It's a champagne time of year: Christmas, New Year's, parties, celebrations. I don't like the stuff.…yet, my innards feel bubbly. There is an air of expectancy and excitement all around me - even if it is only within me. This bubbliness (a new word!) slaps a grin on my face while routinely washing dishes. Or watching My Guy yell watch his Cowboys.
January and September are months of renewal. All the hype helps me amp up my goals, write lists, and tidy up. It's natural and a lot of us go this route; yet this season is different. There is an undercurrent coursing through me - lots of bubbles!
My Guy and I had an unusually peaceful fall even with #2 Son 'away.' He's in a good place - literally and spiritually and I am very, very thankful. This has allowed us, as a couple, to focus on us. We eat on a tray in front of the TV, wait on each other, shop together, would rather be together than not. Yes, we are goofballs who have a love affair going even after 36 years! It is so much fun and of course adds to my bubbliness. We've enjoyed many a fire in this, our new'ish, home.
Me & My Guy
Getting my home back and Christmas packed up is good. My Guy pitched in so it was tackled with ease. One of my JOYS is to construct vignettes, and fluff around the house. Two books I've devoured over my 'staycation' on that very subject are The Perfectly Imperfect Home and Tom Scheerer Decorates!!!!
And, I've found a new blog to motivate me. Calling It Home is one I'll follow - I love all things 'home.' An entire week AT home is ahead of me before returning to work. So much time and I do not want to waste or ignore it but instead….be present over perfect. (Oh that Shauna Niequist does it every time!!!). Be present. How!? For me, I intentionally thank God for every-single-thing. My heart and head have done a 180 and I can actually feel the gratefulness, the gratitude build, bubble, and burst! Years ago I read Brother Lawrence's account of practicing the presence of God. As much as that tiny book touched me; I thought it was nigh impossible. I would give it a try and have success for a bit. But, it's a slow brew----this bubbling. It takes practice. It is a discipline.
My prayer for the new year is one of Brother Lawrence's:
"O my God, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections."
Cheers to 2014!!!! May you bubble over from the inside out….
