Striving for Excellence in the Winter Holidays

The last few months have certainly been a roller coaster for all of us…coping with COVID19 disruptions to school and home life; moving classrooms, and now battling the winter cold and the sniffles that come with it. Even though it seems it wasn’t that long ago that the kids were at home, they have all been working extremely hard to get back on track and into a normal school routine. They have definitely been striving for EXCELLENCE, and are all looking forward to their school holiday downtime. Bring on these Winter Holidays…. and boy oh boy winter is DEFINITELY HERE!

Winter is part of the cycle of life. The dying of the old in preparation for the new (in Spring). A time for rest and renewal. A time of contemplation. During the holidays, take time to reflect on how you can keep striving to live an excellent life for God and encourage your family to do the same.  

 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement; That you may approve things that are excellent;” Philippians 1:9-11

Lord,

From the rising of the winter sun to its setting, on these short winter days…

Make me short on mindless activity, long on reflecting on your love for me.

Make me short on being driven, long on paying attention.

Make me short on rushing and tiring, long on walking and wondering.

Make me short on focusing only on myself, long on looking beyond.

Make me short on mean thoughts, long on offers of words of comfort.

Make me short of obsessive lists, long on spontaneous acts of kindness,

Make me short on tradition as a habit, long on rediscovery and re-owning.

Make me short on false jollity, long on stilling and rooted joy.

Make me short on guilt, long on being merciful to myself.

Make me short on being overwhelmed, long on peacefulness

AMEN

A happy, restful holiday to you all.