Chasing the Holidays

Jeremiah 31.jpg

I was starting to wonder if I was going to find a time to sit down and write a post for today. The days since the Thanksgiving holiday have been hectic to say the least. I am not totally sure why. Perhaps it is the fact that I said yes to a couple…..too many things?

My brain seems a little disorganized and unsettled.  Anyone else relate to that feeling? I am still not in the “swing” of the Christmas holiday that is fast approaching.  I was too busy enjoying the Thanksgiving one to move on to the next holiday.  I still have fall décor to take down in my home.  Once that is done perhaps I can focus on preparing for Christmas.

I am in awe of those who tell me that they are almost done or are done with their Christmas shopping……I have yet to start!  Fortunately for me, my husband is a man who can take “the list” and help get most of the shopping done in one big day. He approaches shopping with a single-minded vigor.  I am never quite sure how he does that. It might have something to do with the fact that he does not agonize if everything is the perfect gift. He figures it is on the list, so…..good to go. It might also have something to do with the fact that he does not second-guess his decisions!

Maybe if we had a foot of snow on the ground my mind would kick into gear. To be honest, I really don’t want a foot of snow on the ground!  Not yet.  I would like to wait for that to come once my grandkids get here. It is probably good I am not in charge of weather.

Maybe if I attended a couple Christmas programs?  Maybe, just maybe that would help?  Maybe if I would put the decorations up? In all reality I think that perhaps if I would just slow down, take a breath and just be still, that would be the most helpful.

I took a little journey over to the Rabbit Patch this evening and found peace and a beautiful quiet. It hit me then, once my mind had quieted down, that what I needed to appreciate the coming Christmas season wasn’t snow.  I did not need Christmas music. I do not need all the decorations or programs or trees.  I don’t even need to go shopping and fill all those lists.

What I really need to “get” Christmas is some quiet time with Jesus. I realized I have not been spending time during these busy days talking to the One who created me. I have not been enjoying conversations with the one was born that starlit night in Bethlehem.

How I thought I could get into the Christmas spirit, without taking time to acknowledge the one who came to earth that night, is beyond me.  I should have known better. I should have remembered that my days are more ordered and my mind more settled when I have taken the time to “be still and know” who is God.

My wish for all of you this busy holiday season is quiet. Not a huge looming, unsettling quiet, but the kind of quiet that seeps into your soul like water into dry dusty ground. The quiet of a foggy morning that lays thick in the bottom fields and mutes the sound. The kind of quiet that slows our pace, stills our hearts and soothes our minds. A quiet that is peace.

May your week be blessed and quiet.

 

 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,
and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.”
Matthew 6:34
The Message

 

 

 

 

46 thoughts on “Chasing the Holidays”

  2. Anne Mehrling says:
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    Our Thanksgiving continues. Daughter will not return to Denmark until Thursday, and son is coming Tuesday to spend a day or so with us. John has been decorating the house, everything but the Christmas tree. By Sunday, he had found the Advent wreath and Christmas dishes. Now he has most of the angels posted around the house. To me, this is a peculiar overlap of the holidays. I certainly feel the need to talk with God more regularly and find the peace that passes understanding. Lovely post, Faye.

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      I am with you on the overlap of holidays. It just kind of throws me. I like to focus on one at a time and that is getting harder and harder to do with all the hype from the commercial sector.
      I am glad you get to spend more time with your children! Relationship is so key and it just seems more so at the holidays.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. peggyjoan42 says:
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    Amen – slow down and spend time with God and Jesus. The holidays are not my favorite time. A lot of mankind seems to think of only material things during Christmas. Heard on the news a few days ago – “Someone shot and killed another human being in Reno over a parking space.” So sad, so senseless. May we all love and live in peace on this earth – loved your scripture.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. bcparkison says:
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    Yes! Some times we don’t really understand until God is the only one we can really count on. Quite is and has been for some time now my motto. That’s why we live in the country and even though there are” country sounds” it is so so much different than city life. Been there -done that …back to the country.

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      I have never really lived in a city of any size. The town I grew up in was small and we were on the edge on a gravel road. Now that I have been in the country longer than I have been in town….I would not want to go back to even a small town. Country sounds are just a different kind of noise- wind, branches squeaking, rivers running and wildlife. Love it!
      If it were summer I would sit outside and have a little chat with God…much too cold for doing that outside now.

      Liked by 1 person

      • bcparkison says:

        A cold walk in the crunchy snow would be a great time to talk to him. Of course we don’t get much snow down here. But we did survive the “Blizzard of 93” in Mentone , Alabama where we were at the time. 10 days without elect. and boy was it cold. Thankful for a fireplace that we could cook on and stay close to for warmth. We were a little younger then. LOL

        Liked by 1 person

      • thechickengrandma says:

        Right now we are having pellet like sleet. I suspect it will not be long and we will have the crunchy snow and very crisp mornings.
        Being without electricity can be a challenge. We did that last year but only for a couple days. Used our wood stove to heat up leftovers and put anything that needed refrigeration in the garage. Felt kind of pioneerish.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. A Nenes Life says:
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    What I love about Christmas is how we make the time for what is truly important. God, family and friends. Those we love and those that love us along with be surrounded by great food and great stories. For me, it’s a beautiful, peaceful and magical time of year. It’s the time of year when putting others first actually happens first (if ya know what I mean).

    Liked by 1 person

  11. thecobweboriumemporium says:
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    As always, I loved the post and you bring me into your world with your words and I get carried along as if seeing through some sort of misty window into your world and being with you. But … it was that final thing: The Message (Matthew 6:34) which did what it was meant to do, for me.

    “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,
    and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.”

    Thank you for bringing this to me, Chicken, (as well as the beautiful post).
    with love ❤ ~ Cobs. x

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
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      It is a verse I should post on my walls in my house. I do need reminders to not get worked up about the upcoming schedule…..or lack of it.
      I would love to show you around my world in person. I think we would have a great time talking, laughing, talking, learning new words, praying and yes laughing till we snorked.

      Liked by 1 person

      • thecobweboriumemporium says:

        LOL… snorking would be happening a LOT, me thinks! [grinning at the thought].

        I need reminders not to sweat over the things which really don’t need worrying over. I keep telling myself: Just trust, woman. Just trust.
        And for about the following five to six minutes it works.

        (ok, you can start snorking now). lol
        Sending you oodles of love ~ from me. x

        Liked by 1 person

      • thechickengrandma says:

        I must confess I did snork just then…..softly though. I think I did because I thought I was reading about myself on the just trust woman! And only working a little while. I always wonder if I am just a slow learner or slightly stupid or just stubborn and want my own way…..I have not yet decided on the answer. Perhaps it is some of all three. That is question I will not be asking my husband…..he is much to honest….and if he doesn’t answer that is an answer LOL

        Liked by 1 person

  14. rabbitpatchdiary.com says:
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    Guess what? I saw your post today and made myself wait til tonight to read it when I could savor it. It is lovely as always and then I see you mentioned my rabbit patch!!! Oh how sweet- it was like a surprise gift. Thank you so very much, It meant so much and really touched me. I am with you on Christmas, as much as I LOVE it-The trees are still talking about autumn and I am still listening! Oh thank you again!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. PaperPuff says:
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    I do know what you mean. I simply cannot apply myself to things much at all at the moment. I start one thing, then go off on a tangent and do something else! It’ll all come right in the end…I hope!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Kewrites says:
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    I could almost get the quietness in your post, I thought it will be a busy post, didn’t realize when it transcended into a quiet beautiful piece. Be still oh my soul! Thanks for the great words grandma

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Miriam says:
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    What a beautiful post. I haven’t been able to get into the Christmas spirit either. I think perhaps I need to take your advice. Slow down and reconnect with the meaning of the season. Thank you for the reminder.

    Liked by 1 person

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