Freeze

Remember that old playground game that continues to be a classic one today called "Freeze". Well, I thought of it this morning as I was trying to have my quiet time and all kinds of Christmas distractions seemed to be flying about me in restless waves. How could God possibly get through to me in a a clear wave length with so many static interferences? So quite by accident, I called for a freeze. Everything stay still for a minute....and let me have some time with the Lord AND GIVE BACK TO HIM THIS DAY THAT HE HAS GIVEN ME.

And it worked. Not for a long time but temporarily I was in a state of stillness and could honestly submit my gratefulness to the Lord for his blessings, for this season and for his continued presence in my life and his hand upon my life.

We do get snookered by Christmas busyness. But all too often we bring about the stress ourselves. Instead of the enjoying the simplicity of the sights of the season, the tunes of familiar carols, visits with friends, and gay apparel we get caught up in the gift buying, the food presentations, the delivering, and the
purposeful intent to make things special for people who are special in our lives. All of that is good and fun but not at the expense of letting it steal the joy of Christmas and keeping it out of our reach. We often times do more than we need to because we so want others to know that we have thought about them at this special time of year, and we want to recognize them for the impact that they have had. But the process entangles not only our ability to juggle our desires, but also zaps the very spirit of joy that we behold to be celebrating Christ.

I don't have the answers...except ..to Freeze...the distractions and allow God to get through the static.
This morning, though it was not for a long time, it was a gift that God gave to me. It was a peace of countenance. His peace. His quiet demeanor of presence and position. It was a fresh approach to what I knew was to be another busy day. This season is about Christ after all, so it seems most appropriate that each day and moments through out the day should be in celebration of the birth that changed life that we as Christians know it.

I am so visual and this freeze thing will work for me in these next days leading up to Christmas. I will still run my errands, and gather my gifts and deliver them and plan for Christmas fare, but I will remember to stop and call for a freeze, when I get flustered or frustrated, and remind myself to go back to the Lord and allow him to press my restart button and get me realigned and on track again so that I will remember to
praise him and worship him and thank him for this very day and the people who he has blessed me to care about.

Just Freeze the distractions for a moment and let God have a clear path unto your heart and mind. Let the Spirit of Christmas embrace you so that the joy of Christ may light up your day and give you pause to celebrate the cause....of the season.

Dear Lord, Oh you know how we get busy and ruffled we are by the demands that we put on ourselves and the interferences and distractions that we allow to consume us. Please remind us to stop and freeze those things that are compelling us to hurry up and get ready. Help us to stop and enjoy the season of celebration that is before us and give you the glory. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!