Do you begin listening to Christmas music on a specific day each year?
Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Do you enjoy a real or artificial tree? With multi-color or white lights?
Do you chart the season with an Advent calendar or wreath?
So much of our celebrating of Christmas is wrapped up with the ribbon of traditions. They become a part of us. Some we cherish. Others we laugh at. Some we take into marriage. Others we leave behind.
One thing is certain . . . traditions are an important part of Christmas. It’s never too late to add a new ritual, because traditions are our memory makers.
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It’s the perfect place to pray. In the shower, that is.
With a husband, three little girls, and a barky Schnauzer, there isn’t always a whole lot of alone time at my house. So a shower can provide at least a few quiet minutes all to myself.
It has other prime prayer spot benefits, as well. Tears and runny mascara can be washed away quickly. Soft sobs are muffled by the sound of both water and exhaust fan running. And there, standing literally naked before the Lord, you are able to pour out all of your hurts, fears, and doubts without hesitation.
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Written on
November 21, 2012 by
Carol in
Blog
In a cabin on the edge of the Smoky Mountains, she sits together at a table with her parents and children. In her eyes are strength and beauty, but behind them there is brokenness and despair.
Her one true love left the earth too soon and the thought of going through the holidays without him is almost too much. In the quiet of her mind, she has relived the entire last Thanksgiving – the meal, the conversations, the games played and even the private laughs they shared when no one else was around.
She isn’t alone. There are many today who will take this day one breath at a time.
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The lyrics to this song spoke to me this weekend. I know this never happens to you, but I was aching for praise. Just wishing for a few words of affirmation. And I began to think that if nobody cares enough to say something, I might just quit. Even though I love what I do.
Enter this song and these words and a rush of God-speak to my heart.
Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
God’s praise is not empty. It goes beyond a mere complement to the even greater realm of forever rewards.
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Tonight as I was preparing to start a load of laundry (the never-ending saga), our power went out. Although we only lost power for a few moments, I was reminded of a night a couple of years ago when we experienced a power outage that lasted for over an hour.
Whenever the power would go out in previous years, my children would tend to get fearful. They didn’t like that they could not see, and would always scramble around looking for flash lights. But since it was not yet completely dark outside on this particular night, they were able to see enough to find their way around.
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He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV
Sometimes I just don’t hear Him. I know He’s there. But for reasons unknown to me, He’s choosing to remain silent.
I wonder if I’ve done something.
I wonder if He’s testing me.
And…I wonder if, for now, the silence is okay.
Maybe there’s nothing more to it than knowing God is always with me, even when I don’t hear Him and can’t feel Him.
I keep talking to Him and spending time in His Word, and I know He hears me.
Maybe I’m like a child who learns to trust her mom is there when she calls to her.
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Written on
November 11, 2012 by
Dawn in
Blog
There I am watching from a distance.
I’m watching myself as a stranger.
I am like one who seems aloof. Distracted.
I’ve done my list today.
The dishes have been done, bed made, laundry washed, dried and folded.
Phone calls and e-mails have been returned.
I’ve done all of the things that needed to get done this day.
I am sitting with my family at the dinner table.
My dear husband is serving me a portion of the dish he has made for us.
I look around the table.
I realize I have been watching myself all day but not fully aware.
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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4
My then boyfriend (now husband) looked over at me with a grin as we drove the deposit from the retail store we worked at to the bank. I am sure a girly giggle escaped my lips as he said to me, “We have two hundred dollars in cash right here. Let’s run away to Mexico.” Not that two hundred would have gotten us far.
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