A BARNYARD CHIRSTMAS
I’d fit in well with the now famous gang that lived out on the farm. I’m not sure what my title would be… I suspect it wouldn’t be as charming as “The Little Red Hen’s”. Mine might be more in line with the her barnyard buddies; The Lazy Dog, A Sleepy Cat, and The Noisy Yellow Duck. I suppose my title could be “The Grouchy Man”.
That’s what it feels like and probably what I look like when it comes time to decorate the house for Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve come to appreciate and desire the festive decorations like The Lazy Dog, Sleepy Cat, and Noisy Duck do the freshly baked bread. I, like they, want the benefits without the earning it.
Unlike the barnyard gang, I know the working part of the scenario. Before we start I know the role appointed to me around the house isn’t so different than that of The Little Red Hen’s… only the attitude is… Some things are too heavy and our twelve-year-old Christmas tree is the same amount of feet as it is in years. So along with the weight, the high work, that’s mine too.
Hauling the massive step ladders from around the side of the house, navigating them through the house without knocking anything over or taking chunks out of the walls is an art. One perfected over time and many-uh-season.
While I was standing close to the top rung of the ladder, I was trying to untangle one strand of the cream beads with golden accents. A heavy hand that believes strength can overcome all adversities ended with milky colored beads falling from ten feet up in the air like rain… When they finally did stop bouncing off the stone floor, it looked like a movie set for a classic slapstick comedy.
“Where at?” I asked my wife who was directing me like a traffic cop while I held out the red ornament about as far as I was able, still holding onto the grand ladder, and spoiling gravity’s fun… for the moment… The useless metal clip that has been long gone from the top of that ole ornament forced me to use the threaded loop to lasso one of the artificial branches that hung just about out of reach.
The tired and overused red ball hung proudly there for about a second and a half before plummeting to its death and leaving microscopic glass shards everywhere. I sighed deeply, fighting the frustration within me that often seems to have even more pull than gravity, as I descended back to earth to grab the vacuum.
The dread of the inevitable frustrations, I can’t deny, but neither can I deny the gratification that follows most any discipline in this life.
The grand tree with the glowing lights ignites the night and overwhelms the senses. It points to the endless battle that rages within a fallen world and the supernatural power of free will given to us by God to overcome instinct.
I pray all of us might use ours to honor Him this season and all across the year.
The Christmas tree looks pretty good, even with all the dead lights… As much as I dread the process of baking the bread or setting up for Christmas, I find it’s well worth the payoff.
I gotta quit hanging out with the barnyard animals… they’re a bad influence.
Merry Christmas and God bless.
Betty Draper
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 8:22 pm
I am that way with Christmas shopping. I don’t think I have ever gotten up in the wee hours to shop for anything, the crowds would cause me to have a melt down. Several times I have left a store because of the crowds. The drive to have a nice gift for our children and grand children force me to go back and try again. Then comes the very best part, the presents bought, wrapped, put under the tree just waiting for little hands to rip wrapping off and then I hear the best part, yells of delight. Ok, Lord, I will do it again, next year, it’s worth it to receive a kiss and a hug for a job well done. You had me laughing over the barnyard animals…wondering, now which one am I? I know I would like to be the barnyard cat, unruffled by anything, content to sit and wait for a mouse or a plate of milk from the cow. And if it got too crowded I would find me a place to take a nap. Good post and the tree looks beautiful…it was worth it.
Nancy
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 8:34 pm
I totally felt every whit of what your shared! We usually have to decorate that tree of ours from the second floor! It can be a real production. We are particular to glass and crystal ornaments so great care is needed to pack and unpack them. The past two years, we opted for a far smaller tree than usual. It sits atop a table away from animals and small kids. While we love the end result of the deco, we also decided to be less hassled about about it this year. No lights were put up outside because of all the storms. I don’t really miss them. A couple of very small trees adorn other rooms with another three lighting up the outside front porch. It felt good. Randy and I counted a store Rubbermaid containers in the garage. Some years we done color schemes – red and gold…ice blue and silver, purple and gold etc. You get the idea. For me, less was more this year…. 😉
Lynn Morrissey
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 9:26 pm
And a very merry Christmas to you, too, Mr. Barnyard Scrooge. I’m thinking that you and Michael have a lot in common. He’s the one who drags the stuff from the basement. But be glad you don’t have a tree in your family room, dining room, bedroom, and daughter’s bedroom like we do. But we cheated with the family room tree. A friend was to visit this past summer from England, and we wanted to show her prettiest tree. So we kept it up in anticipation of her May visit. When the plans changed, I told him he might as well leave it up for this Christmas, and now he may as well leave it up for next May if she comes! See, Floyd, you gotta have a little strategy here to lighten your load. Sounds like you know Jesus’ strategy very well. He entered this sin-sick world with the full intent of saving us, even when we didn’t deserve it. He’s the Light that lights up every night and overwhelms our senses in amazement and gratitude. Merry Christmas to you Floyd, Diane (praise God for the gift of her life!), and the girls!
Love
Lynn
Hazel Moon
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 1:35 am
Your tree is fantastic looking, and your description of decorating it caused me to chuckle. Our big tree sets on our front porch in its box. Two small trees are in the house and from the dollar store, I purchased Kitchen Christmas towels, pot holders and hot pads. For some I gave cash, but have wrapped up enough gifts for those who will be here. Some things were keepsakes, I am giving up. My prayer for you and your family is that you will enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a blessed and peaceful New Year. Your post always shines at “Tell Me a Story.”
Thank you for being a genuine friend this past year to me and to many!
Lisa notes
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 11:48 am
My husband is not a fan of Christmas decorating either. I’m only one step removed from the attitude myself. But yes, it’s always worth it when it’s done. May you and your family have a great Christmas!
child of God
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 12:11 pm
Merry Christmas dear brother. Hope you and your family have a wonderful day.
June
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 12:36 pm
I think the lights are my favorite part of Christmas. Except for the Reason, of course. They make me happy, and remind me so profoundly how Light pierces the darkness. Your tree is beautiful, Floyd! Merry Christmas to you and your family and all JOY in 2015!
Pam
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 1:28 pm
Merry Christmas, Floyd! Trimming your tree sounds like an exercise in patience–which always pay off in the end.:)
Sharon
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
I’m sorry, but I am chuckling just a tiny bit at the picture of you, (and your grumbling mishaps), and that tree that you finally wrestled into submission! And really, isn’t it a metaphor for our Christian walk? We being the tree, God making us, despite our mishaps, into a thing of beauty and full of light.
My very best wishes to you and yours for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! May your home be filled with His love, joy, and peace!
GOD BLESS!
(As a sidenote, my family has nicknamed me Chicken Little – for I am always worrying – “Oh dear, the sky is falling.” Does he count as a barnyard animal?!)
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 @ 11:12 am
Praying you and your family have a Christmas filled with the wonder that comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus. Hope the wedding went/goes well.
saleslady371
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 @ 11:30 am
I do not know which barnyard animal I am. Overcoming is being able to name it, I’m sure. So I’m really lost. We’re remodeling the dining room so I have chairs in my living room and wainscot materials and big power tools in the kitchen. I don’t want to decorate. Hubby worried he is taking so long with the project that didn’t finish by Thanksgiving! I told him to take his time; the decorations don’t have to go up this year. I hung the Christmas cards and baked cookies for the neighbors and relatives and watched a ton of Hallmark movies that made me cry and softened my heart a lot. I have a lot of peace, so that’s a strength. I’m enjoying others’ trees! Yours is lovely. Btw, you’ve always been such a good writer but recently your posts are better than ever. I like hearing about your personal life and appreciate all you share! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Joanne Norton
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 @ 3:11 pm
Honoring Him, no matter what else is going on around and about is, is what counts. I try every day to focus on Him and worship and prep in my house and yard and car. You made me smile and nod my head at you. Hope you are filled with joyfulness, now and forever. Bless you and yours, Brother.