Hiatus

I'm taking a brief hiatus to settle down after Christmas and to gear up for the New Year. See you shortly in 2009!

Holiday Build Up or Let Down?

Did you have a wonderful Christmas or were you disappointed at the outcome? Were you expecting something fantastic only to receive something mediocre? With all the commercial hype and the push for the best holiday gifts, our expectations are often too big and too unrealistic.

We get so bombarded in our materialistic world that it's hard not to be pulled into believing we need some of this stuff and some of that. We take sly glances at the tree wondering if a gift with our name on it was missed. There has been at least one time when we've opened a package only to fleetingly think, "How could they think of giving me this?"

We will always be disappointed by things, either at the receipt of a gift or as the excitement of it declines. God designed us so that we will never be satisfied with the temporal because we are made for the eternal. Only one true gift will ever satisfy us: the gift of eternal life that Jesus gave us when He died on the cross and rose from the dead to free us from the bondage of sin.

Don't let the empty boxes and unfulfilled wishes get you down. Open God's special gift for you.

Looking to Change

We all have areas in our lives that we need to work on. Whether it’s a temper or our temperament, our shyness or our impatience, we know we need to purge or perfect certain personality traits. The problem comes with our inability to change. Old habits die hard, so trying to change long held behavior patterns gets tiring and discouraging.

There is a solution, however. God can help us. If we submit ourselves to Him, asking Him to transform us and mold us into the person He wants us to be, He will help us. It still can get discouraging because any change in personality is tough; but we can constantly draw on Him for strength, encouragement, and renewal until the transformation becomes complete.

Looking to change something in your life? Ask the Lord for help.

Baking Day

Every year for the last five years or so, my friend’s kids have come over before Christmas to make Christmas Cookies with my kids. Because of some unexpected circumstances, they weren’t able to come on our scheduled date two weeks ago, but they are coming today. Both sets of kids (seven all together) are very excited.

I don’t think it’s the cookie making that excites them the most. It’s more the participation, the cooperation, and the association with one another. Tradition is very strong here. These kids have known each other since they were very little, so there are deep bonds of friendship, even if they don’t get to see each other as often as they’d like.

When the plans were cancelled a few weeks back I was a bit disappointed. Even though I get the “fun” part of making the dough, setting up the work area, and then cleaning everything up, I enjoy their enthusiasm and camaraderie. We play Christmas music, the house is filled with the wonderful smells of baked cookies, and there is much laughter and creativity.

I hope to continue this tradition as long as they are interested and as long as we are able. It adds to the joy of the Christmas season, especially since friendships are a gift from God.

Quick Learner

Are you a quick learner? That was definitely an attribute I often placed on resumes when I wanted potential employers to know that I was willing and able to undertake new projects. I wanted to make myself more marketable.

However, it isn't always easy to be a quick learner when it comes to spiritual matters. Since we aren't perfect, there are many character flaws that God wants to correct. If we catch on quickly, we can surrender ourselves to God's direction so the changing process can begin. But more often than not, we either don't want to identify our problem or we stubbornly resist any change.

God is less concerned about our comforts than He is about our character. If there is something we need to work on in our lives, He will definitely let us know. The more we resist the more God seems to persist in getting our attention.

Take my word for it: if you see a change is necessary, submit yourself to God for correction and direction. I still feel the scars of my stubborn and resistant behavior; scars that would have been non-existant if I had listened to the Lord's calling and warnings.

It's much easier if we let God help us. He loves us and wants what's best for us.
Ask God to help you be a quick learner.

A Little Rain

There is something comforting about the sound of falling rain. Perhaps it’s because it reminds me of warm blankets, freshly baked cookies, a cup of hot tea, and a good book. I especially like the idea of a good book. Of course, yesterday while it rained outside, I had the cookies baking, but I never quite got to the other comforts.

The closest I got was sitting in my cold car with the rain drizzling down as I waited for my son to get out of school. My toes were wet and cold, but the soft sounds cascading on the car roof brought a smile to my face. Falling rain is also nice to sleep to, especially when you are snuggled nice and warm in bed.

The weather is supposed to change today with sunny skies. There is another chance of rain next week before Christmas. I will look forward to the next rain since the kids will be home from school. Maybe I can get them to like listening to the rain, too.

Mid-Week Reflection

"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6