Every day I feel as if I am rushing ten steps forward and twelve steps back. Between work, laundry, clutter, wedding plans, church, my non-profit, and family mealtimes, sometimes my days end, and I simply ponder where they went.  

How has this happened? I flip into fast forward by doing exactly what I always vowed not to. Instead of fighting for margin, I pack my calendar. Instead of pursuing intentional time, I allow the mediocrity of my moments to creep in and steal my joyful bandwidth. Amidst my multitasking, I wake up worried, wondering what items fell through the cracks. And that’s the last thing I desire as we step into these upcoming celebratory months. 

It’s time to push back, to reclaim more uncomplicated moments, to remember the beauty in a wise “no” and think through our “whys” with calendar decisions.  

So as the temptation looms to rush and ready ourselves for upcoming festivities, let’s push back against packed calendars filled with unnecessary stress and savor the celebratory moments we are creating. 

Since November and December are months focused on feeding people well, let’s do more than feed tummies. Let’s remember to feed their souls, their hearts, their imagination, and their creativity. I’ll start the list: 

  • Feed gratitude. As I nurture this quality, joy thrives and priorities realign. 
  • Feed flexibility. Our best laid plans may not happen. Guests will be late. Food will get cold, but in the bigger scheme of things, it’s nothing. I open my hands and offer up my attempted control. 
  • Feed patience (lots of it). We live in a world of tension. Be the balm. “A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel” (Proverbs 15:18). 
  • Feed laughter. There’s nothing better than cultivating an atmosphere of deep belly laughing after a satisfying meal. Laugh so hard that tears run down your legs — kidding but not. 
  • Feed contentment. With all the Black Friday sales, it’s difficult to remember the balance of need vs. want. We truly have everything we need. 
  • Feed compassion. Even though Old Aunt Sue has shared (probably rambled) the same story for the fifteenth time, make her feel as if it is the first. When we make her the star of the show for just one day, we uplift and encourage her in ways that no one has in a long time. 
  • Feed encouragement. We’re fragile. A blessed word makes the heart soar. 
  • Feed forgiveness. This is the year. Many of us have carried bitterness, especially over the last many months. Lay our heaviness at His feet and let Him carry it. Extend forgiveness; experience freedom. 
  • Feed hospitality. Loneliness and isolation thrive. Be that solution for one person this month. Open your door, welcome the stranger, save a seat at your table, and extend the gift of your invitation. In doing so, you ease their burden as you share Christ’s love. 

When the turkey is gone and the mashed potatoes are cold, all that is left are the shared moments and memories of doing life together. I want to make the most of them, don’t you? 

My little note card on my fridge reminds me, Feed them. Won’t you join me and jot down the same? 

 

By Jen Schmidt as originally featured on (in)courage, a DaySpring community.  Shop meaningful Christmas Gifts & Décor that bring the hope of the season to those around you and into your celebrations. And find more meaningful articles at DaySpring.com.