Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself slipping into a "funk" (as I call it) every now and then. I don't stay that way very long...sometimes for a day or two, sometimes maybe only an hour or two. But the busier I get, the more I find myself having these moods where irritations, wounds, stresses, worries just pop up and take over.
This morning, as I was sitting in my favorite chair, house all quiet, Christmas tree lights on, hot cup of coffee, I got out the current devotional book I am using. Today's reflection was on "Being Still" and how that we find ourselves best prepared for life's battles when we have taken time to get to know God during our moments of simply "being still".
I realized again (sigh. Sometimes I am a slow learner) that I have been so busy that I have stopped the being still part. And I know from past experience, that when I get too busy to simply be quiet and still that I find myself frantic, hurried, worried, and my emotions seem to have more emphasis placed on them than they deserve.
So I was so grateful my Christmas tree this morning. Why you ask? Because every year when my tree goes up, it just beckons to me....I can almost hear it..."Come sit for a spell, Tracy. Enjoy my beauty". Ever since I was a little girl, I have been mesmerized by Christmas trees and Christmas lights. So for the last couple of mornings, I have been getting back into my routine of making sure I get up early enough to enjoy the quiet and stillness of the wee hours. I slowed down enough to spend time with God in prayer, reading and reflection. And as a result, I have felt better all day long.
I'm going to give myself a gift this Christmas season...the gift of stillness before God. And I'm going to unwrap it each morning (hopefully) with anticipation. Because I much prefer the joys that come from a few moments of stillness and quiet over the "funk" that I get in when I neglect that need within my soul.
