The past is always there, whether we choose to focus on it or not.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It's Begging to Look A Lot Like Christmas!
I am looking more forward to this Christmas more than any other Christmas in recent history. I am not anxious to have it get here and over with. I feel like I will get to enjoy the season for the first time in years. The gifts I have for everyone were carefully considered, many homemade.
The lesson I shared with my SuperChurch (kids' church) really hit home for me. We talked about all the preparation for special guests especially around the holidays. We talked about cleaning and decorating and making food and treats. We discussed why we did all those things and how that made our guests feel welcome and special. We talked about all the preparations being for the guest of honor, Jesus Christ and then we decorated our room to welcome Him.
That simple lesson is what I want to live this holiday season. I want my guests and loved ones to know that they are special and worth the efforts and preparations. That all of my "work" was done out of a place of love and care, not obligation and stress. Our shopping for the holidays has been scaled back, but I plan to bake and decorate as usual, if not more. The only thing I am changing is my attitude while doing all me typical holiday preparations. I plan to have more fun, be more creative and worry less. I plan to be more generous, not less.
I thrive on doing for others and have somehow gotten cynical over the years. This year I plan to revert back to my naive ways. I will believe that there is nothing anyone would appreciate more than a dozen homemade cookies or a handmade ornament. I will play Christmas music and have hot cider at the ready for unexpected guests. I will give without thought or want of receiving. Perhaps more difficult, I will be a gracious recipient without feeling as if I must answer with an equal gift. I will take special care in my wrap and presentation.
All of the things I enjoyed about the holidays gradually became tedious chores over the years. I dreaded baking and decorating--things I LOVE to do! I also have to let go of getting everything done perfectly. I may not get it all done. That is OK.
I want my kids to remember a fun, festive, joyous atmostphere, not the stresses of the holidays or just the toys they get. I am taking my Happy Holidays back.
The lesson I shared with my SuperChurch (kids' church) really hit home for me. We talked about all the preparation for special guests especially around the holidays. We talked about cleaning and decorating and making food and treats. We discussed why we did all those things and how that made our guests feel welcome and special. We talked about all the preparations being for the guest of honor, Jesus Christ and then we decorated our room to welcome Him.
That simple lesson is what I want to live this holiday season. I want my guests and loved ones to know that they are special and worth the efforts and preparations. That all of my "work" was done out of a place of love and care, not obligation and stress. Our shopping for the holidays has been scaled back, but I plan to bake and decorate as usual, if not more. The only thing I am changing is my attitude while doing all me typical holiday preparations. I plan to have more fun, be more creative and worry less. I plan to be more generous, not less.
I thrive on doing for others and have somehow gotten cynical over the years. This year I plan to revert back to my naive ways. I will believe that there is nothing anyone would appreciate more than a dozen homemade cookies or a handmade ornament. I will play Christmas music and have hot cider at the ready for unexpected guests. I will give without thought or want of receiving. Perhaps more difficult, I will be a gracious recipient without feeling as if I must answer with an equal gift. I will take special care in my wrap and presentation.
All of the things I enjoyed about the holidays gradually became tedious chores over the years. I dreaded baking and decorating--things I LOVE to do! I also have to let go of getting everything done perfectly. I may not get it all done. That is OK.
I want my kids to remember a fun, festive, joyous atmostphere, not the stresses of the holidays or just the toys they get. I am taking my Happy Holidays back.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Deep thoughts...
Wow, with all my new followers I feel so obliged to blog. I should have all these interesting things to say and words of wisdom to impart.
Nothing earth shattering to share, just continued tightening of our financial belt. Not sure how much more we can squeeze before we really feel some major changes around here. News from my husband's work is not good and getting worse. It seems they may need to shut down for a month or more.
On the upside of all this, we are aligning our priorities and seeing things as "needs" and "wants" more clearly. Somethings will have to go and that is OK. The kids are great and even my teenager gets it now. I love that they are being more thoughtful with their requests, but I do not want them to feel guilty if they do need something. We can do what we need to do and will always make it work, but no extras, no "wants".
I am sure that in 10 years or so, we will look back at this time in our family's life and see that it strengthened us financially, spiritually and emotionally. I don't think we are going through anything unique or even that tough compared to the struggles of others. I do think that it is a challenge that we are up for. I hope that we will come through this time better for what we have learned and that the worst we will have to endure is no satellite tv and a less than lavish Christmas. But if in fact things become bleaker still, I am confident we will come up with creative solutions and will find that some of our current "needs" may actually be unnecessary luxuries.
Cliches again abound in my thinking, "all that glitters is not gold", "true wealth is measured not in dollars and cents", "you cannot buy happiness" and on and on...I think we all believe these sayings to be true, but few live them out loud. We pile on "things" to make us look and feel better, possibly because we are scared to judge ourselves and let ourselves be judged for the person we are. I feel like peeling back the layers is freeing, the layers of STUFF that weigh us down. Removing all our adornments, to reveal what is beneath. Scary? Yes. Liberating? Absolutely.
Nothing earth shattering to share, just continued tightening of our financial belt. Not sure how much more we can squeeze before we really feel some major changes around here. News from my husband's work is not good and getting worse. It seems they may need to shut down for a month or more.
On the upside of all this, we are aligning our priorities and seeing things as "needs" and "wants" more clearly. Somethings will have to go and that is OK. The kids are great and even my teenager gets it now. I love that they are being more thoughtful with their requests, but I do not want them to feel guilty if they do need something. We can do what we need to do and will always make it work, but no extras, no "wants".
I am sure that in 10 years or so, we will look back at this time in our family's life and see that it strengthened us financially, spiritually and emotionally. I don't think we are going through anything unique or even that tough compared to the struggles of others. I do think that it is a challenge that we are up for. I hope that we will come through this time better for what we have learned and that the worst we will have to endure is no satellite tv and a less than lavish Christmas. But if in fact things become bleaker still, I am confident we will come up with creative solutions and will find that some of our current "needs" may actually be unnecessary luxuries.
Cliches again abound in my thinking, "all that glitters is not gold", "true wealth is measured not in dollars and cents", "you cannot buy happiness" and on and on...I think we all believe these sayings to be true, but few live them out loud. We pile on "things" to make us look and feel better, possibly because we are scared to judge ourselves and let ourselves be judged for the person we are. I feel like peeling back the layers is freeing, the layers of STUFF that weigh us down. Removing all our adornments, to reveal what is beneath. Scary? Yes. Liberating? Absolutely.
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