How can you win the race if you’re
speeding down the wrong track?
CYNDRAY JOHNSON, a
wild and unruly teenager, longs to become a track star but instead races against
self-destruction. Falsely accused of a bomb threat traced to her cell phone,
she’s expelled from St. Pious Christian Academy, ruining her chances of
obtaining the one thing that really matters to her—winning a gold medal in the
State Championship.
There’s a Life-Line for the Busy Holiday
Season by Sandra Barnes
It’s
going to be a great holiday season!
This
week, as I perused articles, advertisements, and even social media, the one consistent
theme seemed to be how to resist the urge of doing too much of one thing and
not doing enough of something else. Lots of advice was dished out on how to not over eat, over spend, over commit,
or plain ole over indulge-in-anything-whatsoever. Period.
The tips for
the holidays didn’t end there. An even greater charge was inflicted upon those whose
pendulum tends to swing to the other end of the spectrum during this season. The
advice was for the individuals who just can’t seem to get into gear to do
anything. The people like me, I suppose. The ones who get snatched into the
ferocious whirlwind of feeling the need to do so much that they end of
practically doing absolutely nothing. Just exhausted from the to-do list!
I really
don’t like being in that awful place of having so much stuff that’s due that I
don’t have enough days to deliver any of it anyway. Truth be told, even the
most organized, diligent, well put-together person has been there. Like shopping for people we know and love
(and some of them we just know … and like
… a little bit) like the
co-worker’s name pulled during the secret Santa gift exchange that you had to
participate in to be considered a team player; making crafty gifts because it seemed more thoughtful at the time,
but the directions outright lied when it said it would be inexpensive and you
didn’t have to be crafty; yet you realize that you could’ve potentially saved
50 bucks and 50 hours of labor if you’d just gone to Walmart instead of giving
a homemade gift where the recipient had to ask, “what is this?”; and what about
scheduling Christmas photos, arriving
on time and having to wait hours because the photographer has somehow gotten
behind? When it’s finally your family’s turn, you pose with a perfect smile for
each shot but have to retake every picture because somebody squinted, wasn’t
ready, or was acting goofy, and when the family votes for the picture they want
to purchase, you’re outnumbered because everybody (except you, of course)
simply adores the photo where your smile happens to be too tight as you were
warning them—between clenched teeth—that they had better behave this time.
Yes, the
list is endless. And the flood waters can rise so high between decorating, hosting/attending
parties, and gift wrapping that one could possibly drown before baking, visiting
relatives and friends, writing letters, and sending cards. But wait! There is a
life-line.
The
advent season has always been one of preparation. For me, this time of year
just naturally feels like I’m getting ready for something! When I was younger,
the season seemed to be wrapped with hope and joy, excitement and anticipation.
Seems those magical feelings that came so easily when I was a child have to be intentionally
mustered these days. And quite honestly, I’m okay with that.
It’s a
pleasure to put everything on pause in order to reflect upon how spiritually
meaningful this season really is. I don’t mind stepping away from life’s
hurriedness to honor the birth of Jesus. There’s no guilt or shame or
disappointment or regret when overindulging in His presence. See, the joy of
Christmas lies in knowing that He came, that He is coming again. Yes, it’s
going to be a great holiday season!
Sandra's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Author's Bio:
Like #Christian
#YA? Meet Sandra Barnes @sandra_author on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Sandra Barnes
@sandra_author: How to overindulge during the Christmas season without guilt. (Tweet This)
Sandra Barnes has traveled around the world, collecting stories. She loves multiculturalism, and she honors differences in her writing to illustrate the sometimes not-so-obvious similarities of all people. Sandra lives in Southern Maryland with her husband and two teenagers. When she is not writing or traveling with family, she spends considerable time counseling teens and advocating for social justice in mental health.
Places to connect with Sandra:
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Please note:
--I will soon launch a specially designed website that will incorporate Eveyone's Story blog. I hope you will follow me on this new site. When it goes live, I'll make the announcement!
Please note:
--I will soon launch a specially designed website that will incorporate Eveyone's Story blog. I hope you will follow me on this new site. When it goes live, I'll make the announcement!
