Merry Christmas to you all.
As I was pondering what to write this week I wasn't getting anything particular. It wasn't until this morning that I realized why. The reason-because it is not about me or you, it is all about Jesus. It is Jesus' birthday, it is all for Jesus.
OK so I will say that familiar saying-"Jesus is the reason for the season". We all have heard that a bunch of times. But think about it, this week before Christmas many of us are running around frantically getting last minute gifts, preparing for Christmas dinner, and so on. We tend to forget why we are celebrating, and whom we are celebrating.
So I do not have a new revelation to share with you, but just encouragement. You know I like to look at things with a positive aspect rather than the negative. I remember a time when I was busy baking, shopping, and all the other busyness that goes along with Christmas. But being "challenged physically" has forced me to do things in a much more simpler way. I cannot spend all day shopping, or even baking. So I have been able to sit back, enjoy the Christmas shows on TV, have tea with a friend, and just spend time praying and dwelling on that first Christmas when Jesus was born. It has been refreshing. Sure I miss doing all those things, but I must admit, I would not trade those special times praying and talking to Jesus for anything.
Please know, I am not trying to condemn anyone. I totally understand work schedules and how it is hard to get everything done that you need to. I just want to encourage you, tomorrow on Christmas Eve, set aside some time, whether it is an hour, or even 15 minutes, sit back and have a nice talk with our Savior. Give Him a birthday present, you. He desires that more than anything. A little bit of time with you. Having a nice chat, listening to our stories, Jesus desires time with you.
I promise you, this will be the best part of your day.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas with your family and loved ones. Have fun building memories that you will have forever. And most of all, I pray you will have your special time with Jesus, this will be the best gift of all.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Christmas Time
It is Christmas time. I love Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas, the family time, the traditions, and the enthusiasm of folks all around.
This time of year it seems everyone has a little more generosity in their hearts, a bit more of forgiveness towards others, and kindness.
There is also a lot of sadness this time of year. People are missing loved ones whom they have lost, or family far away, or their spouse(or Mom or Dad) overseas serving our country for our sake.
It would be easy to fall into a deep depression for so many. But we have a choice. A choice to dwell in the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus and let the peace of God fill your heart.
If you have been reading my blogs all along you know I am all about the hope we have in our Lord Jesus. No matter how dark it may seem to you, or how desperate your situation may be, there is ALWAYS hope.
My Dad loved Christmas and everything about it. He especially loved our Christmas breakfast. The last year we had him with us, somehow I think he knew it would be his last. He was very ill with cancer, but he asked Paul and I to take him to a special store to get the items for breakfast. Even though he could no longer eat, he wanted to do this. That was December 23. He went down hill very quickly the next day. But Christmas morning he was determined to be at our home for our family time and breakfast. He slept mostly on the sofa, but he was here with us. Daddy went to be with the Lord January 12.
Why did I share this? To show you that everyone, at some time or another, has had a very sad occurrence, maybe even at Christmas time. And we all have the same choice, to dwell in the sadness, or to grab hold of the hope we have in Jesus, and live in the gladness and joy He has for us.
Yes, I still remember my Daddy, but I dwell in the joy he had for Christmas and his family. Those traditions. I really think that is where I get my enthusiasm for Christmas. I love decorating, and baking(Paul has to help me with that now), visiting with friends over tea, and the overall joy this holiday brings.
So I'd like to encourage you all, find your joy this Christmas. If you know someone struggling with sadness or depression, invite them over for tea. Share about all the fun memories as a child at Christmas time. Most of all share with them the hope we have because Jesus was born this very day for us all.
I pray that these next two weeks before Christmas are not filled with crazy shopping days or the hassles that rob your joy, but instead filled with the time to sit back with that special friend over tea and dwell in the goodness and faithfulness that Jesus has for you.
Until next time my friends,
Kathy
This time of year it seems everyone has a little more generosity in their hearts, a bit more of forgiveness towards others, and kindness.
There is also a lot of sadness this time of year. People are missing loved ones whom they have lost, or family far away, or their spouse(or Mom or Dad) overseas serving our country for our sake.
It would be easy to fall into a deep depression for so many. But we have a choice. A choice to dwell in the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus and let the peace of God fill your heart.
If you have been reading my blogs all along you know I am all about the hope we have in our Lord Jesus. No matter how dark it may seem to you, or how desperate your situation may be, there is ALWAYS hope.
My Dad loved Christmas and everything about it. He especially loved our Christmas breakfast. The last year we had him with us, somehow I think he knew it would be his last. He was very ill with cancer, but he asked Paul and I to take him to a special store to get the items for breakfast. Even though he could no longer eat, he wanted to do this. That was December 23. He went down hill very quickly the next day. But Christmas morning he was determined to be at our home for our family time and breakfast. He slept mostly on the sofa, but he was here with us. Daddy went to be with the Lord January 12.
Why did I share this? To show you that everyone, at some time or another, has had a very sad occurrence, maybe even at Christmas time. And we all have the same choice, to dwell in the sadness, or to grab hold of the hope we have in Jesus, and live in the gladness and joy He has for us.
Yes, I still remember my Daddy, but I dwell in the joy he had for Christmas and his family. Those traditions. I really think that is where I get my enthusiasm for Christmas. I love decorating, and baking(Paul has to help me with that now), visiting with friends over tea, and the overall joy this holiday brings.
So I'd like to encourage you all, find your joy this Christmas. If you know someone struggling with sadness or depression, invite them over for tea. Share about all the fun memories as a child at Christmas time. Most of all share with them the hope we have because Jesus was born this very day for us all.
I pray that these next two weeks before Christmas are not filled with crazy shopping days or the hassles that rob your joy, but instead filled with the time to sit back with that special friend over tea and dwell in the goodness and faithfulness that Jesus has for you.
Until next time my friends,
Kathy
Thursday, December 1, 2016
It's beginning to look like Christmas!
Hello to all my readers out there. I hope you all had the Thanksgiving you were hoping for.
Now our focus has turned to Christmas. I absolutely love the Christmas season. The true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, is everything to me. It brings me so much joy to see the happiness and anticipation in the children's faces, the excitement of family members coming from afar, the pure joy of knowing I have a Savior who loves me.
Then comes the other side. The "black friday" mayhem and confusion in the stores. The violence because someone wants what the other has. This is absolutely ridiculous and horrible. Is that 1 item the department store has that important that you cannot live without? Really now, that is a disgrace. That is not what this season should be defined by. Whether you want to admit it or not, this season is all about the birth of Christ. It has nothing to do with fighting over an item in the store.
OK, so I said my thoughts on that. So what do I do during this season? It has changed over the years.
My Mom and I used to do a lot of baking and we loved that time together. She is now in heaven so it is different for me now. Due to my disability I can no longer do the baking I used to do. But my wonderful husband will help me do some cookies.
My Mom and I used to go to the mall during the week when crowds were less. We would take my son when he was a toddler. He loved seeing the decorations and lights. We would take our time and stroll through and Matthew would sing throughout the mall to the Christmas music in the background. What is more precious than a little toddler singing happy songs. But of course my son is now an adult. And as I mentioned before, my Mom is in heaven. I could use that as an excuse to be sad and depressed. But you should know me by now, I will not do any such thing.
These days I do things in a very simple way. Being that I am home a lot, I love watching the Christmas movies. Yes, I am a Hallmark gal. My decorating is not as extensive as it used to be, but I still decorate. I love this season, and the celebration it should be. That is what I do as far as that type of preparation.
Now the important part. How do I prepare my self spiritually, mentally, emotionally for Christmas?
You may be thinking why do I need to prepare. You see, many may be hurting inside and you have no idea. Some are facing very serious health situations, some are financially strapped, some are missing loved ones for various reasons, some may not even have very nice memories of the Christmas season. I want to be sure I am sensitive to others needs. Therefore I try to spend extra time studying the Scriptures. I like to concentrate on the story of Jesus" birth. The miracle God did through His own son to give us the chance to have eternal life. I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I like to be reminded I have that assurance of eternal life. But how uplifting it is to read of the hope and joy we have because of Jesus.
When I come across someone who may be sad, or lonely, or just plain needs a friend to lean on, I like to feel I am prepared to be able to encourage that person. If we are "dried up", or grumpy, or totally focused on shopping and busyness, then how can we be that one to sit down with the friend who may need us? And if you are that person who needs the friend to listen, seek him/her out. Do not be afraid to ask someone to spend some quality time with you without the focus on "busy stuff".
I encourage you readers, take some time for yourself, and prepare and absorb the goodness the Lord has for you. Remember why we celebrate Christmas. Most of all, let us all think of others needs as important as our own.
Now our focus has turned to Christmas. I absolutely love the Christmas season. The true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, is everything to me. It brings me so much joy to see the happiness and anticipation in the children's faces, the excitement of family members coming from afar, the pure joy of knowing I have a Savior who loves me.
Then comes the other side. The "black friday" mayhem and confusion in the stores. The violence because someone wants what the other has. This is absolutely ridiculous and horrible. Is that 1 item the department store has that important that you cannot live without? Really now, that is a disgrace. That is not what this season should be defined by. Whether you want to admit it or not, this season is all about the birth of Christ. It has nothing to do with fighting over an item in the store.
OK, so I said my thoughts on that. So what do I do during this season? It has changed over the years.
My Mom and I used to do a lot of baking and we loved that time together. She is now in heaven so it is different for me now. Due to my disability I can no longer do the baking I used to do. But my wonderful husband will help me do some cookies.
My Mom and I used to go to the mall during the week when crowds were less. We would take my son when he was a toddler. He loved seeing the decorations and lights. We would take our time and stroll through and Matthew would sing throughout the mall to the Christmas music in the background. What is more precious than a little toddler singing happy songs. But of course my son is now an adult. And as I mentioned before, my Mom is in heaven. I could use that as an excuse to be sad and depressed. But you should know me by now, I will not do any such thing.
These days I do things in a very simple way. Being that I am home a lot, I love watching the Christmas movies. Yes, I am a Hallmark gal. My decorating is not as extensive as it used to be, but I still decorate. I love this season, and the celebration it should be. That is what I do as far as that type of preparation.
Now the important part. How do I prepare my self spiritually, mentally, emotionally for Christmas?
You may be thinking why do I need to prepare. You see, many may be hurting inside and you have no idea. Some are facing very serious health situations, some are financially strapped, some are missing loved ones for various reasons, some may not even have very nice memories of the Christmas season. I want to be sure I am sensitive to others needs. Therefore I try to spend extra time studying the Scriptures. I like to concentrate on the story of Jesus" birth. The miracle God did through His own son to give us the chance to have eternal life. I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I like to be reminded I have that assurance of eternal life. But how uplifting it is to read of the hope and joy we have because of Jesus.
When I come across someone who may be sad, or lonely, or just plain needs a friend to lean on, I like to feel I am prepared to be able to encourage that person. If we are "dried up", or grumpy, or totally focused on shopping and busyness, then how can we be that one to sit down with the friend who may need us? And if you are that person who needs the friend to listen, seek him/her out. Do not be afraid to ask someone to spend some quality time with you without the focus on "busy stuff".
I encourage you readers, take some time for yourself, and prepare and absorb the goodness the Lord has for you. Remember why we celebrate Christmas. Most of all, let us all think of others needs as important as our own.
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