Who Took My Christmas Cookies and Left Me This Resolution ????

I can hardly believe another Christmas has come and gone.... I cant say that I have, but most of my friends have already taken down their Christmas decor and stored it away until next year. All of the remnants, the sparkle, the tinsel, the presents, trees, cookies and special candy, all gone..... I can't help but feel a little sad because it came and left so quickly....

The excitement that pushed us to the mall one more time for that perfect gift, is now replaced with trips to Target, for extra storage boxes and lemon scented disinfectant. Gone with the celebration and in with the organization and cleaning... Don't get me wrong, I am all about a nice pantry and a color coordinated closet, but how "magical" is that??..lol.

Why is it that we long for the "magic" of Christmas all year, and then can't wait to put it away and move on to the next big thing....? What is it that we are constantly searching for in our lives that we move through seasons so fast, and never really slow down long enough to enjoy any of them?

The next big thing.... hum, that would be "The Resolution".... What's up with that? What is so important that we have to make a special dinner, write it in our journals, blog about it, form a club, share it with our gal pals over a pricey lunch, we even make vows to our spouses about our Resolution.... Now.... hear me out, I am not saying making a resolution is a bad thing, what I am saying is why do we observe a special time of year, to commit to something we should have been committed to all year long anyway? Think about it... most people make a resolution and it starts Jan 1st, it is blown, out the window, history, kaput by Feb 15th.... 6 weeks, this is a national average....

What if we took on a healthier mind set that went like this.... God wants me to be my best so I can serve him fully... therefore, I vow to be healthier than ever, spiritually, mentally, and physically. I vow to release all I have to God, my family, my finances, my hopes and dreams. I vow to give my worship, thanksgiving, hurts, pains, and all the glory for any blessings that come my way, to God. This year, I will be healthier, I will give more of my time, love, and money than last year (if you only gave $20 last year, you may want to step it up a notch). This year I will reach out to twice as many hurting and lost souls (if you didn't reach out to anybody last year, you need to self evaluate your relationship with God,.....and STEP IT UP A NOTCH) This year, I am going to be all that I can be through Christ Jesus who strengthens me!

What do you think? Do you feel this is unrealistic, or unattainable? Shouldn't we be this way all year long?

Trust me when I say, I have every intention to clean out some closets, to get back to Curves, to cook more at home, and eat out less, to be more frugal with the money God is blessing us with, be a better wife, a better mom, and so on.... I am not bashing a good goal, or commitment.... I am just saying, we need to have our focus straight, and when you focus on God first, you will NEVER FAIL!

Where or how should I do this? Oh, so glad you asked. It is super easy...What if you (if you don't already have a group at your church) get some ladies together,(or even husband and wive couples, or a youth group) and plan some events that will promote this commitment? For example... What about a Ladies Book Club that meets quarterly, to discuss a Godly reading selection? How about a group to reach out and serve the homeless in your community? What about a group of young people, reaching out to the kids in the neighborhoods, schools, etc... to have a monthly event at a park? There are all kinds of ways to serve others while serving God. Just put your mind to it, you'll figure something out... You will be amazed at how Holy Ghost boldness will come upon your life, when you start moving forward with a spirit of servitude..... 

Secondly, ask your Pastor, what Missionaries your church supports... make a pledge to that family, and be faithful to your commitment. How much do I give you ask? Only you know what you can afford, but what if you add up how much you eat out, and share only half of the luxuries you enjoy...? Ouch!...huh? Maybe your family is barely making it pay check to pay check... are you a crafty person? Maybe you can start an eBay store (free) and contribute the proceeds to your church or a missionary family...

Last, how many bible studies have you given this year? What if you start a bible study in your home? Choose a night of the week that would work for you and your family, I know it is a commitment and sacrifice to give a night every week.. Start by inviting people from church and then ask them to invite people who need God... you will be amazed at how quickly your study fills up, you will then need to get them plugged into another study where there is room....this is a snowball effect, and super neat to watch!

There are many, many ways to be God focused in the New Year.... you just have to commit and start somewhere.... you can do it!

So, when Jan 1st gets here, and you get ready to make your New Year's Resolution, think about this kinda commitment prayer, think about, how you can keep some Godly Magic throughout the year. Slow down, enjoy the season's God has given you. Don't make unrealistic goals, that are not attainable, and that are not God focused. Be blessed this New Year......

Joy

Cookies, Glitter, Elves, and Gremlins....But What About The Greatest Gift?

I suspect the typical day in the life of any woman during the Christmas Season is somewhat the same.....grocery lists, 42 iced cupcakes for the class party, selecting 3 of the "just right" Teacher gifts that will guarantee to propel little Johnny to the "Pet Position", cleaning out of the guest room that has served as a storage all year and must now be transformed into a 5 star resort suite for the In-Laws, errands on slick, icy roads, children's Christmas List, out of stock toys, endless check out lines, cheesy wrapping paper (why didn't you just get the good stuff?) and the list goes on and on...........

It was just such a day( minus the Teachers gift, I just buy myself a pair of shoes, and ALL 3 of my students are in the "Pet Position"....lol.....I home school), I was standing in line and the thought occurred to me "What are you doing for your world"?..... WHAT????? I realized, how caught up I can become in the holiday, and completely forget the reason for the holiday.. So, I decided to give this some thought, I began to look around at the others in lines around me... I didn't see all the happy, jolly, cheerfulness that is so casually thrown around as an official catch phase of the holiday... I saw tired, worn down women.....Why???

You know, we women,  for some reason, feel that we have to take on the world and make it this sparkling, wondrous, wintry wonderland of never ending cookie eating, gift giving, belly laughing explosion of  Christmas Enchantment..... North Pole News Flash ladies....we don't......

Last time I checked I was not a 4'11" 90lbs vixen dressed in a velvet dress and white patten leather boots, with glittered cheeks and curled tendrils springing out of a fur adorned hat........And neither were these other women.... We are women, making the best for our families, but our focus has become slightly blurred in the excitement of the holiday hustle and bustle.... Maybe you are asking "What should my focus be?

Do your kids now the meaning of Christmas? Do they know that receiving a gift is about, the receiving, not as much about what it is?, Do they know that all good things come from the Lord?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matt 7:11

We get so caught up in what to buy, how many gifts, how much is enough, if it is too little.. this is not what it is all about ladies.....we have just bought into the commercialism, and it is hard to get out of "the trap".....Want some tips of how to get out? Okay, this is what works in my family...


First, If you kids are just little... under 5, they could care less of the dollar amount of gifts....Its us who get gratification in buying a pricey gift for our kids.... don't buy them gifts that are terribly expensive, instead look for gifts that are going to last, and that will keep them entertained and using their imagination for a long time.

Our kids are older now, so the gifts are fewer, but cost more... gone are the days of fad toy sets, now its technology, and clothes..... Don't get me wrong, we have never bought junk, but a few modestly priced gifts that are chosen with that kid in mind is the idea....I usually try to buy something, just one small something that is really personal to each child, that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt, "my parents really gave this from their heart".


Also, What about your children giving? Do you require your kids to give? Or do they just sit back like Christmas Gremlins and take gifts? You know how, really smart people say that we should set our kids up to succeed? What if we purposely set work projects in front of our kids so that they can make shopping money? Now this will be a little work, because your child could still choose to do the work, earn the money, and keep it!..... hahaha...... plan back-fire...lol. You have to set them up for their purpose of giving...IE: "Hey, I have some chores that I am willing to pay someone Christmas Shopping Money for doing.." Make it clear the purpose for the money, and then do some talking about giving to others...

What about all that holiday baking? What if the kids help? Oh wait!.... do your cookies have to be perfect and you have to do it all yourself to insure that? Think of the memories you will be making for your kids by letting them into your sacred baking arena... My mom used to let us help, and yes, we had some whack looking cookies, but the time spent with Mom was priceless, and never forgotten.

Speaking of forgotten, what about those in our community that are forgotten? What about the children who are forgotten? It is a guaranteed that you know someone who's name comes to mind as we speak who can barely buy groceries for their kids let alone a present... you might be thinking, yeah but they can get a job and take care of their family better..yes, but that is not your responsibility to judge, what is your responsibility is looking after the needs of the poor...
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. Prov 31:20
What if you take it on yourself to seek out someone at church, on your job, in your neighborhood, or your child's school, that you and your family can shop for? Explain to your kids, "God has blessed us so much, that we shouldn't keep it all for ourselves". Teach your children to give to others in need with a humble spirit, not in a boastful or bragging manner. I don't always have a lot to give, but when I see someone in need, I do try to help. And you don't have to wait until Christmas to share the love of Christ.

You know, I am not saying, don't go all crazy decorating your house and baking and all, but try to balance it out by spending some quality time with your family (not while standing in a check out line, or in traffic), Instead of spending so much on nonsensical gifts, spend it on some coffee and a nice dinner cake and invite friends over for games. Spend $50 bucks on some donuts and a carton of Starbucks, takes some friends to an area where you know you'll see some homeless people, treat them to what you have all year long, and share God's love with them... Look Ladies, Christmas is not about us.....It's about God's gift, and we don't have a right to keep it to ourselves.....
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.   Luke 2:17-20


I hope this Christmas Season brings you all that you hope for, and that God richly blesses your home and family....and above all I hope that we can reach out to those around us who wonder what the greatest gift of all is........ The gift of Christs love......
Merry Christmas

Joy