Sunday, December 8, 2013

Needing That Extra Portion....




Let me come eagerly to Christmas this year, Lord.  Let me come gaily, with a new delight in the countless things I must accomplish - the shopping, the wrapping, and mailing, the addressing of mountains of cards.  Let me find new joy in the bazaars, the parties and programs, the baking and decorating...not to mention all the things I've promised to do for others

Instead of my usual seasonal panic, fill me with a glowing sense of trust and peace.  Each day that I awake, let me rejoice in the fact that I'm well and able to do it - that I can get up and begin.

And though there never seems to be enough time (or money), let me remember that you've never let us down.  That as with the loaves and the fishes, a miracle happens each year. There is always plenty - more than plenty.  The house overflows with gifts and friends, the tree is bowed with its shining burden, the table groans with delicious things to eat.

Even time stretches out like a magic ribbon, somehow embracing all that must be done.  As for a woman's strength - therein lies the greatest marvel of all.  You give each of us extra portions for this season so that at the end, like children, we hug Christmas close to our hearts and don't want it to be over.

Remind me of all this as I prepare for Christmas this year, Lord.  Let me come eagerly to the seemingly impossible, knowing that this holy, happy season is a time of miracles.  ~ Marjorie Holmes Mighell,  December 1973.

I need to read this over & over & over again because I am feeling that seasonal panic.  If you have wondered where in the world I have been these past 10 days, and it really is unlike me to not blog I was overwhelmed with, once again, my procrastination.  After the wonderful Thanksgiving and short visit with my son & daughter-in-law from California I began to work on the Open House/Art Show where I sell CD Calendars and cards all with my photography, with most of the profits going to the Alzheimer's Foundation. The final tally isn't in but I sold approximately 30 calendars and 88 cards. My friend Marti and I have done this together for the past two years....with her profits going to The Cancer Research Center at Purdue University. Two charities we feel passionate about.

Marti and I are both rather unorganized, I am not telling tales on her, she openly admits it. And well, I can probably rank very close to number one at being a top notch procrastinator. Believe me, not something I am proud of, but unfortunately I have been this way my entire life.  If there is an organization gene, I must have been absent the day it was passed out.  As age creeps in, being a procrastinator is magnified because not only have I put things off, I am slower at completing those tasks.  A rotten combination. So we have vowed to begin our projects much earlier next year, but then I think back to how many times I have said...."OK, this is the year for organization" and it ain't done yet and another year is about ready to wrap up.

I want to hug Christmas close to my heart  so I am taking a deep breath, saying a prayer and diving in tomorrow to ready myself for the holidays.  How about you, are your holidays filled with a glowing sense of trust and peace?  Or are you a little like me, feeling a little seasonal panic and needing that extra portion of strength?

Until next time.....

22 comments:

  1. That's certainly a peaceful scene and wonderful mug.

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  2. Well, I have been wondering where you were, Deanna! Glad to hear it was your charity work that was keeping you away. I love the verse you shared here - so inspiring.

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  3. So, so glad to see your post tonight! I was getting ready to email you! I signed up for FOL Christmas card exchange for the first time and am in the midst of making my cards and hoping to get a few out tomorrow to far away lands! Good thing my stamp club Christmas party was postponed due to bad weather forecast for today so I can get my other cards done first! Every year it seems it is later and later that I get out my Christmas decorations and some years I only get out a few. Whatever... I quit letting it bother me. If they get put up and stay up through Valentine's day it's ok by me. (I try to use a lot of red and white so it works:) I like going out and about and enjoying all the decorations everyone else puts up! Beautiful prayer and photo--thank you for being you and being here!

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  4. Thankful you are back - was worried that your Sweetie took ill again.
    Procrastination - we all have a bit of that gene, but I've learned to say that I work better under pressure rather than I procrastinate!

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  5. Missed your musings, but sounds as if your plate was full to the brim and success was yours! Would love to see pics of the cards.

    A procrastinator I am, but as far as Christmas, I don't panic any more. Put out a nativity set and a folk art tin Christmas tree and call it Christmas!

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  6. I have been MIA myself my friend.. I can totally relate to this post. Even when I think I have everything handles. I think of 100 other things I need to do. This year is a bit different because I will be away from my family. But I still feel that Panic, Like I have forgotten something. I just know all will work out.

    Hugs~

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  7. Oh, Deanna, I have seasonal panic! I have bought one gift. One. I finally decorated the trees today. I have so much to do outside of getting ready for the holidays, and I feel like December is slipping away. I want to enjoy the holidays--I don't want them to pass in a flash--but I don't know how to slow down and do it. I am a procrastinator too. But I am trying to do better. :-) Congrats on doing so well with the sales!!

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  8. So glad you are well! Target has a knack for making me hyperventilate about a week before Thanksgiving, but I tend to recover quickly enough to enjoy the season. I am mostly feeling satisfied and hopeful right now. Our connections with family will be a treasure this year. :-)

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  9. Beautiful post Deanna! Hang in there!

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  10. You have such a way with words, Deanna!

    May the season be filled with peace!

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  11. Your photo is lovely, and so glad to see you back. While you are thinking of rushing around shopping, don't forget that you can just sit down at your computer and order anything that you want. I just finished my list this morning on the computer. Hugs to you and so glad that your husband is ok, and you too. Was really getting concerned not to see you around

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  12. I love the poem, Deanna!

    I am not a cheery Christmas person. I could go from a day or two before Thanksgiving and skip ahead to January 3rd very easily. I wish the Holiday season was simple; Church and family. I don't like all the extra hoopla and commercialization.

    Prayers to you for simple and joyous Holiday preparations.

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  13. Deanna, you are always giving and giving my friend. This doesn't surprise me to hear your profits go to the Alzheimer Foundation. One day, I hope they cure this bloody disease!! As for now...allow thankfulness to flow freely from your heart in response to HIS glorious gift.

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  14. I missed you glad you are back, you work so hard Deanna that you should pack yourself on the back. I'm getting that wound up feeling when you know you should write the cards and sort the decorations out.....

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  15. Congrats on the calendar and card sales. The numbers don't surprise me, though. :)

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  16. Hi, my name is Dotti. I'm pleased to meet you, Deanna! Seriously, I have missed you but knew what you were about. Take a deep breath, have one, just one, cup of coffee and then get busy with Christmas. Who cares if it takes a little longer each year? That just stretches out the joy. {That's what I keep telling myself.} And it sounds like your sale was well worth the effort. Congratulations!

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  17. I thought I was all organized, got my house in order for my Thanksgiving company and the Christmas boxes came out...and that is where they have sat since (they were here for eight days and I was basically a bed and breakfast so no time for decorating). But strangely I don't feel panicked...I'm going to work on it this week...on a side note I DID get my first batch of fudge made last night! lol So see, I'm getting there.... :)

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  18. I think I am reminded often that I need an extra portion! Not panicked but remember how weak I truly am. Blessings to you this advent.

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  19. The panic will start next week, until then I am joyfully ignorant. I have great ideas but lack follow through.

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  20. Not panicked...yet. If I don't get to the post office tomorrow....THEN I'll be panicked. breath in...exhale my friend. It will all be ok. BIG congrats on selling all the cards and calendars.

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  21. Sometimes you just have to take a "time out," especially at this time of year.
    I think we all have way too many expectations of ourselves at this time of year, and if we can just acknowledge that, things definitely do feel better.

    No panic here (yet!).

    Be easy on you, Deanna. xo.

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  22. I understand how you feel. Every year I tried to keep up and every year I would just feel overwhelmed. This year I decided to take a step back. I kept the decorations really simple and enjoyed the process. We are drawing names for gifts, so I only need to buy one gift and although I am hosting Christmas brunch, I am scaling back on that, too. With my parents gone, and my extended family scattered to the winds, it is just me and my immediate family, and you know what? I feel very happy. I have finally learned to say No to the hoopla after 58 years. I think Christmas has become something crazy and I just want to get back to the basic meaning of the holiday. I hope you can say No, too, Deanna. Everyone will understand. Hugs xo Karen

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