thankful for, even if it’s not perfect , He is! Blessings to y’all
Pearl Allard says
Sweet Sadie, your heart is such a gift to mine. That you cling to Christ when the brokenness is greatest….This morning it struck me that barren trees make the most beautiful silhouettes against a brilliant Sonrise. Just prayed for you, sister. May He comfort your weary heart as you continue to rest in Him.
Linda says
As I get ready to head in to a terrible job, I needed some sweetness. Thank you for providing!
Pearl Allard says
Linda, I’m praying for you right now. Thank you for your perseverance. May He give you strength, protection, and unexpected joy in ways only He can.
Beth Williams says
Linda,
Praying for you sweet one! May He provide peace & contentment to your soul. I pray He gives you a discerning heart to know His will for your life.
(((((Hugs)))))
Kim B Smith says
Pearl, You made me smile this morning! What a beautiful delight of a “tradition” you have started. Such poise and beauty and great imagination. I saw Mary & Joesph, literally. I am sure it was very similar form them as well. I just love this, it makes my heart swell.
Thank you. Oh and by the way I live in the Detroit area. 🙂 xo
Pearl Allard says
Kim, sister! We share the same Savior and the same state! I love it. 🙂 Your kind words soak deep. May this Christmas be marked with an awareness of His nearness to you, His beloved daughter.
Kim B Smith says
xoxoxo!
Elizabeth says
Funny, refreshing and lovely.
Pearl Allard says
Elizabeth, thank you for hugging my heart. Christmas blessings to you!
Elizabeth A Curry says
What a lovely story, tradition and reminder, Pearl. Merry Christmas!
Pearl Allard says
Elizabeth, so grateful you were encouraged. Merry Christmas to you, also!
Jodie Utter says
What a beautiful story, Pearl. Hope and encouragement and love for all. Thank you.
Pearl Allard says
Thank YOU, Jodie. For doing the crazy-hard work of persevering and being a line leader for those experiencing it, too. You are a gift.
Darlene says
Thank you for your beautiful devotion this morning. Reminding me to ” look up,” He is all I need! Many blessings and Merry Christmas!
Pearl Allard says
Sweet Darlene, thank you. So grateful you were encouraged and asking Him to gift your heart with more than you could ask or imagine this Christmas. Keep looking up!
Patricia Holloway says
I love this story and the scriptures you included. As a procrastinator, project starter reluctant to complete I was encouraged by your words.
Pearl Allard says
Patricia, I’m so with you! Grateful you were encouraged. May our amazing God give you strength, stamina, and a good soak in His love for you this Christmas.
Kristen says
Just what I have needed myself this Season. Perspective and remembering that He doesn’t ever give up on me, even when I’m giving up. Thank you for this timely piece. Merry Christmas.
Pearl Allard says
Kristen, I’m so glad He met you where you’re at today. Isn’t it such a comfort that He’s going to finish what He started in us? May you be given blessed rest in the assurance of His deep delight in you this Christmas. Blessed by your presence here today. Merry Christmas to you, also!
Hulda says
Reading this today has blessed me in so many different levels, Pearl. Love your sweet family tradition … and that you haven’t given up. Thank you for reminding me that God is not done with us yet and that we can always look up to Him no matter how messy it gets around us.
Pearl Allard says
Hulda, dear sister. Your friendship has blessed me on so many different levels! I’m thrilled it’s a two-way street. Your quiet work doing the crazy-hard persevering…blesses me. We’ll keep helping each other keep going! May you and your family be given blessings beyond that which you could ask or imagine this Christmas. Hugs!
Brenda says
Oh Pearl, what a sweet tradition. He’s always faithful, isn’t He? Merry Christmas to you and your family. ((hug))
Pearl Allard says
Brenda, hugging you right back, sister! Grateful with you for God’s faithfulness. May He hug your heart in the places only He can and help you persevere through whatever season and place you’re in. Merry Christmas!
Rebekah Love Dorris says
This brought tears. Thanks for sharing this story. I needed to hear it. It really is all about Him, eh? Thank you.
Pearl Allard says
Rebekah. Precious sister… Wishing I could give you a real hug. So grateful with you that it’s all about Him and that we fight from victory, not for it. May you be given rest in His victory for and His delight in you.
Janet says
Beautiful!!❤️
Pearl Allard says
Thank you, Janet! For the beautiful gift of you. Merry Christmas!
Birdie Cutair says
What a wonderful STORY and a great Christmas present to Daddy and grandparents!!
Pearl Allard says
The kids love watching past years, too! My prayer is that by acting out the story, they’ll realize they’re already in His story. Birdie, thank you for being part of His story, a gift to your Heavenly Daddy. (And me!) Merry Christmas!
Beth Williams says
Pearl,
Life gets tough. Sometimes it feels like time to throw in the towel & just give up. Praise God He never gives up on us. Even if we are halfway to Bethlehem we need to keep on this journey. We can’t stay stuck we need to keep moving & abiding in Him-reaching daily for His hand of help. Thank God for wonderful caring husbands, & children. Kids can take almost anything & make it into something fun & enjoyable. They teach us so much.
Blessings 🙂
Pearl Allard says
Dear Beth, blessings right back to you, sister! Praising God with you! I’m nodding agreement to your thoughts about perseverance and kids and God’s faithfulness… May you be given unshakable joy this Christmas!
Afton Rorvik says
Beautiful! You painted the picture so well. I’m still smiling. 🙂
Pearl Allard says
Oh Afton, thank you for the heart hug! Merry Christmas to you!
Francee Strain says
Keep on keeping on, and thanks for the encouragement to the rest of us to keep on keeping on!
Merry CHRISTmas!
All for Jesus,
Francee
Pearl Allard says
Francee, thank you. For your heart for Jesus and your presence here. For the heart hug. May Jesus hug your heart in ways only He can – Merry Christmas to you, too!
Rebecca L Jones says
I’m sure the Lord was smiling on that film, and maybe laughing at being a Cabbage patch doll. How many times do you hear about stealing baby Jesus from the manger, one little girl she did it to keep Him warm.
Pearl Allard says
Rebecca, thanks for the smile – loved reading your comment. 🙂 May you be given many smiles and laughter this season – kind that reach all the way to your heart. Hugs!
Rachael M Colby says
Pearl, your real is so refreshing. Your beautiful heart and words are like a safe place. Thanks for making me laugh, cry and repent.
So glad Jesus meets us where we are and walks us home, and takes our messes and turns them into masterpieces.
Pearl Allard says
*happy tears* Rachael, I’m so glad He does that for us, too. And I’m grateful the journey includes some amazing sisters – including you! – to make this life more bearable. May you strongly feel His delight in you this year. Hugs!
Debra Scales says
What a beautiful Christmas tradition!
God’s promise in Philippians 1:6 is so assuring. Often we feel useless in Kingdom work. I love Christian songs about God using the broken, wounded, and scarred to do His work.