The One Question I'm Asking Myself This December

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The meaningful.  That’s where I want to live this December.

The other morning I overheard my boys talking about their Christmas plans, sleepovers in each others rooms, peppermint bark that we’d be sharing with their teachers, family that will be arriving, the caramel rolls …it was filled with so much wonder and excitement, I just stood at the top of the stairs and soaked it all in.  

We want Christmas to be awesome, don’t we? We want the anticipation and the joy, despite what the year has brought. It’s a season that brings this idea that somehow hope is not only possible, it’s real.

So often though, I get caught up in the busy and the ridiculous expectations I put on myself.  So this year I’m trying something different. I’m asking myself this question:

Of all that I want to see happen by December 25th, what three things matter most? 

When Christmas is all over, what do I really hope happens? So often I find myself caught up in expectations, deadlines and guilt. I hear myself saying, I didn’t do that, or go there, or see that person at all. What if instead I made a determination now to do what was most meaningful this season?

So here’s what I came up with. As I anticipated being on the other side of Christmas and looking back, this is what I really want: 

  • Time to bake with my kids – because it’s a huge-messy-group-effort that’s a great excuse for sugar cookies and visiting friends and neighbors
  • Space to read a good advent book with my family – because it leads to really great questions and intentional discussions (I love these by Ann Voskamp).
  • A holiday night out with my husband – because during a season full of crazy distractions, I need to set aside a night out with my man

What’s meaningful for you? There are no wrong answers here, at all. But what if instead of letting expectations rule the season, you were intentional about just a few things, ways that were simple and filled with meaning for you and your family?

Stop doing what’s expected and focus on the meaningful. Let God quiet your heart and speak into what that looks like for you. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:1-3

 

3 Comments

  1. Erika on December 3, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Love this, Julie!!!!

  2. Rose on December 3, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Yes, totaly agree,refocus on what really matters,for time is slipping away…quality time with those whom really matter!….thanks Julie

  3. Kerrie on December 10, 2015 at 10:58 am

    I so needed to read this! My family is what is important. Thank you Julie!! 🙂

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