Remember the days when your Christmas list was endless? You made your list, you checked it twice and then you submitted it to Santa? If you’re like most kids, it probably even started a few hours after all the presents were opened on Christmas day, the year prior. It’s not that always that I wasn’t thankful for all the presents I received. Well, you know, except for the time my mom bought all of our clothes from Walmart. Being the snot we were, we had her return them. Sorry, again, Mom. Really, I think it was just the just enticing allure and excitement of what still could be!
My birthday is just under two months before Christmas and I think most of the members of our extended family love to shop early for things. It’s not that they enjoy giving any less than I do – they just possess more wisdom and restraint than I’ve been able to muster thus far. Because of the closeness in these two celebrations I’m often faced with making decisions about what to put on my list earlier than I would want to. I’m annoyingly particular. I like to save holiday money directed for me to put towards things I wouldn’t usually buy myself. The trouble is, I usually have a long list and need a good amount of time to decide which of the things I really want. The struggle can feel super real.
“Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I’m all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream
So here’s my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself but for a world in need”
Do these lyrics ring a Christmas bell for you? The song, sung by a number of different artists has been around for a while and is one you might love, hate or love to hate. Either way, can we all get behind the fact that the writers had a good idea when they came up with the song “Grown Up Christmas List”. In fact, it may be even easier for me to make one of my own than it is to fill and commit to things on the Amazon wish list I share with family and friends each year.
A different form of fun facts, though some still lighthearted, I was inspired to create my own version, minus the singing – Because I can promise you don’t want that! Read on to see what I would wish to check off of this year’s “Grown Up Christmas List.”
- I wish every dog everywhere had a long, healthy life in a loving and comfortable home. Call it cheating but I’m going to include in this bullet point that I wish the same for people.
- I wish women understood that their value doesn’t come from being able to do the same things a man does. Someday, I really hope we can talk about this more.
- I wish “mom-guilt” didn’t exist.
- I wish learning a new skill was easier. I tend to give up when I’m not great at something right away. Rooted for sure in my insecurity, I know I’ve missed out on a lot.
- I wish I could afford a housekeeper who also picked up the mess in my house before she cleaned it.
- I wish I had invested more deeply in my personal walk with the Lord much sooner in my life.
- I wish I could drink hot chocolate without fear of my pants shrinking and coffee without fear of my teeth turning brown.
- I wish it was easier to share boldly about the faith I have in Christ.
- I wish for those closest to me to fully believe and live as if nothing on this earth will ever satisfy the longings and dreams of their heart until they’ve first been fulfilled in Christ. I know it won’t make life easier. I also know it will make life better. I wish this truth for all of you, too.
- I wish that I get to continue using this space for God’s glory and to connect with each of you.
I want to know what you would include on your list! And because I love giving gifts, why not offer some extra motivation by trying to entice you with a giveaway? It is Christmas time, after all.
To be entered to win (must complete all):
- Fill out the image below and share it to your story or timeline – make sure you tag me!
- Comment the names of 3 friends on my instagram post you want to read and fill it out, too!
- All must be completed by 11:59pm on Thursday, December 16th!!
- The winner will be announced on Friday, December 17th!!
Want more chances to win?
- Follow @dotsanddoodles on Instagram (1 extra entry)
- Share their account on your story (1 extra entry)
- Comment more than 3 friends on my post!
Best of luck and I can’t wait to see your Grown up Christmas wishes!
Ashley M Spivey 