There is a Season for Change

This Christmas, despite the surrounding circumstances, has turned out to be one of our best. Yes, funds were tight, Dad worked all but Christmas day, children are still adjusting to home schooling, it didn't snow on Christmas day, and a hundred and one other "reasons" why perhaps our (the adults) expectations were low.

However, maybe that is what saved us.

Within our tight budget, we managed to find toys that have engaged the children so much that they only played with two of them for two days, before even getting round to opening the other boxes! Around Dad's working, we planned family times and entertaining, and have gone out of our way to let him know how much we love him for his hard work. The children have obviously learnt alot over the past 5 months of home schooling - most importantly, they have relearnt that they are lovable, intelligent, caring children who love their siblings and their parents. They have remembered God, remembered their "social conscience" and rediscovered their childlikeness.

It snowed today! The children spent an hour and a half in the garden, in just 2 inches of snow, before it all melted away. After which my eldest announced that this had been the "best Christmas ever".

Underlying all this, sitting back slightly and trying to identify the lessons in all this, I have been doing a lot of soul searching and decision making. Trying to take on more of my husband's ability to let go of the past without regret, I have looked at what has not worked before, and decided to move on.

Within the faith life of the family, within our family relationships, within our income generation, within our learning and growing - there have been a lot of attitudes and actions that have not worked out. As Ecclesiastes says, (Ecc 3:1,2,6) "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven....a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.........a time to keep, and a time to cast away;" Well, the season is here to do some plucking, and casting away, to make room for some serious planting and keeping.

I've discussed things with the children and have got them onside for the coming changes. I'm trying to get organised in time. It struck me this season that, when I am out in the workplace I have a fearsome reputation for organisation and strength, but I do not appear to have brought those skills home with me. The success of our "planting" will be in part reliant upon my doing just that.

Watch this space!