My life has been going full force since Thanksgiving. Heck, the morning after I'm out shopping the stores!! Then there were the lights to put up on the house, the Christmas tree to put up, the storage boxes to get down, the rearranging of furniture and nick-nacks in order to put up the decorations, the parties to start putting on my calendar, the Christmas letter to make, the decision of what picture to use for our cards, the decision of what to make for neighbors and friends, the never ending shopping list......it's just been one BUSY week!!! During this time I've been having fun and blasting my Christmas songs....but....I was also totally feeling STRESSED!!
But this weekend was different. On Saturday, our stake put on the play "The Forgotten Carols". We decided to go to the matinee.....I ALMOST talked myself out of it....thinking we were just too busy and had too much to do. Thank goodness I went! It refocused me and as I sat there I could literally feel my body relaxing as I listened to the beautiful music. My perspective was completely changed. Then, on Sunday Night as I listened to the First Presidency message and listened to the beautiful songs of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I was touched even deeper of the true meaning of Christmas. After the broadcast, I spent the next 4 hours preparing my seminary lesson. We are studying the New Testament and the place we are in our studies is the last supper. The night before Christ was to be crucified....His last night with his beloved apostles and his earthly experience and ministry. I found myself sitting back in my chair a few times pondering what I was learning (hence the 4 hours). I loved looking at the little white lights on the Christmas tree. I loved feeling the spirit.
I'v now taken out of the CD player my "fun and traditional" Christmas CD's and found my Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD's. That's what is playing right now. I LOVE the feeling I have this week. It is sooooooo different from last week. I feel peace and grattitude. How quickly I can forget. There's just so much to do and so many people to help. I'm going to take whatever moment I can and reflect...play a more spiritual CD, read an uplifting story, share my testimony with a friend, read the scriptures....whatever! I LOVE this feeling much more!!
6 comments:
Thank you for sharing your experiences. It can get overwhelming so quickly. It's good to be reminded to slow down and remember the true meaning of this Christmas season.
I just read the forgotten carols to the young women last week for our activity. It is my favorite, but I have yet to see the play. It is amazing how music can bring the spirit so quickly. I, too, loved the broadcast last night. What an awesome time of year.
It's interesting how stress disapates when the Spirit is brought in. I think the same things to myself ALL the time... how I need the Spirit daily, even hourly. It really brings to focus what really needs to be a priority in our lives and what is truly eternal.
Did you see my kids at the "Forgotten Carols"? Kate took them to the mantinee while we were out of town. They loved it too! =)
Thanks for sharing this with me (and the rest of the blogging world!). It is always so uplifting to hear testimony and I am especially grateful to know how the Spirit has influenced YOU...it helps remind me to seek it's influence too. I hope to feel more of the Christmas Spirit this season...but, like you said, that requires ME to take the time to focus and ponder. I hope I can do that like you have!
As I was reading about your life since Thanksgiving, the lists and tasks, and stresses, my heart rate started to rise as I thought about all I still haveto do. Aagh! Then...as I read on and thought about the Last Supper and the Savior, peace and calm returned to my heart. It seems to be an especially hard balance this time of year. Thanks for sharing. I also LOVE that picture of the Salt Lake Temple.
Julie, I think you're fabulous! I appreciate reading your post.
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