A Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Christmas?

For the first time, I reluctantly watched the 'remake' of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I had no interest in seeing it because the first one still gives me the creeps....and the way Johnny Depp looks playing Willie Wonka....well, that certainly didn't help.

It took a bit to get into it because of Johnny Depp and I found myself having flashbacks of the old movie as I watched. However, when there was only about 20 minutes left, I had to put the kids to bed and found I was disappointed because I wanted to see the rest. Since it was playing on TV, I hit the record button. So, somewhere in there, it sucked me in. :)

Switch topics for a minute.

This Christmas has been different than that of years past. There is a conflict with extended family and so celebrating will be a little different this year. However, God provided and gave us (our immediate family) all peace, joy and happiness regarding the situation.

Another difference, finances. Now, we've always been a paycheck to paycheck family, right up until a few months before I stopped working outside the home in order to be home more with the kids. This year has been especially tight. We are scraping up any money that we can find for groceries, gas and gifts.

Yesterday morning, I was listening to Joyce Meyer on my iPod. The series 'just happened' to be about worry. She mentioned that worry is like you're not trusting God because God said...


Isaiah 41:10
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; 
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.



At the time I wasn't worrying about anything, but I meditated on it for future use...if you know me, and/or my extended family, you know we are a bunch of worriers. I knew it would happen at some point :)

So, of course, about an hour or two after the teaching, I started worrying frantically about our finances. As I was 'really getting into it', Joyce's voice popped into my head. Even though I know we're barely, barely making it this Christmas, I had a choice. Would I continue to worry or would I trust God with my finances and trust that He would provide? Now, trusting God with my finances doesn't mean someone will magically show up with money. Most of the time, whatever you 'picture' God doing is far different from what He actually does....yet He still provides, whatever you may NEED not WANT. :)

I chose trusting God. It took a quite a bit of discipline to stick with my choice. A good part of the morning and early afternoon, I struggled as worry would creep up on me. Each time, I would reaffirm that I trusted God, and the worrying thoughts became less frequent and less severe. By early evening, I had a joy inside of me that I cannot explain. It was a peace that surpasses all understanding. No one had magically shown up and given me anything, our financial struggles didn't disappear. The ONLY thing that changed, was that I chose to trust God. He gave me peace. THAT was greater than any amount of money I could ever receive.

Back to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I finally finished it today. I really enjoyed it....and re-learned some things.

I am very thankful that since the accidents we are becoming more and more rooted in God as a family and we're sticking together.

Augustus Gloop reminded me---
I am very thankful we have decided and implemented more healthy eating habits for our children. I can definitely tell a difference in their health and attitudes.

Veruca Salt reminded me---
I am very thankful our children are not as spoiled as spoiled as they might be if we had more money (even though I was teasing Emily and calling her Veruca :)

Violet Beauregarde reminded me---
Life isn't about winning contests or signing the kids up for sports/classes/lessons all the time. Family time is more valuable than any of that and there is a balance.

Mike Teavee reminded me---
Time limits on video games/computers are a good thing.

Mr. and Mrs. Bucket reminded me---
When you're down to nothing, stick together and find the good. You can still love well when you don't have much money.

Charlie Bucket reminded me---
If you raise raise your kids 'right' and teach them what is valuable, chances are, they'll make better decisions...even if they have to give up a chocolate factory.

Maybe it's corny...that's okay.
The peace and joy we have in our homes can only come from God and for THAT, I am so thankful.

I pray that each and everyone of you has a very Merry Christmas and that you experience many blessings of God. That you may each get what you NEED.

Merry Christmas!!!

^{Phillipians 4:7
7} And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.