Wednesday, December 17, 2008
After we returned from our trip to the States the other weekend, it wasn’t long before I started to feel really overwhelmed with everything on my plate. I’m sure the sleep deprivation and aching muscles from our travel didn’t help my emotions at all either. (It had been a very unexpectedly LONG travel day coming home.) Our kids were also not yet sleeping peacefully through the night and even fighting bedtime despite their tiredness. I began to dwell on all the “unfinished” tasks that stare me in the face each day: the endless laundry, the clothing items that need a simple needle and thread, my stack of craft projects, books I’ve started, the house cleaning, my photography class, and the stack of papers on my desk. And these don’t include the time with the Lord that I’d like to have.
After a few extra hours of sleep, I woke up with a vision to simplify my life and lower some of the unrealistic expectations I have for myself. My photography class has been put “on hold” indefinitely. I’ve released myself from trying to have a scheduled time for preschool activities with the girls each week; instead, I am just trying to be intentional with opportunities as they arise. And I only broke out one box of Christmas decorations this year; this alone reduced a lot of my stress!
After several days now of simplification, I am more at peace and ready to enjoy the simplicities of Christmas. The smiles. The heartfelt gifts. The time together with family and friends. The magic and wonder of Christ’s birth.
