Another Oops…
Last night I baked five loaves of multi-grain bread. Naomi and Mikah were very eager commentators — and distractors — and I forgot to add the salt. It just doesn’t taste the same. So, those loaves are destined for croutons. I’ll report on that later.
We are working on school now and some chores. Our house looks almost as bad as it did yesterday. We did clean yesterday, but it falls apart so quickly. Things get taken out and not put away. This bugs me. It is also the Christmas stuff. I feel it all looks so disheveled and to be honest, I prefer the sparse openness of our regular decorations. During the Christmas season, my mind feels so cluttered. I know that is not what God has in mind for me during the season of celebrating His birth, so I will keep on focusing on Him and trying to keep the clutter at bay (in my mind and elsewhere).
Wardeh,
I’m sure that you will find what works for you. You just have to keep working at it, trying new things.
I do relate, I’ve had those same cluttered, disheveled feelings at Christmas. I’ve worked for years to make Christmas “feel” right to me as far as decorations go.
I’ve found what works for us and doesn’t make me feel crowded out of my own house. I finally got an artificial tree because its cleaner and doesn’t make me wheeze. But I got one that is tall and thin, so it looks better in my smallish house.
I have few decorations, they are all homemade with greenery and berries, apples and gingerbread. I like to use candles and a very few Christmas lights to give the house that sparkle.
Warmth, good smells, greenery and sparkle … seems to work for me.
Hi, Sylvia. I do really appreciate your encouragement. You’re right — we will figure it out as we go along. I know it would feel much better if I could keep the rest of the clutter out of the way. We don’t but a few decorations, but to fit them in just crowds everything. Your home sounds lovely. I know I would love your house. Our tree… Jeff says it looks like it hasn’t woken up yet from last Christmas (the kids were the ones who fluffed it and set it up).
Thanks again. Love, Wardeh
Such hard work on the bread and then to have it not taste right!! So sorry! Croutons sound great!
All of our family-time life and until now, I prefer simplicity in decor at Christmas, as you know. (I mean, however, with the exception of those years that I strung lights around the mantle (sp?) and north windows, and they never looked right anyway!!). Your concerns about clutter are so normal and have nothing to do with the spiritual feeling of the Season, Wardeh. God knows your heart and He knows of your love, and He never meant for the commercialism to be put into Christmas, anyway.
So the clutter you see has to do with your sense of order while the spirituality of Christmas is entirely different. You are not distressing God with this attitude, you are merely reaffirming that Christmas is not about “things”, and He knows this.
Do I remind you of Mary (the homely daughter) on Pride and Prejudice? I hope not!! I love you so much!!! Mother
I posted with the same brain clutter today…and house clutter.
I’ve got so much to do and think I’ve about to decide to stop doing either!
I did get some things “done”…but nothing that seems to press me. I choose others things. I will NOT be PRESSED!!!!!!!!!
Arg.
Thanks, Mother. You always know just what to say to cheer me up!
I love you!
Mag, do not be pressed!
Guess I better go read about your clutter. 
Love, Wardeh
I understand what you mean about the Christmas clutter. It looks so warm and inviting with the warm bright colors, but tends to give a somewhat “messy” approach. We do minimal decorations as we don’t have much space and I think a few great decorations are better than a whole lot of not so nice ones.
I have been going crazy around here the last few days as the house looks so cluttered…glad to know I’m not the only one.:-)
Oh Martha, I know you meant that for Wardeh, but it blessed me so much. Thank you
Sylvia
I think I will put in Pride & Prejudice. Besides the fact that I love the film, it is a pleasant reminder of your friendship.
As I get older I find that simple is better. Less clutter in my home = a clear mind for me. I suppose that is why I enjoy organizing so.
There’s my queue! P & P theme music is starting…
Have a wonderful Thursday. Hugs, Robin
Sylvia, my mom is such a blessing. When I grow up, I want to be just like her!
She’s gracious, kind and sensitive and she has a knack for keying in to what the true heart issues are.
Robin, how was P & P? I think it’s about time that I watched it again, too. Hugs to you, too.
Love, Wardeh
MaryAnn — I agree. Less is more.
Dear Wardeh,
I am struggling with the same. This is why I leave my tree up after everything else is put away. THEN, I sit in the room with a hot cup of coffee and my Bible and worship God and thank Him for sending His son to live among us and die for us!!
I don’t think all this time of preparation and busyness is all bad as long as it ends in worship. The Bible is full of big festivals and feasting days. I am going to try to think of Christmas as a big feasting day of dedication to the Lord. I will put up with the preparations, busyness and exhaustion. Then on Christmas and after, I will bask in praise and worship to the Lord!
Love
Karen
Karen, that’s a great idea to sit quietly with a good beverage and thank the Lord for the gift of His son! I think that will really help me put the season in perspective. You’re right to point out that feasts were a part of Biblical history. I’m sure they were busy too! That makes me think of Mary & Martha. Most of the time, I’m like Martha (and I don’t mean my mom, whose name is Martha)!
Thank you for your encouragement. Love, Wardeh
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