Seemed appropriate since we are navigating head on into Christmas again ….
The truck window was open wide to bring relief from the sauna our vehicle had become and the scent of the country filled the cabin. Christmas was going to be dry and hot. Recollections of snowmen and snug fires that fill the media over this season caused me to chuckle at the enormity of this paradox. Driving in eastern Australia, it wasn’t frost that filled my senses but the aroma of eucalyptus leaves dissipating in the heat. A chorus of cicadas screamed above the music which pumped through the speakers. Winding forward along the crumbling road, my face numbed and my hair stung my neck as it whipped and flung around me uncontrollably from the wind. This wind on my face was almost an overload of stimulation.
But not as much stimulation as was manifesting at our place. There was only thirteen more sleeps and the mountain of gifts below our nativity scene would be reduced to a pile of confetti. Our calendar for our family of one dozen, was filling out beyond the realms of achievability and was more overstuffed than an overdue mother. Each day enlarged my childrens expectancy for the ‘main event’, Christmas Day, but also increasing was my resolve to keep their hearts loaded with eternal perspective. But for now, I didn’t need to fatigue my mind with the choreography of this year’s celebratory climax. This long drive meant I could bring my mind back from the planning of the next few weeks and live in the moment.
This living in the now let all my attention return to focus on the scenery which was rushing past. I had seen this route many times before but every time it seemed to offer a different perspective. This intrigue caused my eyes to not casually, but almost desperately soak in all this lands stories. The history of life in every old farm house; the wonder and depth made by the shadows as the sun slid behind the mountains; the seamless knitting of the undulating slopes meeting the winding river which we repeatedly crossed. Bursting with an overwhelmingly satisfaction, I was thankful that God had put me in such a breathtaking place, that He had given me the eyes to see His land for the exquisiteness, the life it held.
Breathing deeply, I soaked in this life; His life. It appeared to me that God gave my present early. Such a generous gift wrapped in such a huge package, too big to join the growing mound in our living room yet I was totally absorbed in it and totally full of awe for its creator. His gift? He let me enjoy Him. To feel the substance of Him. To soak in His pleasure of me. To see His reflection of His heart in all that He made and continually lives and breathes through. His reason? Intimacy. His very purpose for creating us.
So resolute to woo us, He even purposed an insurance package of grace a fistful of Christmases ago. A gift that didn’t need wrapping, that won’t break, be outgrown or clutter the house, and one that doesn’t require the social seasonal protocol of parties, cards, feasts, holidays or bling. So pure and simplistic yet so full of substance that our lives depend on us discovering and embracing His gift’s essence. Astounding. He did everything so all we need to do is unwrap Him?
Absolutely… just beautiful. Thank you for reminding me to unwrap that precious gift.
What a beautiful post with such an important message. At this time of year it's easy to get caught up in the business of it all – thanks for the reminder to sit & ponder God's gift to us. You are such a gifted writer!
Ahhhhh… I love that reminder that nothing satiates the soul hunger like His presence. Thanks! I really needed that reminder after spending too many hours flipping through materialistic and wholly unsatisfying Christmas magazines!
what a charming perspective!
Has anybody mentioned that you so beautifully encapsulate with words, my feelings I can not articulately convey?
My I borrow your spiritual mind for a week or two until I can get in the hang of putting to words the strong spiritual feelings I have at times?
I'd let you borrow my overall mind for the duration but I seem to have misplaced my brain…
wonderful post sande. hope you and your fam have a great holiday this week!
Thanks for the beautiful post! I just started the study Becoming a Woman of Simplicity, purposefully at this busy time of year to remind myself of what you so eloquently said. If we have Christ, what greater gift could there be?
The Gift that out does all others, thank you for the reminder ( still keep getting thedevotional thought every time I read your posts !!! )Lxx
Greeeeeeat post. Christmas gets better as I get older. I think I am realizing more and more how important the basic things are – honoring Jesus Christ, enjoying the presence of my wife and 3 children, being healthy. The truly good things are the blessings found in Him. Good reminder.
Beautiful message!
Thank you for stopping by Faded Ladies and leaving such a refreshing take on Pet Peeves. You have a wonderful outlook and that is the key…it is an "outlook".
Blessings to you and your family for the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Rose
One word: beautiful!!!
Your writing really takes the reader along for the journey. This is truly excellent! Almost as excellent as the package itself!
"He even purposed an insurance package of grace a fistful of Christmases ago."
I am loving this imagery. Thanks for your visit to my blog today. I appreciate your poking into my life. 😉
I love this post, your writing, and the message! Beautifully written, wonderful truth.
Sande, you are a blessing and joy. Thank you for sharing. You leave me with a sense of awe at the wonder of God's love.
Wow. Your writing inspires me, delights me, best of all, pulls me into God's lap. Thank you!
Jen
Audience of ONE
Sandra,
I absolutely LOVE this one!! What a beautiful reminder!! Yes, the greatest gift of all…intimacy with Him! You've expressed this so eloquently! And I am grateful! Love you!! Janine XO