"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall,
the genial flame of charity in the heart."
~Washington Irving
It seems we grow so very busy around Christmas time. What are we busy with? Is it shopping, cooking, cleaning, worrying that we aren't buying enough...doing enough? Could it be that maybe, just maybe, we need to rethink the whole month of December?
What's most important?
Who's most important?
Can we make a choice and a plan right now to focus on those two things?
The goal is to spend this month doing those things that really matter with those who really matter.
First, set some time aside, fifteen minutes, an hour, and afternoon, whatever you have. Use this time to brainstorm what is most important to you and your family this month. This will be different for each family. It may even be different for each family member. Now is the time to get your thoughts on paper; then, speak with your husband and even your children. Consider traditions, hospitality, giving, creating things, cooking, Advent activities, church activities. Which things are most important? Which things are you ready to let go? Think about how much time and preparation each of those things will take.
Next, think about who's most important. Your husband and children are a given. Extended family? Friends? Church members whom you don't know well but would like to get to know? Your children's friends? Business associates? Your best girlfriends? The new family in the neighborhood, strangers? You get the idea. Who do you want to make sure that you make time for this month?
Now, think about your home, family, homeschool, business, and church activities. How do they fit into the calendar? Do they meet the most important criteria? Is there anything that needs to be pruned for a season?
Now's the time to think and plan for all these things. Fit these things into the calendar leaving white space on your calendar for quiet evenings at home and for spontaneity and rest. This will be challenging but worth it. You can do this. You can make this the best Christmastime ever by doing what is most important to you with those who are most important to you.
*Click the picture to get the free wallpaper.
Fridays Unfolded
It seems we grow so very busy around Christmas time. What are we busy with? Is it shopping, cooking, cleaning, worrying that we aren't buying enough...doing enough? Could it be that maybe, just maybe, we need to rethink the whole month of December?
What's most important?
Who's most important?
Can we make a choice and a plan right now to focus on those two things?
The goal is to spend this month doing those things that really matter with those who really matter.
First, set some time aside, fifteen minutes, an hour, and afternoon, whatever you have. Use this time to brainstorm what is most important to you and your family this month. This will be different for each family. It may even be different for each family member. Now is the time to get your thoughts on paper; then, speak with your husband and even your children. Consider traditions, hospitality, giving, creating things, cooking, Advent activities, church activities. Which things are most important? Which things are you ready to let go? Think about how much time and preparation each of those things will take.
Next, think about who's most important. Your husband and children are a given. Extended family? Friends? Church members whom you don't know well but would like to get to know? Your children's friends? Business associates? Your best girlfriends? The new family in the neighborhood, strangers? You get the idea. Who do you want to make sure that you make time for this month?
Now, think about your home, family, homeschool, business, and church activities. How do they fit into the calendar? Do they meet the most important criteria? Is there anything that needs to be pruned for a season?
Now's the time to think and plan for all these things. Fit these things into the calendar leaving white space on your calendar for quiet evenings at home and for spontaneity and rest. This will be challenging but worth it. You can do this. You can make this the best Christmastime ever by doing what is most important to you with those who are most important to you.
*Click the picture to get the free wallpaper.
Fridays Unfolded
I loved your post because that is exactly what we are doing this year..Planning out what is important..This would have never happened if I was not fighting cancer...It changed my life for the good...It brought me closer to the Lord, family, church and what is very important to us in our life..
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and may it be fille with many many blessings...Lisa
your right I love the fire place part.
ReplyDeleteneat I love it
ReplyDelete