This is our beautiful daughter in law Lauren 3 1/2 weeks from giving birth to our new grandson. We can't wait until he is here, but the hard part now is being far from Lauren and Paul. WE miss them so much.
Sam arrived last night from Maui for Christmas, presents are wrapped under the tree, and there is only some minor grocery shopping left to do.




With Christmas upon us and all that comes with it, it is still amazing to me how my time with the Lord and priorities can get pushed aside for those things that are not important. How I can get caught up in things that are maybe good, but not best. And in some cases I can get caught up in things that are not necessary at all. When this happens I feel the love get zapped right out of me and stress takes it's place. There is no reason for this to happen, if I keep my priorities in place and the Lord in first place. This is the season of love, right? and yet with the last minute crunch I am noticing that love and peace are not what I am seeing in the malls and stores. Are they seeing love and peace in me?
This morning when I was reading Colossians, chapter 3 verses 12-15 jumped out and are my meditation today. I am going to write it on a card and carry it with me. I am not feeling anxious or uptight, but I always want to show tons of love to others in the same way that Christ loves me.
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection, and let the peace of God rule your hearts....and be thankful....
When I go out to do last minute shopping(which I enjoy) these are great reminders to me to let the love of Christ pour out to others and not to get uptight if things do not go my way or as planned, say someone takes my parking place or takes forever in line, something like that.... I am going to pour out grace, love, and smile...in fact I am going to go one step further and look at every potential irritation today as an opportunity to bless someone.
It's stressful out there...let's spread that love and peace!