Double Whammie

It’s early morning and the rain that has serenaded us all night is still coming down. With late nights and a couple of weekend trips, it’s the first morning in a while I haven’t read the Word in a rush. Delight. Rest. And maybe what I needed most....... perspective.

Last night, Jeff was poking fun at me that by 7 am yesterday I had “doomed” our Christmas an entire month out. Without going into my every wearisome thought, I was trying to figure out travel schedules, equal time at our parents (ever seen a Southern momma bristle?), when we would have our Christmas here and all 31 calendar blocks that make up the glorious month of December. I was merely wishing for an extra week in the month.....that’s all. “Doomed” he had labeled my thoughts which became words perhaps prematurely. (I am famous for that.) He was sort of teasing, sort of not. But I considered what he said because, of course, “doom” is the last thing I want hovering around my home for the next few weeks.

To the sound of a soaking rain, this is what I read:

Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Lord is God, and He has made His light shine upon us.

You are my God and I will give You thanks; You are my God, and I will exalt You.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

(All from Psalm 118)

Perspective: Thanksgiving is next week, not Christmas. Take one day at a time. “THIS is the day.......... be glad in it.” Give thanks. Julia and Brighton are bursting at the seams about everything Thanksgiving means in our home. Enter in and enjoy it with them. Be thankful. And just last night Jeff mentioned how we were in the midst of having a night at home and to simply be thankful for it and enjoy it instead of wishing for extra days in a month. I can easily allow the knowledge of a full calendar ahead to overshadow the present week that is generously giving us room to breathe. Crazy I know, but that’s why I am married to Jeff. I can't stay there very long.

When it comes to my “dooming” thoughts-- even if I spout them out for just a few hours until I figure it all out-- I don’t have a chance of staying there. Jeff points it out and God’s Word highlights it bringing just what my skewed thinking needed-- a little teaching, reproofing, correcting and training in righteousness. A double whammie for sure and I am thankful for that.

"THIS is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Pictures: I found these one Wednesday night when I returned from work. It had to be at least a month ago. These definitely went in the "keeper stack". I love that they anticipate Thanksgiving the way they do. Julia did her best to draw our kitchen complete with cabinets and then the stairs that are hidden behind. The two blondes (one blonde and one "blonde") and two brunettes in our family are represented and there is even company at our door!

In Brighton's drawing I am not sure about the significance of the hovering "cloud". The looming "turkey fog" or food coma in the near future??? My favorite thing about B's drawing is his turkey, which looks like it might get up and run, and his attempt at spelling "Happy Thanksgiving". P and Q's are easy to get mixed up! Right?

"Haqee Thacsgiveeg!"