Christmas Memories
The weather has turned colder now in the South. I love this time of year as leaves are turning beautiful vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Soon they will fall to the ground and be swept a
way by the Winter wind.
I bundled up for work thinking to myself, “I am not ready for this …” but soon after arriving at work and turning my little heater on in my office, I thought of how the cold weather would soon be ushering in the Christmas Spirit. People would be nicer, more friendly, warm and welcoming in your dealings with them.
Wanting that feeling right then and there, I did what any sane person would do in the middle of October. I put in my Christmas Memories CD by David Osborne and allowed the tunes to whisk me away to happier times.
Familiar tunes ringing in my ear took me back to when I sang in the choir at church. I always looked forward to the Christmas cantatas and bellowing out Joy To The World with great enthusiasm with the other choir members.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas always makes me think of service men and women that are not able to be with their families at Christmastime. They sacrifice for us so that we may have a peaceful Christmas with our loved ones.
White Christmas reminds me of 7th and 8th Grade Chorus in middle school when I had to sing duet with my classmate, Chris. Not only did I get to sing with him, but I also got to perform the sign language to it as well. This was my absolute favorite and something I will never, ever forget doing! A local radio station came to this performance, and I’ll never forget my excitement thinking that we would be heard on the radio!
There are so many wonderful Christmas songs that have memories rushing in as they began to play. A wide smile formed on my lips as I allowed myself to get swept up in the moment of Christmas Memories.
Mr. Osborne has done an excellent job and plays piano so beautifully. You will not be disappointed in this CD. This is one you can play to get in the Christmas spirit or play as you’re decorating the Christmas tree! It is so good that I would have it playing as background music as we gather with family around the table to eat the Christmas feast.
I can tell this CD will get a lot of use this holiday season and encourage you to give it a try as well. Allow it to sweep you away and usher in Christmas Memories of years past for you, too.
IF you would like your very own copy, enter our giveaway below!
A special “Thank you” to Family Christian for this beautiful CD for my collection. All opinions expressed are mine and not influenced in any way by the gift of this product.
As We Wave Goodbye
She stands at the water’s edge looking off into the distance. Thoughts rush in and whirl around inside of her brain. She pauses to inhale deeply, letting all of the cares of the world escape as she exhales.
The beach has long been a favorite of hers, even way back when she was just a toddler. She’d run to the water’s edge just long enough for a wave to come crashing in. Before the waves could lap at her little toes, she’d giggle and run on her tippy toes back to the safety that my arms provided.
It’s turning colder now. Wind whips through her hair as she strolls along the sandy shore. We call to her from a distance letting her know it is time to go. She turns, not wanting to leave the one place she feels such peace within her soul.
Lingering for a moment longer, she shoves both hands in her pockets to give one last look at the ocean as the waves continue to roll.
We are saddened that Summer has come to an end. As we wave goodbye to swimsuit weather, pleasant moonlit strolls on the beach, building sand castles along the shore … we know that we’ll be back for more the first chance of warm weather.
Just as the season’s change, we do as well. We are forever changing and evolving. God is not through with us yet. He works on us daily perfecting us to be the child He would have us to be for His kingdom. We change; we grow; we live. All for His honor and glory.
Whatever season you are in, make sure to pause to thank the good Lord for all of your many blessings in this life.
Your Temporary Home
Everyone gets discouraged from time to time. The important thing is not to unpack your bags and live there. Do not take up residence at Doom-and-Gloom Avenue. You’re not meant to hang your hat on the back of the door at Discouragement Lane either.
Things happen, and we get disappointed. Often times, it is due to our expectations surrounding the situation or individuals.
Recently I was disappointed about a situation. After having done several favors to help a family member out last week, it became my turn to ask a favor from them. They indicated their willingness to grant the favor, yet when it came right down to it, they couldn’t be bothered.
When something like this happens, it always catches me off guard. This time was no different. Having JUST helped them Thursday evening and finding that when Saturday came they were unwilling to help me … that just did not sit right with me at all. I wasn’t alone in the way I was feeling either as my husband and daughter felt the same way!
It’s hard when this happens.
I’ll admit that I was upset Saturday when I realized that although I was willing to go above and beyond for them – and had proven that several times recently – there are those that are not willing to do the same for us in return. Then a Facebook quote came to mind that went something like this: Stop swimming oceans for people that won’t even jump a puddle for you.
We have a giving nature about us. If we can help any one in any way, we’re right there extending a helping hand. Sadly, though, there are those that are unwilling to return the favor. Yet, they will call right up and ask for you to do them another favor … and that is exactly what happened! They called last night, as a matter of fact. Well, I’m sorry. I’m not in the favor granting business right now after having been denied when I asked a small favor from them. I was really taken aback that they’d have the audacity to call and ask for another favor having just denied MINE!
This is when you learn to say … no!
It’s hard … I’m not going to say that it isn’t. It has taken me ALL of these years to be able to say “NO!” without feeling the need to justify, state my case, or just over-explain things. My daughter hasn’t yet perfected saying no … she is new in her adult walk, and she felt guilty for saying no, so when I said no … she said she’d do it instead. The person still got what they wanted, so I doubt they learned anything in this whole thing. But I did. It was a lesson learned by me and my husband. While we’re willing to do for others, they are not willing to do for us in return. Now I will not ask anything of these individuals, and I will not be so quick to lend a helping hand or stretch myself to the max to accommodate them as I have done many, many times in the past.
Disappointment? Yes, I have felt such disappointment and sadness since Saturday. I could have let it eat at me, consume me even. I decided NOT to let it have that power over me. Instead, I have chosen to just be still. I have talked about it, mulled it over, and now I’ve prayed for peace surrounding this situation. I’m willing to let it go now. I do not wish to hold on to it any longer.
Sadness will attempt to take over when you’ve been discouraged and disappointed. Realize, though, as I did that this is your temporary home at the moment. Feel the feelings. Allow them to come, and then roll it around in your head for a little while until you find some form of peace with the situation. Ask God for help, and I promise you, He will! Feel sad for a little while if you must – feel disappointment in them and their actions or lack thereof, but do not unpack and live there. Usher disappointment out and happiness back into your life, your heart, and our home!
It is hard when people disappoint you, but don’t unpack and dwell there. Your feelings are just your temporary home at the moment. Feel them, explore them, and then ask God to help you move on in a better frame of mind.
