James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
On the way to school this morning Clara spotted a bright orange T adorning one of the yards. "Look, Mommy, those people have a T in their yard. They must like tigers because T is for tiger." I immediately thought of how funny (or maybe irritating) her statement would be to both the fans of the bright orange University of Tennessee and their instate rival the University of Memphis Tigers.
This time of year my "misunderstanding" button gets pressed more often than I'd like to admit. Somewhere among plans, wrapping, cooking and baking, my emotions get raw and the sensitive in me surfaces. Now for poor Clara growing up with four other girls in the house her problem isn't misunderstanding, it's lack of information. But really when I think about it that's usually my problem too.
I'm too busy checking items off my list and rushing to and fro and I don't stop and listen to the other party. I wonder how different my Christmas season would look if I realized the most productive item on my list is listening to those I love.
So this December I'm going to rush less and sit more. I going to be mindful that come January the gift of an unruffled wife and mother will mean abundantly more to my family than a perfectly appointed holiday. I'm kissing misunderstanding goodbye under the mistletoe.
What a great idea :) I'm with you! You're right misunderstanding and lack of knowledge aren't that far off. Misunderstanding just means we didn't stop, listen and hear all that we needed to understand where someone is coming from. Lack of knowledge is a little more forgivable... especially from a sweet child. But misunderstanding from mom... well, it's forgivable too, but we should know better. You're not alone... off to find my mistletoe :)
ReplyDelete:) your title drew me in- had to understand what you were talking about! and yeah. i am right there with you....
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books, "To Kill a Mockingbird," is my favorite for just that reason. The message that seeing life from another person's shoes takes time, that a shift in perspective is illuminating, is beautifully driven home. I have gotten myself into trouble so many times because I haven't taken time to get the whole story!
ReplyDeleteI love this post Shannon! I too can relate with the rush of trying to make everything absolutely perfect, while leaving my loved ones in my personal ball of dust. What a great reminder to stop and listen...to stop and be....to stop and love.
ReplyDelete~Blessings and hugs,
Rosann
I am with you! While I love Christmas, this season can get ridiculously hectic if we let it.
ReplyDeleteMorning Shannon,
ReplyDeleteVery cute post, but also a very true post.
So much does get lost in the busyness of the season, and we lose our sensitivity and patience
if we don't take the time to be with out best friend Jesus, and take unhurried unfettered time
with our families, which in the long run is the
best gift we can give the Lord and them!
Thanks for all your lovely and meaningful posts hon,
Blessings, Nellie
I'm adding this to my mistletoe list too! Thanks for inspiring me!!!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, laughing..."off to find my mistletoe"
ReplyDeleteKendal, I often think far too long about the title; at least this one was effective. :)
ReplyDeleteBeck, if there's a special space for those who regularly mess up by not getting all the facts, at least we can visit together!
ReplyDeleteRosann, love this visual "leave my loved ones behind in a personal ball of dust." I can see that and want to avoid it - big time!
ReplyDeleteJaime Joy, for sure - with ridiculously hectic you hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDeleteNellie, you are so right - spending time with Jesus is the way to keep our focus.
ReplyDeleteBecky Jane, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post and a beautiful reminder of what's really important during this busy season. :)
ReplyDeleteMonique, focusing on the most important things with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon! Isn't it crazy how the holidays leave our nerves in a frayed mess? LOL! When I think about it, misunderstanding and misdirected goals are often at the source. I'm with you on this one -- goodbye misunderstanding! I'm choosing to listen and think before I react this year. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou make such a good point! I really need to take more time to listen to my family and not worry so much about having the "perfect" Christmas. Thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove this! This is exactly what was on my heart for this holiday season... do less and be more! Looking forward to January's post to see just how "unruffled" you are! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog thru Beck's.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I needed to hear today after spending the weekend decorating.
Gwendolyn, oh my you are so right about that. I can end up a bigger mess than the wad of wrapping paper at noon on Christmas.
ReplyDeleteChristina, if anyone can pull it off it's you... :)
ReplyDeleteBeth, what a great perspective...putting in time living our priorities this month will pay great dividends the next. Love that!
ReplyDeleteCathy, isn't it weird how decorating is both exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time? So glad you found this post right when you needed it!
ReplyDelete