Sunday Afternoon Tea

Sometimes you just have to step out in faith.  You know... the doing before the feeling.

That is what happened during the Advent season for me this year.  As I have written, I came into the whole thing less than enthusiastic.  Partly because of the real emotions which come when family is not part of your everyday experience, anymore.  But also just because I felt... blech.

You don't know that blech is just a notch below blah but not quite as bad as bah humbug?

I personally wouldn't have minded one of those long winter's naps beginning the day after Thanksgiving and waking up say... Easter.  Not a coma from an injury but a nice, cozy, comfortable very long nap.  But I am the chief cook and bottle washer so that is not going to happen.

It is a good thing to finally be in a mood where I can enjoy this special season.  It was always my favorite.  The period from early October through January 1st to me held the most magical opportunities of the year.  From the beauty of the crops and fields and trees in October... the Feast of Thanksgiving... the anticipation of Advent... to the clean slate of a brand new year.

I had to run errands Friday morning, the most essential to pick up insulin and prescriptions before the anticipated snowstorm was to hit (our world still looks like Narnia).  As it was one of those rare times I was "in town" that I didn't have a time constraint, I stopped by the Goodwill there to see if there were any treasures.

But what I was thinking about while pushing the shopping cart was the music.  The grocery store had been playing beautiful Christmas music in the background and so was Goodwill.  Music which glorified the Savior.  God will have His remnant of days as well as people.  A Light does shine even in darkness.

I have decided rather than calling my current Christmas seasons quiet, I will call them... cozy.   For I do remember many seasons when I had very young children that I would have given just about anything for some peace and quiet.  :)

What is a cozy Christmas?  Well, for one thing to enjoy it one must come to accept it as a gift and come prepared for all things cozy.  There must be some hot beverages available, a few Christmas books, a stack of Seasonal DVDs, and lots of the music of the Season.

In my home, I must have a tree to light in the darkness and candles to flicker at night.  When one does not have a fireplace, they at least can have candles.  It helps to have a cat or a dog or a bird or perhaps a bunny.  But not all at once, at least inside.

There is an old throw for the sofa, one which was a gift long ago when I was on staff for our former church.  Given by a parishioner thanking me for a kindness shown.  It is getting ragged and I should replace it but it is still quite warm.

I am... content. For I have learned to be content.  Peace does not come naturally.

And to think this Season it all came about because I took boxes off their shelves in the garage even though I didn't feel like it.  How often through life does He have to teach me that same lesson?  That feelings do not have to control my life?  I expect it will be a lesson learned again and again until I go to be with Him face-to-face.

The lesson that by doing... within limitations, of course... we can change our feelings and be lifted out of the doldrums.  

I heard a story on K-love which reflects exactly what I have been learning.  Callers were sharing their Thanksgiving plans when a woman called complaining about the season.  She was a single mom and her ex-husband would have the children for Thanksgiving.  She had no family around so she was spending the Holiday alone at home.

The young woman who is a DJ at that time of day began talking to her, sharing how her child would be with her ex-husband, too.  But she had decided to spend that day helping women worse off than herself so she was spending Thanksgiving serving a meal at the women's homeless shelter.

Once again, the young DJ... by choosing doing over doldrums... affected the attitude of everyone around her so much that her story has stayed with me long since I heard it in November. 

So I accept my limitations and stay home quite often but when I do get out... there is the music and the decorations and the Beauty of the Season to appreciate. I choose to live life as it is and embrace the possibilities within limitations.

Christmas can be very painful for many.   There is no Peace on Earth, yet.  Has God placed you in a position to be a Blessing this year?  Ask Him.  He will answer.  And you just may be surprised at how you will be blessed as you become a blessing.

Image:  Winter Scene