Focus

A bit of beauty from earlier today.

Of the many things clamoring for our attention this time of year...one of the little things that gave me new perspective this year...the weather.  Here's how it goes:  Lost in the hustle and bustle.  Buying gifts.   Oh .. did I forget someone?  Where are we going on Christmas?  Are we going to make so and so upset if we cant' make it there?  Decorating.  Cookies.   Last minute shopping.  Wrapping.  Trying to get that one last thing on Amazon...oh drag, will that get here in time?  

Sorry to say I think we all have been here.   Maybe even every year.  Purpose...where is that.  

Back to yesterday as I "shoveled" Lake O'Brien, formerly known as our driveway.  Thick, slushy rain/snow.  Maybe rain rain/snow -more like.  It brought me to a thought.  While we are so busy, perhaps complaining, perhaps worrying for all the "stuff" to get done.  Wishing for the perfect Christmas.  Family: please get along.  Gifts: yep got them all.  25th: please be a white one!!  Last year wasn't...not sure about the year before, probably no.   Jesus.  What?  Did I forget to do my Christmas reading?? 

Jesus. 

The only reason.

The only true gift.

Can we schedule a time for that?  Jesus.  Well I'll fit Him in...service..yep at service...

The only reason for the celebration.

Why is it so hard to focus.

For the past few years, I have realized...slowly-that I need to slow down this time of year and Focus.  Less gifts..and let me say less is still plenty.  But I don't want my kids or myself or my husband to keep missing it.  Lost in the pile of wonderful gifts and beautiful wrapping paper on Christmas morning ...is it all worth what we might be forgetting?  Why do I care about all these goofy things-like is it going to be a white one..when the one who controls the weather Himself Is the focus.  His gift. The greatest gift...that with out, not one of us could have hope.  The King sent his son...as a baby..the God-man to save us from a debt that we couldn't pay.  I am so thankful.  

In my human nature my focus is on all the wrong things, yes it looks like it just might be a beautiful white Christmas, but I pray that my heart will focus on the other beauty.  God's gift.  Jesus.

Have a Merry Christmas!