Silly Saturday
reality
Messages From a Hope Filled Heart…
Day 17
What brings you joy this holiday season?
Is it the gifts piled around the tree?
Is it the distant relatives who come to visit?
Maybe it’s the college kids or military spouses, sons, and daughters who return home for a welcome stay. Maybe it’s the cozy fireplace with Christmas carols in the background. Or maybe it’s the dreams of winter white wonderland coming true on Christmas morn.
For me, I love to have our college aged men home for a few extra days. They may be sleeping late and leaving a trail of items from the front door to their rooms, but I smile and sigh in contentment, knowing “all my little chicks are under one roof” again. They may be grown, but having them close brings the laughter and joy that fills the void when they’re gone away.
I adore watching the “little boy” excitement as they unwrap the presents on Christmas morning. We grab a cup of coffee, search for all the names and distribute well, to watch the smiles and wide-eyed anticipation of many confirmations from the well worn lists that were sent and a few pleasant surprises from under the tree.
I always look forward to the expectancies of Christmas movies, decorated cookies, and holiday baked goods that come this time of year. And I cherish the take-it-slow mode of intentionality we all seem to settle into, knowing the days grow shorter with every passing hour.
All of these wonderful moments bring my joy to overflowing as I bask in the strength and love of our family.
Yet, I do believe my very favorite thing that brings me joy is when we gather on Christmas morning, after all the presents are piled up and the wrapping paper is all tossed, and we read a little story from their childhood reminding us what’s so important about the day…
This is the sweetest little story of Jesus’ birth that we began reading way back when they were just little tykes. It has a wonderful surprise in the very last box to tell everyone what God truly wants for Christmas. And every year, even though they’re grown now, we read and remember Who’s the purpose for the season and what He would like for this beautiful day.
This is it.
This is what brings me such joy in the holidays.
And I hope you find can Him, too…
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12
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
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 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
the grizzle grist mill 