photo © 2009 Kevin Dooley more info (via: Wylio)I love the Christmas season, and one of my favorite things in life is decorating for the holidays. For at least two decades, I've been building my collection of ornaments and all things Christmas. I had both a "designer" tree and one for the kids to decorate however they pleased. That is, until this year.Last January, my husband traveled to Oregon where he packed everything we owned into boxes and then a moving van, and drove our belongings through the rain and snow of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and then across the big state of Texas to our home near Tyler, Texas. Packing and moving was a huge undertaking for someone to do alone. I can't remember ever being so glad to see him than when he stood in the doorway of his mother's home where I waited. He must be a super hero to have accomplished so much in just over a week.
That's why I couldn't be too upset with him when the time came to pull out my Christmas decorations and I discovered they never made it from Oregon. Yes, I was very upset, but how could I be mad at my husband? I allowed myself a few tears for all those things collected, but after all, they were just things and people are suffering in this world.
My daughter and I hit Michael's for their fifty percent off sale, and I bought all new Christmas stuff. After looking at the new color scheme of my tree, I decided that maybe God was just trying to tell me this is a new season of my life - to let go of the old and embrace the new. I love how He does that - uses everything to speak into our lives.
That's exactly where the story started for Jack in Praying for Rayne. A man with a broken heart, he's moved across the country to start a new job and what he hopes will be a new life. But he doesn't know the adventure he's about to embark on, or how God will lead him back.
Is it time for you to let go of the old and embrace the new?
Great post, Elizabeth! I've had a good bit of "clutter"---mostly for sentimental reasons. But I honestly feel the Lord has been nudging me to do some "major" decluttering. He gave me the first BIG nudge when I was in the hospital last June and my kiddos tackled our garage and basement. They "weeded out" LOTS of stuff that really needed to be given/thrown away. So now it's not quite so overwhelming, and I can continue weeding out! ~ Your book sounds like a great story. ~ Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteOh, how wonderful of your husband, but how hard for you to lose all those treasures. Doubly-hard since there is so much emotion and sentiment tied up in all things Christmas/family.
ReplyDeleteBut what a wonderful outlook. A new season, and a fresh start. And Yay for Michael's sale time. :)
I'm in a new season where I must embrace letting my youngest "chicks" leave the safety of our nest... it's not easy and something new. :-)
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