A sugar coma, feeling bloated, trashcans full of wrapping paper, and stocking-stuffer-gum littering the floor. That’s the typical Dec 26th morning look for me. I can’t say this year is any different. It’s an odd day, all the decorations are still up but seem useless now. Yesterday was anticipated for a month, two for some people, and for the dollar stores 4. Yet it’s all kind of over in one day. Now it’s back to “thank you” and “have a nice day” at the store checkout instead of “Merry Christmas”. The church will be back to 3 services next week instead of 6. The celebration of the birth of our savior was acknowledged by many and now it’s on to the new year. I’d like to say I’m lying about what I’ve been saying because this is becoming a pretty sad post. But I’m not, it’s true. 

What a privilege though, that we GET to celebrate Jesus every day. Not just yesterday. We get drink some water today,  clean ourselves and our house’s up and be joyful. We get to carry on this holiday cheer into the rest of the year and wherever the Lord leads us next. We don’t have to slump through the spring, coast through the summer, push through the fall to experience the Lord’s abundance, grace, and joy again in 364 days. We get it today too! And tomorrow! And Jan 16th, May 7th, Sept 28th!!! All of these days, and all the days of our lives- how dang cool is that. 

Yes, taking down the tree sometime this week may carry some sadness with it. It may remind us of a time of year full of family, goodies, and a break. But we get to thank God for the holidays. Especially if they carry so much goodness you have to grieve them now. 

Don’t let the morning after be full of shame from “overeating”, sad that “Christmas is over”, or lazy because you’re still on break. Take care of your temple today, feed it what it needs, and hydrate it baby! Carry the joy of the Lord in you and thank him for all the good things this month, this week, yesterday, today and the plans he has for you tomorrow! And make the most out of this time- what do you have to do today?? Can you text that person back that you’ve been too lazy to respond to, or exercise, or open your bible? 

The Lord has given us our breath today and the sun to wake up to. Let’s make the morning after even better than the night before. 

Oh and Merry Christmas- I hope it was a great one:)