FiveMinuteFriday meets 31 days Of Christmas Planning IN REAL LIFE

This post was written at an InRealLife Party Five Minute Friday party at the Allume Conference. There was a room full of women who all wrote for five minutes together and then lots got up and read their posts in an open mic setting. It was seriously one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of.

The word this week: Voice

Lift up your voice, all ye saints!

It's Christmas time! Don't be quiet. 

You are a child of the King and the King has come and will come again!

Rejoice!

Sing songs of quiet.

Songs of Joy.

Blare the trumpets. Strum the harp.

Whatever it is, Lift UP your voice!

How will I use my voice this Christmas? To grumble at the traffic or crowds. 

Or to be a light. To be a voice that will proclaim a way in the wilderness. 

Rejoice.

Lift up your voice.

31 days meets #fiveminutefriday: LOOK

As I began participating in the 31days blog challenge with thenester (and good friendsElisa and Spring), I had already told a group of women that I would commit to four FiveMinuteFridays - just to try the whole 'link up' thing. I decided that it would be a fun challenge (and maybe a disaster that I could laugh about) do this along with the 31 day blog challenge. 

The question is What kind of word will Lisa-Jo Baker come up with and how will it work for my topic.... I have no control over that. And the thought of making it work kind of gives me a thrill.

#fiveminutefriday meet 31days of Christmas preparation. The word this week:  

LOOK

How many things have I missed because I was hurrying to get things done - especially during the holiday season? How many eyes full of discovery and hearts full of wonder have I not seen? How many beautiful, humble displays have I overlooked as I sought the SHINIEST, BRIGHTEST, EASIEST?

I can't think of a better code word for Christmas planning. Like a super-power cue to stop, sit, and BE. 

LOOK at the child staring in wonder at the lights on the tree in the middle of town.

LOOK at your eyes of the 80yr old who is listening to the Christmas story for the 80th time. 

LOOK into your heart and let it wonder as you imagine LOOKING at the star. 

LOOKing draws us into community. LOOKing draws us into further relationship with the BabyAbba.

Perhaps the phrase for crossing the street that we all learned (didn't we) and have taught our littles, could signal a new plan for Christmas. 

STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. 

31 days meets FiveMinuteFriday: Race

As I began participating in the 31days blog challenge with thenester (and good friendsElisa and Spring), I had already told a group of women that I would commit to four FiveMinuteFridays - just to try the whole 'link up' thing. I decided that it would be a fun challenge (and maybe a disaster that I could laugh about) do this along with the 31 day blog challenge. 

The question is What kind of word will Lisa-Jo Baker come up with and how will it work for my topic.... I have no control over that. And the thought of making it work kind of gives me a thrill.

#fiveminutefriday meet 31days of Christmas preparation. The word this week:  

RACE

Not everyone likes to plan ahead. Not everyone is wired to plan ahead. Some people like the last minute rush. And they do it so well. 

I don't. When I rush, I look like I'm running a three legged race -- without a partner. At least on the inside. I manage how it all looks on the outside pretty well. 

The last minute holiday race does not bring the best out in me. That is why I am trying to be intentional with my planning. 

As I've begun to pull apart all the little parts of getting preparations, it's no wonder it feels like a race to get it all done when I wait to get started. 

This year, my hope is to change the race - to a pace - of rest and hope and peace. 

FiveMinuteFriday: Welcome

As I began participating in the 31days blog challenge with thenester (and good friends Elisa and Spring), I weighed my commitment to TopTenTuesdays and FiveMinuteFridays. I decided that it would be a fun challenge (and maybe a disaster that I could laugh about) to do both as part of the 31 day blog challenge. 

TopTenTuesday didn't concern me so much. Lists fit right into my topic of getting ready for Christmas. But what kind of word with Lisa-Jo Baker come up with and how would it work for my topic.... I had no control over that. But the thought of making it work gave me a kind of thrill. 

The #fiveminutefriday word this week wasn't nearly as impossible as I had thought it could be. (Thanks LJB.)

Here are my five minutes on "Welcome" and "Preparing for Christmas"

The door opens and the cold air gushes in along with people. People bringing food and gifts. Hours have been spent cleaning our house, decorating our house, and baking. The seasonal candle smells waft through and fireplace is on. A perfect holiday picture.

Unless you look at my heart. Which is tired. Overwhelmed. Still counting the things I need to do before the kids wake up tomorrow. Unless you have heard the arguments about family expectations between Marc and me.

But we clean up well. And say welcome. But not really. 

Insert a new plan. A 31day kind of plan. So that all those preparations and conversations won't happen in the heat of an already busy season. So that my heart will be the picture above – of openness, preparedness, and warmth.

I will say Welcome to Whomever comes to my door this year. I will have time to bask in welcoming Baby Jesus. And to hear Jesus say "Welcome" to me.