Month: November 2019

Craving Christmas

Posted on by Wendy
Maybe all of the early decorating is because we are craving the peace, joy and hope that Christmas promises.

As I write this post, Thanksgiving is a week away. Every year, I try to take time out in November to intentionally be more thankful. I try to start each morning with a prayer of thanks for the many blessings I have been given. I make every effort not to rush ahead to Christmas, although it has always been my favorite holiday.

This year, however, I have noticed that people have decorated earlier than ever before. There were people sharing pictures of their Christmas decorations on social media, the day after Halloween. I’ve even read about debates on talk shows about how early too early is for Christmas decorations.

While I chuckle at the discussion, I mean seriously, who cares when your neighbor decides to decorate for Christmas?, I began to witness more and more early decorations on my day-to-day travels and a theory began to form. When a sweet friend at work asked me early last week, if I thought it was too early for her to decorate, I shared it with her.

Our country is really divided at the moment. Politics seem to dominate all that we do. There’s an impeachment trial in process and friends, neighbors and even some families, aren’t even speaking to each other over it. Despite our booming economy, the homeless population has exploded. The stock market is still doing well, but folks in general, don’t seem to feel very secure or thankful.

Perhaps, all of this early decorating is due to the fact that we are all craving Christmas and what it really means. Perhaps, we are craving hope and joy and peace. It’s the time of year that tends to bring the best out in us. It’s the time of year when we are willing to choose kindness. We will carefully shop and fill up shoe boxes to send to children around the world, who we will never meet, to share the Gospel. It’s the time of year when we will pull tags off of a bulletin board or a department store angel tree and buy just the right gift for a stranger in need. It’s the time of year when we will scrounge around our pockets to find money to put in a red kettle out in front of a store.

It’s the time of year when we revisit the manger where hope was born.

My friend agreed that I was probably on to something. She’s seen it too. I suspect we all have.

Later in the week, as I was getting ready for work and feeling a little down myself, about the state of our world, I tested my theory and pulled up a Christian Contemporary Channel on my phone. The first song was, “O Holy Night,” a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, and I knew I was right. My entire spirit was lifted.

The next song, by Casting Crowns, really said it all. It’s called, “Somewhere In Your Silent Night.” I’ve shared it here, if you want to test my theory. We all need Christmas, maybe this year more than ever. The good news is that it’s coming. Perhaps you needed reminding.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy:)

Focusing on the Beauty

Posted on by Wendy
Don’t allow life’s distractions to make you to miss the beauty.

Last Monday morning while I was driving to work, I was praying that God would show me His wonder in the week ahead. I often find that after a weekend of rest and relaxation, followed by a meaningful worship service on Sunday, that I promise myself that I will do and be better, the following week. I will have more energy, more patience, extend more grace and just be more at peace in general.

But, as I trudge to my car after work on Monday, my resolve is usually worn down and by Wednesday afternoon, I’m completely exhausted and it’s gone altogether. Maybe this happens to you too?

Last Monday morning as I was driving and praying, I was greeted by a stunning sunrise. The sky was a spectacular shade of pink and it took my breath away. I thanked God for showing it to me and I was a little sad to turn out of my neighborhood and lose sight of it, but I didn’t. After I turned, it appeared brightly in my rear view mirror.

As I continued on my journey to work, it was everywhere. It wasn’t always in front of me. It was sometimes to the side and sometimes behind me, but always beautiful and always close by. I found myself trying to keep it in my view for just a little while longer.

Here, in the midst of this season of Thanksgiving, I’m intentionally seeking things to be thankful for and while it was just a simple sunrise, it somehow gave me hope for the coming week. My spirit felt a little lighter as I gave thanks for another day here on earth, for a fresh start and a new beginning.

That sunrise was a gentle reminder that no matter my age or what season that I may find myself in, that God is not done with me. He still has plans for me. I know this because I woke up today and if you are reading this, He’s not done with you either.

It also reminded me that He is always close by, wherever I find myself on my journey, at every turn.

As I reluctantly parked my car and got out, I attempted to take a picture of it. It wasn’t nearly as brilliant as it had been earlier and I couldn’t get the power lines out of the photo. I was a little frustrated because I wanted to capture the moment so badly.

But, that’s when I felt the nudge, that little reminder to not be distracted from the beauty of the moment. We should never miss the wonder because of our focus on the distractions. Those power lines didn’t matter when I was focusing on the majesty of that sunrise.

A simple sunrise reminded me of God’s constant presence and of His grace that offers us a fresh start everyday. It also reminded me to focus on the blessings and not the distractions. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Giving Thanks for the Rain

Posted on by Wendy
Although rain is often inconvenient, it’s essential for growth.

I’ve been thinking about the rain a lot lately. We have been in months of drought with no end in sight. Everyone I work with has been diligently checking the weather hoping for a pop up storm. Even the tiniest chance of rain gives us hope, but the rain hasn’t come for a long time.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I went to an engagement party of the son of a dear friend. Most of the affair was planned outside. It began raining during the night. It rained buckets and it was cold. Plans were rearranged and the festivities were moved inside. It was a huge inconvenience.

After months of prayer, did we welcome the rain?

A week later, my hubby, my mama and I, attended a football game at our daughter’s college. We planned it a month ahead of time. The weather was supposed to be cloudy with a thirty percent chance of rain and mild. It poured for hours. We couldn’t even attend the game and the drive home was a miserable crawl.

This was the rain we had been praying for, but how did we feel about it when it ruined our game day plans?

My hubby was out of town for a few days for work this week and when I returned home from work the day he left, my garage door wouldn’t work. While not a huge deal, it began raining the next day.

I’ll have to admit that I wasn’t super happy to see it as I walked to my car in the dark rain at five in the morning holding a flashlight.

As I write this, the forecast for rain on Halloween is 100%. I’ve no doubt there are some stressed out mamas and daddies wondering what to do with their kiddos for trick-or-treat.

Like everyone else, they know we need the rain, but would likely prefer that it come at a more convenient time.

Most of us simply don’t like to be inconvenienced. Our culture has done a fabulous job at convincing that we should have everything we want the way we want it, when we want it.

But, God’s way is different and nature belongs to God.

Rain is important. The earth needs it to sustain life and to grow things.

The rain that falls in our personal lives is much the same. It often inconveniences us. It slows us down. It changes our plans, our priorities and often our perspective. Most importantly, it grows us.

We have to remember when we are in a period of growth and change that there’s usually rain involved. We need it to be transformed into something stronger and brighter. We need it to grow closer to Jesus on our journey here.

In the end, rain is life giving whether we welcome it or not. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂