Thanksgiving is over, Christmas season is in full-swing, which inevidently brings a shower of expectations. You may have felt it in the days leading up to Turkey Day with making sure the food was just right, and the table fell out of an Entertaining magazine. Too often, we find ourselves bustling about to fulfill a false perception of expectations we interpret from others. Most likely, it is us putting one leg at a time in the pants of perfection.
Will we have enough gifts under the tree? Does the Advent calendar look spectacular? Am I creating enough memories for my family? Am I not creating anything?
From the right to the left, forward & backward, we are bombarded by our ways of “doing” the holidays. We strive to create beauty for the sake of beauty, without ever enjoying the small moments of helping our children put on their shoes as we glimpse into their souls.
Today I was struck by my very first post I wrote, which would began this journey of Redeeming the Table. Shalom for the Supermom. I began asking myself, “Am I choosing to walk in Shalom? Am I choosing to allow Shalom to enter into every part of my being? Am I finding my worth in the arms of a loving Savior, or am I allowing the traditions & busyness of the season to dictate my path?”
I invite you to read & find rest before one more deal, one more checked item, but how I…
Backdoor Hospitality 
I read your post and the questions that you posed. " I began asking myself, "Am I choosing to walk in Shalom? Am I choosing to allow Shalom to enter into every part of my being? Am I finding my worth in the arms of a loving Savior, or am I allowing the traditions & busyness of the season to dictate my path?" I have found that I have assessed my walk, so much of my life, in traditions, even thought I wanted to escape from it but I seemed to continue to gauge my being on trying so hard to live up to tradition. I have found that I have failed miserable when I tried to live up to the standards of society, the worlds standards. I thought that I should be a certain person as a mother but I was unable to be that person. I never fit the mold. I wish I would have known what I know now. I feel much more peace than I ever did growing up. I admit that at times I picture that gathering at the table for a wonderful dinner with all my children and their families. I picture all of us sitting together on Christmas morning enjoying my grandchildren's excitement as they look at the tree and all the presents underneath. The house decorated for the season, the smell of the fresh cut Christmas tree in every room of the house. A fireplace blazing with an amazing glow and warmth on a snowy day. Fresh baked goods and treats. Strangely enough, that is just an imagination that never came to reality in my life, so the best thing that I can do is thank the Lord for what I have and that is Salvation and celebrate the birth and resurrection of my Savior. To remind myself that it is not material things that make Christmas, it is knowing that I have a wonderful mansion waiting for me when I move on to the next stage in my life where I don't have to worry about all of those things that the world has tried to engulf our lives with such as Black Friday, etc.I can find peace just knowing that the Lord loves me and that he has blessed me with wonderful children and grandchildren. I hope that this all makes sense.
LikeLike