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| Thanksgiving Table at our House in Vermont. |
Each day, in this life, we are called to do many things. There is housework, caring for the family, and trials we must face. It is important to find ways to rest and take breaks in order to endure it all with grace and peace.
This holiday season, I am especially grateful for quiet days with the family. These are days when the stores are mostly closed. Offices are closed. Phone calls are confined to just the family. There are no business hours on these special holidays. We can rest!
I had been planning our Thanksgiving and wanted to bake some pies. This would save us money and also be a blessing to the family to have homemade food. But things don't always go as planned. We had an unexpected medical trip early this week, in addition to some that had already been scheduled. I was so tired when I got home, I knew I couldn't do any extra baking. Last night, I thought it would be best to simply make a batch of homemade challah bread for our Thanksgiving table. While I worked, I had the ungracious sense that I was working too hard and was not appreciated. I realize it was because I was overtired and doing far more than I should have been.
When the bread finished baking, I buttered the loaves and set them to cool by the light of the lamp on the kitchen counter. The scent of fresh bread was comforting and lovely. Soon I could hear the chatter of the family, in quiet tones, with such precious words as, "this is the best bread in the world" and "I love this bread!" It made the work worthwhile.
This morning, I ironed the tablecloth and set the table with my best serving dishes. I made it look cheerful and pretty. I placed a pot of roses (a recent gift) on the windowsill. It added a charming touch. I wanted things to be pretty. I wanted it to be special. This was a day to give thanks and to be grateful for the food and for our family. But I could not get enough energy to do all I wanted to do. The solution was to keep the serving dishes on the table for looks only. It made me happy to see them even though we did not use them. Instead, plates were brought to the kitchen stove and counter to be filled. It made everything so much easier when it came time to clean up and save the rest of the food.
There were only 3 of us for dinner this year. It has been a quiet day of rest. Phone calls from the family have been precious. I am trying to get as much rest as possible because there are more doctor appointments in the coming days. We have medical trips next week and the week after that for our patient (one of our grown sons). Despite all this work, we will find ways to simplify while doing what brings us joy and cheer. All will be well. We are so thankful!
It is an honor to keep house and to care for a family!
Blessings
Mrs. White
PS: For those who follow our medical trips and have asked for a way to help, we have a page set up here:
https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html
We are so very grateful for your prayers and support!
From the Archives -
Inspiration from my Mother - Housekeeping All Day.
Taking care of Four Generations in one house - In Pursuit of Christian Duty.
What happened when I rushed ahead - Waiting for the Door to Be Opened.
- To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -
Mrs. White's special book for homemakers:
6 comments:
You are so right about needing to rest a little in between the necessary chores and needs of the house and family. I also feel unappreciated and ungracious in my thoughts when I overdo things and are too weary. It is a normal human reaction but we can choose to be humble and simply do less, even if it hurts my pride! The little touches of comfort and beauty are absorbed and noticed by others, even if they do not comment. Blessings upon you from hot and humid Australia.
You are so loved and appreciated, Mrs. White, for everything you do for you precious family and the wonderful example you give to the rest of us in your posts. Take care of yourself, too. It is only human to become despondent and lose sight of why we do what we do, especially when life's circumstances wear us down. God bless you always, and give you strength when you need it most. Blessings!
I'm sure you must get tired and dispirited at times, believe me, we all do! Your table looked lovely, and most importantly it was comforting and peaceful. You have much to cope with, travels and illnesses. God give you that extra strength.
Though you lacked energy, your Thanksgiving Day was a blessed. I understand the frequent medical appointments and lack of energy for much. I still appreciate reading your post. Our entire year has been speckled with medical appointments for my Husband and myself. I grow weary at times and not having energy is the norm. At times I do get discouraged, but must carry on. God bless you. Thinking about you at this time. Carry on as best you can. Sending my love and prayers. ~d
This was so sweet, so peaceful. I can just smell your fresh bread waft through the air down to our little home, your family is blessed. I love all of your homemade descriptions, it makes me too, want to do more homemade things.
My Thanksgiving was a little rushed too, my November went unexpectedly. Our little puppy, Harper died in my arms on the way as we rushed her to the vet then her brother fell ill too, so it was 24/7 me desperately taking care of him here at home. Thank God he is here with us still so thanks be to God for that. But still, a trying month.
I so know how things are, sometimes go unexpectedly. I took a nap the day of Thanksgiving and got my times mixed up and wasn't even ready when my newest son in love came to the door with our daughter and baby girl...Oh dear me. It was shocking when I looked at the clock and it was arrival time for the family. : O I never do such things normally and I know I must have too much on my mind when these things happen.
God bless you Mrs. White, I will certainly be keeping you and your family in my prayers, ~Amelia
Dear Mrs White,
I think it's only human nature when we are exhausted to get a bit down in heart. The Lord knows and understands. Many of us only have so much energy. Some people are blessed with an abundance of vitality, but I am not one of them. Often there is no one else available to help with the work, no matter how tired I may be and I just have to call upon the Lord to give me supernatural strength to push through. Actually this happens often !! He has never let me down. Many blessings to you dear lady ~ Linda
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