Season of Love

Hours, then days of frantic preparation, this litany of gift lists, menu and last second decoration...consumed in too few hours like a fast paced movie you'd rather not end.  The energy level sinks among tattered bits of wrapping paper, a naked tree devoid of presents, extra chairs still scattered.  Procrastination is the word for the day, as memories of the night before run through your mind like a slide show. 

The blessing of family is precious; the opportunity to be together a gift in itself.  Watching your grandchild's face light up, exclaiming "It's just what I wanted!" is heart warming and lovingly contagious. Happiness abounds and you just drink it in.

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family

 all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis

Thanking God for my life filled to the brim with a loving family, a loving Saviour and most of all for God's grace!  May Christ be a part of your lives this day and every day of the year!

Cabin Fever

Cabin fever is real.  So is bronchitis.  Next step is pneumonia which should be avoided at all costs.  Lack of medical insurance will teach you that if nothing else.

So, the lingering, lounging, endless hours go by while one thousand and two things need to be done before Christmas.  And since Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, the plans for decorating this year would surpass anything I had ever tried in the past.  Visions of garland with red bows draping the front fence, millions or else thousands of white lights outlining the house, and snowmen and penguins dotting the landscape.  For the first time in a long time, we now lived in a place that just begs for lots of holiday delight.  Woe is me and my name is whiner.

Cabin fever does offer time for reflection...when not napping...and there is plenty of distraction.  Friends and acquaintances fighting cancer and other heartaches.  Reading blogs of women who have lost their mates and struggling to get through the holidays.  Watching videos of heart rending circumstance and courageous efforts to overcome.  Reading verses of encouragement and promise from God's Word and prayer for those suffering.

One week of cabin fever is no equal to a lifetime of suffering or a seemingly endless barrage of continuing bad news, nor is it useless. As with any time of sickness or helplessness, it is another opportunity to realize my dependence on a higher power, one who knows me and loves me and will never leave me. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Tomorrow, God willing, I will be able to leave this house for a short trip.  I will whine no more and I will be grateful more.