Well let me correct myself and say....
"I love this time of year until I am down to the wire and running out of gift ideas and then I just freak out!"
However, this year is different. We are making a change. I refuse to let the commercialization of Christmas get to me. This year its not about gifts...its about "The Gift". Purposely making time to reflect on the real reason why we celebrate this holiday. And for the first time in a long time...I couldn't be any more excited.
Simplify is my new favorite word, but more than that I love the peace that envelopes me when I say or hear that word. Simplify. Dear hubby and I are making most of our gifts this year....giving up crowded stores and snippy shoppers for a quiet night at home working in the wood shop or painting in the craft room. The receivers are getting more than a hand painted sign or a keepsake box they are being prayed for. With a stroke of the ole' paintbrush a prayer of thanksgiving for them is being lifted. Thanking God for their presence in our life. Asking God to bless them and their family and friends. Asking God to use them in mighty ways.
I pray that this is the gift that keeps giving throughout the year...not just at Christmas. He is "The Gift" that keeps on giving and how can anyone top that? You can't! I am just so glad it didn't take me until Christmas to remember that this year... :)
May you find peace in the simple everyday things this Christmas season!
Blessings,
Showing posts with label Christmas gift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas gift. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, Beautiful Tuesday
24. A morning shower followed by bright rays of sunshine...what a great way to start the day! I have so many things to be thankful for so its time I focus on them.
When I started this blog I really wanted to use it as an outlet and a journal per se. I used to love to write and to put pen to paper and get all my feelings out. I thought this would be one way of getting my thoughts out and worked through. What I didn't realize is how many beautiful people I would meet on this journey.
I have met some really inspiring, compassionate people that move me to tears as well as make me laugh. I would have never had the chance of meeting them had it not been for this bloggy world. It is so nice to know that when you are going through a "valley" or a "storm" of some sort, others are praying you through it- that is so amazing to me!
Lately, I have been focusing a little too much on the negative and too little on the positive. That is going to change. Training myself to stand on the promises of God, instead of my worries and fears has always been a struggle for me but I know it doesn't have to be. I know God has plans for me- I do not need to know what they are- I just have to be open to His leading and that is what I plan on doing.
25. So, thanks to those of you who have commented and emailed me - just know that God has used you in a big way. Your encouraging words have brightened some really dreary days and I am so thankful!
"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable." Philippians 4:8
When I started this blog I really wanted to use it as an outlet and a journal per se. I used to love to write and to put pen to paper and get all my feelings out. I thought this would be one way of getting my thoughts out and worked through. What I didn't realize is how many beautiful people I would meet on this journey.
I have met some really inspiring, compassionate people that move me to tears as well as make me laugh. I would have never had the chance of meeting them had it not been for this bloggy world. It is so nice to know that when you are going through a "valley" or a "storm" of some sort, others are praying you through it- that is so amazing to me!
Lately, I have been focusing a little too much on the negative and too little on the positive. That is going to change. Training myself to stand on the promises of God, instead of my worries and fears has always been a struggle for me but I know it doesn't have to be. I know God has plans for me- I do not need to know what they are- I just have to be open to His leading and that is what I plan on doing.
25. So, thanks to those of you who have commented and emailed me - just know that God has used you in a big way. Your encouraging words have brightened some really dreary days and I am so thankful!
"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable." Philippians 4:8
Friday, December 26, 2008
Treasures to Ponder
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.- Luke 2:17-19
When the Christmas Day came to a close last night I decided to read once again the story of the most wonderful gift this world was ever given. I got dressed in my new comfy pajamas that I received and snuggled into bed with my bible and turned to the pages of Luke Chapter 2. There I found something that I do not remember reading before. Maybe it is because I feel like I have heard this story so many times before. I don't know but what I do know that last night...the night of the day we celebrate our Saviors birth I found something that brought a new light to the wonderful story of Christmas. The shepherds had come to see the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying there in a manger. They were so excited to tell Mary and Joseph what they had seen and heard from the angels in the field. Everyone was excited of the news. Then I came across was Mary did at this time.
Of course I could just be reading into this too much.. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos? Take for instance a holiday party or picnic...people all around...conversations and stories buzzing all around. So much going on that you just cannot focus on a task at hand. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos and then stopped, stepped back and tried took everything in like a camera trying to capture a picture? This is how I pictured Mary last night in the scripture that I read. All this excitement going on all around her and the baby and then her taking a step back and taking it all in. Treasuring up all these things so that she can savor every moment, every emotion and every expression on the face of her husband, her guests and most of all her precious baby.
We should want to live the same way. Taking each moment in like a breath of fresh air. Trying to breath in Jesus the way Mary did on this starry night. She didn't want to miss a thing and you know what? Neither do I........
When the Christmas Day came to a close last night I decided to read once again the story of the most wonderful gift this world was ever given. I got dressed in my new comfy pajamas that I received and snuggled into bed with my bible and turned to the pages of Luke Chapter 2. There I found something that I do not remember reading before. Maybe it is because I feel like I have heard this story so many times before. I don't know but what I do know that last night...the night of the day we celebrate our Saviors birth I found something that brought a new light to the wonderful story of Christmas. The shepherds had come to see the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying there in a manger. They were so excited to tell Mary and Joseph what they had seen and heard from the angels in the field. Everyone was excited of the news. Then I came across was Mary did at this time.
Of course I could just be reading into this too much.. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos? Take for instance a holiday party or picnic...people all around...conversations and stories buzzing all around. So much going on that you just cannot focus on a task at hand. Have you ever been in the midst of chaos and then stopped, stepped back and tried took everything in like a camera trying to capture a picture? This is how I pictured Mary last night in the scripture that I read. All this excitement going on all around her and the baby and then her taking a step back and taking it all in. Treasuring up all these things so that she can savor every moment, every emotion and every expression on the face of her husband, her guests and most of all her precious baby.
We should want to live the same way. Taking each moment in like a breath of fresh air. Trying to breath in Jesus the way Mary did on this starry night. She didn't want to miss a thing and you know what? Neither do I........
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