Distancing yourself from stupid people requires fortitude and repetition.
I’d have to say distancing yourself from dramatic people is even more essential
For often, stupidity and drama seem to go hand in hand, and these seem to multiply when you’re not looking.
But if you’ll take a moment to assess your surrounding and evaluate your relationships, stupidity and dramatic response can be weeded out and set apart.
You just must decide if you want peace or attention and popularity.
If peace is your goal, then the distance is an easier trek than if your desire is to people please.
If peace is your ambition, you will embrace it with vigor and pursue it with passion.
And where peace abides, stupidity and drama are closed out by the gates of solitude and tranquility, and shadowed by an overwhelming shield of calm.
So truly, the decision lies within your making.
What do you seek?
Peace or chaos.
It’s yours to choose.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Sometimes, we carry too heavy of a load. Sometimes, we carry too heavy of a load alone.
And it’s not Biblical.
Now, I know. We don’t need to be wimpy Christians. I know we need to rely on Christ for all we need. I know we need to be faith filled and encouraging and strong.
Yet, He told us to share the load, too. He told us to be the Body of Christ, each one having a part to play. He also told us when one mourns, we all mourn. When one rejoiced, we all rejoice.
So, don’t carry your load alone.
Share it with someone. Ask for prayer. Ask for help. Ask for a hand to be lended. And let them lift your load.
Don’t steal their blessing when they want to pay. Don’t shut them out when they want to pray. Don’t turn your back when they come to offer comfort and love.
You’ll be surprised as your load is lifted how much more of theirs you’re able to help carry.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ…But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary…And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Hope is in the season, if you’re willing to see it.
Hope is in the greetings, if you’re willing to hear it.
Hope is in the warmth of home, and fellowship, and love, if you’re willing to receive it.
Yet, I’m often asked, “What If….?”
What if the season is hard because of grief, pain, and trauma?
What if the greetings are anger filled, hate consumed, and altogether damaging?
What if the home is broken, dysfunctional, and chaotic?
The “what ifs” of life make it difficult to have cheap, cliche , easy to deliver answers.
The “what ifs” confuse, complicate, and bring doubt when it just doesn’t fit.
I can’t answer all the what ifs, but I can answer the Who.
I know Who can bring peace that surpasses all understanding and strength to scale the mountain.
I know Who can shut the mouths of lions and bring comfort to the child.
I know Who can speak to the winds to calm and set a fire within the soul to save.
He is the only One who can bring grace to sustain.
He is the only One who can wisdom to abstain.
He is the only One who can bring sight to the blind.
Just try Him today. Say His Name.
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Psalm 147:3-6
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My journey didn’t stop with mere time travel or writing; it led me to become one of the most sought-after empaths, a soulful psychic who reads the hidden depths of the human spirit. I’ve been blessed—or perhaps burdened—with an ability that allows me to feel the emotions of people from every corner of time.
I am a licensed psychologist based in Greece. My love for housekeeping has inspired me to create this blog about home management and family relationships. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing!
Dedicated to movie nerdom, nostalgia, and escape. In the late 90s, I worked at Blockbuster Video where they let me take home two free movies a day. I caught up on the classics and reviewed theatrical releases for Denver 'burbs newspapers and magazines. Today, while raising two young, beautiful daughters with my amazing wife, I look forward to anything rated R and not Bluey. Comments and dialogue encouraged!
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