So this morning, I am back in our storage room in the basement. It is a place where I sometimes go in the winter to have an undisturbed prayer and meditation time.

Our storage room is, unsurprisingly, full of random things. But my mind this morning is even more cluttered. Can I place that last order over the phone? Stocking stuffers—are there enough? Do I need to buy more cheese for the lasagna? And when am I going to get my hair trimmed?

I sit and pray to be able to pray… And slowly the racing thoughts settle.

It comes to me that there are other gifts than those purchased from a store. That these other gifts, of the Spirit, are more refreshing and life-enhancing than anything that will show up under a tree. As I let go of the tension of the holiday preparations and relax, I am able to receive, this morning, three of those Spirit-gifts. To know with gratitude that they are available to me at any time that I am willing to receive them.  This morning’s gifts? Simplicity, joy, love.

My prayer for the New Year is that I be able to let go and let the Spirit fill me with these gifts. Simplicity and its quiet energy. Joy and its bubbly fizz of happy emotional fireworks. Love, transformative love that enables me to love myself better and the world more fully.

 My prayer for you all, this busy holiday season, is the same. May you be able to take in the spiritual gifts of simplicity, joy and love, now and in the busy year ahead.

God bless you all.

Luann