Winter

Winter

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Raining All Around


Yesterday, I saw that last blooms on my roses. As I looked at all of the trees, I know that winter is on its way. I woke up to the wonderful sounds and smells of rain. This is supposed to be a huge storm, maybe even going until Thursday. Right now, it is just gentle showers. The Doppler is really lit up as it comes towards us.


It is funny how the pace changes once December is upon us. I would almost say a frantic pace begins.
I know that I am  just as guilty of adding to the frantic rush. I know every year, I tell myself I will slow down.
I will spend more time being quiet, reflecting on the words of Mary, and her lovely words of praise.

" And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

In December, I long to be as the other Mary, the one who sat at the feet of Jesus.

"But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,"

The Martha in my spirit always wins. My to-do list becomes longer than the days are long. I fall into bed exhausted and empty and so many times during the day I miss the moments that make life worth living.
I miss the moment of making the tired person behind the counter smile or laugh.
I miss the sunset that I should have watched.
I miss hearing the rain because I am in a hurry to get that one more errand accomplished.
I miss the time of quietly sitting at the feet of Jesus because I am too busy to sit with His love letters open on my lap.

So this December, I will begin today, ( I already missed the first day of December because of that to do list.)
To think of others more highly than myself.
To see to those whose needs are greater than my own.
To make my home one of peace and joy and not a battle ground.
To walk in mud puddles and splash.
To loose the list a few days a week.
Just some things I would like to do instead of being frantic.

Have you seen that picture of the two kinds of people at Christmas? One is Buddy the Elf, jumping and laughing because of it being Christmas. The other is a picture of Theoden from Lord of the Rings as he looks over the miles and miles of Orks and says, " So now it begins." I am the one who chimes in with Theoden and this year I hope to be more like Buddy.
 
Happy December!

~Kim~


" The whole world had changed. Only the fairy tales remained the same."
---Number the Stars, Lois Lowry, 1989

15 comments:

Kerin said...

My goodness... a rose in December, how wonderful!
Also great news about the rain you are getting..... I know you need the moisture :)

I guess I am like Buddy the elf. This year anyway.
When we moved here, to our new home, I made a conscious decision to enjoy each and every season. Even winter... if you can imagine that ....*giggle**.
So far, it's been easy, because we haven't received our deluge of snow.....yet.
I am sure it is on it's way.

May you have a lovely day, and great week, and a wonderful month... enjoying all the magic that is Christmas time.

{{hugs}}
K.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I love your mini faith lesson this morning..it touched me- thanks for sharing.

Debbie said...

I am soo looking forward to a couple of days of rain. This was a great post. Soo true. I soo want to slow down and ENJOY the season this year. That's one of the reasons I was so frantic to get a lot of it done before Thanksgiving this year. Lit a fire this morning and listening to music while I sew....love it! Enjoy your day!

TexWisGirl said...

hooray for gentle rains!

Kessie said...

I'm so glad you're finally getting rain! Looks like all the nature signs of El Niño paid off, huh? It's very overcast here, and we have 30 percent chance of rain. It's so lovely. :-)

Gail said...

What an amazing yellow rose, my favorite. I had daisies and yellow roses in my wedding bouquet.

A wonderful message we all should heed.

Christine said...

How lovely to see a rose at this time of the year! Glad you're having showers of blessings!
I was just reading of Mary and Martha today too... God is good to us to come with gentle reminders like the showers.

Nellie said...

Such a challenge for us to take the time to be still during this special season! Love reading about Mary and Martha today. I must confess that much of the time I am more of a "Martha." Working hard on "losing" part of that. xo Nellie

Alica said...

I'm so glad to hear you're getting some rain!! I wish too, that I could relax and enjoy the season more. Why is it so hard?! I want everything to be perfect, maybe that's why?

Cathy G. said...

Hi Kim,
I enjoyed reading your post after a hectic day running errands and shopping with my elderly mother. It was snowing and the roads were getting a little slick so traffic was crazy too. Back home with a cup of tea and reading that you are getting much needed rain there!
Made me smile when I heard it on the weather channel too.
Wishing you moments of wonder, peace and joy this Holiday Season!
Hugs!
Cathy G

Susan Kane said...

Number the Stars by L. Lowry is an excellent book, written by an excellent writer!

Someday, we will kneel at the feet of Jesus! Gives me goosebumps.

Meg said...

Isn't today just a fantastic day? It would be wonderful if it lasted until Thursday (as long as it's dry and not snowing in the mountains this weekend lol). I have the same problem during December too. I am always so frantic and I want be calm and happy this year too. :)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh yes I am with you too busy there is so many reasons to slow down and look at the bigger picture. HUG B

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Oh how I could have written those words! I am Martha, through and through, all year long, but especially so at Christmas. I pray that this Christmas, I'll be more Mary and less Martha.

Gumbo Lily said...

I'm so glad to hear it's raining upon you. Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, and merry Christmas!