God has been working big in my heart. I have always gave myself way too much to do for Christmas. It is like suddenly I want to be Martha Stewart and do all these crafty decorating things, make or find everyone this very special gift that they just cry over because it is so fantastic, and have everyone and their brother over so they can experience my fabulous cooking. But really the only one getting or trying to get glory here is me and I wear myself out trying to get it. I forget what Christmas is all about, about God giving us him, a saviour. This Christmas as I prepare to celebrate this awesome gift I have decided to ask God what he wants me to do to glorify him. And what I hear God telling me is to scale back and enjoy your family, church, and Him.
So why the picture of the cookies? Today I went to a cookie swap, last night instead of worring about what recipe and having dreams of people swooning over my great baking, I decided to make a very basic recipe. I didn't kill myself over their apperance. I just didn't worry. When I went to the swap I loved every minute of it because I wasn't fishing for compliments or worrying about my cookies. I just enjoyed the ladies there and their fellowship. I probably sound so crazy, but I would get hung up on this stuff. This is the first Christmas I feel I am enjoying in a long time, because I am not letting anyone tell me what Christmas is about except God. God is drowning out all of societies values and pressures and giving me His joy for his season.
3 comments:
Sara, How beautiful and what an example for us all to enjoy God and all the good gifts he has given us...most especially Jesus...makes me want to cry for joy because this Christmas our house is a disaster due to remodel and although I did do some Christmas decorating it is being drowned out by the mess.:)
I too enjoyed so much your article in Ungrind..it bought back bittersweet memories of the baby I lost in 2001. love you much, Aunt Cherie
Amen sista!
Great thoughts, and thanks for sharing. I know I can get so caught up in making an "impression" that I am forgetting to just enjoy others.
Thanks for sharing.
Jesus is the reason for the season!
I'm kind of in that place, too, Sara--trying to figure out just what is important this season. I can't let my (adult) kids or even my husband decide that for me. Minimal decorations (our house being quite a bit smaller still after the storm in August) and much more time spent with my Advent meditations by Henri Nouwen. I feel so much more peaceful!
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