Motivate Me...I dare you...

My Christmas tree is still up. Don't judge me. You don't know what it took just to get it up. Like I mentioned before, the Christmas "thang" just wasn't happening for me. What gets me is all the motivational music that you have to get you in the mood for decorating. All one has to do is pop in Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, or whatever your preference, and KABOOM! You have instant impetus to string lights on...anything!

So where is my motivating music to take it all down? What, no jingling bells? I need some motivation! My sister shared her play list for motivational housecleaning music. It included (mostly) hits from the '90's, uh, remember the Spin Doctors? There was some old school gospel jamz from New Jersey Mass Choir and Dean Martin. Yes, Dean Martin. The whole housecleaning soundtrack I get. But what does one do to deconstruct a feeling? Did I mention twinkle lights? Who wants to take away the twinkles? Not me. If I have to do it I want to feel like I have a cause in mind. That by keeping the tree up I'm causing harm to my children's psyche. Or perhaps that I'm causing the allergen count in my house to multiply times ten. The trouble with that logic is that if it was true, I would never put the blasted thing up in the first place. But those twinkle lights! If I was not such a sucker for those twinkle lights!

I'm coming to my point here: Is there enough motivational music out there to deconstruct the human will? I'm talking about repentance here. I know we have a gazillion praise songs in our repertoire. We have worship songs on our song lists that make me want to cry by just humming the opening refrain. Incredible songs that create the atmosphere for worship. I understand the concept of praise for all who breathe and that it breaks down the walls to allow us to come into the inner court of worship. The soundtracks for that are immense. But are there enough songs that reveals the dirt behind surface decoration? Gorgeous songs. Songs that drip with majesty. But are there enough songs that say, "Your tinsel is out of place now. The twinkles are insignificant. There's dust on the baubles. And it's time to make a change."

Perhaps this is for the songwriters and psalmists to tackle. Which leads me to my next question (look for it in March): Is there a difference between songwriters and psalmists? I'm going to go unplug my tree now. Each small step brings me that much closer...