Have you been stretching any muscles this week shoveling mountains of snow? Or has this January been stretching your time or money or energy or patience?
God loves us so much He doesn’t want us to stay the same. HE never changes, but He wants us to continually be molded and shaped in to the image of His Son!
Let’s mark this season like a box of salt water taffy – pulled and stretched in to the sweet aroma of Christ!
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
I’ve learned from social media that we are supposed to be “wintering”. The shorter days and frigid temps should cause us to slow down and rest. Well, young children rarely “winter”, so that option is out for parents. Companies refuse to “winter”, so bills still need to be paid. And our health cannot “winter” or we won’t be well in the springtime!
Many enjoy the hope-filled season of springtime or the high energy season of summer. What about the proverbial season of empty nesting? Or the longsuffering season of being a caregiver? Do we fight them? Do we wish ourselves out of them? Or do we seek the Lord through them and accept them?
“Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7
United We Stand…Defeated We Stand – I made this version up as I reflected on the sad state of PA football this weekend! Eagles fans unite in their green and black and white jerseys…and now in their end of season blues. Steelers fans unite in their black and gold and Terrible Towels….and now in their end of season blues.
Defeated we stand….united!
I call that a win! 🙂
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5,6
Epiphany – Today is the day on the calendar that some people remember the Wise Men presenting gifts to Jesus. I’ve been reading this passage of Scripture almost every day this Christmas and God is sharing some simple but insightful phrases: “they went on their way”. Matthew 2:9 – What way is God sending me? “they were overjoyed.” Matthew 2:10 – How’s my attitude? “they bowed down and worshiped Him” Matthew 2:11 – What am I bowing down to? “theyreturned to their country by another route.” Matthew 2:12 – Am I in step with the Lord so I know which way to go?
I love that the Wise Men didn’t do this alone. God gave them each other. May our new year journey be like the Magi…one step at a time….together.
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8
Here we are. New Year’s Eve Eve. I can feeeeeel the lists starting…. Diet this! Declutter that! Work out here! Organize there! Do this more! Do that less! More rest! Less stress! Etc Etc Etc. We jump from hectic holidays to guilt inducing new year expectations. It’s exhausting!
What does God expect of us? Put your lists through His filter and find rest. Try less and trust more. Do less and devote more.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
One week from today it will be Christmas Eve! And then one week after that it will be New Year’s Eve! Ready or not – here they come! How will you spend these days….Excitedly looking at the whole? Or surviving each one?
Depending on your traditions and schedule, there may be a LOT going on these next two weeks. Or maybe this season of life finds you alone and filled with sorrow. Who will meet your needs this Christmas? What life hack will help you get it all done?
God is the perfect gift for everyone everywhere!
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
You know that one person…..or pair of slippers….or coffee cup…or baseball glove…that is your very, very favorite? That special form of a hug, that wink, that fits you juuuuuuust right and always lets you know that everything is going to be OK? Close your eyes and just imagine that precious gift.
Now open. That is the same way that God sees YOU! You are HIS special someone. HIS precious gift. HIS beloved.
Thank God for those gifts and feel His love surrounding you right now.
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him, for He shields Him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between His shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12
I lifted a bag of chicken feed the other day and my stomach muscles declared it to be “too heavy”. But I persevered, stubbornly finishing the chore without asking for help. That is a bad example of what God has in mind for our lives.
Lesson learned. So the other day I was stuck in a situation. This time, I asked a friend to pray for me. Less than 24 hours later, I wasn’t stuck at all – God opened up my eyes to HIS beautiful solution! Better than I ever could have ever imagined!
Life is so super fast paced these days. Especially at this time of year. We have long to-do lists. More, more, more is always on our minds. What will it take for you to slow down and seek the Lord’s plan? His timing? His direction? “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him,” Nahum 1:7
My 5 year old granddaughter loved looking through our Christmas decorations the other day. She took full liberty at arranging pieces and patterns as she seemed fit. Very different from the way I have always done things! I gulped. And maybe argued a little bit. Gently. She was breaking my tradition for decorations my first class of students gave me over 30 years ago! After I listened to her “logic” I conceded. There was nothing wrong with her arrangement.
That night when I went to bed I noticed on my nightstand the “new” decoration! It was lovingly placed right where I would see it every morning and night. I nearly cried at her thoughtfulness! Her tender care! Her confidence in not being afraid to change my tradition. She didn’t even realize that breaking the tradition would produce something more precious and valuable!
May I challenge you this Thanksgiving/Christmas season, to experience a breakthrough? In decorations? Sure. More importantly though, in your relationship with the Lord. Let go of the way things have always been, holding on to shame and regret, fear and worry, and trust in the Lord for His beautiful life for you!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
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