I made a firm decision to declutter our Christmas this year and move to the garage next. That was last Saturday. In the morning our neighbor Bob came to tell us that he is getting rid of an antique dresser. I have a soft spot for old gorgeous European junk and our son’s dresser has been repaired and broken more times than we can count. It was a carefully evaluated ‘yes’ before I went to his house to get it. I came back with the dresser AND an ancient music sheet cabinet. As I said, I have a soft spot plus as a way to thank Bob, I needed to help him declutter his house. Later in the afternoon, he brought some home-baked cookies, an inflatable Frosty the Snowman, a large ceramic Santa Clause, a dozen lighted candy canes, two reindeer and a matching snowman.
It’s for the kids, they enjoy it. Plus, it’s easier for
you to set it up than for me, so this way we all get to enjoy it.
I couldn’t argue with that, but my internal agony was
reaching a boiling point. I am supposed to get stuff out not
keep getting more in! Before I could send all the things (minus cookies!)
back, my husband, our kids, and few of their neighborhood friends turned my
decluttering Saturday into a Christmas decorating party - cookies and all.
Feeling a bit like Scrooge, I admit I was begrudging the fact that somebody’s
house was getting decluttered, and it certainly wasn’t mine. On the contrary!
Sensing the steam coming out of my ears, I marched into the
back yard, where there was still some semblance of peace and quiet and space
and blissful Frosty/Santa/Snowman/Reindeer-LESSNESS.
At least the majority of the stuff is on the front lawn, I
deliberated. The house and the back are still in reasonable order.
I took another deep breath, regaining enough composure to go
back in. But, the sliding door was stuck. Inside, I noticed, the whole house
looked like a bomb exploded, our family room furniture randomly stacked against
the sliding door. I stormed around the house to the front, demanding answers.
What the…? Suddenly aware of eight pairs of saucer
eyes glued on me in anticipated horror, I paused, rephrased the question,
keeping lid on my temper.
What happened to our family room? Why is all the
furniture moved around?
Oh, I told the kids to clear out the space for the
Christmas tree, so they can set it up, my husband responded
calmly. Is there a problem?
No. I slumped into the sofa. No problem. Let
them set up the tree.
The four kids worked seamlessly setting up our giant
artificial tree branch by branch.
We need some Christmas music, announced the
designated family musician. You can’t decorate the tree without
the music! With the radio on, the sound of Mary Did You
Know? filled the house. They continued working quietly and then,
one by one begun to sing along….
The mystery of incarnation continues. Like Mary, we truly
don't know when... or how of
its wonder. May we remain open-hearted so we can receive all the good pleasure
of His will, in chaos or calm, in silence or song.
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