I am planned and organized after a fashion, and that fashion seems to be--if I possibly think I might have time--throw in one more thing. I did that getting ready for Advent By Candlelight on Friday. It was a snow day from school, which made me lazy and energetic at the same time. I went over in the afternoon to set up my table like a woman of leisure. I have to admit that when I saw some of the lovely tables with the china and silver and linen napkins I almost decided to pretend I was sick and call it off. But, I decided the humiliation of having my poorly decorated table was humbling and that was a good thing for Advent. Besides, I had 5 women besides myself coming to sit at my table, so it was too late to call it off.
I set up my table and went home and dealt with the snow in the driveway and the message from a friend who wanted me to do something else this evening. Then I decided to bake one more thing. I had a lemon bar mix. After I had it cooking, I noticed that it said to cool it for 1 to 2 hours. I didn't really have two hours, maybe one if I hurried. Last Minute Louie, that is me. I had plenty of dessert ready to take. I made two things I didn't possibly want to eat --a red velvet Bundt cake and German chocolate cupcakes. I don't eat chocolate at night. But lemon sounded good. The desserts are all shared, so it didn't matter if I brought what I would eat. Somebody wouldn't bring chocolate.
And I have decided that this is something I need to pray about--my tendency to do one more thing, to fit in one extra, to bring enough plus some. Is it a generous spirit or am I judging others to be not as good as me, because I do extra? Is it just my personality, or something I should work on this Advent? And why is it that if I have a spare minute, the first thought isn't cleaning the bathroom or mopping the floor? Or organizing my piles of things?
Last Minute Louie, that is me, but maybe I am called to be Just Enough Louisa, or Organized On-Time Ellen? I am praying about that one.
(I am using some time this Advent to exam things about myself I need to change, I need to pray for the grace and strength to change.)
I set up my table and went home and dealt with the snow in the driveway and the message from a friend who wanted me to do something else this evening. Then I decided to bake one more thing. I had a lemon bar mix. After I had it cooking, I noticed that it said to cool it for 1 to 2 hours. I didn't really have two hours, maybe one if I hurried. Last Minute Louie, that is me. I had plenty of dessert ready to take. I made two things I didn't possibly want to eat --a red velvet Bundt cake and German chocolate cupcakes. I don't eat chocolate at night. But lemon sounded good. The desserts are all shared, so it didn't matter if I brought what I would eat. Somebody wouldn't bring chocolate.
And I have decided that this is something I need to pray about--my tendency to do one more thing, to fit in one extra, to bring enough plus some. Is it a generous spirit or am I judging others to be not as good as me, because I do extra? Is it just my personality, or something I should work on this Advent? And why is it that if I have a spare minute, the first thought isn't cleaning the bathroom or mopping the floor? Or organizing my piles of things?
Last Minute Louie, that is me, but maybe I am called to be Just Enough Louisa, or Organized On-Time Ellen? I am praying about that one.
(I am using some time this Advent to exam things about myself I need to change, I need to pray for the grace and strength to change.)