Sunday Morning Serenity

In just a couple of days, Daddy will offer his annual reminder that Christmas "is not about material gifts"—right after he instructs me to hand him "that really big present" with his name on it:) But our holiday scene, unlike the one in all the Christmas movies, has no snow on the ground, no sleigh bells ringing. Right now, it's thundering and lightening. Within the next day or so, the temperature is supposed to dip into the 20s, but yesterday it climbed into the 70s. A good friend of ours came by with a gift of spring bulbs and convinced me that I needed to set aside the Christmas to-do list for a few hours and do something really important—garden.

Now all the window boxes and containers along our garden wall are filled with promise. Hidden beneath the earthy surface are bulbs and seeds that will take in the winter rains, the chill in the air, and the warmth of the sun and slowly transform into what they're meant to be—daffodils and crocus and hyacinths and wheat grass.

I usually associate renewal with Easter, not Christmas. But our brief Christmas spring reminded me that this season also marks a time of renewal—of renewed hope through the fulfillment of God's promise and the pathway of grace He created. We can fulfill our own promise because God kept His.

This spring, my garden will come to life with flowers planted at Christmastime. Just thinking about that has me humming an old Gaither tune. It's usually sung by children but still holds true for us oldsters:)

I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise
With a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality.
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.

[from "I Am a Promise" by William J. and Gloria Gaither]

Comments

[Jackie Byers]

LOVE this! I know lots of good ole' southern women who plant their tulips on CHRISTmas day because of that EXACT promise. Merry CHRISTmas Valerie and Dave! Be blessed.

[Valerie]

Thanks, Jackie! I didn't know that about tulips--will have to share with Mama:) Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Cindy HICKS]

I love reading your blog,Val. It is so comforting to me. I have never been able to "word" things well and I really do admire your gift to do so.Seems you always leave us with a good laugh or a word of hope or encouragement. Thanks for sharing...&Merry Christmas!

[Amanda Storey]

I second Cindy's post above. Your blog is incredibly special to me (and all of us).

[Valerie]

Thank you, my sweet friend!

[Valerie]

Big hug!