‘Tis the season … when busyness and chaos and stress abound. I’m guessing I’m not alone in this. It was bad enough before we even got to the holidays, what with running a household and a business, holding down a job, and renovating our home. The problem is, I like people, I like parties, and I like Christmas, so I’m not willing to give any of them up!. But hosting three parties in five days is probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. We are so low on sleep we can barely function.

I’m not saying all that to conjure up sympathy or try to one-up anyone else’s story, but rather to say … I get it. This time of year can swallow you whole, if you let it. And what’s the first thing to go? My time with Jesus. I wake up with the to-do list front and center on my brain, and sadly, some days Jesus does not make the list.

I was praying about this on the way to work yesterday, repenting of my apathy and complacency, and the Lord said, so sweet and gentle to my spirit, “I’m not disappointed IN you; I’m disappointed FOR you.”

What a relief! Of course He is not disappointed IN me. He made me, for goodness sake, so He understands my frailties and shortcomings better than anyone else. But He is disappointed FOR me because He knows that time alone with Him would ease the stress of this season, help me put things in perspective, and guide me in making wise decisions with my time, energy, and money. He wants so much more for me than what I am experiencing on a daily basis.

So this morning I curled up on the couch with my Bible, wrapped in my favorite blanket, and spent some time soaking in the Psalms. It fed my spirit, helped me frame my day through His eyes. This day is nearly over, and the to-list remains largely unfinished. But I had a day of peace and joy, and tomorrow no longer looms large and overwhelming in front of me. And somehow, it’s beginning to feel a lot more like a “Merry Christmas.”