Overwhelmed!

As we are in the middle of 'the holidays' we find ourselves, well overwhelmed. When Thanksgiving arrives it is all about the shopping, cleaning the house, doing chores that were neglected all year long, things you need to do, things you want to do and things which you have to do. Then all of the menus to make out, shopping lists to create. And then you have to do the shopping, then home to prepare the huge feast.

Then there is the house decorating. Getting all of the decorations down, all of the time spent on trying to find decorations that escaped from being with the others the year before. Christmas card lists to make, then having to get the cards or get the cards made if you want to do a family pic and then getting stamps and addressing them all then getting them mailed on time.

All of the parties at work or church or neighborhood. And all of the gifts and food that go along with it. It seems most of this time is always spent in preparation for . . . something and a lot of the time we can be so stressed out that we are no longer able to actually enjoy ourselves, our family or our friends during it all. Then there is the clean up from it all too!

During 'the holidays' life also doesn't just stop. People still lose their jobs, family members get sick, friends still end up sick and in the hospital. Accidents don't take the holidays off either.

With so much stress we lose sight of what this is all about to begin with-Jesus. It was not recorded in the Bible the exact date of Jesus birth and many choose to celebrate it on Christmas. I just feel we should celebrate Jesus every day! I think of all of the overwhelming things which I did not do this year! I said no to parties and all of the food preparations and the gifts. A lot because I had suffered a bad accident this past summer, and could not do my normal 'holiday routine' and because I wanted to relish this time with my family and not be so busy that I miss it all spending the whole time cooking, cleaning and preparing! Letting all of the 'expectations' go.

This week I've been having such a grand time taking the time to do- absolutely-nothing! I sat yesterday gazing at our trees losing their leaves and watching them each fall down one at a time. Seeing the different colors, watching how they floated down and how they hit the ground. It was like they were putting on a show for me. I got to see the bunnies hopping around and the squirrels flying and racing across from branch to branch through the trees as they were quickly losing their hiding places.

As the chill sent me inside, I spent some time watching the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. I also have been enjoying watching it, 'snow.' I have always loved snow globes and glitter globes and get them all out each Christmas and what a wonder it has been to just sit and watch the 'snow' come down! Then I have to get back up to do the 'stuff I gotta do' but it has been such a blessing doing nothing!

As I sit down I feel so overwhelmed and when I get up I, well. . . .I am still overwhelmed, but it's a different-overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed at how much Jesus loves me, how precious He is to me. How He blesses so richly each and every single day. He takes every step with me, and no matter what I can rest assured that He will be there.

I know one day I will be walking the streets of gold with Jesus right by my side, and all of the trials and cares of this world will fade away. But I would walk down a dirt road if Jesus walks right by my side and I know that he does!

Psalm 46: Psalm 61: Romans 8:12-17

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