I don't know how it happened exactly, but I know that it did. I had been feeling blue, and had no idea why. I usually am anxious to decorate for Christmas, but this year it just seemed like a lot of effort. Perhaps it was because I was weary after having a few rough weeks. I don't really know for sure. I just knew my heart wasn't into decorating. Then came Wednesday.
It was time for my weekly walk with a dear friend of mine. Once a week we get together to walk for about an hour. As we walk, we share what is going on in our lives, share concerns and prayer requests and then pray as we walk. This time we were slightly delayed by about a half hour. As we left my home it was starting to flurry outside. I love snow! As we walked that hour, the snow became heavier and heavier. We often had to brush the snow off of our coats as it accumulated. It was incredible walking in a winter wonderland.
My friend suggested to me that I take the day off from homeschooling and just decorate and enjoy the day. Now typically I like sticking with my lesson plans, and don't like to alter them much. But that day I felt God calling me to take a snow day. That morning as the boys and I ate our breakfast we enjoyed watching the antics of the birds outside our kitchen window. We spent time decorating the house together. We managed to get everything decorated and the majority of the boxes put back in the attic. The only boxes left are the ones for decorating our Christmas tree, that we will hopefully get tomorrow, and also lights and greenery to decorate outside - after it isn't so hard tromping through the snow.
I realized this morning that my 'snow day' was one of God's blessings for me this week. Not only did it allow me to get things ready for Christmas, but it also allowed me time with my sons, and also breathed a fresh air of hope and encouragement into my heart. I praise God that He used this time to draw me into His sweet presence. I smile each time I look outside and see the snow. Today you will find me often singing or humming a Christmas carol under my breath. I praise God for the gift He gave me when I chose to change my plans. What is He speaking to your heart this Christmas?
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2 comments:
Christmas Rules!!! Good for you for having allowed Christmas tidings to rule rather than being forced by the rules that would have robbed you. Suddenly I miss the lovely snow of the midwest. Your story is so uplifting. Thanks for sharing and helping us to realize that it is OK to stray off hte path in order to get recharged! I am off to listen to the songs in the air!
I fully support Christmas decorating as a homeschool subject. Discussing family heritgae while decorating and hanging vintage ornaments from our ancestors was a valuable assset to our day. Great grandpa served in Pearl Harbor and he is no longer with us. Our other great granpda served in World War 2 and my dad was in Vietnam. Now they want to know more bout Vietnam It definately opened up the onversation and interest in my children.
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