Finding Grace, In a Chinese Restaurant Calendar
It happens every year. Some time after Christmas, we get sick of Christmas ham. After reincarnations as: sandwiches, potato soup, grilled and hot entree’s, in scalloped potatoes and with cheese chunks and pineapple as an appetizer, we’ve all had enough.
Right about the time we all start snorting and rooting- I finally announce: “I will not eat, more Christmas HAM!” Then, we call for Chinese carry-out. (Am I the only one who is amazed that no matter how much, or what we order it’s always ready in “Ten Minutes, please”?)
My husband returns (I send him alone, after a couple of weeks of left over ham- I don’t need to be seen in public… can you say “Post- holiday bloat?”) with 10 brown paper bags of varying sizes. Together, we dive in and unwrap box after box (still the cutest boxes ever- if you ask me) of sweet and sour pork and almond chicken, tossing aside the 627 packets of soy sauce and green tea. (The tea? I’ll drink that, but seriously- how much soy sauce can a family consume????) Finally, we find a carefully wrapped, brand-spanking new… Calendar. Every, single year.
Thankfully, we get sick of ham early in the year…we usually haven’t missed much by way of important dates to remember by January 2. This year I opened up the new calendar (must have been a good year for China Star- the calendar was full size and full color this year!) and I was immediately enthralled with the clean-ness of it.
Page after page of beautiful, empty white squares. Each one ripe with the possibility of as new day. A new week. A New Year. No scribbles of re-scheduled appointments, or missed cut-off dates. No unbelievably busy weeks or months in which you’d have to use a pry-bar to fit in a cup of tea.
A blank slate. This year- as I took down the 2007 to hang up a fresh 2008, I flipped through the pages of the old year. I found all kinds of reminders of calamities, (emergency numbers scribbled in haste) some big, some small. I found dates circled and starred. (I could tell you when every single period started and ended.. but THAT would be TMI;) I remember events that were incredible, and some I wish I could forget. I found dates loaded with appointments and some dates empty and boring.
Then, I looked past the schedule written in ink, and remembered all the “life” that had happened during the past year. Some days were happy, others- not so much. Some were speckled with sin, (mine and the those of others… kids, friends, family… ) like little ink spots all over the calendar. Yuk. By the end of the year my calendar has seen better days. Both physically and metaphorically. It’s time for a change.
And so- today, I hang up the clean, empty (for the moment) Chinese Restaurant Calendar. As I do, I let go of last year, and look forward to this one. Somewhere, in the hanging of the new and dumping of the old, I feel a flutter in my heart. I sense God’s Grace pouring over me, as he gently reminds me- that He has cleaned out the messes of last year, ( of the last day and hour too;) and has an incredible plan for the New Year.
God’s grace, is available fresh, every single day, not , just on January one. Like a calendar page waiting to be turned, or an eraser perched on the edge of a dry erase board, ready to wipe out mistakes, He offers a fresh start. A new beginning.
A Happy New Year.
Have you been looking back at last year (or yesterday, or this morning, for that matter) and wishing you could have a “do -over?” or at least a fresh start? Do you want this year to be dedicated to Him, and prioritized by what really matters most? Then join me at the altar of a new calendar and let’s ask for His grace together…
Titus 2: 11“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”Today… it appeared in a Chinese Carry-out Calendar… only- grace is free of course- no purchase necessary;)
Dear Jesus- Please take last year and do with it, what only you can. Bring good out of bad and implant the lessons learned, deep in my heart. God, I ask you to forgive me, and help me to let go of the sins of others, I ask for a fresh calendar… and a glimpse at the plans you have for me and my family…. I turn this year over to you… and ask you to fill my calendar with things thast you’ve appointed for me… big or small. I love you and am so thankful for your grace . amen.
Edit- sorry forgot to sign… 😉
*** I know someone will ask… yes- thats my new calendar… but the carry-out container is a fake (cute- but fake) – a Christmas ornament from Hallmark- I go every year after Christmas to pick new ornaments- gotta love clearance time;)
Such an awesome post, thank you.
Thanks for such an incredible post.
Happy New Year!
Blessings.
Thanks for the post! I had to laugh at your comment about knowing when each Period began and ended. Maybe to much information, but I can identify : – )
beautiful analogy…
Good idea for dinner == chinese… smile
Happy New Year….Whas in wo’ egg woll?
Connie
I enjoyed your post today and I especially liked your prayer to which I would add Amen! You’re very talented.
Tracey,
Fantastic post. Awesome. I laughed, then giggled and then felt God’s grace wash over me. I too pray this prayer and am so excited about what the Lord will do in our lives in 2008. It will exceed our wildest dreams. Love you, Lynn
Tracey, I was thinking many of the same thoughts as I put our new calendar this year. Except I don’t have a Chinese one! 🙂 And, I can’t find 2007 calendar. I think I lost it sometime this fall. That tells you a lot about my year. I’d like to keep some memories of 2008: that’s what a calendar does for me (as well as all the other utilitarian purposes it has). Fresh, clean and new is a great way to start the year.
Lovely post Tracey. I enjoyed reading it.
Awesome post!! thanks for the reminder, God does have us in His plan!!
I too get very excited to hang a new calendar. Although my wall-calendar doesn’t see much activity since I log ever appointment in my desktop calendar, I love to see the new year unfold in front of me – like a clean slate, waiting for Him to enter His appointments for me…
Thank you for sharing, Tracey.