Monday, November 14, 2016

Time Compressed

Way back on October 14th, I stopped in at Home Depot for some 9V smoke alarm batteries. I walked into a winter wonderland. They were in full Christmas mode. The next day, I repeated the experience at Costco.

Growing up, we didn't see Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was the official kick-off of the season with Santa Claus riding on the last float. Perhaps time goes slower for children than adults.

Perhaps time is indeed going forward faster with each passing day. I'm reminded of the scripture: "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt." Amos 9:13 (KJV)

As I go through my daily routines and try to squeeze in the many tasks on my to-do list, may I remember to put what's truly important at the top: 1) My relationship with the Lord - praying, worshiping, getting into the Word, 2) My family and friends, and 3) The calling of God on my life to write.

This year, as we approach the Christmas season, I want to slow down and savor what is precious.

Writers:  How do you keep November and December from becoming a pressure cooker ready to blow?

Readers:  What are some of the important Christmas traditions you want to revive for your family?

Photo Credit:  Marek Bernat

2 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Good reminder, Susan. Thank you. I'm coming off a super busy stretch, just trying to catch up, and I need to make time for the really important things. Sometimes they fall by the wayside more quickly than they should. Have a good week! :)

quietspirit said...

Susan: It always has been a trial for me to get through December without getting a sinus infection, (I call it my 'Christmas cold.' I spent the month of January 2000 down with a hum-dinger of a sinus infection. I have had to learn to pace myself. As our family has grown smaller, I find it not as much of a rushed season. I try to get lots of rest. When I was a lot younger and worked a full-time job, I seemed to drag myself through January and February, when the weather broke in the spring, I began to feel better.