I found it ironic when I had to decide if I would attend a continuing education class entitled, "Stress, Anxiety, and Depression," only twelve days before Christmas. If I attended the class, I would have more stress when I couldn't work on my long Christmas "to do" list. If I didn't go, I would have to complete all 40 continuing education hours in one year...more stress (I've done that before).
The morning I prepared to host a Christmas party for my international friends, (the day before the "Stress, etc." class, I thought about stress). I didn't want to be stressed. I thought I had worked enough the days leading up to the party, but I still had a few last minute details to finish (after my girls got off to school) in two hours. I had to unload the dishwasher, load it again, wash the pile of nondishwashable dishes, set two tables, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the dining room, spruce up some bathrooms, make soup (open cans and dump them in the crock pot), clean the kitchen counters, hide the pile of papers, stuff clean laundry back in the dryer (no one ever looks there), take a shower, and get ready (hair fixed and makeup would be a bonus). OK. Maybe it was a little more than a "few details". I was determined to finish without stress.
The first step, (not even on the list), call a friend. As we talked, I worked. I love to work and talk. It doesn't seem as much like work. In our conversation I told her I had company coming. She heard me starting laundry and surprisingly asked, "And you are doing laundry?" I explained that the milk spill I cleaned up the night before had to be top priority. Soured milk in the laundry was not very welcoming.
As I hung up the phone, I decided to talk to God it. He reminded me of a few tips about stress. As I scurried around to get my house ready, He said, "I'd rather you prepare your heart." How many times do I spin my wheels to make myself, or my house presentable and miss my heart? As I continued to clean, I asked God to prepare my heart. I wanted my guests to be impressed with my changed heart more than my house, hair, or hunger eliminating food
I dealt with the list farely stress-free for the first hour and 15 minutes (with my preparing heart challenge). Then "crunch time" hit. My last 30 minutes called for some choices. My long list had dwindled, but not near finished.
I had tounload the dishwasher, load it again, wash the pile of nondishwashable dishes, set two tables, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the dining room, spruce up some bathrooms, make soup, clean the kitchen counters, hide the pile of papers, stuff clean laundry back in the dryer, take a shower, and get ready (hair fixed and makeup would be a bonus).
Choices I made: sweep the kithchen floor (only under the table), NOT mop. Forget the vacuuming (more crumbs to come). Now, no time for a shower. But I must wear make up and take out the ponytail (always have pics). Perfume covers a multitude of smells. (Extra deoderant never hurts). Febreze also works well on clothes, but I only use the best for my friends. I decided my smile was more important than a perfect house.
P.S. I've decided to attend the "Stress" class tomorrow. More to come on "stress" (When I have time and not stressed). I decided not to go back and change the verb tenses to show this happened today. Sorry, too stressful.
What stresses you the most this time of year?
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
The morning I prepared to host a Christmas party for my international friends, (the day before the "Stress, etc." class, I thought about stress). I didn't want to be stressed. I thought I had worked enough the days leading up to the party, but I still had a few last minute details to finish (after my girls got off to school) in two hours. I had to unload the dishwasher, load it again, wash the pile of nondishwashable dishes, set two tables, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the dining room, spruce up some bathrooms, make soup (open cans and dump them in the crock pot), clean the kitchen counters, hide the pile of papers, stuff clean laundry back in the dryer (no one ever looks there), take a shower, and get ready (hair fixed and makeup would be a bonus). OK. Maybe it was a little more than a "few details". I was determined to finish without stress.
The first step, (not even on the list), call a friend. As we talked, I worked. I love to work and talk. It doesn't seem as much like work. In our conversation I told her I had company coming. She heard me starting laundry and surprisingly asked, "And you are doing laundry?" I explained that the milk spill I cleaned up the night before had to be top priority. Soured milk in the laundry was not very welcoming.
As I hung up the phone, I decided to talk to God it. He reminded me of a few tips about stress. As I scurried around to get my house ready, He said, "I'd rather you prepare your heart." How many times do I spin my wheels to make myself, or my house presentable and miss my heart? As I continued to clean, I asked God to prepare my heart. I wanted my guests to be impressed with my changed heart more than my house, hair, or hunger eliminating food
I dealt with the list farely stress-free for the first hour and 15 minutes (with my preparing heart challenge). Then "crunch time" hit. My last 30 minutes called for some choices. My long list had dwindled, but not near finished.
I had to
Choices I made: sweep the kithchen floor (only under the table), NOT mop. Forget the vacuuming (more crumbs to come). Now, no time for a shower. But I must wear make up and take out the ponytail (always have pics). Perfume covers a multitude of smells. (Extra deoderant never hurts). Febreze also works well on clothes, but I only use the best for my friends. I decided my smile was more important than a perfect house.
P.S. I've decided to attend the "Stress" class tomorrow. More to come on "stress" (When I have time and not stressed). I decided not to go back and change the verb tenses to show this happened today. Sorry, too stressful.
What stresses you the most this time of year?
Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love to hear your comments.