Sunday, December 19, 2010

"True Grit!"


I have always loved those two words. I am not sure why. Maybe it is because I can imagine my two pioneer Texas great grandmothers saying them. For sure, they must have had some of that "true grit" to settle in this wild land of Texas!!! As I was watching my neighbors put up their Christmas lights the other day, those two words came to my mind once again. It was mother and son doing the decorating this year. Daddy is far away in Afghanistan serving in our military. He won't be home this year to see the tree and beautiful lights. I am sure momma took plenty of pictures of the Christmas decorations to send to daddy. You see, it is their way of saying: "We are here. We are carrying on while you are away. We are being strong and brave as we anxiously wait for you to come home to us." I see this example of "true grit" time and again here in our military community of Fort Hood, Texas.
"True grit" was definitely in force some two thousand years ago when a young couple made their way to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. They were from a small village making their way to the big city. She was very young and very pregnant. Her husband tried with all his might to find a safe, comfortable place for them to rest that night. Unfortunately, all that was available was a stable. And so amongst the animals in a not so warm and comfortable stable, the Savior was born. I know that the young couple must have rejoiced when their son arrived safely and in good health. Their son, of course, was the One to ultimately show his true grit as he ministered to others here on this earth and give his life for many. Today, I thank God for his unspeakable gift!!
Dear friends, I hope you are enjoying this Christmas season. I am thankful for each one of you and for the difference you make for good in others lives. Have a blessed Sunday and terrific Christmas week.

19 comments:

Kathleen Scott said...

You're right, it took courage to make the wilds of Texas home. I just finished reading True Women by Janice Woods Windle, a fictionalized account of the women in her family who made Texas home from before the Revolution (the Texas Revolution, of course)through the turn of the 20th century.

It takes courage still to do the hard things in life--face illness, rear families, wait for loved ones. I hope your neighbors have a wonderful homecoming in 2011.

Cheryll said...

I love to read your blog and this is a true example of why...super writing! Thank you for sharing Vicki and Merry Christmas to you!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful, lovely post Vicki and oh so true!!! I feel so bad for your neighbor :( What a strong family and there are so many like it out here right now.
Merry Christmas sweetie!
Amy

Connie said...

Oh, dear, how beautiful are those thoughts, sugar. Yep, He gave it all so that we might have everlasting life.

I want you to thank that young neighbor of yours and give her regards for her hubby's sacrifice for us to have our freedoms from this old lady in Idaho. We can never thank her and her son and her wonderful hubby for the sacrifice he is making to help keep our country free. Please, please, tell her we are truly praying for him and love him for what he is doing.
xoxo,
Connie

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Vicki... I really enjoyed why you like the words "true grit" and how you tied that into the story of our savior Jesus Christ ;) :) I'll be praying for your neighbor!! I want to wish you a very Happy Christmas !!! Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Vicki, this post and the one before are beautifully written. Always such a pleasure to visit you as I always come away with a positive message. I love how you were able to help that family who had nothing. It truly is better to give than to receive and yet when we give truly from the heart, we do receive so many blessings in return. Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays. Tammy

Unknown said...

Dear Vicki,
Merry Christmas to you my dear friend. I love your Christmas cards and smiled as I viewed them. So wonderful. Thanks for your visit. I was so unsure about posting that UTUBE as it seems so different, but I wanted to show that someone took a lot of time to put that together and maybe it was a way to get the message out there in todays digital way.

Merry Christmas!

Jocelyn said...

Vicki, wishing you and your family a most blessed Christmas! Thank you my friend, for having such a lovely place to visit.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Julie Marie said...

Hello Vicki... what a heartwarming post... and thank you so much for honoring our military as well... they are always in my thoughts and prayers, but even more so at Christmas... love that your neighbor has "True Grit" and is keeping the homefires burning... much love to you, and a very Merry Christmas my friend... xoxo Julie Marie PS True Grit was also one of my very most favorite movies of all time! And I love the song by Glen Campbell...

Wendy & Megan Chamberlain said...

Dear Vicki
Loved your blog, so true. My thoughts and prayers are with all the military families apart from loved ones at this special time of the year. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog.
Wishing you a most blessed Christmas.
Wendy

Julie Harward said...

Hi Vicki...I love true grit too and it makes me think of my pioneer ancestors. I found out the other day that Joseph and Mary took refuge in the stable because they were being shunned also as well as perhaps not enough room. I so loved them and HIM. You have a really wonderful Christmas! :D

Pom Pom said...

I thank God for His unspeakable GIFT, too. Wonderful post!

Mari said...

HELLO VICKI~~
LOVE YOUR POST :)SWEET FRIEND, LIKE ALWAYS IT'S BEEN A FANTASTIC VISIT WITH YOU!!!
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY :)

XO~MARI

GwendolynKay said...

Hello Vicki,
Thank you for this lovely post.. reminding us to pray for our service men and women and also what the season and celebration is about.. the coming of our saviour to the world.
Blessings~
Gwenny

Nanette said...

Hi Vicky,
Such a sweet card and a wonderful story. I hope this Christmas time is a happy peaceful time for you and your family!
Valerie

Pauline said...

Dear Vicki, such a touching post and so true. Have a very Happy Christmas with your loved ones. Have a blessed time.
hugs

öznur said...

Dear Vicki,
Wishing you heartfelt Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.Love and hugs from Turkey.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

This is sooo not the John Wayne I had pictured when I saw the title. I'm so very thankful of the 'true grit' our military families has. They sacrifice much for our privileges. Most of all I am thankful for the 'true grit' of our Lord Jesus so that we may have the privilege to live with Him forever.

Ya'll have a very Merry Christmas!!! :o)

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Lovely post Vicki. Merry Christmas!