Family and Christmas by Karen Ruhl
I love reading stories about Christmas and how families share traditions and food recipes. One of my earliest memories was when I was 3 years old. I received a nurses kit for Christmas, a little white nurses bag with all of the tools needed for me to take care of my family.
So it’s December 2006 again. I was still not doing well. But God had a plan. Little did I know how beautiful that day would become? I cried out to God and told Him I was sorry for not understanding. I cried out and, in my distress, I truly didn’t think God had heard me, because I had distanced myself from God for so long, but He did. I told God I just needed an angel. I need an angel. God, please send me an angel. Please, God. My husband went up into the attic, hoping to spur me into action, hoping to get me into a jovial spirit. My husband had not heard my prayer to God, but God did. George came down with a box sealed with duct tape and marked PAM in large letters. George said, “What’s this?” I had not seen the box before. George whipped out his handy box cutter aka a “doohickey” and as the boxes’ flaps were torn apart; I was in awe of what I saw. Angels, angels, and more angels. I pulled one out and then another. The angels had belonged to my mother. They were one of her most treasured possessions, and she had given them to me. I will never forget that moment. My sister Judy had packed up Mom’s things, and in my grief, I had not seen. God knew. Did Judy know that her act of love was going to be an answered prayer from God to me? No, but it was. God can take the worst situation and turn it into something beautiful, just because. God desires to heal our hurts, and even when we can’t understand what He’s doing, even when we’re angry at Him, it doesn’t change the way He feels about us. That’s how wonderful God is. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 ESV)
I would take my thermometer and check everyone’s temperature. I had a stethoscope and listened to everyone’s heart. But the fun thing, although I laugh at it now, is that the kit came with a strip or two of candy pills. I was always happy when my brother Ron, who was 2 years older than me asked if I wanted to play with my nurse kit. He would be so patient as I went through all of the procedures and gave him a shot with my pretend needle, and wrapped him with bandages. Then he would say he thought he might need medicine and I happily gave him a pill or two. Thankfully, those little candy strips were available at the store and I believe my parents kept me well supplied for a time. The most touching Christmas was when I was 6. My dad had been hurt on the job and out of work for some time. With Christmas coming, he was getting nervous and sad. He sat on the end of his bed and hung his head which made me sad because I didn’t know why he was so sad. On Christmas Eve, there was a knock on the door and Santa arrived along with many helpers. They brought in Christmas presents and food. We were a family of 7 at that time, my oldest brother had married and moved out. Of course as kids, we thought Santa brought all of the goodies. But as I got older, I realized it was the local church that we went to. This is my most touching memory. It is good to give back all of the time, but in 2020, please look for those in need, and give or volunteer at your church programs. These memories last a lifetime and change many lives. Merry Christmas.
M AG A Z I N E N A M E &O R PAGE U R L | 20 421
