After Christmas…

I have a confession. I’m an “after-Christmas” aficionada. I love to save on “after-Christmas” sales. I love to “stock up for next year” at half-price and exchange unwanted gifts for refunds. I like clearing up and cleaning out and the sparkling expanse of a brand new, clean-as-a-whistle calendar. Neck-deep in my merry-aftering mirth, however, I’ve noticed something about this time of year. Maybe you have, too:

Torn wrapping paper has been bagged and discarded. Tree tinsel feeds the vacuum. Leftover turkey or ham has reappeared in an endless array of sandwiches, casseroles and soups. Life’s strains and pains have returned. Within a nano-second of December 26 the season’s luminescent kindness seems to sour to selfishness, generosity purchased on plastic comes due with interest. We pack away the decorations, turn off the Christmas lights, recycle the tree and return to the hustle and bustle and humdrum of every day life for another eleven months.

Or do we?

Why not linger a while and savor the season of Emmanuel, God with us? For a few shining hours during the “God with us” season, His reflection is everywhere:

v In the beaming grin of an overseas orphan who’s opened a Christmas gift from a total stranger

v In the single mom who sacrifices a million dollars disguised as her last few coins into a Salvation Army kettle

v In the housewife who bakes extra goodies for an elderly, lonely neighbor—and takes time to sit down and share

v In the reddened eyes and tired hands of a smiling Dad who’s finished assembling a bicycle just as Christmas Day dawns

v In the majestic choruses of Handel and the simple refrains of no-crib-for-a-bed

v In the youngster who gives up his own Christmas booty so an unnamed overseas orphan can sprout a smile.

I’m not convinced that just because we’re up to our eyeballs in “after-Christmas” memories, we must relegate the Why of Christ’s coming to the dust bunnies. That’s why I like to linger. To slow down and re-read Christmas cards skimmed at warp speed in December. To write thank yous that are meaningful rather than rote. To sing a few more carols and light more candles. To relish and reflect.

While I’m at it, can I ask you some “after-Christmas” questions? Can you give glory to the newborn King in March or October? How ‘bout hollering Born is the King of Is-ra-el during a summer heat wave? What about remembering that the Lord is come when a friend loses a loved one, a child needs a hug, or your husband needs encouragement and support? Can you come and adore Him by mending misunderstandings or fixing fractured friendships? Can you let heaven and nature sing beyond December and ring throughout your sparkling new year?

Will you ponder with me that if “God with us” can shine so well during the rush-and-crush of December, how much brighter would His reflection be if we sought and obeyed Him every day?

Shared by: Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, homeschooler, professional mom and chief wrangler at the ‘oel testosterone farm.

No Clams Allowed

I used to think I was so holy because I never got angry. No yelling. No snarling. No harrumphing. No choice four-letter words.

Yet inwardly? My anger swirled my thoughts. He’s such a jerk. It unfurled in my behavior. Back to back in bed. It twirled off my tongue. Yes, honey. You’re right, honey.

Huh?!  If I said, “You’re right, honey,” what’s the problem? The problem: I failed to speak the truth in love because I was not speaking.

Lucy the Clam. Yep, that was me.

What rooted my self-righteous clamminess? Pride.

But it worsened by my misreading of a scripture verse. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he said, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Eph. 4:15) I had read this verse a gazillion times — smugly, I admit — tricking myself into believing that because I didn’t speak angrily (remember, I didn’t speak at all) I expressed love.

Bonk! Then one day our ever faithful God hit me upside the head and spoke to my heart, “Lucy, speak the truth in love. When you don’t speak, you aren’t loving. You’re hateful.” My hackles rose up. I began to argue with God, then paused.

“He has a point,” I admitted.

A funny thing about sinful anger is it has two extremes. Either the angry person blows up (or ”ventilates” and the emotion fires toward others or the situation with little control) or she clams up (or “internalizes” and the emotion slams into one’s own self). Clamming up makes one irritable, tense and miserable. She is not good company.

Clamming up leads to bitterness and resentment.

The reason I didn’t speak — or pretended nothing was wrong, as in “You’re right, honey” — was because I didn’t want to deal with my anger.  The Bible warns against this. Paul writes, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph. 4:26,27).

Yikes! I played footsy with the devil!

So what’s a girl to do? First, I need to focus on the problem that occasioned the anger. Then I can constructively solve the problem (and not attack my sweet honey!). Next, I am able to confront lovingly. Depending on the cause of the anger, this may mean a loving rebuke or forgiving someone from my past or recognizing I misunderstood the other’s intent.

Anger is a powerful emotion. In itself this emotion is not sinful. Jesus expressed anger, remember?  What’s important is how you and I handle it.

Yes, speak the truth in love. Speak! No clams allowed.

As for the volcanoes that blow hateful lava?

Let’s talk about it another day.

You are so loved,

Lucy

Please visit me at http://www.lucyannmoll.com/

The Checkout Lane

With the parking lot full, finding a space was almost impossible. Shopper after shopper filed in the store’s front door, lists in hand and most lacking the Christmas spirit. The checkout lanes stretched halfway through the store. As angers were on the verge of erupting, Loneliness carved a swath through the throng of shoppers, fighting for a place in each line.

“Why don’t they have more checkout lanes open?” complained one shopper.

“I don’t know. This is so depressing,” grumbled another nearby.

Each lane had its share of Grinches and lonely hearts, each moaning over all the congestion. In one lane stood a mother with three small kids in tow, all whining and wanting everything in sight.

In the next lane stood another mother with her three little ones, all in a joyous mood. Six year-old Olivia asked her mother, “Mommy, why is everyone so grumpy?”

Lowering her voice so others wouldn’t hear their conversation, she whispered, “I’m not sure, dear. I think everyone is in a hurry and they don’t know the meaning of Christmas.”

“Don’t they know it’s Jesus birthday?”

Trying to shush Olivia, she lowered her voice again, “I guess not. Some people just don’t know.”

“Well, why don’t we tell them?”

“I don’t think this is a very good time, dear.”

“Why not, Mommy? Didn’t you say it’s always time for Jesus?”

“Well, yes, I did, but…”

“Well, let’s tell them.”

Overhearing their conversation, those standing near this family began shifting their weight from one foot to another, uncomfortable as to what they might hear next.

The mother began to silently pray, “Oh, Lord, if You desire others to know it is Your birthday that they’re supposed to be celebrating, then please resolve this situation.”

Olivia bowed her head and thought for a moment. Then, a very soft, little voice began to sweetly sing…

“Away in the manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

Silence fell on the checkout lanes. All that could be heard was the whirring of the cash registers. No one said a word.

Then, that sweet little voice began to sing again, “Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.”

Just as a place was made for baby Jesus to be born so many years ago, a place was made for Him in the checkout lane. Smiles erupted across the stone-cold faces of the Grinches. Peace swept across the store, carving a swath through the crowd of shoppers and banishing loneliness, and the Grinch, from the checkout lanes.

~~Blessings for a joy-filled Christmas…Lynn~~

“It’s About the Cross”

“… so that you and I could have real life some day…”

Enjoy, and may His love light your way to a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Preparing Him Room,

Kristine,  professional mom, blogger, author, homeschooler, humorist, and chief wrangler at the ‘ole “testosterone farm.”

http://www.HEvencense.wordpress.com

God With US

 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:22,23

 

 

Mercy Me has a song out that I can’t get out of my head.  The title of it is God With Us (Immanuel).  The first two lines of the song go:

        

Who are we – that You would be mindful of us?

What do You see - that’s worth looking our way?

Do you ever ponder those thoughts?  Why did God care about us so much, that He actually came to earth as a baby, to live amongst us, so that we could eventually live with Him, forever?

 

As David Jeremiah says, “He came down, so we could go up.”

 

I was thinking about the term ‘with us’.  If someone is with me, I know them.  I live with Bobby and the boys.  I know them intimately.  I write about them, but some of you have never  met them personally, so you don’t know them in the same way that I do.  You know of them, but you don’t really know them.

 

But if you spent some time at our home, you would know the boys.  Truthfully, you would not want to know them right this minute.  They are wound for sound over Christmas.  But they are kids and kids get excited about Christmas.  It’s okay.  They’ll calm down in a day or two, hopefully.

 

I believe that is one of the reasons why Jesus came to earth.  So we could intimately know Him.  Not know of Him, as this amazing Creator who is far and beyond above us, but as the Son of God, who came to earth as a man, to dwell amongst us.  So that we could relate to Him. 

 

And even though that was over 2000 years ago, we can still experience Him being with us, through His Word and His Spirit, that He left with

us.

 

The song goes on to say:

All that is within me cries – for You alone be glorified

Immanuel – God with us

My heart sings – a brand new song

The debt is paid – these chains are gone

Immanuel- God with us.

Boy, I can so relate to whose words.  Some days I feel like I’m about to burst – everything in me wants to cry out to Him!  To praise Him for all that He’s done!  My heart truly does sing a new song because my chains are gone!  He’s set me free!

 

Yes, He is truly Immanuel – God With Us! 

    

Father, words can not express the gratitude that I have in my heart for all You are and for all that You do!  Lord, to think that You left the most exquisite life to come to earth as a baby, so that You could be with us … oh Lord, thank You!  Thank You that You are Immanuel – God With Us!!

 

I love You Jesus.

 In Your Name Pray,

     Amen

 

 

God Bless You!

 

Love,

Joyce

 

---

 

LIFE IS… Not About Perfect A Daily Dose of Encouragement by Joyce Schneider   For More Of My Story:  http://www.alifedecision.org For nothing is impossible with God.     Luke 1:37

“How Much I Love You”

   “Untethered by time, (God) sees us all.  From the backwoods of Virginia to the business district of London; from the Vikings to the astronauts, from the cave-dwellers to the kings, from the hut-builders to the finger-pointers to the rock-stackers, he sees us.  Vagabonds and ragamuffins all, he saw us before we were born.

 And he loves what he sees.  Flooded by emotion.  Overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, `You are my child.  I love you dearly.  I’m aware that someday you’ll turn from me and walk away.  But I want you to know, I’ve already provided a way back.’

And to prove it, he did something extraordinary.

Stepping from the throne, he removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in skin: pigmented, human skin.  The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb.  He whom angels worship nestled himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on cow’s hay.

Mary didn’t knew whether to give him milk or give him praise, but she gave him both since he was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy.

Joseph didn’t know whether to call him Junior or Father.  But in the end he called him Jesus, since that’s what the angel had said and since he didn’t have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.

… Don’t you think… their heads tilted and their minds wondered, “What in the world are you doing, God?”  Or, better phrased, “God, what are you doing in the world?”

“Can anything make me stop loving you?” God asks.  “Watch me speak your language, sleep on your earth, and feel your hurts.  Behold the maker of sight and sound as he sneezes, coughs, and blows his nose.  You wonder if I understand how you feel?  Look into the dancing eyes of the kid in Nazareth; that’s God walking to school.  Ponder the toddler at Mary’s table; that’s God spilling his milk.

“You wonder how long my love will last?  Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill.  That’s me you see up there, your maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding.  Covered in spit and sin-soaked.

“That’s your sin I’m feeling.  That’s your death I’m dying.  That’s your resurrection I’m living. 

That’s how much I love you.”

– Max Lucado,  In the Grip of Grace.

Shared by: Kristine,  professional mom, blogger, author, homeschooler, humorist, and chief wrangler at the ‘ole “testosterone farm.”

http://www.HEvencense.wordpress.com

The Grass is Always Greener

When my life is really hectic and busy, I long for quieter days where I can putz and roam at “will.” I dream of a day where I can delve into a project or have everything around the house caught up on, so that I can read for hours with my children or play game after game with them without worrying about the time.

But then when those slow days seem to come, it seems like I look around me and feel like everyone is doing something exciting in their life but me. I tend to feel like maybe I’m boring or maybe I should look into a new opportunity or activity in my life.

Have you ever felt that way? We tend to always want what we don’t have. Have you ever stopped to wonder why that is?

I think it’s because we don’t know how to be content with what we have and where God has placed us in our lives. We take our eyes off of the road He has placed us on, and we look at someone else’s road. We fail to take into consideration that that someone could be looking at our road and wishing for our set of circumstances as well! We just carry this mentality with us of thinking that we need to be doing (or not doing) what the rest of the world is doing!

We trip ourselves up a lot with this way of thinking. I know there have been many times where I have wallowed in a little bit of self pity only to remember later on that I had asked for that certain situation or set of circumstances to come up! And when it did, I was only ungrateful.

The grass is always going to look greener on the other side of that fence if we continue to look at what everyone else has instead of looking at how much we have to be thankful for. When times are busy, we can be thankful for friends who invite us to activities, or healthy children who are well enough to participate in sports. And when they are slower, we can be thankful for those times to recharge, catch up around our homes, and spend extra time loving on each other.

I think it’s all in how we look at it.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez is a freelance writer and the Founder of the Emphasis On Moms Ministry. You can email her at madetomom@yahoo.com

“God With Us”

God with us on the earth

Rejoice in our Savior’s birth

Rejoice, rejoice, for the Lord has come…

From Paul Baloche.

Shared by Kristine, author, blogger, humorist, professional mom, homeschooler and chief wrangler at the ‘ole testosterone farm.

A Wonderful, Imperfect, Life

“Mom, what is this movie about?” a child asked his mother as “It’s a Wonderful Life” was just beginning.

“It’s about a man who is in trouble through no fault of his own and he wishes that he had never been born. He thinks other people’s lives would be better that way. But an angel comes and shows him how much worse the world would be if he had never been there.”

“Sometimes I wish I had never been born,” the child continued.

“Well, I would miss you very much,” the mother answered.

“But you wouldn’t have known me.”

“I would know something was missing.”

“But when I have been bad, and done something I can’t fix, or hurt someone, I feel bad and think it would be better if I wasn’t around.”

“We all do wrong things like that sometimes, but if we tell God we are sorry and try to make up for the things we have done, that is all we can do. We have to keep moving forward.”

“I do tell God I’m sorry, but sometimes I still think it would be better if I wasn’t around,” the child insisted.

“At times like that, you need to remember that God made you with a special purpose in mind. He loves you and He had a reason for putting you here. The world needs you. Ok?”

“Ok. Thanks, Mom.”

“I love you,” the mother replied.

“I love you, too.”

At one time or another in our lives, perhaps even when we were still rather young, we might have thought the world would be better off without us. Maybe one of you reading this was thinking that very thought today. Like the child, we need to be reminded of God’s forgiveness and love. We all have regrets, things that we have done in our past that we really wish we could take back. There are times in our lives when we feel like a burden to others. A child might feel responsible for his parents fighting. A chronically sick adult may feel like she serves no real purpose in the world, that she has outlived her usefulness.

We suffer when we feel like others must suffer because of us, whether it is because of something we actually did or merely as a consequence of life circumstances. Our lives are far from perfect; but, no matter how bad we may perceive our lives to be, God is always there with open arms, ready to shower us with His love. There is no sin we have committed that God will not forgive, provided we are truly sorry. There is no burden that God is not willing to help us carry.

God loves each and every one of us. The words of Psalm 139 tell us of the loving care that God put into creating each one of us. “Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. . .My soul also you knew full well; nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret.” God indeed made each of us for a reason. The world needs each one of us. Each life touches so many other lives. We each have a role to play. Yes, we make mistakes, but without each of us, the world would be a little bit less than it should be. Even in the midst of our heartache and sorrow, life is an amazing gift. “I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.” May we give thanks today for our wonderful, imperfect, lives. May we treasure the gift we have been given.

Note: If you are suffering from depression, please contact your doctor. If you feel that you may be a danger to yourself or anyone else, please call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE or go to your nearest hospital.

Are You a Grump?

Hey moms – are you a grump?  Are you so busy, overwhelmed, and stressed that you don’t smile, relax, or laugh much anymore?
I went through a phase where I was a grump. I’m not proud of it. In fact, my heart is saddened by the fact that I allowed myself to become that way. But, it happened. My husband would start to say things like, “Leave mom alone,” Or “Don’t bother your mom,” Because he knew that I was on overload!  But it was mostly my own fault.  I had too much on my plate.
 
You know what? I WANT my kids to come to me. I don’t want them to feel like they are a bother or a hassle to me. I don’t want them to remember me getting irritated with their presence! I want them to remember a mom with arms open wide – with a smile upon her lips, and the ability to laugh and enjoy life. 
 
I realize that life is not all about having fun.  Not all moments in life ARE fun!  But I want my daily attitude to be that of a warm, enjoyable, feminine, and loving woman. I want those feelings to be conveyed from my heart. I don’t want to be viewed as someone who yells at her children in the grocery store, or yanks on their arms to hurry up and follow her. I certainly don’t want to be the grump responsible for the tears stinging their eyes!
 
It’s never too late to change your attitude, to ask for forgiveness (from both God AND your family) – and change your course. 
 
Just think about what your life has been like lately – and give some thought to how your children and husband view you. If you don’t like what you discover, then make the choice today to change your heart and focus.
 
 
 
~ Dionna Sanchez is constantly learning how to be the woman God created her to be.
http://emphasisonmoms.blogspot.com