Brimming With Joy!

     Mum and I had the pleasure of grabbing an unexpected lunch together on Christmas Eve. (It was sort of a rescue mission where I picked her up from the mechanic while her car battery was replaced.  What can I say?  I'm just handy like that...)
     We popped into our neighborhood Panera for sandwiches, and some primo people-watching time.  There was a young girl dressed in her red and green tutu skirt, complete with her hair done in a puffy topknot--she was like a Christmas butterfly as she flitted around and spun in happy circles.  And then there was the precious elderly couple, still so in love.  She adored him, and it was easy to see he felt the same about her.  Melted my heart.  Next to us there was an aunt and her niece, and they were trading turns taking each other's photo with an iPhone.  Their giggles were contagious, for sure!
     Mum's hot tea came in a to-go paper cup, and I love love loved the message of joy it proclaimed.  This year in my my Christmas cards I wished people hearts full to the brim with joy, so when I saw this cup, it was like receiving a Christmas card of my own!  A small moment, but one to tuck inside and savor.
     Now that Christmas is over, I'm hoping you still have joy.  Happiness is come and go, but joy...  Joy can be present no matter what!  Savor your joys, my friends!

Public Service Announcement

     Yesterday I was sitting in my local Barnes & Noble cafe, sipping my favorite quad espresso macchiato.  The day was crisp and cool, windy and sunny--Fall has arrived with full fervor here.  And along with Fall comes rapidly approaching Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving, and then...Christmas!  The next few weeks and holidays are going to come fast.  Before the days are upon you, and you're frustrated because the days just...came...I'm going to make this public service announcement:

There Are {Only} 10 Weekends Left Until Christmas

      Discovering this at first put me at ease--there's plenty of time to prepare for the holidays!  Why start now?  And in truth, there's much about the holidays I don't want to think about now.  I want to let my Fall be Fall without being bombarded by Christmas decorations or Turkey imagery.  I want to savor today without living in tomorrow.  But I have a caveat.  I tend to feel such pressure in the month of December--and sometimes November.  I want to give my Dear Ones a tangible gift of my love for them, but you know the story.  Money gets tight.  Time gets hectic.  Events fill my calendar.  Society pressures start encroaching on my list of people to "give" to...  And it taints the true meaning of the holiday for me.  I forget to let my heart be flooded with thanks.  I  push aside the birth of Jesus.

     I want joy to be present in these days.  And not just the actual holiday, but present in the weeks and months that surround them.  Towards that end, now that I know how many weekends there are before Christmas, I can make them work for me rather than against me.  I can start making sure I have addresses for cards.  I can shop--without rush and without going over budget--with leisure and thoughtfulness.  I can start making my presents (has anyone mastered sock making?  I think I may need all 10 weeks to get a sock done...).  With this in mind, I'll be able to enjoy my today AND keep my joy in the upcoming weeks!  I hope this public service announcement will help you in the same way.  Let's be joy-filled, shall we?!

Words My Heart Can Hold

There are those moments in life that occur, sometimes frequently, and other times they just slip up on you unexpectedly.  The silence in your day.  An ache of loneliness.  A quiet sigh and a prayer uttered that desiring God would satisfy.

And in response, God provides a heart hug in the form of words from a friend.  Not a new note, by any means.  But a special one.  One that opened the door to vulnerability.  One that lavished the heart with warmth.  A sense of joy at connecting solidly and deeply with a dear friend.  A sense of love.

All wrapped up in humble text.

It brings joy.