I sit here tonight snuggled up in my thermals with a giant blanket around me. This 60 degree change from our Florida trip to back at home has me all snuggled up. I’m so glad to slow down if just for one evening. Funny thing is that in reality I have a million things to do, but I am practicing letting those things go, handing them all to the Lord one by one. And yes, I mean practicing because I just cried about the pile of clean laundry on my bed that needs to be folded.
I’ve been noticing lately ( like the last several months/years) that I tend towards being a slave to my to-do list. I let it define me and control me and fall apart when things don’t go as planned. It is not a pretty thing and makes me realize just how much I need Jesus. But then I get on a roll again (smiling, sending notes, checking things off my list, having everyone awe about how much I get done) and I feel like I have worked myself out of my mess (instead of the grace of Jesus) and then it all crashes again and thus the cycle continues. That is why I say practicing because it is easy to let productivity & perfection rule me but I need to change that habit, that pattern and it is something that I have to chose moment by moment (remember crying Elizabeth over my pile of laundry?)
Want to know what I learned today (besides the fact that Jimmy Fallon made this adorable JCrew phone case)?! I learned that Thanksgiving is next week. It is crazy people. This is when my to-do list starts freaking out. Like my house doesn’t have carpet yet, how am I supposed to decorate for Christmas!? This is where that practicing comes in because of course I want to decorate for Christmas and it is fun to create a warm & welcoming home for guests around the holidays but is that the most important? Is the holiday season all about perfectly decorating your house and then sharing pretty, bright pictures of it on Instagram? Can the Lord still use me and an unfinished to-do list to reflect the true meaning of Christmas? To show Christ, to be generous, to share the Gospel?
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart, prepare him room
And Heaven, let Heaven
Heaven and nature
Heaven and nature sing
Let every heart prepare Him room. When my heart is so cluttered with expectations, stress, and fear, I leave no room for Jesus. My drive to get my outside world ready for the holidays doesn’t also prepare room in my heart. In fact, it can sometimes do the opposite – block him out. I’m too busy setting up for Christmas, shopping for gifts, and creating wish lists (full of affiliate links so I can try to make money) to even spend time with Him.
I don’t want you to think that I have it all together. I’m sinful and messy and in need of grace just like you. I say hurtful things, I am selfish & self seeking, I let fear control me, and I pretend my sin isn’t that bad. Sometimes we forget the people around us are just as messy as we are. We live for people’s approval over the Lord’s approval. But grace is always there and it covers all that sin. We cannot work ourselves out of our mess but we don’t have to drown. In this crazy season that vies for so much of our attention and time, let us first seek the Lord and lay our lists at His feet.
Let the Lord fill you with his song. Rejoice with the heavens and the earth regardless of your circumstances this holiday season. Prepare Him room and let go of those other things that are cluttering your heart. And it is okay if you have to practice doing that day by day and moment by moment. His grace is always better than our striving.
Thanks for listening to my heart and nodding your head (I hope at least a little) to the crazy, hectic, holiday to-do list syndrome. My prayer is that this season would be different for you. That you would be able to let go, forgive, be generous, receive grace, and experience the Lord in a new way this Christmas.
We also wanted to give you the opportunity to win this mug as a reminder of this season. Meg, Sam, and I are so thankful for you! To enter to win this beautiful Lindsay Letters Mug, fill out the rafflecopter below! Good Luck!
I hate it when I let the affirmation of others rule my life! That is not what matters and it brings with it stress and joylessness. There can only be joy when we live our lives for Him! Beautiful post as always. An I want that mug!!! That phone case is great:)
My favorite family tradition is hunting for the perfect Christmas tree. My family has cut down a live tree for as long as I can remember.
Three of my favorite things from Lindsay Letters include the Be Brave print, the Let our Lives be full of both Thanks and Giving print, and the mug you are drinking from! 🙂
Love you so very much and your beautiful heart.
I love baking with my three girls and drinking eggnog with my husband after the kids are in bed.
I love mugs.. so any of the mugs are beautiful; especially the “start your day with gratitude” and the one you are giving away. I love the tumbler that says “Drink more water, darling”. The “Hello, Adventure” canvas is also amazing. I need some more adventure in my life.
I like tipping back some beverages with friends and family!
Love baking & Christmas music!
I just love all that she has in her print shop! Especially the O Holy Night print, Thanks & Giving, and the campfire mugs.
Thank you so much for writing this. It really inspired me, and I know it will inspire others as well. I get so stressed about my to do list around this time of year too, but you are absolutely right when you say the purpose is just to glorify God in the end. I know you’re going to do that. Thanks for writing this real, inspiring post today.
I absolutely love this time of year mainly for the traditions! My favorite is being able to get together with my family and celebrate. I also love picking out and decorating a tree with the kids as well as plan fun ideas for the Elf on a Shelf!
My favorite items from Lindsey Letters includes the Peace on Earth canvas, Gratitude Latte mug, and the Thankful canvas! Such a cute shop!
Decorating the tree is always my favorite tradition! That and gathering around the tree on Dec 24th with a Christmas beverage in hand, opening gifts with Christmas music in the background, followed by a movie of course 🙂
i think i struggle most with the holidays. i see my friends, bloggers, etc always post these elaborate home decorating, christmas cards, parties etc and i start to compare myself with them…and then i start to feel bad about myself, and that ultimately leaves no room for Him…for Him to take hold of my heart and reassure me those things AREN’T the basis of the holiday season or life.
thank you for getting so personal with us in this post. <3