This weekend is my first annual Christmas boutique!  I have wanted to do something like this for years but have always procrastinated and run out of time in Christmas seasons past.

The house will be filled with the music and smells of Christmas.  There will be gifts and home goods and baked goods and home decor and clothing.  Cards, jewelry and other miscellaneous items.

And I’m realizing that Saturday is only four days away.

I’m remembering why I have procrastinated on this idea in the past.

It is A LOT of work.

I know my natural tendency will be to stress out.  Panic even.  Have nightmares about forgetting things and dropping the ball and not having everything done in time.

I have the very real capacity to become a hot mess of anxiety.

But I refuse.

This is not, after all, world peace.  It is a day and time meant for women to come and relax, sip on some cider, enjoy a treat, do a little shopping and enjoy the company of other women.  An atmosphere of fun, nostalgia and Christmas cheer.

So, Jesus, I ask you to be part of this new day of planning and preparing and crafting and baking.  Help me to find joy in the anticipation and in the mere love of Your company.  Help me to listen as we work together – to glean ideas from Your creative mind, to draw from your endless supply of strength and peace.  To be reminded that the most important purpose of this weekend is to love whoever might walk through my door and give them the gift of acceptance and a listening ear.

Take me, Jesus, into this new day.  Surprise me with Your ideas, enlighten me with Your words, calm me with Your whisper…

And I will leave the results up to You…

Ephesians 3:20 –  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.