"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him." Romans 12:1 The Message
It has been a long time since I published a post. It takes self-discipline and a cooperative computer, neither of which I have had since the fall! I pray that God will renew my self-discipline, and I have been blessed with new technology for Christmas...I hope to write at least once or twice a week.
Christmas is a difficult time of year for many people. For many years it was for me as well. We invest so much time and energy into preparing for Christmas, especially as women...decorating, choosing just the right gift, wrapping, thinking through menus and then cooking up a storm of goodies. Trying not to be hurt or sad or haunted by sorrow or memories. All amidst our regular busy routines! It is surely impossible for anyone to have that perfect Christmas that we see on television, hear about in Christmas carols, and see pictured in Norman Rockwell calandars. Human selfishness, grief and sadness, impatience and frustration, all these things and more creep into our celebrations. And these traditions often don't bear much resemblance to the humble beginnings of our Lord's arrival on Earth. Remember that no matter what unexpected or challenging things happened that first Christmas, Mary treasured them all and pondered them in her heart.
No matter what Christmas has been like for you this year, I pray that you can give God every piece of it. Whether sorrow or grief, fatigue or overwhelm, joy and peace, anxiety and fear, place each day before God and ask Him to lead the way. Out of the pit and into His arms. Where life may not always be easy, but hope, peace and love are constant companions.
