The Close of the Season

January – 2013

Man has plans but God’s purpose prevails---this was the word of the Lord when leaving the airport. The last month has been a whirl wind of activity and celebration.  Cramming into a month everything that the extended family has missed while being separated by the vast oceans.   Last Christmas Joe and I were in Austria for the Christmas, holidays.  Everything we did was with ‘us’ and a few friends the rest of the family remained at home in the U.S.  As I write it reminds me of when the entire family were all in England for Christmas—we were together and that’s all that mattered.  Both of those ‘out of the country’ experiences at Christmas were thwart with sickness but somehow we got through with peace, love and joy.

This year we had the thrill of picking out the tree together, watching the farmer cut it down, bringing it home and decorating together.  We shopped till we dropped, watched the Christmas movies including my favorite kind, an English TV. series that had been sent from the homeland as a Christmas gift.  We baked cookies and all kinds of goodies for the holidays.  Fellowshipped with other Christians worshipped at the same church and sat around the fire and talked.  We shared gifts and stories about the Lord’s leading, life’s disappointments and the joy of being called the chosen of God.  And yes prayed for the urgent prayer requests that came, maintained a necessary time at the ministrycenter, attended the funeral of a dear friend and celebrated the wonderful Christmas Eve candle light service.  
 
The house is quiet now, no little feet running and skipping through the house, no squeals and
screams of delight as uncle or cousins take to the floor with the excuse of the little one among us to ‘play’ again.  There were moments when lamps hit the floor, a screen torn from the window as dad had to force his way into the house having left his key inside.  There was times when the wood wouldn’t burn and the birds were want for food and tears of 'I want--but didn't get' sounded out the presence of a 4 year old.  There was no snow this year, but mist and cold rain created the atmosphere of Christmas, days sometimes drearily wrapped its arms around the house and closed the evening in early, it was then the yearly puzzle became the challenge of the holidays but by boxing day the ‘hurrah’s rang out with the final piece [found underneath the sofa of course] slipping into place.  

Late nights brought not so early rising but still time to hear Ava singing out…”come quickly Nana and Papa, come quickly,” following her bidding we were ushered into her mum’s room to see the morning sun, round as a red ball of fire rising behind the wintry, bare tree lined horizon.  Everything became hushed as the light of the day made its entrance and we were reminded of the beauty of creation and the faithfulness of the One who fashioned it.  

Turkey and dressing, carrots with parsnips, brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, raisin sauce and ham, mince pies and California torte cake and so much more—all that everyone would enjoy found its place on the dining table. Full to the brim we sat and reminisced remembering the high lights of the year, the sad and dark times and the happy and glad times, all were part of those days we remembered--and we were thankful.   Even moments of frustration soon fizzle and fade away as twinkling lights remind each one that nothing takes the place of being together.

As the year closed so too was our time of togetherness.  As midnight drew close we prayerfully entered into the new year, its circumstances unknown to us but knowing who would hold each day and each one of us in His Mighty Loving Hands.