Jesus, I am feeling like Diane did yesterday - paralyzed. I awoke early this morning with a headache, with so much to do today it is absolutely ridiculous. The load of celebrating your birthday is heavy today. Is it right? Why do we do this? We want to do so much to celebrate you that we forget why we are doing it sometimes. Yesterday I had so much going on and I was trying to decorate my house in the midst. I was trying to get the package off to New Guinea for the missionaries who are serving you out in that primitive land and who have no Wal Mart to go to, or even a grocery store nearby. I want them to have cake mixes, pecans, Rolo candy bars, toys, CDs, fabric for making quilts. It's all for a good purpose. I just didn't want to go to the post office with 3 little kids! I tried to get to King Soopers to get copies of my Christmas picture made, and to Office Depot to get envelopes for the letter I composed and printed off this week. I couldn't get there! By the time, I could, I had the 3 kids with me - getting them in and out of the car that many times on the icy and slushy parking lots was just too much. Then to try to keep them corralled in the stores - just overwhelming for this grandma yesterday. I also needed to get stuff for tonight's SS Christmas party - I signed up to bring rolls and dessert. I wanted to impress them with my yummy crescent rolls and maybe a pie. I couldn't get to the store! Thank you for reminding me of that soda bread recipe I'd been wanting to try - I had everything I needed right here in my house. Little Feisty was so eager to help. Sometimes it's more trouble than help, but her little 2-year-old help was just what I needed yesterday. She was so much fun. I had a brownie mix in the cupboard - I realized that was good enough. I even had some of that already-made frosting in the freezer with colored chips of candy in it. I added some green food coloring, made the brownies in the Christmas tree pans I'd bought last year and forgotten about, and put on the green frosting - perfect! Thank you for helping me figure out a way to save money and a trip to the store.
I didn't really feel like even going to the party, but I am so glad I did. This group of people is another part of our family. We sat around, ate too much, didn't even play any games. We just enjoyed celebrating your birthday with a great bunch of people and reminisced about our most memorable Christmases, sang a few carols a cappella, and got home early. Thank you for that relaxation.
But I left such a mess here when we rushed out the door to get there on time. It was still here this morning when I woke up early with a headache. So why am I blogging instead of doing all that needs to be done? I felt the need to talk to you in this way this morning. And my blogging friends have become an extension of my support system - they will pray with me today that I can calm down and remember why -
I want to get to the gym and work off some of those calories I consumed last night. I want to do the Christmas meme - I haven't been able to do it yet, and the ones I've read have evoked such great memories. I want to do the decoration blog that Morning Glory is sponsoring on Friday, but I have another post I need to do that day. I want to put something pretty on the top of my blogs like Pea and others do, but I don't know how! I don't even have time to put in that code to give credit to the people I'm mentioning today!
I have to do laundry, get to choir practice at 9:30, and to the Victorian Tea at 11:00. We're doing all of this in your honor. Why does it feel like too much? I know once I get to choir and sing the wondrous music, I will calm down and feel your presence. I know when Pat speaks to us at the tea and we fellowship with our lady friends at the beautiful tables that our friends have decorated (how did they have time to do that??), I will calm down and feel your presence.
But I need to feel your presence now. Thank you for the tears that are flowing as I remember that You are the Reason for the Season. Please soak my soul with this today. I need You. Thank You for being here with me as I write these words. Thank you for coming to this wicked world to save us when you could have stayed up there in paradise with your Father and the angels. Thank you for the music that is playing. Help me to be able to decide what I really need to do and how much I can leave undone. Help me to focus on you. Thank you.
Amen.
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12 comments:
(((Dawn))) I wish I was there to help you with everything. Getting ready for Christmas, as well as every day life, can become so very overwhelming and stressful. We do tend to sometimes forget what Christmas really is about but then we also want to make it all perfect for our loved ones so we run ourselves ragged doing it. I've learned to start things early so that I'm not rushed in the month of December...I learned the hard way. Take a deep breath my friend and only do what you can do in one day, it will all come together in the end. Big hugs going your way! xoxo
Dawn, very heartwarming to know that He is guiding you and knudging you in the right direction. It is such a blessed season and it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle bustle of it all. :) ((hugs))
Dear Dawn,
It's so hard to keep from doing it all, but sometimes we just have to say "no" As you say, you need to make choices so that you can more fully appreciate the events in which you do decide to participate.
Praying for you!
((hugs))
Oh, sweet Dawn. I'm sorry you feel so blue. I'll pray for you right now...
Father I pray that you comfort my sister Dawn right now as she is feeling burdened by all that she feels she needs to do during this busy time of year. I pray that you would help us all to stay focused on what this time is all about -- JESUS! Let us remember to include you in all of it and not be driven by the commercialism. Hold Dawn close to you right now and let her feel that peace that transcends all understanding for you are faithful. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dawn if you want some help putting things on your blog, I will help you. Just let me know what you want. You can email me on my blog. God bless you.
Oh my goodness! That's more than you need on your plate. Make a list and cross half of the "I must do's" off. If you don't take care of yourself first, you'll never make it through the rest of it.
It's ok to say no to some of the church responsibilities. That's such a classic way for people to burn out, and no one, I mean NO one, should make you feel guilty if you don't do "what you've always done." It's just unforgiveable for people to make someone feel that way. I know you enjoy all those things, but sometimes you just have to take a breather. They will find other people to pick up the slack and meet the needs.
Prayers and hugs...
Miss Dawn, we all feel overwhelmed at times. I'll pray for you as soon as I post this, and as you come to mind throughout the day. No matter what's going on, pain, especially a headache for me, makes everything seem worse.
I pray God's sweet peace will settle upon you and refresh you, Dawn. :-)
Love,
Diane
I had my overwhelming melt down last night and you have my prayers and sympathy today! (((Dawn))) know that HE will see you through! I hope it gets better!
You sound like you're just overwhelmed, Dawn. I know the feeling. This is what happened to me during Thanksgiving. Normally I can handle it but being sick made it all seem like too much.
I can't imagine trying to get all that running around done with three children in tow. No wonder you're frazzled.
Your headache is probably attibutable to tension. It sounds to me like you ARE getting things done but it's just really wearing on you.
When I have more to do than I can handle at a slow pace, I try to make myself stop and take ten minute breaks with a cup of hot tea. It helps to just stop for a few minutes and then start again.
Once you start doing the Christmas meme, it goes quickly. I thought it would take forever and it took me twenty minutes because all the answers just popped right into my head. I hope you do it. It's so much fun that so many people are sharing this.
I hope you feel better soon - feeling overwhelmed is just the worst feeling. I'm going to include you in my prayers tonight.
I admire you taking three kids anywhere, I'm still gathering the courage each time I take two-and one just lays there=)
I hope you are feeling a little more rested by now (I was gone yesterday). I'd love to just give you a hug and tell you I absolutely understand. I really think there are times we just need to slow down. I am finding it rather freeing not being able to do the Christmas "stuff" because of our pending move. I am determined to just concentrate on Him as much as possible. There are things we simply must to - but there are other times I think it's okay to step back and just "be" for a while.
Dawn - you are so sweet and do so much for everyone else. I'm praying for rest and peace for you this season. A special touch from Him.
Hi Dawn!
Thanks for bringing this to my attention...I might not have found it until mid-week or so. So we are existing on a parallel trajectory, it would seem.
I don't know about you, but I think I'm discovering about myself, that I over- think things, and thereby don't do anything well!
It sounds like you were overscheduled, but I see a few posts up that it all worked out -- just the way He meant it to. :)
Isn't it amazing how a little bit of pampering (which I think is really about the expression of care) makes a woman forget the rush? I certainly feel better; clearly you do to.
Have a blessed and restful HOLYday season.
Your friend in Him,
Grafted Branch
Eek! Make that "too," as in also!
Really, I kin doo dis homeskoulin' thing. Don't you worry none 'bout us!
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