Sunday, November 22, 2009

Entering the Gate

green-wreath-1-de-94728846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here we are, Entering the gate of the happiest time of the year.  A season set apart by the happiness and joy of the birth of Jesus. A season of Thanksgiving, and it all starts this week.  I see us all scurrying to decorate our homes and make everything beautiful, and that is one of the joys of this season.  But I would like to take a moment and make sure that not just my house, but my heart and attitude are in order.  In the past I have found myself being so caught up in everything being “perfect” and “beautiful” that I have sometimes snapped at my family.  Why did they leave that mess there?  Why don’t you help me with this?  Don’t you know we have guests coming and everything doesn’t look as it should?  Feeling, can I say it? a little overwhelmed and overbooked 

Yup. I have been that woman.

I am sitting myself down with a nice cup of tea right now and getting my priorities in order. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

It isn’t about the gift or, heaven forbid, the cost of the gift. It’s about time, and love and kindness. 

The decorations and crafts are wonderful, but not if they leave me feeling rushed. 

It’s about the memories.  What memories will my kids have some day?  Cranky mom wanting to make everything perfect at the expense of everyone's sanity and peace?  Or a mom and wife who always had time for fun and cuddles and long walks in falling snow?

It’s about worship. Remembering the greatest gift any of us could have gotten. The birth of a Savior of our souls. 

Right now, before the rush and whirlwind and parties begin, decide what is really important about this season and remember it when things get frantic. 

Enjoy a cup of Christmas tea and add a bit of thankfulness and good cheer to sweeten it.

And have a wonderful holiday season :>)

(And don’t forget Handmade Holidays Mr. Linky on Tuesday!)

26 comments:

  1. Hi Kathy
    Thanks for the reminder about why we celebrate. This time of year is always stressful for me because I dislike giving gifts to our children and grandchildren who lack for nothing and who buy so much. This year it will be different though. I'm giving money to charities instead and I feel much more positive about the approaching holidyas. Now all I have to do is tell them :)
    Hugs, Rhondi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathleen Grace!!! YOU my girl have a lot to be thankful for after reading your last post!!! Oh my goodness...You have a husband all in one piece! ( and a SWEET new ceiling!!!) with the trimmings!!! Happy Thanksgiving. xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

    ReplyDelete
  3. How in the world have I missed handmade tuesdays, chick!?! I think I'll get creative and link up this tuesday. Ooooooh, Kathleen, that little wreath is just adorable, sugar! If I could have wreaths all over my house I would, but just not enough wall space in this small house for this chick.

    Now, the holiday season???? I truly just focus on the Savior and read the Christmas story to keep me in the mood.

    Love Bunny and I have given up on gifts except for the 3 youngest grandsons and just get them Jack in the Box cards and that's IT, sweetpea! Sooooo much less stress and there isn't one thing in this world I need and very few wants that don't involve "roses"! It has taken tremendous stress off of us. You might try that. Just a thought, sugar. ;-)

    xoxo,
    Connie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful thoughts on what is truly important! And may I say that I like the fact that your font is nice and dark and I can read it so easily!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  5. thank you for the encouragement :) im going to really try hard to get the goodies made to take to my sisters house the night before. this will help me show up on time ane enjoy myself. this will also help my family feel calm and they can enjoy their time too :)have a great time with your family.
    blessings,
    aimee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kathleen,
    This is a lovely post, and so right.

    Thanks for sharing

    blessings
    barbara jean

    ReplyDelete
  7. BEAUTIFUL post Kathy!!!!! And so perfectly said. I definitely need to read and do this!! I tend to over worry about the WRONG things!!
    Love ya sweet friend :)
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  8. hmmm... I'll probably remember that one mom who WOULD NOT, no matter how hard I begged, get up at 6 am every Christmas morning. sheesh. It's not like it was that early... lol. Now that I'm older I understand why you felt that way. I love you!!! xoxoxo
    ~Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are so great about getting us by the shoulders and reminding us of the important things in life.
    Thanks so much..I think I snapped at Mr. Sweet awhile ago...*gulp..
    I'll be nicer!!
    One blessing of growing older is that I've learned it's not all the decorations, the totally dusted house, even the great foods, that is remembered. It's those times when we sat and laughed, playing games together...or just being all spread out over the living room and feeling contentment..or watching a ball game on tv together and every one getting so excited...It has ALWAYS been the TIME we've spent together that everyone remembers.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for the reminder. The older I get the more I know that it's the truth. Relax, enjoy, make memories, don't sweat the small stuff. Have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving my dear. Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for this sweet post. So important, so timely. Thank you for taking the time to write down what our priorities should be. It is a wonderful reminder.
    Blessings, dear soul, this coming season,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  12. What wize words they are! I have to say that added to all that rushing around we have heat and it gets to be that I do not enjoy the time as I should. ( and those around me too)
    So I will try to take your advice and chill out and enjoy this year.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amen to that my friend! Thank you for the sweet and honest reminder about priorities - needed that today! You are always an inspiraion to me Kathy...in so many ways!! I'm so glad you shared this post...

    Your Handmade Tuesdays are wonderful - I hope to participate this week or next...great idea!!

    Have a glorious, relaxed, joyful Thanksgiving if I don't stop by again beforehand...

    Hugs & Blessings,
    Becky S.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, you are SO right! What I need to have in order more than anything is ME - my attitudes, my spirit, my soul - in the rush of the season. I don't want to get lost in the hustle and bustle around me. And I certainly don't want to 'lose' those dear to my heart because of it. Thank you for these words. I'm off to fix a cup of early morning tea - and spend a bit of quiet time gathering my thoughts before the day gets away and the week rushes in on me. ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
  15. a very important reminder! thanks for helping us all to remember to slow down and enjoy one another and the memories we are making! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful post Kathy. Thank you for the reminder to stop and really enjoy this most wonderful all all seasons.

    I had been worried, that my mantel is not done, so I can't decorate it, I am not even sure at this point where the holiday decorations are - lol. So, I am going to go pour a cup of tea and follow your lead.
    xo
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  17. I remember when my children were young, always wishing to get them everything that their friends were getting and always feeling a little sad that they wouldn't because we were not from "money". But as I grew I realized what truly is important and today with 3 grown daughters, it's nice to see that they all want to come home for each holiday to share with all the wonderful memories they still have as children.

    ReplyDelete
  18. mwahahaha. I get to see you tomorrow. You are SO LUCKY your daughter is AWESOME!!! (And I'm pretty lucky my parents are awesome.) xoxoxo
    ~V

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you so much for visiting me. It is always so wonderful to have someone take the time to leave a comment and yours was particularly sweet to me.
    Blessings, dear one,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  20. Martha vs. Mary :)
    I know Jesus would rather us sit at His feet than decorate and eat sweets in His name...it is something to stay alert about...so many things to trap us and keep us from true worship. Wow.
    I was thinking earlier about the little signs that say "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" and how we take that to mean things like...make sure you display a big Nativity scene or something when maybe it might mean to sacrifice in some way...an act of love. Great topic Kathy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. So well said! years ago I was a crazy woman before the holidays but I've relaxed so much these days......whatever I can get done in the "fluffing" department is just a bonus!
    Have a wonderful day with your family!
    XoXo
    Robin

    ReplyDelete
  22. I loved this post and it is so true! Everyone needs to read this!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Hugs,
    Lee Laurie

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)