The Spirit of Christmas…
Have you ever stopped and really thought about Christmas? I am really excited to see Marks family this next week, I am excited to hug all of his brothers necks and make more lasting memories with my sister in laws. I am excited to see my niece Emily’s little baby boy Justyn. I am excited about the 14 hour trip to and from (no, really I am!). I am excited to see my nieces and nephews.
I am excited yet heavy hearted because this year is different. I don’t want to take anything for granted this year. I want to savor every memory and every emotion that comes. I want to make this Christmas one that my kids will talk about for years to come. Not just about what they got, but the true spirit of Christmas, what it is really all about.
This year I encourage you to do the same. I encourage you to sit down and talk to your kids about Christs birth, what it meant and what it means to you. I encourage you to not put so much emphasis on “things” under the tree, but the savior who’s birth and death made a way for us. I encourage you to make lasting memories, sing Christmas carols and tell stories of when you were young and what your favorite Christmas memory was.
I encourage you to make this Christmas the best Christmas ever because you made Christ is the center of it.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,
but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing
of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out
on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by His grace,
we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
-Titus 3:4-7 (New International Version)
Click here for lyrics: Josephs Lullaby - Mercy Me
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Greeting the morning in prayer…
I know most of you are following closely the story of Kate and her lobectomy. I was sadden this morning to read that she still didnt have control over her left side, but encouraged that she had feeling. I am also encouraged with the way that Dave, her husband is handling this, him and Mark have so much in common.
I was drinking my coffee this morning and praying, and a song came to my mind.
“If you say go, we will go,
if you say wait, we will wait.
If you say step out of the water,
and they say it cant be done,
we will fix our eyes on you
and we will come.
Your ways are higher than our ways
and the plans that you have laid
are good and true
If you called us to the fire,
you will not withdraw your hand.
We will gaze into the flames and look for you.”
I am claiming that song for Kate today. God never says it will be easy, he only says that we will never be alone. I know that Kate knows this, I know in her heart she feels this, but I also know how frighting coming out of surgery and losing function can be, I lost my speech for months. But I also know that Kate has a strong and passionate relationship with her Father, and no matter what she will praise him, despite how difficult the circumstances are.
Father, I ask that your will be done in this situation. I ask that you place your hand on Kate’s heart and the heart of her precious husband. I ask that you calm their spirits and fears. I ask that this be only a temporary situation, and that she will regain full function on her left side. I ask that her personality still be intact. I pray for her boys, Carter 9, Cole Patrick 7, Stuart 3. They are so close to my kids ages. I know how hard this must be on them, I know how Carter and Patrick must feel, my Easton and Elijah are almost the same ages. I ask that you protect their hearts and their minds. Protect Stuart as he goes thru the following days with out his mama. Give his grandma, Sandy, the words to say and strength. I pray for Dave. I pray that you would calm his spirit and give him peace. I know how hard this is for him, for I watched my husband go through it. Please comfort him, and let him know that it is okay not to be strong sometimes. Help him lean on you, and draw strength from you. I pray for my dear friend Kate. Just calm her heart and her fears. Keep satan out of her thoughts. Give her a peace that passes all understanding.
Amen.
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