The real reason I like to be finished with my Christmas shopping early is so I can have a morning like this one. Sitting at my kitchen counter, nibbling warm honey wheat bread and sipping coffee. It is truly the calm before the storm.
Last night we had our Supper Club's annual chili and caroling night with our children. All but one of the families in our group have 3 children...all under the age of 9. As you can imagine our tra-la-la-ing on our town's trolley is more about shouting and excess energy hyped up on sugary treats than "Silent Night" sung on key. Each year we select families who we think might enjoy the extra joy this time of year: a recent widow, shut-ins, an elementary school principal, empty nesters. The best part is being with friends you love building memories together.
In a couple of hours I'll attend the children's preschool Christmas party, then they are out of school for 2 1/2 weeks. We have a whirlwind travel weekend ahead of us with stops at both grandparents' homes and both great-grandmothers' homes. Candy. Presents. Food. Lights. Noise. Action. Singing. Excitement.
I am looking forward to it all as well, but this morning I am so completely content to sit in my kitchen listening only to the hum of my dishwasher and the pecking of my keys. This is just the respite my soul needs. I need this time for reframing my perspective before all the noise begins again...joyful noise, but noise nonetheless.
In the distance I am trying to imagine the first cries of a newborn in a manger--in all his frailty and his holiness. I want to really get it. God made Himself completely vulnerable in order to tell us and show us His incomparable, incomprehensible love. Thank you, Father.
I pray that you, too, can squeeze out some quiet and rest to ponder His indescribable gift.
6 comments:
Sounds like a great morning to me. :)
My blog: Punkin' Press
Ahhh...I'm going to enjoy some quietness through you. :) #2 and #3 and I just sat down with some hot chocolate and that was a nice quiet moment. I'll be heading to #1's Christmas party here in a bit and leaving all others behind with a friend. We've enjoyed lots of cookie baking and bread baking and it's about time to calm down a little. The calm before the storm, right? But a good storm. I'm learning to search for those moments because, as you know, with a house full of kids, quiet moments are a little rare. :)
One of the great moments of motherhood is sipping coffee to the sound of the dishwasher. :-)
We all understand :-)
Have a happy crazy holiday with your brood!
Sounds perfect.
Today is my one crazy-running day for the next week or so. Starting tomorrow, my life will be peaceful and happy and full of cookies.
Merry Christmas, J, to you and your whole family.
Wow powerful post that next to last paragraph got me! Will you remind me next year of the stillness I could have if I finished early...I say it every year... and it never happens! : )
I love reading your posts. I do nearly every morning. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. I have twins (20 months- where did the time go?) and I am listening to nothing right now! YEAH!
Shannon in Austin
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