Holiday Devotions for the Distracted HeartSample

Distraction of Dough 

Our Christmas season was already a flurry of activities, but this year we were including the added stress of a home renovation. Little did we know the demands of the holiday were about to reach a whole new level, as our daughter and her husband had sold their house in preparation for a cross-country move and needed a place to stay in the interim. On December 20th, my husband and I welcomed them with their toddler twins and two dogs into our home.

Diapers and toys were soon scattered among drywall and carpet remnants. Nevertheless, it was fun to have the unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity of little ones around. Not only did the children acclimate well to their surroundings, but they also delighted in everything—from brisk walks to the park to snuggly bedtime stories. Our lives were more topsy-turvy than usual, but we embraced every moment knowing that our time together would soon be limited.

An activity we all enjoyed was preparing holiday goodies in the kitchen. As soon as I began pulling out ingredients, the children eagerly dragged their stools to the kitchen counter with one on each side of the stationary mixer. They took turns measuring sugar, butter, vanilla, and even cautiously breaking the eggs. The fun began when they turned on the mixer and added the dry ingredients.

I fondly remembered doing this with their mother when she was about the same age. The first time we added the flour, she turned the mixer to ‘high‘ before I could stop her, and we were instantly dusted with flour from head to toe. She recalled this event in detail as her children dumped ingredients into the bowl. Not wanting to repeat that historic flour fiasco, I instructed the grandchildren in my most loving Nana voice, to wait for directions before turning the switch. 

After preparing the first batch of dough seamlessly, I was confident we had mastered the process. I was wrong. In the middle of adding flour to the second batch, one of the excited twins turned the mixer to ’high’ and in a micro-second, the kitchen looked like it was covered in new-fallen snow. 

This scene made me laugh; conversely, the twins didn’t find the situation funny at all. 

My granddaughter, now looking like Frosty the Snowman whimpered, “Oh no Nana! My hair! My nightgown!” Her brother just stared wide-eyed at the flour explosion, while my daughter smiled and gave me that, "I warned you," look. As we cleaned up the kitchen and dusted flour from hair and clothing, the twins adamantly exclaimed they did not want another flour disaster. 

I thought I had done everything possible to prevent chaos in the kitchen and yet, in one swift move, history repeated itself, though I had a lot more patience as a grandmother than I did as a mom.

It made me realize how much patience God has with me. While I forge ahead, repeating the same mistakes, He continues to gently instruct me through His Word. He is always there to help me clean up the messes in my life while being loving and forgiving in the process. 

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your tender and compassionate patience. Open my eyes to ways I can demonstrate more love, forgiveness, and patience to others throughout these busy days. Guide my steps, my words, and my actions today to be your hands and feet to others. 

Amen. 

Discussion and Journal Prompt:

Where can you demonstrate God’s love through the fruit of patience during this busy season?