A Winter Prayer

There has been very little decorating going on in the ND's home these days (whaaaa???!). I know, crazy, right?! But The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is going on right now, and I have been a little lot busy. The wheels are a-spinnin' though, so come January, I hope to have some goodies to share with you! But in the meantime, I have been making (many) lists and checking them (more than) twice. I have been baking. And baking. Oh, and some more baking. I have been trying to make this beautiful time of year special for my little ones, taking them to fun events, doing Christmas crafts and all that jazz. It's been a GREAT month. In the chaos of it all, I feel very blessed that I have been able to find time to just be this year. I have been taking it all in, perhaps more than ever before, and appreciating this crazy, yet pretty great life I've got. To be thankful for moments while they're happening...I consider that a huge gift.

While I wish I was able to appreciate my many blessings all year long, I shamefully admit, I don't. I mean, I'm aware of them, but it's not so in-my-face (in a good way) as it is from the months of November through January. And my kids...oh my kids. They can drive me crazy. They can make me look forward to my evening glass of wine like nobody can. They can cause me to yell, and want to pull out every last strand of hair on my head. They can create more laundry and messes than I thought 3 small people ever could. But oh my kids. They can bring a smile to my face faster than anyone. They can brighten ANY day. They can make a sleepless night so worth it. They can make me appreciate little things. And these days, they are just so stinkin' adorably filled with anticipation/excitement/innocence and sweetness I can't stand it. And these days, more than ever, I thank God so very much they are mine. (Oh, and for that guy who helped me make them - I also thank God for him - he's pretty awesome too;)

They say it's not happy people who are thankful; it's thankful people who are happy. Makes sense to me. I'm happiest when I'm the most thankful, and when I read this winter prayer in a magazine the other day, I ripped it out and saved it, with the hope I would refer to it often. I'd like to share it with you:

"For All Warm Things" by Marjorie Holmes

For all warm things of this season I thank you, Lord.

For the warmth of my kitchen as I turn on the oven and sift and measure and stir and bake. For the snug warmth of the bedrooms where (finally, after much commotion) my children sleep.

For the warmth of this cup of steaming coffee in my hand as I settle down (exhausted, and at last) before the fire that dances so warm and festive on the grate.

And for warm clothes, Lord. These slippers, this robe - all the untidy closets bursting. That car coat tossed across a chair. And the car itself; a warm car to take us places (once we get it started). And those warm places: the homes of neighbors, friends, a warm church to worship in.

And the warm people there. The warm smiles and greetings. The generosity and kindness of people everywhere.

I am full of this warmth, Lord. It comforts me, it calms me. It makes me feel a glow almost as rosy as the embers in the fireplace. I want all people to be warm and rested and at peace.

Thank you for this blessed season of warmth in the midst of so much that is chill and stormy. Let it draw all of us together against the coming cold.

I just love this. I thought of all we have to be thankful for, no matter how dreary or cold it is, or how much we complain about that messy closet, or the kids who won't fall asleep. There is always something to be thankful for, and often it's those little things that are the best ones.

I hope this season finds you warm. Finds you rested. Finds you with love and at peace. And finds you on the coldest, stormiest day, with something to be thankful for.

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