Thursday, December 17, 2009

Day 17 Matchbox Advent Calendar


Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ
also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
Artwork by Nathalie Thompson
If you would like to see some of the other boxes I created for Day 17, click here.
I went for a decidedly Victorian theme, since to me Christmas is rich colors and textures and inexpensive gifts that may or may not be practical, but are also precious. In other words, "old fashioned". When things were simpler, when gifts did not require batteries, chargers, electricity in general and could be made instead of bought and no extended warrantee was needed.
The scripture about kindness and forgiveness has been on my heart for months, because in our family there is a definite, aching lack of both. My husband and I met over 15 years ago, in church, but now it's been over 3 years since we've attended church as a family. I see the evidene of the omission in my kids. Fighting, name calling, impatience, demandingness, laziness, disobedience. I see it in myself. Sadness, impatience, anger, frustration (with my kids); filling my life with other pursuits to feel happy. I see it in my marriage. My husband and I are as total opposites as we can be. I am creative, he is task orientated, I am a reader (and a thinker), he ignores written instructions and flies by the seat of his pants. He wants to start his own business and I want to pursue my own creative endeavers and we do not support each other like we each need to. Our common pursuit at one time was God. To be more like Jesus. The closer we drew to God, the closer we drew to each other. Our differences were diverse assets not irritating liabilities, because we pursued something beyond ourselves. Now our pursuits are selfish and the only outcome is to draw apart.
I truly miss simpler things.
When being together was enough.
When love did not require conditions, contracts, and renewals.
When "I'm sorry" was heartfelt and fixed everything.
What can I say? I am a romantic.
I still believe that Jesus is the answer.

6 comments:

~*~Patty S said...

beautiful heartfelt post NNN = WOW!
you had me at "be kind to one another"
the thimble and your matchbox are wonderful ... yes, let's hear it for the simple things
oxo

Anna said...

nathalie - great post. You share with us more than your art but also your heart..... Your heART's work. Thank you and I love your match box! Much Love, Anna

Linda Jo said...

I wasn't expecting that. Jesus IS the answer.... you know that...and so does your husband... so take heart! Love comes home at Christmas! You ARE on the road to your Bethlehem, girl!

Magpie Sue said...

You were able to identify that which turns out to be the core of what I believe Christmas gifts should be. I didn't know it until I read it here.

Is it possible to get your husband to read the latter part of this post? It might go a long way toward restoring that which you seem to have misplaced. My prayers are with you both.

ooglebloops said...

You gave me something to think about with this post - my DH and I are polar opposites also - which leads to alot of arguments. Marriage is a continual work in progress - and maybe some days, neither he nor I work hard enough...... you are on the right track!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Margaret said...

Thought provoking post Nathalie, hear hear to the simpler things in life, to kindness and caring for each other. Mx