Leading Up To Christmas Morning
As we are leading up to Christmas morning, I would like to share a few things that have been on my heart, as well as sharing a few ideas that I really like and will be implementing this weekend with my children!
A little old lady lives down the road from us with her little Pomeranian dog named Tippy. She walks up and down the street with Tippy daily. We have stopped to chat with her from time to time. This little lady lives alone, and that in itself tugs at my heart knowing that she is alone. I’m sure she has family and friends that love and care for her, but just to know that she is alone for the most part day in and day out with her little Tippy just tugs at my heart strings.
I’ve had this little lady on my mind for a few weeks now, and I know that was God leading me to do something for her. I should have acted immediately on this when she came to mind. Sadly, I did not obey right away. 🙁 I’m sure every one can relate with the busyness of the season, and in my busyness, I did not act upon this when I should have. God still had a hand in this, though. He must have put me on this little lady’s heart as well at the same time. Isn’t God amazing?
I rushed home one afternoon and pulled up to the mailbox as usual to gather the mail. When I entered the house and began shuffling through the mail, I found a large envelope actually with her address on it but with a note that said, “Keep this one.” The envelope had already been opened. My curiosity got the better of me at this point, and I cautiously peeked into the envelope, then pulled out a beautiful Christmas card with a 2014 calendar. I read the note penned inside the card and instantly knew that God was at work. God placed this little lady on my heart at around the same time that He placed me on this lady’s heart as well! She took the time (I am feeling the sting of guilt and shame here) to let me know that she was thinking of me. She gave a simple gift of a calendar for the new year with wishes inside a Christmas card for me and my family. She thought of us, and she acted upon this. I asked God for forgiveness for not immediately acting on it when He placed this lady on my heart. Then I gathered the Christmas gift bag and tucked little treasures inside for her along with some Christmas goodies and a card from our family to her. I did not hesitate in telling her in the card that God had placed her on my heart and that apparently He placed us on her heart as well, and how comforting it was to know that we were thinking of each other at the same time wanting to wish each other a Merry Christmas!
This sweet gesture from our neighbor blessed my heart. It has also awakened me to the fact that I need to act when God calls me to do so. I’m so glad that my God did not give up on me even when I pushed through and allowed the busyness of the season to take over. He still found a way to show His hand in all of this and most definitely got my attention! Thank you, Father. Thank you for the precious gift of my neighbor reaching out to me through her card and sharing her calendar with me. I will smile with every flip of the page this coming year and think back to this little lesson given to me at Christmas time.
At this time when I have been thinking of the gift given to me through what was left in my mail box, I stumbled upon a blog that listed several ideas for Creating Christmas Traditions which also included an idea of leaving something special in other people’s mail boxes! In this post, Courtney from WomenLivingWell.org offers a beautiful suggestion, which is below for your review and consideration:
Spread the love of Jesus while driving around looking at Christmas lights. Every year before we leave the house to go look at Christmas lights, I have the children color 5-10 pictures of baby Jesus. (click here for coloring pages to print) Then as we drive we search for homes that are displaying the nativity. Each time we find one we clap and cheer. Then we roll down the back window and allow the children to take turns putting their picture in the mail box. I write on each picture “Thank you for displaying the reason for the season.” We hope it blesses them as they have blessed us!
I am printing these coloring pages out for my daughters, and we will begin this tradition this weekend! Imagine the smile that will spread across the faces of every one that opens their mail boxes to discover pictures colored so beautifully by precious little children thanking them for displaying the reason for the season! Courtney, thank you so much for this idea!!
Another wonderful idea that Courtney posted, which we will add to our traditions beginning this year on Christmas day, is as follows:
Read the Christmas story before opening presents. Every year on Christmas day we get together with my extended family. Before the presents are opened, we read the story of Baby Jesus to the children.
Each year we purchase a birthday cake to celebrate the birth day of Christ, our Lord. We gather around and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!! This year, I will proudly read the Christmas story!
Be intentional this Christmas season. Be a blessing to some one. Do something for them, even if all you have to give is a calendar, they will smile and feel joy deep within their hearts that you thought of them. Gather your children in the car and look at Christmas lights all through the town while singing Christmas carols. When you see houses that proudly display the nativity scene, leave your beautifully colored pictures for them to bless their hearts! Gather the children on Christmas morning and read the Christmas story! Include Jesus in the celebrations – buy Him a birthday cake, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, let His light fill your hearts, lives, and souls this holiday season and all year through!
Blessings to you and yours!
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
What A Gift!
Today my oldest daughter and I “unplugged.” Yes, we did! We spent the day together and focused more on each other than on a screen of any kind! We were present for each other, and that is a gift that is so rarely given these days. Normally you see people with their heads down staring at their phones as they totally ignore the people sitting right there with them. We see this going on in stores, in restaurants, etc. The truth is, we seldom give others our undivided attention. Today, though, my daughter and I did just that. We tucked away the phones, ipods, and computers … and we were present for each other!
We started the day bright and early with going out for breakfast together, and then it was time for some shopping! We really focused on each other, taking the time to enjoy the conversation, the laughter, the inside jokes. We even went to look at prom dresses. The only time any electronic devices came out was when I begged for pictures of my daughter in those dresses. We are just starting out on our search for THE perfect dress, but in our search, we will begin by documenting today! Oh, she looked so lovely in the dresses she tried on today. She made those dresses look amazing! I am not being biased when I say that she was stunningly beautiful. I wish for just a little while that my darling daughter could see herself through my eyes. She is beautiful inside and out!
We made memories together today. Memories that will forever be a part of who we are – a part of the mother/daughter bond that we share. I am forever grateful for moments like these. My daughter will soon be 17, and oh how the time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday I was holding my newborn baby in my arms for the very first time, and now we’re shopping for prom dresses, getting ready for her high school ring ceremony, and ~gasps of horror~ looking at colleges! My baby has grown right up on me! She will soon be an adult. Oh how I hold on to these times with my baby as tight as I possibly can. I am not ready yet to let her spread her wings to fly. I know it’s coming, but this Mama is just not ready to let her go out into this cruel world. I want to shield and protect her from all harm … always! I know she has to grow up, and I am so incredibly proud of the young lady she has become. I just know I want more time! Our roles are shifting from caring for her every need, teaching her how to walk, fixing scraped knees and playing dolls with her to now her becoming so independent working a job just because she “wants” to but certainly not because she “has” to – just to know she has the desire to work lets me know that she is spreading her wings like the beautiful eagle as she begins to take flight. She is slowly venturing off on her own while still returning to the nest for a little while longer. And I choke back the tears and hold on a little tighter now.
I had the BEST day with my daughter today … focusing on each other, living in the moment, being present for each other … what a gift! One that I treasure …
Be present for someone in your life today. Push the computer aside after reading this, turn your phone off, and intentionally focus on the person that is IN FRONT of you. And thank God for them and for this moment in time, for this wonderful gift of being present and making memories with them! I know I am thankful – oh so thankful!
Blessings to you and yours,
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
Advent – Choosing Joy
This is the third week of Advent with the bible study plan courtesy of Good Morning Girls. The topic this week is choosing joy.
As we’ve posted previously, a lot of people are hurting at this time and are finding it hard to choose joy. Whether they are grieving and mourning over the loss of a loved one, have health concerns, have not been able to find employment, the list goes on and on as to why people are struggling this holiday season. We have to make a conscious effort to choose joy every single day. It is hard, believe me, I struggle myself and am missing loved ones at this time, too. However, it is a time of celebration!
Do you realize that the enemy’s sole intent is to steal, kill, and destroy? He does not want us to celebrate this holiday season or ANY season, especially not because we are honoring Christ, Our Lord. Please do not let him win! He goes up against us at this time, in particular, because there are celebrations going on far and wide as people every where are celebrating the birth of Jesus! There are more celebrations during the month of December with Christmas parties, cantatas, and plays being performed in churches, just to name a few. It is hard to force a smile when our hearts are hurting. At this time, especially, I would like to encourage you to be intentional in your thinking. Be careful what you meditate on. If you find your thoughts trailing off down a negative path, grab the reigns and pull yourself back on the positive road instead. Try to stop the negative thought and focus on something a little more positive. It is easier said than done, I know. But, please at least try to be more aware of the thoughts that you are thinking throughout the day. Be careful with the negative self talk also as you can be your worst enemy at times. Would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself in your head? I think not! Why beat yourself up? Try to let go and let God at this time more than ever. Choose joy, dear ones. Please focus on the birth of a beautiful baby boy born in a lowly manger. How can your heart not smile at the thought of a precious little baby? Can you imagine looking into those beautiful eyes of baby Jesus and not smiling deep within our being? I know I can’t! Shift your focus to Jesus as I’m sure you’ve heard a million times before, He truly is the reason for the season! It’s true! He is!
Let’s look at some scriptures that Good Morning Girls picked out this week to help us focus on choosing joy.
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11
More specifically for the holiday season:
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:10
The above verse is, of course, in reference to the star that appeared and lead the wise men to the manger where Jesus was laying shortly after His birth.
The birth of Jesus calls for celebration!
As we prepare our hearts and minds, I encourage you to choose joy. Even in the mist of your storm, even when your heart is hurting terribly, lift up your hands and praise God. Just praise Him. Thank Him for coming to this earth in the form of a tiny baby to bring His light into such a dark world.
Even if all you can do is cry at first, cry out to God. He will meet you there, and He will comfort you as only He can. Maybe a good cry is what is needed – let it flow. Allow those feelings to come, acknowledge them, feel them, and give them to God. He cares sooooo much for you! Jesus laid down His life for you. When His arms were stretched out and nailed to the cross, He was proving His love for you. Imagine Him saying, “This is how much I love you!” as His arms are stretched as wide as they will go. He did it for you and for me. He loves you, dear one. He loves you.
If you are having trouble finding joy this holiday season and need someone to pray for you, please email me at hislightlovehope@gmail.com – I will pray over each email. I will pray specifically for you. I may not be able to instantly restore your joy, but maybe it will help as you release some of what you are feeling. I will be here for you, and I will listen. I will pray.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Shirley
Light, Love, Hope
