12/03/05
TwinkleGram from Charlene
Saturday, December 3
I'm sitting in a Mexican restaurant waiting for a friend to arrive. We've got a lunch date. (duh) Laptop in tow, I intentionally got here early because I'm supposed to be (according to me) writing a TwinkleGram about peace on earth and good will toward men and women. Yes, that wonderful spiritual Christmas feeling swept over me and I grabbed my laptop before I hopped in the car. Time to share an important Word.
What I'm momentarily doing, however (a true confession my fingers insist on typing), is chomping at the bit: yes, to see my friend; but then (and it's kind of an overriding feeling ) to get to the dollar store. I spotted it on my way here while waiting for a traffic light to change. In the short time span between amber and green I got that itchy feeling. After all, there is Christmas shopping to conquer and I love the dollar stores (the ones where *everything* is actually one dollar), even when shopping isn't on my list. Ah, 'tis a magical time of year indeed when dollar store sightings and shopping agendas collide!
The odd thing is, the dollar stores always seem to cost me $27. Odder still is before I start perusing the aisles, I never seem to know or appreciate How Many Things me (or my friends and family) NEED that only cost one dollar, most of the items worth WAY more than that. I've purchased reading glasses, dog treats, baby shower decorations, candles, incense, sun block thingies for my auto windshield, clever velcro ties to organize extension chords, DVDs of old movies and television shows ... stocking suffers galore! All for only one dollar each. OH! I can hardly WAIT!
FAST FORWARD: Immediately after I typed that last exclamation mark my friend arrived. BIG hugs. We had a wonderful visit. She said she'd just finished decorating her tree. We agreed it takes far fewer things than we might think to make a house look and feel merry, and yet ....
When we finished dining I told her I was headed to the dollar store. She said she, too, loved dollar stores and that she needed to buy some wrapping paper. She said she'd follow me if she didn't have to be somewhere else. That's okay, I thought. She might want to "do" the aisles faster than I would anyway. Although I am basically missing the bulk of The Lady Shopping Genes (honestly, I hate "regular" shopping), what few I do have kick into high gear in dollar stores and resale shops. I was all but lathering up and panting with anticipation as I parked the car and headed for the store's outdoor display bins. (Couldn't even wait to get in the door to begin!)
FAST FORWARD: Loved it. Two bags' full. I got on such a roll I also made it to three other stores. Fa-la-la-la-la.
FAST FORWARD: Sunday morning, December 3 (so much for spiritual thoughts on Saturday)
This morning Pastor talked about advent, how we need to commit to stop rushing around, focus on the waiting, the wonder--The Gift of the Christ child. Yes, hush. Wait. Meditate. Remember. Sitting there in the pew, that spiritual Christmas feeling swept over me again as Truth registered in my heart.
And then I thought about where I was stopping to shop on my way home.
FAST FORWARD: It's Sunday evening now (yes, I did more shopping after church) and that spiritual Christmas feeling has swept over me again. I've booted up my laptop and am typing as fast as I can before ...
Hush. Wait. Meditate. Remember. Stop typing.
Pray.
___________________________
Lord, it is my heart's desire to bless my TwinkleGrammers, to help hush and center them--and me--during this Christmas season, this time of waiting during the rush-rush-rush.
God, let me tell You what of Your Wonder I noticed during my walk this evening. May I recall it here with crisp clarity. I ask you to wrap Your sacred hush around these images and help them to bless and still those who will read them.
Single-digit temperatures. (Thank You for my snuggly, warm clothing!)
The clear Minnesota sky, crunchy (with each step) snow, my breath as I walked.
The quiet crescent moon, its brightness equaled by a brilliant star hanging nearby.
The light radiating from my own house, smoke curling from my neighbor's chimney, my goofy dog wagging his tail when I opened the door.
Small things, Lord. THANK YOU for small waiting-gift things we need not buy. (During our shopping, help us to be especially mindful of what the word *need* means. Lord, hear our prayers!)
Help us to wait together, God, to ready our hearts, to STOP ourselves when our internal engines rev with stuff that doesn't *really* matter.
Help us to remember Your hush in the midst of our rush.
Amen.
I wish you peace and grins and stillness,
Charlene
PS Please pass this along to anyone you think could use it.
PSS If someone forwarded this to you, you can get your own subscription at www.twinklegram.com
1 John 4:19 - We love, because God first loved us.
Charlene Ann Baumbich
Child of God
who first loved her
even though she sometimes,
acts CRAZED!
