Finding Peace Amid Holiday Chaos

There was a time in our not so distant past when the world came to an abrupt slow down. It was for reasons I would not like to repeat, but the reduced activity and busyness was a welcome relief to the rat race. I know everyone did not experience this; my daughter was working one of the busiest ICUs in the country. For her, the rest came after the storm. 

However, a good lesson was learned. In the midst of the pandemic, many experienced the benefit of slowing down. It was kind of a forced lesson, but a good one. But how many of us retained that invaluable life lesson? (If you were to drive on the Southern California freeways, you would answer a resounding NO ONE!)

Next week, we enter one of the busiest seasons of the year, what we like to call the holiday season. In many countries, taking a holiday means slowing down, going away, having a quiet respite to a busy work life, not doing all the normal work-a-day ‘stuff.’

Not so in the US. Holidays mean crowded stores with crazy shoppers pushing their way in front of one another, grabbing the last Furbbie (or whatever toy is in vogue) out of the hand of a fellow treasure hunter. 

It does not have to be that way. But we are a headstrong people. Israel was like that too. 

This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15

Like us, the Children of Israel were given the opportunity to rest, but they refused. They thought they knew better. They thought going back to Egypt would solve their problems. They had a God who lovingly rescued them, protected them, and provided for them. Yet, they considered going back to Egypt where they were enslaved, beaten, and quite literally worked to death. They thought that is where their security existed. 

As a society, we had a chance to slow down, quiet our busy minds, and reflect on God’s goodness. It was like God looked down and whispered, “Be Still!” That stillness lasted for a while. But as we approach another holiday season, I feel like I am watching racehorses ready to conquer the Kentucky Derby.

We need to slow our over-active lives down. Appreciate God’s rescue of a fallen world. Recognize the protection He offers through faith. Be grateful that “All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.” Then, stop… or at least slow down. 

Slow to a point where we can return to Him, and rest in Him.

Friends, I don’t want to go back to Egypt. I want to forget what is behind me and keep my eyes on the finish line, not just the end of the year, but the finish line where my Creator is waiting for me. 

Here are a few ways to help you keep from giving into the busyness of the season:

How can you take time to be still in the chaos of this time of year?

So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt – Keith Green 1980

To The One to Whom I Should be Grateful, Please forgive me for being too busy to stop and acknowledge You. Please help me to recognize when I need to stop and rest, and help that rest to be in you, not in what the world offers. Please guide me through this time and keep my eyes on you, my creator and provider. In Your Precious Name, Amen

My name is Keri Willis. I am a semi-retired educator. I spent a great deal of my career working with adults with developmental disabilities and many years in elementary education, in the classroom and as an administrator. My main ministry now is coordinating the women’s ministry for our church in San Diego, CA. I have been married thirty-four years and have two grown and married children. I now have a head of full grey hair and good ideas. I believe we are created to use our gifts and to be creative. That comes in many forms for me. I love to woodwork and use power tools, design, decorate, garden, and create new recipes. And I love to write. One major lesson I have learned in my writing journey is that I need to be still and listen to hear God’s voice before I am prepared to put into words the message he has instilled in my heart. This has been much easier since I am no longer working full time, but it is so easy to get distracted and not listen, which almost always ends with an empty page in the form of writer’s block. While I have written many articles for newsletters and local newspapers, I did not consider myself a writer until I self-published my first book, Teapots and Power Tools. https://www.amazon.com/Teapot.../dp/1466458763/ref=sr_1_3... The idea emerged as I was working on a project in my garage. I had worship music playing, power tools out and saw dust flying. I glanced up and saw my delicate teapot sitting on my router table. The message was clear. Sometimes we are using the power tools God gives us and sometimes he just wants us to be still and have tea with him. The book became the foundation for a women’s retreat, and then my amazing niece helped me work through publishing it on Create Space (now KDP). At least five other projects are in different stages of production. I joined hope*writers to help motivate me and keep me focused and accountable. I am still trying to figure out the whole website and blog thing. That is my next goal for myself; that and finish writing at least one of my projects! Teapots and Power Tools: Effectively using the tools God has equipped you with, while taking time to “Be Still and Know That He is God” View more posts