Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Serious Painting Face

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to paint ornaments and figurines. This year Zoey and I spent an afternoon painting this tree and gingerbread couple. She did the tree including the star and I did the detail in the gingerbread couple (and the tree around them). She did so good painting with me. She wanted it to be really nice. I had to capture her serious painting face, though, it made me smile.

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

  

God Provided Inconveniences - Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 -- "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

photo credit

This is a busy season that seems to include a lot of hurry up and wait. We get the house in order to wait for guests to arrive. We bu presents and wait to open them. We wait in line at the store and we wait in traffic to get to the store. We are always in a hurry, but it seems we always have to wait.

I used to get really upset when a car pulled out in front of me and started going really slow. I would yell at the driver, arguing with someone who couldn't even hear that I was mad to begin with. All it would do was get me frustrated, on edge and in an ill mood -- right where the enemy likes me to be.

One day this happened and I began my usual response. However, only a few hundred feet ahead in the direction I was going a car ran a red light. Thankfully, the car in front of me saw it and slowed before going through the light, so there was no accident that day.

photo credit

In that moment, I was convicted. God pressed upon me that if I had been allowed to go on in my hurry to get to wherever it was I was going, if He did not send this car (going way to slow for my taste), I would have been in the middle of the intersection as the car ran the red light and I would have been hit.

After all of my complaining and frustration, God was still looking out for me. My perspective changed that day. I continue to remind myself whenever a slow car pulls out in front of me, or I get stuck at a long light, or whatever inconvenience halts my hurried attitude that God is watching out for me. Sometimes those small inconveniences that we get so frustrated over are actually God's way of protecting us from something much worse.

Often when we get in a hurry, we lose perspective. Waiting is not always very fun, but God is in control, always guarding and guiding you. It is important to remember that, especially in this season of escalated moments of hurry up and wait. Thank God for the inconveniences that protect us, for the love He showers on us and for always walking with us no matter where we go.

  

Do Not Be Afraid -- Luke 2:10

Luke 2:10 -- "Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."

"Do not be afraid." That is a phrase said again and again throughout the Bible:

"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield." -- Genesis 15:1

"Peace be with you, do not be afraid." -- Genesis 43:23

"Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet." -- Proverbs 3:24

"But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid." -- Matthew 17:7

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last." -- Revelation 1:17

Those are only a few examples!

With every emotion, there is also an opposite emotion. While we are happy, others are sad. While we are full with plenty to eat, there are others hungry and starving. While I am rested, others are restless. It seems that for every good there is also a bad. And the better the good is the worse the bad seems. 

Let me explain why this is important to my point. Christmas time is a season of great joy and peace for some. But for others, it is a time of great sorrow. For those who have lost loved ones, the holidays can seem downright depressing. For those having trouble providing for their family, a time of seeming abundance can be heartbreaking. Even separating the stress of shopping, family, meals and extra activities during the Christmas season can make it lose its luster.

But there is Hope! Because Jesus is the reason for the season!

photo credit

When the angel came to the shepherds while they were in the fields, as they did in Luke 2:10, they were terrified. I cannot imagine the majesty of the Angel's light, but I expect it would be quite overwhelming. But the angel said, "Do not be afraid." 

The angel assures the shepherds who are going about their daily lives that something has changed. "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." Did you catch that? All people. It isn't a gift only for the Jews, or the men, or the even the good. Jesus Christ is a gift from God for all people. 

Through this babe, there is no need to get lost in sorrow because He is your shield (Genesis 1:15). There is no reason to stay restless and weary because He is peace. (Genesis 43:23). There is no need for loneliness because the Lord your God is always with you (Joshua 1:9). Even when you sleep, God is there watching over you, guarding and guiding you (Proverbs 3:24). You are not weak and you can provide because with Christ only a touch in the Spirit will give you the strength and the provisions to keep moving on (Matthew 17:7). Stress and worry are only temporary emotions that Christ Himself is willing to carry for you. When you keep your eyes on the reason for the season, there is nothing left to do but worship Him! Do not be afraid when life seems like chaos, God is with you, He is the First and the Last and He will be with you always. (Revelation 1:17).

photo credit

The Lord tells us over and over again to not be afraid. To trust Him. To have faith that He will care for us, guard us and guide us. Especially in the moment of the Savior's birth, God proves once again that He has a plan. It doesn't matter how bad it gets, there is always hope resting in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes, a babe who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

  

Perfect Gift - James 1:17

James 1:17 -- "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

photo credit

From the very first moment of creation, God had a plan. Even when the humans separated themselves from Him in the Fall, He already had a Savior on the way. Everything that happens, big and small, God knows about and already has a plan to bring good from it. It is often hard to see from our limited perspective, but thankfully for us, God's perspective is infinite. 

Every good gift is from above and every gift is perfect. The precise thing needed in that particular moment of time. Even when times feel out of control for us, God is already making it work for good. There is no need to worry or fret. We serve a God of hope who is a beacon to guide us and protect us along our journey on this earth. 

photo credit

  

God of Hope - Romans 15:13

Romans 15:13 -- "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

photo credit

Hope is a very powerful emotion. It is what makes us get out of bed in the morning. It is what causes us to keep moving forward in our day and our life. Hope is believing there is something good in the world and that even for just a moment you will tap into that beautiful creation and be filled with joy and peace. 

Well, we are in luck because we serve a God of hope. It does not have to be a fleeting emotion, but a constant. We do not have to loose it, wondering how we will keep going on, God provides it for us, just by being.

Joy and peace are two things I am always striving for. I want to be glad just for the dawning of a new day. I want to be calm even when the world around me is not. However, the world does not offer either of these characteristics - it only offers sorrow and chaos.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and believe in His eternal hope, joy and peace are available to us. We do not have to be controlled by the world or by the chaos. We are aligned with the Almighty God of hope and He will not leave us or forsake us. The transition will not happen overnight, but as the Lord works in you, you will begin to feel joy and peace seeping into every area of your life. And before you know it, hope will be your overwhelming light as you serve the God of hope.

photo credit

The Adventures of Scout the Elf

Today Scout decided he wanted a tasty, sweet treat. He is hiding in the apple bag, ready to take a bite.

"The Little Drummer Boy" by Pentatonix

I fell in love with this group at "The Sing-off" last year. They are an amazing acapella group with perfect harmonies and beautiful arrangements. This song is one of their best yet and it makes "The Little Drummer Boy" one of my new favorite Christmas songs.