Visions of Sugarplums Danced in My Head

As the famous “Night Before Christmas” poem goes, Christmas Eve is when children are "nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads." I wondered, “What exactly is a sugarplum?” I read that there are three types of sugar plums. One, which is a summertime treat of an actual candied plum. Another is a confection made from dried fruits and nuts and holiday spices. And, the third is ME, in my Southern-most accent saying to my grands: “Oh, my Sugar Plum, I love you so much!" AND, lest I forget – there’s also the Sugar Plum Fairy who is the ruler of the Land of Sweets. She welcomes the “Nutcracker” Prince and his love, Clara, to her land and orders the festivities. Doesn’t that sound utterly SWEET and dreamy? I guess those sugar plums dancing in my head started me thinking about ALL those other things dancing around in MY head: the privileges, the pleasures AND the pitiful things that need to be swept out the door of my head. Bustling about, eating, playing games, hearing the laughter and merriment with my family is a stark contrast to my quiet, peaceful, and quiet place. After years of hustle and bustle, I know I’ve earned this sweet spot! I’m a little somber this morning with no sugarplums dancing here -- the fruity candy OR the high-energy grands. When I read the election results on Monday, I felt a bit queasy from all that sugar and the news. BTW, in case you live in a technology-less cave, the Electoral College cast their votes and Joe Biden came out the victor. As I understand it, however, the 2020 general election isn’t finished until the electoral votes cast on Monday are submitted to a special joint session of Congress that will convene on January 6th. Hope-dealers are still certain that the fraudulent election results will right the wrong. I jolted out of that “somber” thinking to stop my stinkin’ thinking! We stood for right and cheered and applauded President Trump’s accomplishments in his four-years. If the election sounds hopeless and discouraging, we have to remember Who is in charge here. I believe the Almighty has had His hand of protection on this land since the days of its founding fathers and He hasn’t forsaken us now. We must never forget that He is God. He is majestic and sovereign. He is accountable to no one. He is not an errand boy who chases the assignments we dole out. He is not a genie who pops out of the bottle to satisfy our whims. He is not our servant. We are His. And our reason for existence is to glorify and honor Him -- even when nothing makes sense. I still hear Him saying to us: “Trust Me.” The gospel message of Jesus Christ is our banner and greatest hope. I, for one, intend to carry on with my own conviction as an ambassador for Christ. We’re still here and an election doesn’t mean we’re done. It’s time to curb listening to the rhetoric and loud voices. I remember saying to my children when they would be way louder than they should be “PLEASE, use your inside voice!” That inside voice is peaceful, quieter, and calmer. Proverbs 3:5,6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL YOUR WAYS, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” I’m chasing those sugar plums out of my head and replacing the space with God’s inside-my-head voice: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts (or minds) be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) I think He is giving us a postscript to this blog: “DO NOT, let your minds be troubled. I’ve got this. I’ve got you!”