Archives for 2009

For the Love of Others

December 6, 2009 by 6 Comments

I’m on mouse patrol. Have been every December for the past few years — ever since our nest emptied and the girls left me to fend for myself. Moving the mouse had always been up to them. In fact, they still fight for the chance to move it when they’re home for Christmas. They’ve even taken to staying up till midnight on the 23rd to try to move the little guy before the other sister does. Pretty silly — but fun :)

Kristin and Kelli’s move-the-mouse shenanigans started years ago. One holiday season when they were little girls, I bought Avon’s countdown to Christmas calendar, and overnight a new tradition was born in the Barker house.

As you can imagine, it gave rise to daily sisterly conflict until I devised a plan for them to share the coveted move-the-mouse privilege. One sister moved the mouse while the other got to turn on the tree lights. The next day, they switched… and so on and so on. But now? It’s just a free-for-all when they’re home. Shawn has learned to stay out of their way, and I’m sure Jake will, too :)

And me? I complain to them every year now about having to move that silly mouse myself. I’d like to retire it and put up something a little more classy (imagine that!), but any time I mention that possibility, the girls nearly come unglued. They are both big on tradition and about as sentimental as you can get. In other words, I think I’m stuck with the mouse calendar :)

So now, every day of December finds me moving the mouse. I guess you could say it’s one of those things I do purely for the love of my girls. If they want the mouse calendar up at Mom and Dad’s, up it will stay. Fact is, I’d probably miss it now if it wasn’t there :)

What do you do for the love of others? And I’m not talking just traditions or just among your own families. Many times we’re faced with opportunities to do something, not because it’s what we want to do, but because it’s good for someone else. I have a feeling many of you are living unselfishly, putting others’ interests before your own. I have a feeling many of you are on mouse patrols of your own. Rock on :)

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

*Additional note: Kristin found the Avon mouse calendar on Ebay and surprised Kelli with one for her birthday this year. She also bought one for herself :) I’m still not off the hook, though. Gotta have one at our house :)

*My photo

Filed Under: family, holidays, love, tradition

Holiday Trimming

December 2, 2009 by 8 Comments

4206456664_e6d530c4a1_zAnybody else ever have a moment of panic when the holiday season arrives? Mine happened just the other day when I turned my calendar to December and saw several extras already scheduled in a month where tasks and must-do traditions always seem to outweigh available time.

Somehow I know I’m not alone in my sudden case of H.P.I. — otherwise known as holiday panic interruptus. It’s a tricky condition. Sneaks up on you and grabs you by the throat when you least expect it, flashing everything you need to do in the next 30 days in front of your eyes in the span of five seconds. It steals your joy and interrupts your holiday peace faster than Christmas elves sliding down candy cane poles during a midnight toymaking drill.

My holiday conclusion? The Christmas tree isn’t the only thing that needs to be trimmed this year. The cure? Immediate evaluation and trimming of the December to-do list coupled with a guarded approach to saying “yes” to anything more. Anyone else need to follow this sage advice I’m trying to give myself?

In this season of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men” brought to us by the Prince of Peace Himself, let’s not let anything rob us of the fullness of joy He longs to give to us this Christmas. Like Mary did in choosing to sit at Jesus’ feet instead of stressing over details like Martha (Luke 10:38-42), let’s choose what is better and experience His peace. Let’s do some holiday trimming.

“‘The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'” John 10:10

*Flickr photo by John Curnow, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, holidays, peace, stress Tagged With: , , ,

Tis the Season…for Christmas Books!

November 29, 2009 by 4 Comments

Some people decorate for the holidays with Santas and snowmen, but me — I decorate with Christmas books! Okay, I decorate with all the other Christmasy stuff, too, but holiday gift books hold a prominent spot in my Christmas decor scheme of things (though not all in one group like the photo above — that’s just for this post).

Christmas books offer us more than most other traditional Yuletide displays. Not only do they appeal to the eye, they appeal to the spirit as well. Somehow they call out, inviting us to pick them up and delight in the treasures they hold.

Some of the books I place throughout my home during the holidays feature the work of master artists as well as the endearing words of writers, old and new. Years ago, I bought Christmas at our House, written and illustrated by Donna Green, in hopes of starting a new family tradition — an after dinner holiday family time. That year went well because the book also served as a memory book, giving us spaces to write in our own favorite holiday memories and traditions. In later years, however, the girls balked at some of my attempts to continue after dinner holiday family time. Imagine that — teenagers not enjoying family time! :)

Other favorites include Thomas Kinkade’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas, which features quotes and selections from classic authors alongside his trademark paintings of warmth and light, and Charles Schulz’s The Joy Of A Peanuts Christmas serving up some of our best loved characters’ never to be forgotten Christmas humor. Also on my favorites list are books that feature spiritual thoughts and reflection, and Joni Eareckson Tada’s A Christmas Longing more than fills the bill.

Christmas books, if we’ll take the time to enjoy them, can lead to wonderful family times as well as meaningful personal time as we worship the One whose birth we celebrate. Let’s spend some time this season with a great Christmas book. Let’s spend some time with Him!

“…’We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'” Matthew 2:2b

*Question for you: What are some of your favorite Christmas books? (I’d love to get some suggestions for some Christmas fiction this year…)

**Great Suggestion from Annette for a Christmas Outreach: When sending your Christmas cards, send at least one to this address: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue NW; Washington, D.C. 20307.

Filed Under: books, cheer, holidays, preparation, tradition

A Winner — and "A Thanksgiving Offering"

November 22, 2009 by 5 Comments

Today’s the day! Time to say “thanks” in a mighty big way to one lucky subscriber of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter (sign-up to the right). After drawing one name totally at random, the winner of the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is Keith H! Congratulations, Keith! There will be a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble on its way to you soon. Wish I could send each subscriber a gift card — I appreciate all of you!

Since I’ll be getting ready for Thanksgiving like the rest of you of this week, I won’t be doing my usual midweek post. Instead, I’ll wish you all a happy holiday today by sharing an acrostic piece of mine that was published in Evangel a few years ago. Hope you enjoy — and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Offering

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9)

Think of your many blessings, tell God daily you’re grateful, talk about what He’s done for you, and thirst for a life that pleases Him.

Humbly give glory to the most high God, honor Him for His deeds, hold His name in high esteem, and help others like He has helped you.

Acknowledge the Giver of all you have, appreciate the gifts He gives, ask for His continued blessing, and adore Him every day.

Name God’s mercies in your life, notice Him at work around you, nourish your spirit with thoughts of Him, and never forget His kindnesses.

Keep as memories God’s wonderful deeds, know His limitless grace, kneel before Him in love and devotion, and knit your heart with His in times of sweet communion.

Sing because of His love so amazing, sacrifice your praise to Him, see the Light behind the clouds, and simply live for His glory.

Anything special you’d like to give thanks for today? Share with a comment!

*Flickr photo by mathewingram, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: fun, giveaway, holidays, thanks

A New Adventure

November 18, 2009 by 6 Comments

As Kristin’s mom and dad and right-hand moving team (don’t get me started on how many times we moved her while she was in college), we got to be on-site this past weekend for the new adventure she and Shawn are traversing. Along with Shawn’s parents, we helped our kiddos load up their belongings, say good-bye to the first home they had known together, and then journey on to part two of their story as man and wife.

Leaving family, friends, and all that’s familiar to move to a new community hours away from loved ones is probably one of life’s biggest challenges — especially for sentimental types, like our girl Kristin, whose attachments run deep even after a short time. Books and kitchenware aren’t the only things that have to be packed during a move. Memories and desires have to be boxed up, too, and that’s much more difficult to do.

Once the letting go is past, though, the beginning again can start in earnest. And this is where Kristin and Shawn face an extra measure of challenge. Because of her commitments at the university, it will still be nearly a month before they can be together full-time in their new home. They’ve already faced over three weeks of seeing each other only on weekends while Shawn started his new job at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In this regard, I guess you could say it’s been a rocky road to Little Rock :)

But it won’t be long now until that part of the journey is over. Soon they can settle into regular routines and begin navigating the challenges of a new community together. Lots of finding will be going on. Kristin will need to find work while they also find a new church, new friends, new doctors, a new hairdresser, a favorite new grocery store… and the list goes on. Hopefully, they’ll be able to sell their home in NW Arkansas soon and move out of the rental pictured above and into a permanent home in Little Rock. And yes, the old right-hand moving team will be at the ready again :)

Perhaps some of the rest of us are in the midst of a new adventure or having to begin again. We may be traversing our own rocky roads or having to box up memories and desires dear to our hearts.

Like Kristin and Shawn have done and will continue to do, I’m sure, let’s turn to the One who will make the journey with us each step of the way. Remember, He has promised, “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5b). Our God is always at the ready. Let’s be sure to call on Him for each new adventure we face.

**Last chance: Current and new subscribers to Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, will be included in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Sign up by noon (CST) Sunday on the sidebar to the right for a chance to win! See Nov. 1st post for details.

Filed Under: change, family, new thing, unplowed ground
« Previous Page
Next Page »