The Week Before Christmas

Twas the last day of school before Christmas break,
And we were running a half hour late
As I fussed at my children and searched for clean socks,
I rushed around and around, feeling quite lost.
Teacher's presents were wrapped as I grabbed tissue paper,
The kids asked for more cereal, and I promised, "later."
The middle kid whined about her clothes.
I threw her a jacket and said, "to the car, you go!"

There just wasn't time for the baby to eat,
I finally slumped in a pile of defeat.
I'd been running and running and running for weeks,
Trying to get every task complete.
I'd promised this year I wouldn't stress,
I'd accept what got done and ignore the mess.
I would make lots of time for the kids to just play,
All I wanted for Christmas was one CALM, RELAXING day!

I held my head in my hands, not feeling so tough,
Knowing once again, my best wasn't good enough.
The harder I tried, the more there was to be done.
I cried out, "I thought Christmas was supposed to be FUN!"
This CAN'T be the way it's supposed to be."
A still small voice answered, "That's why you need me.
My child, on your own, you can only do wrong.
But it is in your weakness, that I am made strong."

"But, Lord, I'm exhausted already from this Christmas season,
I want to just focus on You, the true reason.
I can't skip the class party; I can't not send a card.
I can't not wrap the presents; I'm trying SO HARD.
If I just stay up really late one more night,
I think I can finish, to everyone's delight.
Then life will be calm, full of Christmas cheer.
With good food and family, we'll finish out the year."

The gentle voice answered with the love of a King,
"My child, for you, I'd do anything.
But you won't ever be done with your tasks on this earth.
It's part of living in a fallen world.
I want you to trust Me in the midst of the stress,
I want you to feel my peace more, not less.
When there's too much to do, and the world is all wrong,
In my Word, at my feet, is where you belong.

The center of chaos is where I reside,
Longing to trade lasting joy in exchange for your pride.
Take your need to control things, and set it aside,
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."