Joy

Thanksgiving has left us in its wake as we prepare for the next wave of celebration known as Christmas. Advent is a time to prepare. My family knows me as a bit of a Scrooge—this is not my favorite time of year. I want to to live expectantly; to know how to live in the knowledge that Jesus can show up at my door momentarily. This year, I want to apply that to Christmas. Aaron will be arriving home around the 12th of December. There is a sense of expectancy. Our 29th anniversary is on the 13th. We've decided to wait and decorate for the holidays on the 14th. We've planned a party. My son, who has been away almost 6 months, is coming home.

I want to live so that each day is a party; to find a reason to celebrate each day instead of cataloging my numerous petty complaints. Instead of feeling obligation and duty, I will find ways to make it a joyous time. I will not let preparation become drudgery. I make and do things at this time of year that don't happen at any other time. It's not a prison sentence; it's an opportunity to bless those around me.

I want to celebrate each day because as I grow older my days become more precious. Yesterday was a lovely day. Dwayne, Joshua, Becky and Chris were at the dinner table. My youngest sister, Kim, also joined us. Aaron, in South Carolina, called 4 or 5 times. There was more than enough food. We laughed and told family stories. I will make each day a festival instead of those rare prescribed days. Proverbs 15:15 says this: Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

I am aiming for the perpetual party. I pray that each of you will have an uninterrupted feast this Christmas. I pray that the pressure of your lives will not crowd Jesus out of your days. Nehemiah 8:10 says this: Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

The more things change...

The more they stay the same. With less responsibility at home, my workload ramped up. I play the piano for the musical at our local school. Those 3 weeks meant rehearsals nearly every day. Having my father-in-law in the nursing home means several visits to him each week. Although things changed, I've still been very busy. School has called Dwayne to drive bus more so he has been busier too. It's a different type of busy, though.

I've waited many years to have time to write. Now that I have it, I barely know what to do with it. I want to write but I find myself thinking about it much more than actually writing. I guess that my problem was not so much time as fear. Can I write? Do I really want to write? What should I write? Who would want to read anything I have to say anyway? Sounds silly when I actually put it in writing but I think those questions have paralyzed me these last few weeks.

I started NaNoWriMo aka National Novel Writing Month. I committed myself to writing a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. I hit a brick wall and instead of sticking it out eased up. My plan is to write like a crazy woman this week to catch up. There’s no law that says I have to do it in a timely manner. I can do it. I’ve done it before and I can do it again.

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and I want to share my list. I’m grateful to God for His love and care. I’m thankful that he has given us His word so we can know Him. I’m glad that I have a husband that loves me and wonderful children that make me proud. I’m glad that Dwayne and I are able to serve God and others as we co-pastor the Kuyahoora Community Church. I am grateful that I can play the piano at school and at church and wherever else the opportunity arises. I have a home, clothes, food and every other thing that is necessary so there’s no reason not to be grateful. God is good and I am thankful. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and don’t forget to count your blessings.