Funny Friday
Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…
Day 16
Sending Christmas cards seems to be a dying art, much like writing in cursive and sending a handwritten thank you. Call me “old school,” but I can’t seem to bring myself to stop the tradition. The format may change; maybe it’s a “family letter” one year, and maybe it’s a photo card the next, but it’s still a little note to those we love and care about to tell them we’re thinking of them. And maybe the cost of stamps and cards goes up, and maybe it’s not feasible for everyone to do the same. And that’s certainly okay, too.
But for this season that can get so chaotic and the meaning become lost in the gifts, wrapping, and extra parties, let us all take a moment to send out our love. Let us take a second to tell someone we’re thinking of them. Let us step back from our busy agendas and take a moment to reach out to someone, particularly those bereaved, broken, or alone, to tell them we still care.
Care doesn’t have to be displayed in lights and glitter. Kindness doesn’t have to be portrayed in extravagance or expense. Sometimes, it’s a hug, a smile, a gentle touch.
Our words matter. Our presence matters. And our thoughtfulness means even more. During this season, may we be the Body of Christ He’s called us to be. ❤️
Ps. Notice came: my cards are late…wouldn’t you know it? 🤦♀️🙄😂
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.Proverbs 31:26
He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.Proverbs 12:17-19
Messages From A Hope Filled Heart…
Day 15
Finally got the ornaments on the tree (not pictured). Every piece is a memory, a moment, a milestone, a memento of a time passed, a person gone home, or the little lives we’ve raised who are now grown. This year, it took me longer to want to put them on the tree. Felt a little too melancholy everytime I thought about it, and I just waited till the day felt right. So, today rolling into the second week of December, I decided there’s no better time than the present.
Put on some Christmas tunes and got to work. Now sitting here by the fire before I go to sleep, Bing Crosby is singing, I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and it lends my thoughts to all the soldiers who are all over the world, away from their loved ones and their homes. I think of those in the war-torn areas, wondering if they’ll ever see home again. And I think of so many who have already had to say goodbye to family, friend, or foe and will never take another breath.
My heart is thankful for the goodness of my God. I am grateful for His grace, His love, and His peace. And I’m praying for all to come to know Him, to find healing, to find hope, and to find the eternal joy and peace that only He can bring. ❤️
…Share the good news with someone this Christmas season. You never know what a difference it might make…
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 8:12
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do theylight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…
Day 14
Becoming Me
Sometimes, we step into the dark; so, we can find our way into the light. It’s not that the dark was where we wanted to be; yet, because of the dark, the light was easier to see. And the light was more welcoming when we saw that we were surrounded by the dark.
When we’ve emerged from the dark, often we find a new person has come forth as well. The old is gone; sometimes, never to be seen again. And a new awareness, a fresh vision, and a whole different perspective has been born.
Not because we planned it this way, but when you’ve gone into the deep and survived, it changes you. You discover who you really are and who you are not.
And you realize who He is, and how much He loves you. You acknowledge how much you need Him and how with Him, you’ll never again be alone.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Silly Saturday
Funny Friday
In honor of all the students getting ready for the holiday break. 😉🤣
Silly Saturday
The morning after Thanksgiving “hangovers!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Funny Friday
Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…
Day 13
Be Like Sam.
Maybe the holidays bring undue stress and anxiety to your heart.
Maybe Thanksgiving doesn’t feel like much of a thankful time but rather a time filled with angry words and heartless deeds.
Maybe Thanksgiving is more of a forgotten time of year, just as you feel neglected, alone, and wearisome.
I challenge you to look up.
Look up beyond the turmoil and strife.
Look up beyond the discouragement of your heart.
Step into the great outdoors and breathe in the beauty. Stand beside a waterfall until the rushing roar is all you hear. Sit on the seashore with the wind against your skin until the sun’s warmth is all you feel and the salt air is all you taste.
There will be troublesome times and even worse, troubled people along your path.
But don’t let these stop you from your purpose and your destiny.
Strive to see more. Strive to be more.
And never give up.
It might be a shire that is your end, but with the right choice, an eternal eternity can be, and that is greater than you could ever imagine.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Philippians 3:20-21
Messages From a Hope Filled Heart
Day 12
Happy Thanksgiving!
I do hope your Thanksgiving today is a blessed one. And even if it looks different this year than in years past, try your best to have a grateful heart.
Honestly, I don’t know how the grieving heart finds joy during the holidays. I don’t know how a broken valley finds water for the soul. I don’t know how the shattered dreams find a hope for a better tomorrow.
But I do know a God who has the answers. I do know a Savior who gives strength for the moments. I do know a King who wipes away the tears. And if you get to know Him, He may not instantaneously change your circumstances, but He will surely give you peace for the journey.
He is able to open blinded eyes, heal the broken body, raise the dead back to the living. He is able to bring a calm to the storm. And there’s no strings attached to how many times He can do it. There’s no hoops you must jump through for Him to respond.
He does it because He loves you.
Just call on Him today and share your story. Call on Him and let Him pour it like a waterfall.
He’s waiting on you because He cares.
For whoever calls on the name of theLord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.Psalm 116:1-2
the grizzle grist mill 