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What is Happening- reclaiming Holy Days

I’m disgusted with myself- I had been doing so well focusing on simplicity and wrapping myself in the wonder of the season and then came Monday. I don’t know why it had to be Monday- it just was. I’ve spent the past 3 weeks enjoying and relaxing and such and then Monday--
On Monday I completely got lost in the shuffle, the hustle and the bustle . . . . more like sinking in it, really. While my heart is shouting out for a need of peace and quiet, simplicity and most of all a need to dwell, simply dwell in the waiting, the hoping, the preparing and the welcoming of Christ . . . . I’ve just sunk faster into the quicksand that is the holiday season.
A decision must be made- I am not liking all this whirring activity, to do lists that don’t end and pressures from here, there and everywhere. Does it matter that I trimmed our commitments and as well as the gift list this year? Nope- its amazing the stuff and fluff that’s crowding in and shutting out that still small voice. Ugh. And it happened quite simply in a matter of a day or two- all that I was holding to and enjoying was swept away . . . . . and chaos came in, making himself quite comfortable.
I must reclaim the quiet and peace- I must get back on track preparing for CHRIST not Christmas.
Doesn’t the word holiday come from Holy Day? And if it doesn’t . . . .well, it most definitely should! And so- going with that thought- if these are the holidays Holy Days then shouldn’t I be acting different? What exactly got me off track? Simply put- others expectations of me which I allowed to influence and change my own expectations.
Truly the only thing I should be expecting is Christ. It is time to kick other expectations to the curb and get back to the holy pieces of the days.
How do I reclaim the Holy Days?
I started this post on Wednesday- determined to overcome this bah-humming and yet it did not happen. It is amazing all that is coming up against us right now that is trying to grab and steal my CHRISTmas joy. We were to go caroling with some of our church family yesterday evening. We show up and my father is the only other one there- and he is desperately scrubbing and cleaning the church bus (that we were taking caroling) because a cat had taken up residence inside and left what amounted to a 2/3 of a 5 gallon bucket of “deposits”- oh and the odor- it was noxious! He cleaned as best he could- using the claw part of a hammer to break apart the frozen-to-the-floor deposits. Only a handful of people showed up- but we went caroling anyway and we took the bus. It was wonderful to carol shut ins and such but I have to admit that my heart just wasn’t in it as it has been in the past.
And today- a letter in the mail that about sent me reeling- except for the simple fact that I would not let go of the desperate hold I had on the Lord’s goodness and mercy. No matter, no matter WHAT- I will praise Him. Even if this financial crisis increases I will praise His Incredible Wonderful All Powerful Name. And that has brought me here . . . .
To the reclaiming.
A letter that Satan expected to use to deal another blow against me and my CHRISTmas joy—and God heard me- He heard me cry out- He heard me pour out my heart in pain and sorrow—He helped me stand firm and my heart shouted “No matter what I WILL PRAISE HIM.”
I walked away from the envelope and the computer and the to-do list and decided to clean the kitchen because, as my mama taught me, some good brisk scrubbing and cleaning does the heart good- both physically and spiritually. I prayed and prayed and prayed as I washed the table and scrubbed the stove. And God met me in my kitchen and I was able to let it all go . . . .
I have no one’s expectations to live up to but His and what does He expect? My love and devotion- my whole heart- my heart preparing for His coming nothing more, nothing less.
And it brought me to worship. My home is my haven, my safe harbor in the midst of so many storms- God has blessed us here and here is where I can find solace, rest and renewal in sweet worship. I have been able to reclaim that worship in the tasks of my ministry- the ministry of my family.
And so- I worshiped as I ironed the napkins for Christmas day dinner- spritzing with my favorite ironing spray- praying and reflecting on how this was once a disliked chore. I prayed and hummed praises as I did the dishes- a once despised chore! My heart became light as I praised His glorious name will beginning dinner prep and getting out the ingredients for our Christmas trail mix and the makings for Oreo truffles.

I cried out and God not only heard my cry but He reached down and pulled me up. He nurtured that spot inside me that longed to experience CHRISTmas and Holy Days. He and He alone made this day Holy.
The following are the words to the song Emmanuel written by Michael W Smith:
You are the Rock that will not fall
You are the God above us all
O Lord You are Emmanuel
You are the Messiah Who has come
You are the long awaited One
O Lord You are Emmanuel . . . .
. . . . . You are the Healer of our Hearts . . .
O Emmanuel We Praise Your Name

Amen

Untitled Comment

8:32 AM, 2007-Dec-21 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

Good for you! That is exactly how God wants us to handle our trials. 1Cor.10:13
Blessings,
Trixi