The Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house,

were papers and dishes--I tried not to grouse.

Remnants of parties and presents and friends,

caused my rigid sense of order, so slightly to bend.

My prayer sent to heaven with thanks for my blessings,

asking strength for the day and a freedom from stressing.

Soon the mess will be cleaned and the home set aright,

but until then, it need not give me a fright.

For disorder, you see, is a sign my house lives,

and hospitality is one of the gifts we can give.

So, in the days that fly by between now and New Year,

I wish you and your family an abundance of cheer.

Reflect on the joy you’re equipped to provide,

and make your heart light as you open doors wide.

 

Waiting For What Matters

Once again, I find myself in a position of waiting.  I never really like this place.  You think I'd be more comfortable with this space.  After all, I seem to do it quite often.  But, just as a waiting room is never your final destination, our position in life's timetable is never permanent either.  

I was going to reference the Dr.Seuss poem "The Waiting Place" and insert the iconic image of his strange cartoon people waiting.  But, curious about what other "waiting" images there were out there, I began to explore, and was struck by the fact that this "condition" is universal.  Time and again, through art and photographs, human kind has been captured waiting  We all wait.  Some of us for things of great importance in our careers or situations, others for the simple necessities of life. 

Scroll through the images and take a moment to reflect on the saying "The best things in life are worth waiting for."  After my image search, my frustration with waiting seems to have been greatly diminished. 

Husaybah, Iraq (Dec. 15, 2005) - Iraqi citizens wait in line at a polling site in the city of Husaybah, Iraq to vote during the country’s first parliamentary election. Iraqi citizens elected their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sheila M. Brooks (RELEASED)

 

 

…

Photo by Rod Waddington.  Ethiopia

 

Photo by Charles O'Rear.  1941  Waiting for a train outside the station at Albuquerque, NM

Photo by Jennifer Murawski. The lone salaryman gets sent out to reserve a picnic spot for the office during cherry blossom viewing season. They usually show up before 9am to just sit there all day long in suits, alone until everyone else shows up, probably after 5-6pm.

Photo by SGT Zach Sheely.  Family members wait for U.S. Soldiers with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard to arrive during a homecoming ceremony Sept. 7, 2014, at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kan. Soldiers with the unit returned home after a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Why I Cleaned Up Their Mess

Running the social media pages for Son Broadcasting, I come across lots of cute sayings, Tweet-worthy quotes, and pictures of everything from cats to vacations.  There are no lack of videos of people wiping out on skateboards, or elephants painting pictures.  Most of it doesn't catch much of my attention.

Today however, I came across a Spanish language (with subtitles) commercial/video for IKEA.  It made me cry and once again caused me to ask myself how I am spending time with my children.

We have some good laughs together.  There are countless conversations about choices, boys, homework and character.  Yet, I was convicted that much of my time with them is distracted.  The demands on my time are heavy, and I find myself spinning more plates than I probably should. 

When I came home at lunch time today, I found the kitchen wrecked.  The girls had obviously made cookies before they left for school.  But, based on the caked-on remains that covered the cookie sheets, it was evident that they hadn't been very successful. 

My options were: leave the mess and make them (rightfully so) clean up the kitchen after school or clean it up myself and allow time for us to make a successful batch of cookies this afternoon.  I'm not suggesting that the lesson be "leave your mess, and let mom pick it up" but after weighing my options, I choose planned, purposeful, uninterrupted time with my children this afternoon. 

They will learn how to do dishes and to pick up after themselves.  But the only one who can teach them to have a great relationship with their mother is me! 

The Gift of Freedom

And, they’re off!  American shoppers began lining up Thanksgiving Day to take advantage of discounts and special offers for Christmas.  Maybe you got lucky and scored a few great deals yourself.  While you may know exactly what to get some of the people on your list, I’m guessing that shopping for your spouse isn’t all that easy.  It’s sometimes those we know the best that are the hardest to shop for.

I have a theory, that the more intimate the relationship, the more difficult it is to come up with a meaningful gift.  Sure, they may love a new gaming console, giant TV or iPhone, but it isn’t what they really need.  When it comes to our spouses, we usually can’t wrap up their heart’s desires. 

Perhaps, what they most need is assurance that they are loved.  I haven’t found that on Amazon yet.  Maybe the real issue is that they need to feel respected and heard.  Walmart was out of stock.  Even Target was a bust when it came to finding validation and motivation. 

In all seriousness, one gift that millions of men and women are craving is simply, freedom.  To be set free from addiction to drugs or alcohol is a dream.  Maybe the struggle lies in overeating or self-doubt.  For a huge number of both men and women, they want freedom from pornography. 

Porn is destroying marriages and lives at an alarming rate.  You won’t find many people that would say “I want to stay lost in this dark, seedy world.”  That’s because porn is a mirage.  That allure and excitement that first pulled them in, led to a world without life; no rest, no shade, no water that ever satisfies.

There is a tool out there, to help those struggling with porn.  It’s software from X3watch that offers accountability and resources, while providing a block to inappropriate content on all internet connected devises.  This program is designed to help provide the freedom that so many are craving.

This may be a gift you can give your spouse.  Or, maybe it’s a gift you give yourself.  Sadly, porn has reached its dirty hands into the lives of men and women, in every age group and defied all socioeconomic bounds. 

If you are ready to deal with porn addiction head on, click here . Let X3watch help you in this quest for freedom.  As you celebrate the Christmas season, let X3watch help restore hope to your family. Begin the journey of healing and come to know what a gift it is to be set free.