Well, here we are at the week before Christmas! Everyone I meet asks "Are you ready for Christmas?" In my heart, I am ready ,but otherwise...still getting there! During this week which is full of Christmas preparations anyway, my family will throw into the mix a doctor's appointment, soccer practice and a baking day for a caroling festivity. Lots of fun, lots going on.
So to make my home sing this week, I will be neglecting it! Now that doesn't mean that I will be lounging around on the couch all day, letting dishes pile up and laundry overtake us. It means for my family I will not be:
- obsessed over neatness
- constantly nagging the family to pick up
- spend way too much time cleaning and missing out on other things
- making myself crazy over details - is the bathroom spotless, floors mopped etc.
By letting go of perfectionist expectations, I hope this week to be more relaxed, fun and "get ready" for Christmas with peace, love and joy permeating from my heart into my home. By choosing to relax my standards a bit, things can stay neat and tidy, but my time is spent cherishing the season.
Now with a little bit of this extra time, I will be participating in Courtney's challenge this week. "Once the kids are in bed get yourself a HOT drink (again we are warming the body as we warm the soul.) Get ALONE and turn out the lights by your Christmas tree, a lit fire, or a candle and just be alone with God. Pray, talk to him, I encourage you to sing Christmas carols or songs praising him, and just rest with Jesus." This time can begin with reflecting on the gift of God's Son, who left heaven to provide atonement and salvation for all who believe. Spending time meditation on God's gift will cultivate a heart of thanksgiving to the Lord for all He has done.
May this week find you preparing your heart with some time spent with the Lord and may Christmas joy be alive in your heart and home.
I'm with you, this is a time for the perfectionist in me to take a vacation! I'm going to do this - stop myself from running around and just BE STILL - spend some time ALONE with God.
ReplyDeleteHope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and GOD BLESS!
Hah! I LOVE it! I've had to do that this past week, and while it's had me a little freaked out, it's been nice. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteI just put our two young granddaughters to bed. In the dark room with just a night light,I sang them to sleep with Christmas carols...it was a precious time!
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to that attitude. It's so easy to get caught up in making everything look "perfect" and stressing yourself out with all that outward preparation.
ReplyDeleteSo often we neglect the inward preparation of just being thankful for our Savior and spending time with Him.
Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
Great post - focusing on what's important...
ReplyDeleteLove to you and Merry Christmas
Kelly
I've Become My Mother