Leave The Decor Up One More Day

I was that person. The person who scrutinized the mess the day after Christmas. Christmas was over…time for a tidy house, and the new chapter.

But what if it wasn’t time for a new chapter? What if the next page was still in the works…what do you do then? How do you find the meaning in the next chapter of your story?

It’s been a hard few nights. Few weeks, even. I lay down for bed, but as I close my tired eyes, something other than sugar plums begin to dance in my head. And they’re not dancing either. They’re stomping.

The ambulance lights. The sirens.
The phone call. The timid voices.
The smell of those dead leaves around a mangled up car that used to be the car we had all our dates in… the car that brought us to fairs, and theatres…that even brought my husband to our wedding.

The thoughts come out of the night, like a bat realizing darkness has settled in. The thoughts trudge through my brain, one by one, not daring to be calmed by anything…not even with my strongest attempts at distraction.

Only those thoughts can remain. Only those thoughts can stay up and waltz me through the memories of September 3rd and the weeks ahead…even a few memories leading up to. And until they’re all taken out of the cupboards, washed, dried, and put away again–they are not to be silenced.

I struggled to sleep for weeks. I couldn’t find a way to distract my thoughts to better things. On the few occasions I found to fall asleep before they arose from their slumber…I was awakened by none other than my old familiar enemies, in the version of dreams. I think I’d much rather the thoughts, honestly.

And so…I spent many weeks in the same drag. Sleepy, exhausted, tormented by things in the past–repeat again and again for no one’s amusement (or to whose, I know not).

It seemed a losing battle.

Until… I stopped fighting them. I began to let the thoughts roll over me, even in the dark, no matter the hour, welcoming them like familiar friends. I knew they’d bring shivers, fears, echoes of the terrible night and challenges that we faced.

To my amazement, however, I found good memories in the soil as well. I found memories of words straight from the Lord in our moment of need, recollections of the place I spent many a moment in prayer during those two+ weeks in the hospital on my bench near the hospital gift shop, touches of Jesus’ miracles in all kinds of ways and through all kinds of people.

I found that with every tear I shed in remembering…I found a smile. Me and my husband began sharing these times together–sometimes rambling for hours as the grief, pain, and joy along made their ways to our minds. We stayed up past morning many a night…sharing bitterness and blessings.

I let those memories stay out a moment more…to remind me of His peace.

His peace doesn’t promise never a bad moment, or a nightmare-less night. His peace promises a surety in the darkness, and a present comfort even amidst the ambulance lights around you.

His peace was what came down that night at Christmas, wrapped in torn clothes, a cold stable, a stinky manger. His peace was what held them together that night…and every night thereafter.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

His peace says to sit a while…talk, heal, mend. It’s okay to take a break, wipe the tears, and appreciate the grace none of us deserve.

So if you’re like I used to be, and the 26th is reserved for getting the house back in order. I understand.

I also understand the need you may have to sit back a little bit longer, let the lights glimmer a moment more, and let His peace remind you that no matter what 2023 holds–He’s got this.

Putting away the Christmas decor is simple. An annual event. But to those who have nearly missed the season’s joys and blessings to stress and fear, the lights are a promise that Jesus still comes through even when all seems dark. Even when nothing shines out… those lights still do. Jesus is still there.

This weekend…my lights will go down. But for now…through the New Year, my decor will stay up. I was so close to forgetting His peace…that now that I feel it so near, I need the lights to enlighten it a moment more.

If you are struggling with the events of the year, take a breathe. Take a moment. The hustle and bustle of the season is a difficult thing to maneuver during times of trials. Remember, peace is found even in the hardest circumstances…if we take a minute.

It’s worth appreciating a second more.
Leave it up a day more if you need that light. It’s okay to take a moment.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

In those moments…we might just find the peace we need. It was here all along.

Sometimes we just put it away much too quickly…

Jesus loves you!
For Jesus first loved me… ❤

~M.K.
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