Now that the calendar says it's almost December, I guess it's "officially" OK for me to listen to Christmas music. I've been noticing a lot of complaining about Christmas music being played or sung prior to Thanksgiving, and I have to confess that I don't really understand that. From the perspective that Thanksgiving is becoming the "forgotten" holiday and that retailers jump into Christmas advertising right after Labor Day, I'll accept the complaining......at least a little bit.
But for me, "Christmas music" transcends the season. I would gladly listen to it and sing it year-round. And I confess that, in the privacy of my own home, I do!! It's a bit sad to me that this wonderful music which tells so much of the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place, that gives us so many wonderful lyrics about the redemption story, is relegated to just a few weeks in December.
I was recently asked about my favorite Christmas carol. I had a hard time answering that question. Not because I don't have a favorite. Because I have LOTS of favorites!!
I love "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night". I love the music. I love the way the music suits the lyrics perfectly. I love how these songs evoke mental images of the events of that special night so long ago.
I love "Joy to the World"! Just the title makes me smile. JOY!!!!
I love Mark Lowry's song "Mary, Did You Know?" I don't really think of that as a "Christmas" song, but it seems to be played and sung a lot more during the Christmas season. It's a really thought-provoking song. Just what did Mary really understand about this baby boy?
Perhaps my absolute favorite is "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing". I think I must have loved this carol all my life. I can remember singing it as a little girl. (And I've been told that, in my early childhood, I "rewrote" the lyrics a little.....instead of "with th' angelic host proclaim", I sang "with the jelly host proclaim"!!!!) I have come to love this carol more and more over the years, particularly for its lyrics. The entire reason for Christmas, the reason Christ came to earth, is encapsulated in one line......."God and sinners reconciled".
That's the reason for the season!
And so today as I'm singing my favorite songs of the season, I'm wondering what your favorites are. And why. Leave a comment if you'd like to share.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Precious Memories
A year ago today, we were boarding a plane in Atlanta, on our way to the Holy Land. Precious memories indeed!
But over the last few days, I've been traveling down memory lane in a different direction.....remembering Thanksgiving Days gone by.
A few of my favorite memories...
As I have been reminiscing on Thanksgiving Days past, and anticipating Thanksgiving Days yet to come, I'm reminded that Thanksgiving is not about a day. It's not about celebrating "Thanksgiving Day" as much as about DAILY giving thanks!
And, no matter what the circumstances of our lives, don't we all have so much to be thankful for??!! So, as we leave this Thanksgiving Day behind and move on to celebrating Christmas, what better way to celebrate than by keeping that attitude of gratitude going.....into December, through Christmas, and on into the new year!
But over the last few days, I've been traveling down memory lane in a different direction.....remembering Thanksgiving Days gone by.
A few of my favorite memories...
- when Brian was in kindergarten, his class made pilgrim hats and collars for their Thanksgiving feast. When he got home, he found construction paper, glue and scissors, and made a set for his little brother so that Brandon would have the same thing he had.
- when Brandon was in kindergarten, his class made similar hats and collars, and as they sat around the table for their feast, they recited this prayer together: "For food and all the gifts of love, we give Thee thanks and praise. Look down, O Father, from above, and bless us all our days." That prayer has stuck in my memory ever since.
- remembering Thanksgiving dinners from my childhood.......Mother would set the table with the "good" china that only got used on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would crowd around the dining room table (also rarely used!).......Grandmother Neil, Uncle JB, Daddy's cousins Anne and Richard (brother and sister, neither of whom ever married),and the four of us. I giggle every time I remember the year Grandmother bit down on the stuffed celery and broke her false teeth!!
- day-after-Thanksgiving Christmas shopping in Spartanburg with Mother. When we got home from that all-day adventure, we wrapped gifts together.
- the smell of a fire burning in the fireplace. The fireplace (which was rarely used) was in the living room (also rarely used), and we typically only had a fire on Thanksgiving and Christmas.......no matter how hot it was......and sometimes in SC, Thanksgiving Day is not exactly build-a-fire kind of weather! But we did it anyway.
- turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce.......macaroni and cheese......sweet potato casserole.....pecan pie......
As I have been reminiscing on Thanksgiving Days past, and anticipating Thanksgiving Days yet to come, I'm reminded that Thanksgiving is not about a day. It's not about celebrating "Thanksgiving Day" as much as about DAILY giving thanks!
And, no matter what the circumstances of our lives, don't we all have so much to be thankful for??!! So, as we leave this Thanksgiving Day behind and move on to celebrating Christmas, what better way to celebrate than by keeping that attitude of gratitude going.....into December, through Christmas, and on into the new year!
Count your blessings, name then one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God has done;
Count your blessings, name then one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Overwhelmed
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today. Make that a lot overwhelmed!
As I'm counting down the hours until Thanksgiving Day, and as I look at my to-do list (make that lists), I'm feeling overwhelmed! I have pared down the menu for Thanksgiving Day. I have realized I don't have to cook enough for an army. This year's feast doesn't have to include everything we have ever eaten at a previous Thanksgiving meal! Let's begin a new tradition.....not quite so much food!!
And I have given myself permission to use post-its instead of construction paper leaves for the Thanksgiving tree. (See previous post if this makes no sense to you.)
I have realized that everything doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. That it's OK if we eat on paper plates. (I found some really nice ones at Walmart!)
The groceries have been bought. My lists are made. I have scratched several things off the lists. Yet in spite of that, I'm still feeling overwhelmed. It happens every time. I wish I didn't do this to myself. But I do.
There is, however, another dimension to my overwhelmed-ness. A positive dimension. A dimension beyond turkeys and pumpkin pies and paper plates. Beyond food and football.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with thankfulness. I am overwhelmed by an awesome God. I am amazed at His love. And His goodness. And His grace. And His mercy.
I am overwhelmed by His blessings on me and on my family. We are truly blessed beyond measure.
And I'm praying today that I can keep my focus on those things. That in the middle of all the busyness of this week, I'll remember that those are the things that really matter.
"Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good. His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100: 4b-5 NASB)
As I'm counting down the hours until Thanksgiving Day, and as I look at my to-do list (make that lists), I'm feeling overwhelmed! I have pared down the menu for Thanksgiving Day. I have realized I don't have to cook enough for an army. This year's feast doesn't have to include everything we have ever eaten at a previous Thanksgiving meal! Let's begin a new tradition.....not quite so much food!!
And I have given myself permission to use post-its instead of construction paper leaves for the Thanksgiving tree. (See previous post if this makes no sense to you.)
I have realized that everything doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. That it's OK if we eat on paper plates. (I found some really nice ones at Walmart!)
The groceries have been bought. My lists are made. I have scratched several things off the lists. Yet in spite of that, I'm still feeling overwhelmed. It happens every time. I wish I didn't do this to myself. But I do.
There is, however, another dimension to my overwhelmed-ness. A positive dimension. A dimension beyond turkeys and pumpkin pies and paper plates. Beyond food and football.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with thankfulness. I am overwhelmed by an awesome God. I am amazed at His love. And His goodness. And His grace. And His mercy.
I am overwhelmed by His blessings on me and on my family. We are truly blessed beyond measure.
And I'm praying today that I can keep my focus on those things. That in the middle of all the busyness of this week, I'll remember that those are the things that really matter.
"Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the LORD is good. His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100: 4b-5 NASB)
Friday, November 18, 2011
Giving Thanks
Just a few days until we celebrate Thanksgiving! If you have been in a mall or watched TV lately, you might not realize that......it seems Thanksgiving has become the forgotten holiday. Retailers have skipped right on to Christmas. I understand that we are in a tough economy and sales need a boost, but it's sad to me that Thanksgiving is ignored. And it's also sad to me that is has become more about football and food than about pausing to be thankful.
Over on Facebook this month many people are posting daily reasons they are thankful. And that's a good thing! Although I haven't been an "official" participant in that activity, I have enjoyed reading the posts. It has been an interesting read......people are thankful for all sorts of things. Good health. Good coffee. Salvation. Freedom. I have noted with interest (and fond memories!) the number of young mothers who give thanks for a few hours sans child to enjoy some girlfriend time or a date night with their hubby.
As I have been reading the "thankful for" posts, I have also made an interesting observation. The number of "complaining posts" has decreased! And before you get your knickers in a twist, I have made my fair share of "complaining posts". We humans have a tendency to focus on the not-exactly-the-way-I-would-like-it-to-be, don't we? I'm finding it interesting that, as people are focusing on the things they have to be grateful for, they are less focused on the things they might like to grumble about!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do that all the time.....every day.....every season......not just for a few days in November??!! If we would cultivate an attitude of gratitude every day!!
During my many years as a Children's Choir Director, we often had a Thanksgiving Tree in our choir room during this season. We would sing songs about giving thanks and feeling thankful and having an attitude of gratitude. And we would decorate our tree. Typically, the "tree" began the season as a leafless twig stuck in a bucket. As the month progressed, children would write on a leaf - or two or three - at each rehearsal (or draw a picture if that worked better for them) of something for which they were thankful. By the end of the month our tree would be covered with colorful leaves. So, we ended up with a pretty tree......and we had retrained our thinking to be thankful!
I'm thinking we may have a Thanksgiving Tree as part of our family Thanksgiving celebration this year. If I have time (and energy!!), I may even cut leaves out of construction paper. If not, we'll just use post-its!!
"We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand; I just can't understand why You love us so much. We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say, Thank You, Lord, for Your touch."
-Bill and Gloria Gaither
Over on Facebook this month many people are posting daily reasons they are thankful. And that's a good thing! Although I haven't been an "official" participant in that activity, I have enjoyed reading the posts. It has been an interesting read......people are thankful for all sorts of things. Good health. Good coffee. Salvation. Freedom. I have noted with interest (and fond memories!) the number of young mothers who give thanks for a few hours sans child to enjoy some girlfriend time or a date night with their hubby.
As I have been reading the "thankful for" posts, I have also made an interesting observation. The number of "complaining posts" has decreased! And before you get your knickers in a twist, I have made my fair share of "complaining posts". We humans have a tendency to focus on the not-exactly-the-way-I-would-like-it-to-be, don't we? I'm finding it interesting that, as people are focusing on the things they have to be grateful for, they are less focused on the things they might like to grumble about!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do that all the time.....every day.....every season......not just for a few days in November??!! If we would cultivate an attitude of gratitude every day!!
During my many years as a Children's Choir Director, we often had a Thanksgiving Tree in our choir room during this season. We would sing songs about giving thanks and feeling thankful and having an attitude of gratitude. And we would decorate our tree. Typically, the "tree" began the season as a leafless twig stuck in a bucket. As the month progressed, children would write on a leaf - or two or three - at each rehearsal (or draw a picture if that worked better for them) of something for which they were thankful. By the end of the month our tree would be covered with colorful leaves. So, we ended up with a pretty tree......and we had retrained our thinking to be thankful!
I'm thinking we may have a Thanksgiving Tree as part of our family Thanksgiving celebration this year. If I have time (and energy!!), I may even cut leaves out of construction paper. If not, we'll just use post-its!!
"We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand; I just can't understand why You love us so much. We are so blessed, we just can't find a way or the words that can say, Thank You, Lord, for Your touch."
-Bill and Gloria Gaither
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Some Thoughts About Wrinkles
I remember when Al said to me "did you know you have wrinkles?"
In case you're wondering, that is NOT a good conversation starter!! We were in the car at the time, and my first response was to pull down the sun visor and flip open the mirror so I could see for myself. I was relieved to see that they weren't REAL wrinkles. He was talking about those little crinkles at the corners of my eyes......the ones that are there because I smile a lot. There are more of them than there used to be.......in part, I must admit, because I'm not as young as I used to be! But mostly because I'm still smiling! A lot!
In addition to my "crinkles", there are what I refer to as my "Howdy Doody lines". Those are the ones that go from the sides of my nose down to the corners of my mouth, and from the corners of my mouth downward. You may have them too. In my case, they are partly genetic. My mother had them. But, like the crinkles, they are mostly due to the fact that I smile, and laugh, a lot. A lot!
There is quite an industry devoted to getting rid of wrinkles. And, in the interest of full disclosure and in case you didn't know, I have contributed to that industry......as a consumer who uses those anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products and as an Independent Beauty Consultant selling lots of pink tubes full of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products to other consumers. It's true that I don't get super excited when I notice a new wrinkle. As I have often said, I don't mind getting older but I don't want to look old! And it is certainly true that, thanks in large part to the products in the pink tubes but also thanks to good genes, I don't look my age.
But the reason I bring all this up in the first place isn't really about my wrinkles.....or lack of them. It's more about the reason I have the wrinkles that I do have. All those cleansers and creams in the pink tubes can minimize or postpone the appearance of the wrinkles that come from aging. But my wrinkles......the crinkles and Howdy Doody lines......are not so much from aging as from behavior. As I said before. I smile a lot. I laugh a lot. A lot.
And there's a reason for that. I choose to be happy. I choose joy.
Yes, my life has its share of stresses. We can all say that, I'm sure. We live in a world full of stress.
But no matter what the headlines say. No matter who says what about whom. No matter who is occupying what. No matter what......in spite of it all......I choose joy.
".....the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b NASB)
In case you're wondering, that is NOT a good conversation starter!! We were in the car at the time, and my first response was to pull down the sun visor and flip open the mirror so I could see for myself. I was relieved to see that they weren't REAL wrinkles. He was talking about those little crinkles at the corners of my eyes......the ones that are there because I smile a lot. There are more of them than there used to be.......in part, I must admit, because I'm not as young as I used to be! But mostly because I'm still smiling! A lot!
In addition to my "crinkles", there are what I refer to as my "Howdy Doody lines". Those are the ones that go from the sides of my nose down to the corners of my mouth, and from the corners of my mouth downward. You may have them too. In my case, they are partly genetic. My mother had them. But, like the crinkles, they are mostly due to the fact that I smile, and laugh, a lot. A lot!
There is quite an industry devoted to getting rid of wrinkles. And, in the interest of full disclosure and in case you didn't know, I have contributed to that industry......as a consumer who uses those anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products and as an Independent Beauty Consultant selling lots of pink tubes full of anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products to other consumers. It's true that I don't get super excited when I notice a new wrinkle. As I have often said, I don't mind getting older but I don't want to look old! And it is certainly true that, thanks in large part to the products in the pink tubes but also thanks to good genes, I don't look my age.
But the reason I bring all this up in the first place isn't really about my wrinkles.....or lack of them. It's more about the reason I have the wrinkles that I do have. All those cleansers and creams in the pink tubes can minimize or postpone the appearance of the wrinkles that come from aging. But my wrinkles......the crinkles and Howdy Doody lines......are not so much from aging as from behavior. As I said before. I smile a lot. I laugh a lot. A lot.
And there's a reason for that. I choose to be happy. I choose joy.
Yes, my life has its share of stresses. We can all say that, I'm sure. We live in a world full of stress.
But no matter what the headlines say. No matter who says what about whom. No matter who is occupying what. No matter what......in spite of it all......I choose joy.
".....the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b NASB)
Friday, November 4, 2011
I Can See Clearly Now
I heard that song yesterday and now I can't get it out of my head. Do you remember it? "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone; I can see all obstacles in my way........." Maybe that should be my new theme song! I can see clearly now, at least in one eye!!
I had commented to Al, prior to my cataract surgery, that once the surgery was over I would probably be shocked at how dirty the house is. He gave some very diplomatic response....."well, it's not as clean as it used to be." Now that I have better vision, I'm seeing just how true that is! I'm seeing all that dust......and all the spots on the floor that I never noticed before......and some greasy spots on the stove that I don't remember. It's almost as though someone is shining a bright spotlight on all these not-as-clean-as-I-thought areas in my house. If you have had cataract surgery, you probably understand what I mean!
I get much the same sensation when I read the Word of God. It's as though the Holy Spirit is shining a spotlight on those not-quite-as-clean-as-I-thought areas of my life. Perhaps you have had the same experience when you read the Scriptures.......those times when you realize it applies not to your spouse or your neighbor or your sister or your friend, but to you.
It happens when we read things like.......
"in everything give thanks" (2 Thessalonians 5:18).
Or the previous verse........
"pray constantly" ( 2 Thessalonians 5:17).
Or how about this one........
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things." (Philippans 4:8 HCSB). Keep that one in mind while you're watching the evening news!
Or this one.......
"Let no unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone.......All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you.......and be kind and compassionate to one another." (Ephesians 4:29-32).
That bright light of God's Word really is convicting, isn't it??!!
"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 HCSB)
I had commented to Al, prior to my cataract surgery, that once the surgery was over I would probably be shocked at how dirty the house is. He gave some very diplomatic response....."well, it's not as clean as it used to be." Now that I have better vision, I'm seeing just how true that is! I'm seeing all that dust......and all the spots on the floor that I never noticed before......and some greasy spots on the stove that I don't remember. It's almost as though someone is shining a bright spotlight on all these not-as-clean-as-I-thought areas in my house. If you have had cataract surgery, you probably understand what I mean!
I get much the same sensation when I read the Word of God. It's as though the Holy Spirit is shining a spotlight on those not-quite-as-clean-as-I-thought areas of my life. Perhaps you have had the same experience when you read the Scriptures.......those times when you realize it applies not to your spouse or your neighbor or your sister or your friend, but to you.
It happens when we read things like.......
"in everything give thanks" (2 Thessalonians 5:18).
Or the previous verse........
"pray constantly" ( 2 Thessalonians 5:17).
Or how about this one........
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things." (Philippans 4:8 HCSB). Keep that one in mind while you're watching the evening news!
Or this one.......
"Let no unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone.......All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you.......and be kind and compassionate to one another." (Ephesians 4:29-32).
That bright light of God's Word really is convicting, isn't it??!!
"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 HCSB)
Thursday, November 3, 2011
What a Day!
Yesterday was the day for Molly's echocardiogram. The nearest ultrasound facility is in Brevard, which is about and hour and a half away. We actually left about 2 hours ahead of the appointment, to allow for traffic and the never-ending road construction that is between here and there.
Pet ultrasounds are pretty much the same as for people. Just lie still and let the tech, in this case the veterinarian, get the pictures. Sounds simple enough. It's the "lie still" part that was the problem. It took three people - Al, me, and the vet tech - to hold Molly still enough to get some reasonably clear pictures!
The results were encouraging, and in fact, I'm feeling a lot better about Molly's health than I was a few days ago. Her heart measures a little larger than "normal", but blood flow is normal and the heart appears to be working properly. Based on those findings, and the fact that Molly is very energetic, rather than lethargic, and shows no aversion or effect from physical activity (as evidenced by the way she was running around the doctor's office!!), Dr. Julie does not recommend any heart medications at this time. That's much better news than the scenario outlined by our veterinarian last week!
We still don't know why her blood count is so high. But right now I'm just thankful that things aren't as bad as they appeared to be a few days ago.
We stopped in Asheville for a bite to eat before we headed home. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, Al's Blackberry was chirping away. In addition to Molly and her stress, there were "issues" that needed to be dealt with and the stress that comes with that. We stopped by Walmart and I ran in to pick up a couple of things.......Al was still on the phone!
By the time we got back to Burnsville, we were all exhausted! We made one more stop, this time at Hardee's. What a day it was......but at least I got a milkshake at the end of it!!
Pet ultrasounds are pretty much the same as for people. Just lie still and let the tech, in this case the veterinarian, get the pictures. Sounds simple enough. It's the "lie still" part that was the problem. It took three people - Al, me, and the vet tech - to hold Molly still enough to get some reasonably clear pictures!
The results were encouraging, and in fact, I'm feeling a lot better about Molly's health than I was a few days ago. Her heart measures a little larger than "normal", but blood flow is normal and the heart appears to be working properly. Based on those findings, and the fact that Molly is very energetic, rather than lethargic, and shows no aversion or effect from physical activity (as evidenced by the way she was running around the doctor's office!!), Dr. Julie does not recommend any heart medications at this time. That's much better news than the scenario outlined by our veterinarian last week!
We still don't know why her blood count is so high. But right now I'm just thankful that things aren't as bad as they appeared to be a few days ago.
We stopped in Asheville for a bite to eat before we headed home. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, Al's Blackberry was chirping away. In addition to Molly and her stress, there were "issues" that needed to be dealt with and the stress that comes with that. We stopped by Walmart and I ran in to pick up a couple of things.......Al was still on the phone!
By the time we got back to Burnsville, we were all exhausted! We made one more stop, this time at Hardee's. What a day it was......but at least I got a milkshake at the end of it!!
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