It's a Holly day! For those of you who don't know me, I am Lysa's assistant. She graciously gave me permission to 'have at it' today.
My hubby worked from dawn until dusk a few weeks ago preparing these lights. He labored over the windows, the wreath, the bushes, the timers, the fuses and the extension cords. And also made three trips to the hardware store.
Unfortunately, as his masterpiece was revealed that evening, all I could see were the blue lights on the two outer trees. "Why the blue lights on the ends, honey?" I questioned. "Oh Holly, they aren't blue, they are the new LED lights. They are pure white. They were all I had left. They're fine."
Hmmmmfff. They weren't fine to me. Every night as I pulled into our driveway all I could see were those awkward blue lights. I stared at those lights. I glared at those lights. My eyeballs were drawn to those outer trees like magnets.
And it wasn't until I was confessing this issue of mine to Lysa the other day that it dawned on me.
Out of the blue...
I had allowed my eyes to be distracted. I had allowed my heart to become ever so slightly hardened. I had allowed myself to take my focus off of the big picture. And I could not see the beauty of his labor.
I had missed all of the other charming lights because of the silly blue ones on the two outer trees.
After I took this picture last night my husband was quick to ask me meekly, "Are you going to put that photo on the blog and embarrass me about those blue lights?"
No honey. I'm going to embarrass myself.
I was wrong, and I am sorry. Thank you for your selfless heart. For your servant attitude. For loving your family each day. For working to provide for us. For ironing your own shirts. For making chili for us on Sundays. For being patient each time I scrape your car against the garage.
My heart took a little detour. But it's back. Out of the blue it's back. And I love you.
Please don't miss the big picture this season.
See Him and seek Him.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:13-14
40 Comments:
It's easy to get caught up in things and forget what it's all about! You can tell your husband that I think it looks FESTIVE and not stuffy!
Wow! Great word. Thank you.
The lights look beautiful Holly! Your husband did a great job. And I think that we all can relate to what you've experienced. Thanks so much for sharing.
Blessings,
Michelle in CA
They are beautiful!!
Your house looks fantastic.
Selina.
You wrote what my heart has been experiencing since just before Thanksgiving. Thank you! (Oh, the lights are just beautiful!)
That was so great and your house looks beautiful.
Holly, back on December 8th I wrote the following comment on a post Lysa did:
"Well, I know exactly what you're talking about. My dear man purchased the "white" LED lights for a surprise a couple of years ago and hung them up outside. And, yes, our house is still covered with a blue glow. Although it wouldn't have been my choice, (or his) he was so pleased with surprising me that sometimes we just have to appreciate the heart behind the action more. To me they are the most beautiful "white" lights ever :o)"
"Out of the blue" God showed me that I needed to appreciate my husbands heart over the lights hue.
Always love a Holly day - especially during the 'hollidays!'
Love ya,
Joy
Personally, I think the blue lights, all the lights, look great. The blue lights look like a stylistic touch that he added to his finished product. I'm glad you can appreciate them now too.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Holly. Why oh why are our eyes always drawn to the periphery? Thank you, Holly, for redirecting us back to the Center.
Blessings to you & yours,
Ann
Great post, Holly. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate those we sometimes overlook. My husband got up at 5:30 this morning to shovel all our sidewalks--I need to thank him for that.
Beautiful words. Beuatiful home. Beautiful heart. May we all know the lesson you found in the LED lights.
Holly,
So many of us have in today's world forget the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for reminding us that Christmas is not about having perfect lights and decorations. I am grateful to know that Jesus is the only reason for enjoying Christmas.
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Your house is beautiful! Your husband was sweet to put up those lights for you and your family. God bless you with true happiness and peace this Christmas.
God bless you,
Bren
holly,
thanks for that. your humility is the example i needed to see today. you have blessed your hubby with your words of praise and of apology.
blessings to you!
Okay, I am sitting here crying. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thanks so much for getting my focus back onto what it should be. I think I need to call my hubbbie now!
Holly,
It was fun to hear from you today. Your lights look great and I just drool over your North Carolina houses! Brick verses stucco...who knew!?
I pray that you are loving every minute of your Christmas holidays.
Blessings to you girl!
Pat
I'm so glad the Lord tenderly and kindly guides our detouring hearts back to where they need to be. It stings a little to see that we have strayed yet again, but it is so sweet to be able to get back to where we need to be and still be loved perfectly. I know this detouring heart of mine is in constant need of refocusing!
Your humility and obvious love for your man are a blessing this morning. :)
K
Oh how easy it is for me to be distracted by the "little things" and miss the big picture too! Thanks for sharing your heart.....and the beautiful picture of your "Holly-day" house! :)
Merry Christmas!
Marilyn
Mmmm!! LOVED what the Lord was teaching you through this lighting experience. Thanks for humbling yourself and sharing your heart. Much love, Muss
P.S. Tell DKG I didn't even notice the blue lights!
The lights are beautiful. To tell you the truth I didn't even notice them at first. I'm a big fan of the "pure" white lights.
Thanks for the great blog. I think we all need to remember the things that we are greatful for right now!
Great writing, Holly! Your husband is blessed to have a wife who can admit missing the big picture. Seems like you won't be having a blue Christmas at all.
HOPE YOUR CHRISTMAS IS WONDERFUL!
The house looks beautiful--great post.
What a great post. I love what all the things you appreciate about your hubby. He sounds a lot like mine.
And I sort of like the blue.
Blue is the new white. :)
Blessings,
Sandy Cooper
www.godspeakstoday.blogspot.com
This was great!
That was so sweet - and encouraging. So much truth there...and, your house is beautiful - just a side note :)
What a great little reminder to be thankful for the blue!
Wonderful reminder, Holly. How often we miss the big picture for the distractions...and how often our husbands servant hearts wonder at our "we wanted it this way" attitude, LOL. I love it. Needed this today!
Great insight Holly. I always enjoy your Holly days!
Your home is beautiful-blue lights and all!!
In His Graces~Pamela
Yes, I experienced this tonight, too. While making Christmas cookies with the kids, my expectations were for much "prettier" cookies than they turned out.... I did not say anything, thankfully! And now, I have a great memory with my family.
Your blue is lovely! I admire anyone who takes the time to decorate the outdoors as well as the in. I further admire anyone who is willing to make the inward...the heart...a priority and to tend to it accordingly. Sounds like you've done both.
Merry Christmas, Holly.
peace~elaine
What a wonderful way to look at this...and respond.
I know when your hubby reads this, he will feel blessed, and encouraged.
And am laughing at the "blue is the new white" comment....but really - those lights are considered pure white? Hmmm..... :)
It looks like the blue whites are intended to stand out. It's beautiful!
I know I'm guilty of taking my man for granted. I had to readjust my attitude yesterday. Thanks for sharing. May you have a Merry Christmas!
Shonda
Sometimes lights like those just light up other things, like our attitudes, don't they?! I hope your hubby feels extra honored today.
Oh Holly, I so needed to hear that story today. I am forgetting some very important things in this hussle and bussle. Thanks for bringing me back.
Amen - thanks for the great reminder!! We need those every once in a while!! Merry Christmas!
That's a great illustration. Thanks for the reminder, Holly!
I don't understand what all the fuss on this blog is about blue lights. They're beautiful and sophisticated. All-white lights are predictable, drab and boring. Your house looks nice with that splash of soothing blue!
Tracey
Beautiful, Holly! I love your sweet heart!
Wow...very good Holly!
Have a great Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.
love,
Lelia
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