Overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed. 

Not the word that should describe this holiday season, but the one that keeps coming to my mind. The only thing that should feeling overwhelming about Christmas should be the birth of Christ and the impact of his birth on our life.

I've had more than one good cry and a possible explosion of emotions this holiday season because I am completely overwhelmed. Nothing about this comes from Christ, the Prince of Peace.

In our family, my son bought a house that needed some work prior to moving in and my sister was moving across the country. Both of these things required a lot of being out of my normal routine. Spending time working on the house(s), watching a giant puppy for several days, trying to get everything ready for all the fun Faith Fueled Wellness programs in 2024 and then trying to find time to shop for Christmas and do all of the holiday things I love has been nothing short of exhausting.

Much of this iverwhelmed feeling is all on me. I love and crave routine. I can be flexible. But weeks of being out of my routine has definitely impacted me. I haven't been able to always get my quiet time in, or to be as focused on nutrition or even get my workouts in as much. All of these things would have helped tremendously with this feeling. You know how at the end of a vacation you just want to be home, back to the norm? This is similar. It's all really good stuff happening, but it's gotten me all out of sorts.

I want to be celebrating Jesus. I want to be singing Joy to the World. I want to be so grateful for all of the good things going on around me. But it's all coming out as frustration, which only further frustrates me.

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. Isaiah 9:6

I'm taking the last few days before Christmas and dropping the feeling of being overwhelmed. I'm going to celebrate and take time to be in awe of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace!

If you are at all struggling like me this holiday season, lets take the focus off of ourselves and give glory and honor where they are due. In Christ alone.