The Eighth Day of Christmas: All Is Quiet

My son makes a guest appearance. I love this kid.

It is New Year’s Day. As a middle aged fan of U2, I have their song playing in my head yet again. All is quiet on New Year’s Day. It’s true here.

All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day

We cleaned the kitchen following last night’s pot pie party. Yes, Trish made a chicken pot pie. It were delicious. We watched The Fellowship of The Ring while snuggled up together with our son on the fold out couch. It was a slumber party.

Today, Hoppin’ John is in process. I will likely bake a cake in my fancy new bundt pan.

A New Year’s Franciscan Nugget:

“The peace which you proclaim with words must dwell even more abundantly in your hearts. Do not provoke others to anger or give scandal. Rather, let your gentleness draw them to peace, goodness and concord. This is our vocation: to heal wounds, to bind what is broken, to bring home those who are lost.” - St. Francis

I am forever on this journey.

Hold on. My eight year old son just walked in and wants to contribute. I told him that I am writing about gentleness. This is all him:

“Being kind. No hitting. No biting. No kicking. No punching. No spanking. No slapping. No calling people names. Don’t take things away from them. Don’t make up stories or pretend something happened when it didn’t.”

There you go. Pick your quotation today. There’s St. Francis or my son. You cannot lose either way.

Gentleness is a thing. It’s a discipline. It’s a grace. Be gentle. That’s what I’m after. It’s not a New Year’s Resolution. I don’t want to go there with it. Instead, it’s a vow, a response to divine action…even gentleness to oneself.

Y’all have a great day. Be excellent to each other.