The Best Commitment

Beloved:
    The very best commitment I’ve made this year is not hurrying.  All my life I assumed Thanksgiving Dinner was a lunchtime affair, meaning I was up at 5 and the turkey in at 6 to have oven space for everything else by 10.   This year, since my son-in-law Dr. Jeremy wouldn’t be home from the hospital until at least 2 and possibly 5, we planned for 5:30.  I got up at 8. I knitted a little before the meal. Carl and I took the dog for a walk in the park, before the meal!  The five college kids voluntarily cleaned everything up beginning to end and then we had pie and coffee.  Then we played with the babies and watched a movie.  Then everyone went to bed happy and full.   
     I’m not sure why I believed it had to be on the table at 2 but I’m never doing that again.  What I am absolutely sure of is that not hurrying has transformed my life by transforming every day.  And it has not been difficult.  I simply don’t do more than can be done without hurrying. Beginning with calendar keeping, not putting more on a day than can be done without rushing, scheduling time for transitions. 
    Next up is Christmas.  Less decorating first of all.  Less shopping overall and more online. How I get free shipping and so many delivery people have jobs is a mystery I choose not to question.  Christmas shopping is usually stressful for me, but this year not hurrying has given me another gift:  joy. The joy of book shopping for nieces and nephews who are now solid readers.  Hearing what they read and what they want ~ I nearly swooned when one asked for a book about chess.  
     The days are long and the years are short, don’t you know.  And time is all we have of this life and each other.  I don’t want to miss the sight, sound, taste or feel of any of it. 

~ peace & prayers, pastor annette

 A recipe for your Christmas parties. From Mary Ellen Oxford, mama of my best friend, Angela.

 Pepper Jelly & Pecan Cream Cheese Ball 

 2 blocks cream cheese
1 cup roasted, chopped pecans
5 scallions, diced
1 jar Tabasco pepper jelly
Lay cold cream cheese blocks side by side on serving tray.  In small sauce pan combine all other ingredients until just warmed, stirring constantly.  Pour over cream cheese blocks.  Serve with crackers & celery sticks.