Better one hand with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.  Ecclesiastes 4:6
Good morning, friend,
                   Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house. . .   You fill in the rest.  What are you feeling the day after? Relief? Sadness?  Regret? Loneliness?    What I can say safely say is that it’s over.  No need to dwell on the yucky details.  Speaking with friends yesterday and this morning, many of my dear ones had similar experiences.  Sometimes, I think trying for a Norman Rockwell experience is very much like chasing after the wind.  Better one handful of tranquility.
          So how does this apply to this moment?  This is no denying that our country, neighborhoods, and families are experiencing extreme stress.  Political unrest. Violence.   Covid overload, etc.  In a church I attended for many years, the service ended with everyone joining hands and singing Let there be peace on earth.  The last lyrics of the hymn remind us, and let it begin with me.  Peace begins when we go deep within and find the calm under the turbulent storm.  Practicing the Presence brings tranquility regardless of what is going on around us.  Stillness.  Peace.  Calmness.  Oh, Lord, let it begin with me.  The storm continues to rage around me.  I cannot control my circumstances in the outer, but I can go deeper and as I practice minute by minute returning to a centering Presence, calm sweeps over my soul, even if just for a moment.  My dear one, I wish you peace in the new year.  Don’t chase the wind. Just a handful of tranquility is enough for the moment.         Linda
​

There were very many in the open valley and indeed they were very dry. Thus said the Lord to these bones, “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live.                                                                                                                   Ezekiel 37:2-6
Good morning sweet ones,

          Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, everyone was stressed and rushing bout the house, The cookies not baked, the stockings aren’t hung, the presents unwrapped, and ne’er a Christmas carol has been sung. 

          I can hear you, “Oh gosh, I have so much left to do including cleaning the house for guests, mountains of laundry, grocery shopping, and so the list goes on.”  For many years, I was right there with you.  Not this year.  I have choices to make.  I can kill myself getting everything perfect and be tired and grumpy and miss the magic and wonder of Christmas.  Or I can do what I can reasonably do and feel rested and joyful.  S0, I have a I’m not going “to do” list.  
          So, I ask you a simple question:  What can you cross off your long to-do list?  Now cross off more.  The Lord wants to breathe life into you and grant you peace.  Make time for the essential.  Christmas will come regardless and I want you to be rested and joyful.  You have a choice.  Stress or be blessed.  God said, “I set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him” (Deut. 30: 15-20).   Choose wisely,                                                                         Merry Christmas,  Linda