I love the Christmas season. In fact, in my family, I’m the one person you can count on having a fully decorated tree and sometimes outdoor lights. Unlike my siblings, I’m a family one. But it’s me Aunt Wanda who everyone expects to have the holiday cheer. As much as I enjoy the season, I do dread the messy clutter that ensues as I prepare to deck my halls and trim my tree. Boxes once neatly stored in the attic then take up residence in my extra bedroom creating clutter. My furniture had to be dragged around and moved to other rooms of the house to make room for the tree.
For a few short weeks, I allow my house to be in complete upheaval to be mesmerized by the twinkling lights and shiny paper. And sometimes when I look at the mess the beauty of the season brings to my home, I wonder is it worth it all. Is it worth having to bother someone to pull my trinkets down from the attic? Is it worth walking past heaps of boxes? Is it worth disrupting my normal way of living just for a tree and some lights?
Is it worth it all?
Is that not a question we all find ourselves asking at some point in our life? Is it worth us moving from places of normalcy to welcome something different and new into our lives if only for a season? We are at the crux of a new year, and it’s natural for our hearts and minds to begin thinking about planning for ways to be a better us. But nothing new enters into our lives with disrupting the old in some form.
To bring the miracle of Christ to the world, the life of a virgin girl was interrupted, and things became a bit messy. A baby before the husband …. created one messy situation. It threatened to wreck her relationships, reputation, and plans. Her relationship with Joseph was strained because of what he thought he knew about her. Can you imagine what the talk in the town must have been regarding Mary’s reputation? Here she was supposed to be engaged but not yet married but having a baby. The well-laid plans she had were being rocked by the impending birth of something new and grand in her life. Life wasn’t normal anymore.
But right in the midst of the mess, a miracle was being birthed.
As I reflect on Mary, I am reminded that it’s often in the messiness of life that we see the miraculous hand of God. But what am I (are you) willing to let go to make room for the new? Can you welcome the challenge of the mess – a situation or state of affairs that is confused or full of difficulties?
I don’t know what the new year will bring, but I hope for something different. Yet, I am aware that new and different is not often ushered in the way we expect.
But is it worth wading through the confusion or trekking through difficulties to see the light of Christ shining in fresh new ways? While the answer is indeed yes, it takes courage to let go what is familiar and find the freedom to embrace and rest in the uncertainty of all that new things bring.
I must be willing to let go of what is safe, clean and ordinary and embrace the messy interruptions life brings.
While I have managed to restore my home back to its original state, I am left with this reminder as I eagerly look forward to the coming year – making room creates messiness but it’s worth it in the end.
What are you making room for in the upcoming year?
I’m looking forward to a new year, with a renewed focus and commitment to God and spiritual disciplines.
Ah, yes, Wanda, the letting go of control, allowing God to make things messy in order to bring about new growth–difficult to do but oh so worth it in the end! Merry Christmas, my friend, and may the new year bring blessings of new growth in every area of your life. Much love, Wanda!
Oh so true Pam. I struggle in the letting go but I’m hopeful to do a better job in the coming year. Hope you enjoyed a Merry Christmas and wishing you a blessed New Year.
Love that Barbie. Wishing you a Happy New Year and success as you pursue more of Him.
Blessings and happy new year.
This year I have to say I didn’t go through the changes. It was just me and my eldest daughter. We relaxed, cook a simple meal together (macaroni pie, spinach and bake chicken). We gave thanks and then went to our rooms. No fan fair, no wahala, just peace and relaxation
Sounds like a nice time Rhapsody. You know I’ve never heard of macaroni pie. Is it like a casserole? Wishing you peace, love and joy in the New Year.
Dear Wanda! I was SO encouraged by reading this tonight. There is so much truth here. My prayer to the dear Lord today was, “Lord, my hearts and hands are WIDE OPEN for Your blessings!” I know His blessings don’t always come in the packages we anticipate they will come in, but, oh, the glory that will fill our lives and souls, if we just open up our minds to…and you said…the messiness. I honestly think of all of your posts, this is absolutely my favorite. It resonated with me on so many levels right now….this year has been so messy for my family and me, but in the mess, God has birthed something wonderful. Sending you love and hugs and wishes for a blessed, prosperous, happy new year!
Ahhh, thanks Cheryl for those sweet words my friend. They are an encouragement to me indeed. Open hands has been a recurring thought in mind these days. May we each be open to all the year brings. Wishing you joy and peace and I’m praying for your sweet niece.
Just reading this post now but it holds timeless truth !! What an encouragement to let go of my expectations and place a hopeful expectation in the Lords hands!! Beautiful post Wanda and this
“As I reflect on Mary, I am reminded that it’s often in the messiness of life that we see the miraculous hand of God. But what am I (are you) willing to let go to make room for the new? ”
Amen and I’m praying that now !!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Lee. Letting go and embracing the messiness is a challenge. Praying that we each have the resolve do to it more and more. Blessings to you.
Hello Wanda, it has been a little while since I’ve visited, happy to be here today! Such an inspiring, thought-provoking post you’ve written, and it runs along the same lines of what the Lord has been dealing with my heart about too. Life is messy indeed, but it is in those moments that HE is able to work so mightily in us, and in our situations. What a powerful promise and thought that is! Hugs to you today 🙂
Hi Marilyn, so good to see you again. Hope the new year has gotten off to a great start for you. I just love the way God takes the everyday happenings of life to show us truths.
Thank you for these words. Even though the year has started I can still stand back and reflect on these words. Throughout the year we go through our own seasons of life and when we start something new we need to ask ourselves, is it worth it?
Hi Mary, sorry for the delayed reply. Somehow the your message ending up in the spam pond but I was able to fish you out 🙂 Wishing you a year filled his peace and joy.
I was feeling that way this year. I loved having the tree up, but this year it felt like one thing too much…and I wondered, was it really worth it. And, of course it was, even if it was a messy interruption. 🙂 Sweet post, Wanda. I don’t believe we’ve crossed paths before. I saw your comment on Bev’s site. Nice to meet you. 🙂 ((blessings))
Hi Brenda, so nice to meet you. Discovering new bloggers is one of my favorite things about blogging. I have definitely pared down my holiday preparations. And I’m definitely glad when things are back to normal.