Shaunti Feldhahn
Christmases in my parents’ cabin in the remote mountains of Virginia made for the stuff of postcard memories in my kids’ growing-up years. Nestled right up to Shenandoah National Park, the cabin was blissfully secluded from cell service. Our whole family, often including my brother and his family from Singapore, would gather in front of roaring fires in the fireplace while snow fell outside. It was simply idyllic.
Until one Christmas Eve when it wasn’t.
As we stood to sing the final carol at my parents’ little country church for Christmas Eve services, I looked over to see my almost 11-year-old son Luke was having a massive grand mal seizure. We had no idea that Luke had epilepsy.
His seizure subsided, but I can still remember the agonizing ride in my minivan, trying to keep up with an ambulance that raced through winding mountain roads to get Luke 45 miles to the nearest town with a hospital. Even though there was a long journey ahead, that Christmas there was a lot of gratitude that Luke was okay.
Times have changed for our family, just like they may have for yours. My parents sold that cabin in 2018, following my dad’s stroke, and he is now in heaven. Every Christmas since that one has been filled with gratitude for what God has done to bring all of us through. And at the end of the day (and the season) I remain convinced that gratitude is a game-changer for all of life.
Merry Christmas, friends. I am grateful for you. I never take you for granted, and it really is my heart to bring this blog—and all the communications from our ministry, whether it’s Instagram posts, Facebook posts, or new, exciting developments (stay tuned on that in 2025!) to provide doable, practical help for your lives and relationships.
May you find gratitude even in unexpected places this season.
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