I somehow always manage to cram myself into the smallest space in the house to wrap gifts. This makes no sense. There is plenty of floor space in our house, but even when I set up “shop” in it, I somehow barricade myself into one small area by surrounding myself with boxes, wrapping paper, peanuts, piles of ribbon and whatnot.
My plan is that it will all be in reach - and I can sit in one spot on the floor and dive into the task!
It never fails that as I wrestle the weirdly huge box onto the unrolled paper, careful not to pierce said paper with the corner of the mysteriously sharp box, that I cut it too too too long … or one micro nano inch too too too short. Patch jobs (for those micro nano inch too too too short deals) offer an opportunity to create an extravagant ribbon/bow cover-up ensemble (wink). Too too too long deals mean I cut off a looooooong strip to save for some tube-shaped gift (which hardly ever appears on the Christmas scene).
More often than not … and maybe it is because I am a tiny person … the tape is always just out of reach. I assure myself that I will set it down near to my right hand the next time, so I will be able to quickly reach for it (without much adieu or peeking) in the general area of my right side in the wrapping floor space field of play… but it somehow ends up under the pile of whatnot about ¾” beyond my best stretch.
Scissors… well, they are more often than not under me when I need them. You would think this would be obvious, but I am learning to look there first now when they ‘go missing’ mid-wrap.
I suppose there is a great metaphor in all this. “The best laid plans…” and all that… blah-blah, and blah-blah.
I hope you are listening to the song in the you tube clip above. It makes sense when nothing else does.
When paper is cut too too too long or ridiculously close, but too too too short… When scissors are lost and tape is just beyond a comfortable grab… When great intentions are consumed by piles of whatnot and the phone rings (also under a pile of whatnot, just out of reach and to the left) and you have both hands in a “Twister” game position of right hand/red dot, left hand/green dot - along with right foot/yellow dot (toe pointed holding down the fold of a nicely creased end wrap) … and you feel you can’t let go, but you must… so you do and it is only a machine calling to say your new vehicle warranty has expired and you don’t even have a new vehicle…
When all the best laid plans - aren't…
There is, beyond it all, a Greater Plan that is never too long, too short, out of reach, or buried in stuff…
Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.
Children gather around and listen … you'll hear the sound of angels filling the sky telling everyone “Christmas time is here”. Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.Loved ones close to our hearts … and strangers in lands afar ~ Together share in the joy: Emmanuel !To tell the world He has come to dwell ~ The time is near~ With one voice ~ Let the world rejoice Christmas time is here! Ring Christmas bells ~ Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth ~ Tidings of good cheer. Come carolers ~ Come and join with the angels singing “Joy to the world ~ Christmas time is here again”.Children gather around and listen … you'll hear the sound of angels filling the sky telling everyone “Christmas time is here again”.
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2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Romans 10
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
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