Sit and Savor

It's about to begin.  Brace yourself.  The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is almost upon us.  Every year from about Halloween to New Year's Day, life seems to be a blur.  We rush around letting our society's expectations call the shots of how we spend our time, money, energy and emotions.  Let me let you in on a little something: it doesn't have to be this way.  We don't have to get to the end of it exhausted and burned out.  You have a choice.  I have a choice.  Let's choose to sit down and savor each and every moment.  

I don't exactly know what the 2020 holiday season will look like.  Lord only knows after the year we've had.  And though I predict there will be less events to attend, our nature is still go, go, go.  Do, do, do.  And when we do sit down for a break, we spend it scrolling on our screens or savoring the next Netflix binge.  

I'm preaching to the choir here.  I do the same thing.  I want us, myself included, to think about how we can sit and savor this season and every day, really.  One example I love about how the western culture compares to the Eastern culture - for the longest time vehicles that were manufactured and designed in Europe didn't come with cup holders.  Know why?  They didn't serve anything "to-go" over there!  Mind-blowing concept:  They actually sat down at a table about for every meal.  Meanwhile over here in the USA, we live in our SUVs, constantly on the move from work to soccer to dance to dinner to gym.  Spilling out changes of clothes, snacks, styrofoam and take-out trash where ever we go - oh and did I mention the Suburban has 243 cupholders? 

I think my point has been made.  We don't like to sit.  We don't like to rest.  We like to rush.  We thrive on hurry.  If 2020 has taught us all anything at all so far, I hope it's taught us that we need to slow down.  Be still and know.  We've learned a lot so far, let's don't blow it these last few months, ok?

Let's talk about what Jesus had to say.  "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:38-42  

Don't you think it's appropriate that Jesus didn't have this encounter with his male followers?  No offense to my fine male readers.  Actually, I'm jealous.  Y'all seem to do better at this than us ladies.  Girls, let's take a lesson from the guys in our lives...The Guy in our lives.  Prop up your feet.  Delegate.  Check out of all of the distractions and check in to what's most important.  Sitting at Jesus's feet.  Jesus said that's the ONE THING that is needed.  And we know this to be true from what He taught about the greatest commandments: Love God and love one another.   Jesus teaches us here that the best way to show love is to sit with God and sit with others.  And to savor each moment, each word, be present.  We can't do that if we're too worried about what Pinterest ideas we're going to use for that Halloween costume, getting the recipe exactly right and styled for Instagram and making sure the house is spotless.  

He says in Matthew, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30  Why do we push ourselves to go, strive, accomplish?  Pride, seeking worldly achievement.   Jesus tells us to truly have rest we must be humble like Him.  Because all of that striving, rushing, and spending time on things that don't matter - that doesn't last.  It will be taken away and we'll have nothing to show for it.  What will last?  How we love and who we love.   

As we've continued putting the finishing touches on our farmhouse, we've worked hard to make sure every aspect of the house, both inside and out, is inviting.  But then I refuse the invitation I've created for myself and I never actually sit in these spots!!!  I have a feeling your house is no different.  So just stop.  Sit down.  Savor the moment.  Spend that time enjoying God and those you love.  

 

 

Same goes for all of our All the Fixin's products... we intentionally choose to feature things that encourage you to sit and savor.  Whether it's our candles from The Refinery, or our Bible verse notepads that help you gather your thoughts and reflect.  And of course our pecans, candies, coffee and jerky have no trouble being savored!  And now, we're excited to introduce our new handmade mugs!  We've partnered with local potter, Brasher Clay to add these beautiful mugs to our collection of gift items that give back.  For each mug sold, we will provide a donation to the non-profit arm Senior Center of Emanuel County - the same charity that our "Goodness Gracious" coffee supports, so that the elderly in our area have access to life-giving fellowship and warm meals daily.  These mugs are featured in our new Coffee Lovers gift box for you to keep in mind for that coffee lover and to further drive home our hope that you will Sit and Savor this holiday season!  

 

Here's to what life will fix up for you when you sit and savor.  What's your favorite way to resist the rush?  We'd love to see and hear about your favorite way to relax in the comments!

Love, Janna