Many years ago, my husband’s brother was home on leave from the Air Force.
I remember he looked a bit nervous.
He said something about my rules on candy. (He knew I often state candy is terrible for kids’ teeth.)
Then showed me the box.
He had purchased a premade gingerbread house to put together with the kids.
Of course I said it was fine.
And the tradition began.
I’ve enjoyed watching our children put together a gingerbread house each Christmas.
As the holiday drew closer our oldest girl began discussing the tradition.
“Should we buy one, Mom?”
The pros and cons were sorted through.
I just didn’t have peace at that time to buy one.
So, the Saturday before Christmas Anne and Sis spent the day making gingerbread from scratch.
I was thrilled to babysit and to see the sisters enjoy learning something new.
When it was all finished they realized they had made four houses.
And a new tradition was born.
On Christmas Day, after gifts and the meal, we got into teams and each crafted a gingerbread house.
Jase and I were partners and I enjoyed it more than I had expected to.
I had never put together a gingerbread house before.
The girls had done a really great job and the pieces all fit together easily.
Jase and I had fun gluing candies and cookies on with frosting.
As I reflect upon our new old tradition, I am reminded of God’s Word.
Matthew 7:24 NKJV — “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:”
Our lives are like a strong, well built house when we follow Jesus with our whole heart.
The details of each, being completely under the guidance of the Lord.
And the sweetest part, is it’s a building project which lasts our entire lives.
I hope we build other gingerbread houses in the future.
If we do I plan on reading this verse first.
patientlyhopeful 