Practically Preparing

Thunder in the desert!
   "Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth,
   a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys,
   level off the hills,
Smooth out the ruts,
   clear out the rocks.
Then God's bright glory will shine
   and everyone will see it.
   Yes. Just as God has said.

Isiah 40:3, The Message

The last two days have been partly spent gathering up all our boxed Christmas decorations, and gathering my wits for the upcoming celebrations. Preparing. I'm finding what is where. I'm washing Christmas linens. I'm pulling cards out of storage from last year's sale. I'm checking for any supplies that are needed. I'm picturing what is to come. I'm hoping. Then I'm boxing everything back up into storage. I'm waiting.

On Christmas eve, we will pull out these boxes and put up all of our decorations--tree, lights, candles, mugs, EVERYTHING. Last year, since the little man was so little, he woke up the next morning to a decorated house. This year, he will help us. I can't wait. 

There is such a peace of mind knowing that when the time comes, I'm prepared to celebrate. The desire is huge. Even preparing takes time, clarity, and simplifying. It makes me hungry for that feast!

Living in the Now: Rethinking tradition

Because of very different family traditions during the Christmas season, my sweetie and I have had some major upheaval in finding compromise. Hot tears, heavy angst. Your imagination can fill in the details.

Being good Anglicans, although thickheaded, it sank in that Advent is traditionally separate from Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day (November 27 this year). Advent marks the beginning of the church calendar. Advent is often marked as a time of fasting, waiting, preparing, and creating space for a deeper relationship with God. 

Christmas begins on December 25th.

By letting both seasons stand separately, we've found a much more rich season of simplicity. This is our third season separating the seasons, and again, we're finding rest, preparedness, and excitement. Waiting is hard, and does not come naturally to my immature spirit. Which is a good reason to practice.

Practically Speaking: Denture tablets and soaking

Found a new trick for denture cleaning tablets. Old tricks include dropping them in funny shaped flower vases for a deep clean, or soaking them in funky smelling plastic containers. Gathering used glass bottles for reuse, I have found the cleansing tablets completely dissolve old labels with no scrubbing. A minor miracle, as you surely know. Now I can keep nice old jelly jars, syrup jars, and salad dressing jars! I use this brand (on left) since it is usually cheap. Store the tablets with your clean vases, or with your dish soaps.

1. Find a container that can completely engulf your glass bottle to be recycled. A large, tall pot works well.

2. Place used glass bottle inside container.

3. Fill large container with warm water.

4. Drop in one or two cleansing tablets--depending on the size of the label. Let soak for several hours.

5. Take old glass container out, and wipe any excess label or glue with a paper towel.

Its a good reminder that I need to soak in God's presence, to loosen grime and re-purpose my old ways. Soaking takes time, little agitation, and quiets your heart to see the God who is now-here. Check out this soaking prayer website for just a start.

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction. 

--The Message, Psalms 23:2-3

Thanksgiving: Now and Always

Now and always.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and sincere thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people; We bless you for our creation, preservation, ad all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. Give us, we pray, such a sense of all y our mercies that our hearts may be sincerely thankful, so that we declare your praise not only with our lips, but also in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Practically Speaking: Colorful reminders

We have a new tradition this year for Thanksgiving. Like old-fashioned paper Christmas chains, our Thanksgiving chains are draped in seasonal colors cut from old scrap book paper. Writing a word, or very simple idea, we are listing people, things, ideas, or experiences for which we are thankful. This has been an ongoing journey for several days, and has made a special remembrance chain of how God has provided perfectly for us. This is a satisfying keepsake that we will add to for years to come, and perhaps use the idea again in coming holidays.

Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you'll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.  

--The Message, Deuteronomy 11:18

Living in the Now: Secret Confession

Ok, important disclaimer. This is a tiny thought in proportion (like 2%) to the other true thoughts that weight much heavier in my mind (98&), so you need not think I'm just horrid. You need not correct my thoughts, because I don't feel very teachable right now.

There is a part of me that really dreads Thanksgiving. It is a difficult holiday to develop my own family's traditions. After the on average five Thanksgiving meals all over East TN,  I shudder at the thought of extending any other effort. Its such a tired holiday by the time the weekend is over. There is very little to "do" on this holiday, besides watch football (which I still don't understand), watch an old classic (nostalgic, but we have the loud genes; watching "Its a Wonderful Life" and not hearing a word is disappointing), or nap (YES).

While we are expected at all family meals, I must fairly admit they generously spread out the celebrations, making every meal physically possible (this might be a curse, not a blessing...). But I've always wondered, if we lived out of state would we still be expected to make the family rounds? 

We have been known to write all family off by just leaving and going to the beach. Very clean, very nice.

My friend politely challenged me to just say "no" to whichever celebration I most dread. It was the most shocking thing I've ever considered. The sun might not rise. Maybe I need to be needed in the tradition. Or, maybe its worth giving up a bit of what I prefer, knowing it means so much to other family members. Not to mention all of our other family holidays never feel stressful, so maybe I shouldn't complain since it could always be worse.

This year's compromise: stash a special pie, buy a big bottle of wine, and watch "Step Brothers" with our favorite friends at the end of the marathon. Who, it turns out, feel exactly like we do. We will rendezvous at sunset, satisfied that we have loved our family the way they want, and delighted to eat pie without any rules or editing. The best of both worlds.

Celebrating survival.

Living in the Now: Quieting Pace

A week has passed, and I'm thankful for a season of very focused time at home. Helping a good neighbor with their son's childcare has given me the good excuse to stay home and invest in family. Thank you GOD for this timing. Spending time teaching, instructing, and playing is such a good rhythm since the last few weeks of juggling. I love how God gives me a time to rest and be when I need it the most.

Practically Speaking: Corners of Your Field

“Now when you reap the harvest of your land you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit from your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.”    —Leviticus 19:9-10

If you are from the Knoxville area, keep this in mind during the upcoming season of giving. I've been purging the unwanted and generally unused items from my closets as we prepare for the upcoming holiday season. While I have normally made donations anonymously, I appreciate that KARM  has provided this branch of ministry. By denoting my church when I making my donation, my church will receive points for these donations. Once my church has received a certain number of points, my church will receive a gift certificate to distribute to our benevolent ministries. By giving in my church's name, KARM commits to giving back to the community long-term. Its a win-win situation.