Truth, Sweetness, and Grace

December 10, 2024

Beloved:
          I tried closing the door but Birdy whined and paced so much that I finally opened it to let her quietly lay next to the baby sound asleep in his car seat.  She’s brought him three of her toys so far but he still hasn’t woken up to play with her.  He’s three months old already, still small enough for me to watch and still get lots of work done, but social enough that all I want to do is hold him and trade smiles.  Once he’s awake and fed, I’ll park him in front of the Christmas tree where he will stare at the lights and Birdy will stare at him for another thirty minutes or so.  Then I’ll switch to a YouTube video of birds and squirrels on a feeder with background music.  It’s one of Birdy’s favorites so they’ll both be entertained.
          On Christmas trees.  I got mine at a yard sale two summers ago for $10.  The original Kmart receipt was still in the box letting me know it was nearly twenty years old.  Perfect fit for my little place, it's the easiest to set up I’ve ever had.  Two of my ornaments are fifty years old, made from my elementary school pictures and some are new, almost entirely thrifted.*  Between the tree, the creches on my sideboard and my front porch it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.
          Truth be told, left to my own heart and mind, I could do without all the fuss, but when the tree is up and the house looks so festive, I feel the endorphins gushing and I'm glad I made the effort.  My grandgirl tells me my tree is beautiful and she loves the wooden Santa* by the front door.  The result is well worth the effort, for me most of all.
          As hard as I imagined it might be, starting over has been harder still, and yet so much more trimmed with sweetness and blessing than I could possibly have predicted.  My life feels smaller and at the same time, fuller than it ever has before.  I am sometimes lonely but for the most part deeply connected to the people I love who love me too, and new friends I am making.  So difficult as great change has been, I am here for it and making a new life in a new place I am so grateful and glad to be.
          The baby zonked out completely before finishing his bottle so he went down in the crib.  Birdy has just now come to let me know he’s waking up, and she needs to get in the room to check on him.  All her toys are piled just outside a door she could push open if she were not such a fraidy cat.  I can see him on the monitor, watching the ceiling fan turn and playing with his fingers.  I’ll leave him to entertain himself until he fusses to be picked up.  Is there anything better than daytime dozing in one’s cozy bed?
          I pray that whatever you find yourself doing this season, you do it with oceans of grace and kindness toward yourself, your own heart and mind and spirit.  Grace is all that’s called for now, in imitation of the grace come to us in Christ Jesus.

~ peace & prayers,
pastor annette

*Don’t buy any Christmas wrapping paper until you visit Habitat Restore, as they have oceans!  The painted wooden Santa is from Aldi’s, $9.99 and can be turned over after Christmas for a winter theme.

** For our local friends:   Join us for our special seasonal events, and also mark your calendar for our Christmas Eve service at 7:30 PM on the 24th.