I’m looking at my calendar and it’s packed. I have some mornings blocked off to regroup and tend to my house and people, but the weekends are full and plenty of weekdays are too. I’ve said no to the things I just can’t invest in right now and said yes to what is important to us.
And here we are, busy.
But I want to continue into the busy holidays with a perspective that holds truth up front, right where I can see it. I want to remember God is God and he’s got this whole world – and my little life – in his hands.
I want to choose joy & be overwhelmed by God’s goodness, not my calendar.
I want to love this season like I loved this past weekend. In the midst of daily life, plans that have brought people to our house the past three weeks and will bring more in the coming weeks. But this past weekend our best friends gathered at our house for our eighth annual Thanksgiving. I wish we had a clever name for it, like the Friendsgiving I saw online recently. But we don’t.
But we have each other.
The first year we planned it, my family didn’t even go because we had a 26-hour-old baby boy. We’ve hosted many other years though. One year we even used our china for the first – and still only time – in the 14 1/2 years Greg and I have been married.
This year we used paper plates.
And I don’t think anybody cared.
One of the four families moved away last year so they stayed at our house the whole weekend. We ate chowder out of paper bowls one night before sharing a store-bought ice cream cake to celebrate our two close-in-age boys who were the foundation of two moms becoming friends. We kept a stack of paper plates close for the four adults and seven kids. Another family spent a good portion of the weekend at our house because they’re friends who are more like family.
We cooked mashed potatoes and apple dumplins together, filled in the gaps of our texting conversations, and did ordinary life together while our kids make messes and memories throughout the house. Then the fourth family joined us, bringing a fresh dose of laughter and jalapeño corn.
I didn’t even put on shoes Saturday. I needed a day like that. I needed to stay.
Being surrounded by my favorites filled up my soul. Sure, it’s busy right now. But winter is coming. And this is the life for which I’m thankful.
*****
And speaking of holidays, I am giving away a sweet children’s book that would be a wonderful addition to your Christmas collection. Be sure to enter that giveaway before Saturday.
*****
Loading InLinkz ...
I think you gave it a great theme name: Paperplate Txgvg Weekend!!!! I am loving your zeal for life right now. (Don’t you love the word ZEAL?) Kind of ZANY. LOL
My life seems a little crazy (in a good way) right now, so I’m doing my best to lean into God and just enjoy it. Zany & zeal are both great words. 🙂
Kristin, personally I think paper plates are the gift we give ourselves so that we can enjoy the true gift of those around our table without added pressure. And honestly, they come in beautiful patterns now 🙂
You should see this huge stack I bought myself! 🙂 You’re right, though, the kind of plates isn’t the point.
Definitely. The point is to gather and to be thankful. Plates — optional!
And right now I’m thankful for paper plates. 🙂
I love your perspective of gratitude in the middle of the busyness, and the paper plates are a great idea- the time with those we care about is what matters!
Thanks for your kind comment, Lesley! I’m glad you’re here today.
You are singing my song, Kristin! I can become so stressed from all the planning that I miss the beauty of what is being celebrated. Praying for a Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas season…paper plates and all 🙂
I’m glad we can sing together, Mandy! 🙂
Kristin, I love this! We used to use real plates a lot and still do for some small gatherings, but when there is a large group, paper plates really come in handy. And you know what? Nobody cares. What’s important is the time spent together.
How lovely that you and your friends have such wonderful times together each Thanksgiving season! Blessings to you!
I have real plates and use them sometimes. I even have lovely china, but, well, we’ve used that once in 14 years and I kind of regret having it. Maybe that’ll change when my kids are older … maybe. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement here today, Gayl!