It's Friday and I'm happy to be joining up with Gypsy Mama for the last Five Minute Friday of 2011. This is when we stop, drop and write. No editing, no over thinking, just five sweet minutes to write for the love of writing. Today, she asks us to give our best five minutes on:
OPEN
Ready?
Go!
The word itself is so freeing.
It echoes hope, change, peace, healing.
As I look ahead to the new year, I can't help but think about what this word means to me.
To be open - to new opportunities, ideas, possibilities, purpose, change, to people and places. Somehow when we allow ourselves to be open our hearts soften, our hands extend, our minds are clear. But it isn't always easy, being open. It's not always an automatic response; it's a choice.
This blog has often helped me make that choice.
There have been times when I have wanted to run and hide under the shadow of fear, but instead, I faced it, illuminated it, called it by name. There have been days when I could have collapsed under the weight of sickness and pain, but instead I chose to cling to hope, move forward, rise above.
This blog has taken me out of my comfort zone and into a place of honesty, reflection and openness. For that, I am so thankful.
It's December 28th, so according to the calendar, Christmas is over. The decorations will slowly start to come down: the lights, the trees, the stockings, the nativity scenes and blow-up reindeer. Into storage bins and cardboard boxes. Stashed away into attics, basements and garages.
Until next year...
And yet, it's not over. The magic, the miracle, the amazing grace of Christmas has just begun. The call to "love all" remains.
We worshiped fully, spent less and gave more - all so we can love all. And the loving all doesn't cease. It continues, changes who we are and who we are becoming. Take a look at a post I wrote for The World So Sweet on practical ways to love all.
As the new year approaches, consider how you can extend love to another. After all, loving all begins with loving one.
Confession: I have completely neglected my blog recently. Normally, I would be okay with this but there was so much I wanted to say and share during this season of Advent. Instead of feeling like a failure and regretting the last two weeks, let's just start right now.
We started talking about Advent Conspiracy back in November. At its core, the Advent Conspiracy is a movement to bring back the miracle of Christmas. The concept is simple: worship fully, spend less, give more, love all. And with that, we bring meaning back to Christmas. I mean, underneath all those bows and ribbons, isn't that we really want? Meaning.
The last two weeks I've been completely consumed preoccupied with getting a job. Ah, yes, this mama is back on the jay-oh-bee hunt. I was so close to something I thought would be perfect (that's another post for another time). Well, it didn't work out and we all know how the saying goes: when one door closes... Yeah, yeah, yeah, I really, reallllly don't want to hear it. I'm just trying to say that my energy has been elsewhere, at least until yesterday. This morning I woke up, looked at the calendar and thought, "Oh crap, it's December 15th! 10 days until Christmas!" A moment of panic came over me as I whipped out my list and started to sketch out my plan. Then that little voice whispered, "Um... Kim, weren't you just writing about worshipping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all? Why are you in such a panic?" (That voice can be so annoying sometimes.) I'll be the first to admit - rethinking Christmas is not easy. Still, the words echo in my ear.
Give. More.
More time, presence, memories, more of myself.
I revisited my list. Thought about what I could give, how I could give.
And that changed me.
The day was still busy, crazy actually, but it was good. Giving is good.
The idea of spending less and giving more is not so much about money as it is about time, togetherness, life. Remember back in elementary school when we'd make gifts for our parents? The "coupon book" comes to mind (actually I may have given a coupon book or two back in my broke college days). A car wash, a foot massage, a picnic at the park, a movie night, a hug. All without expiration and redeemable at any time. I love that.
Back in February when I was in the hospital undergoing multiple tests and biopsies, all I could think about were moments. I wanted more. I wanted nothing but moments: reading stories to my girls, playing in the snow, singing in the car, swimming in the ocean, laughing, dancing, singing. There was no thing you could have given me, all I wanted was time. And yet, when it comes to gift giving we often think the bigger the better, the more the merrier. Hey, I have nothing against gifts. I love finding the perfect gift and watching the smile on your face when you open it. In fact, I spent the last three hours wrapping gifts. I'm just saying that gifts don't replace the moments. Time really is priceless. When it comes to those I love, I would take their presence over their presents any day.
Are you stressed out? overextended? too much to do with too little time? If that's the case, could I encourage you to pause. Consider how this Christmas season you can create a new tradition. A tradition of giving time and presence, of creating memories and meaning. Enjoy the season: worship fully, spend less, give more, love all. May His peace and presence surround you today and always.
Because like with most crossroads, there are lessons to be learned - stretching, pulling, tugging, molding - a preparation of sorts.
And I'm beginning to think that what happens at the crossroad might be just as important as the road we take. Because something happens at that crossroad, if we let it, if we listen: life-changing, life-giving.
Through this blog, I have chosen to be honest, to share struggle and triumph, pain and joy. But there have been times, times when I have tried to write, needed to write, but the blinking cursor cautioned me to stop, wait, examine, be quiet. It always amazes me what happens in those moments: clarity, peace, vision, healing, humility, wisdom.
And now, I am ready. Ready for whatever lies ahead.
