Encouragement

Encouragement · December 22, 2013

The Gifts of the Magi…(Christmas Countdown Day 4)

On researching the wise men’s gift choices, it was discovered that all three gifts carried a special meaning. Gold was a symbol of royalty. Frankincense was a rare commodity burned on the Altar of Incense, where God’s people offered up prayers to Heaven, and represented worship. Myrrh was a rare perfume used most commonly for burials, included as bodies were wrapped to prevent the smell of decay. This treasured gift seems to represent that Jesus was born to die. The wise men were so intentional with their gifts, leaving us an example to be followed. The culture we live in encourages us to buy more and more, filling the floor in our homes with towers of overflowing presents. Yet the wise men remind us of the beauty in simplicity and intentionality. That one special gift that you take the time to pick out for someone may mean more to them than all of the other gifts they receive. And like the gifts of the wise men, it may just become known as a treasure.

Encouragement · December 22, 2013

Those Good Ol’ Peppermint Sticks (Christmas Countdown Day 5)

Candy canes are a cute festive touch to decorating and gift packaging, but just like many other Christmas related items, they can also hold a special meaning. Legend states that many years ago, a candy maker in Indiana created the candy cane as a way to share the true meaning of Christmas. Here are some of the symbols that resulted: Its shape… It is a “J” for Jesus or a shepherd’s staff, depending on which way the candy cane is turned. Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, watching over His sheep. (John 10:11) Its color… The color red represents the blood of Christ, which took the penalty for sin through His death on the cross, and the white color represents His purity and virgin birth. (Hebrews 9:14) Its hard texture… This reminds us that Jesus is our Rock, dependable and strong. (Psalm 31:3) Its smell… Peppermint was similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament. It reminds us that Jesus took the sacrifice for sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) So as we pass candy canes around this season, let them remind us of Jesus and the love He offered to us when He came …

Encouragement · December 20, 2013

Mary Did You Know? (Christmas Countdown Day 6)

I wonder how much Mary did know as she looked down at her sleeping newborn baby. Yes, the angel had come to her in private, making her aware of the miraculous story that would unfold through her womb, immediately encouraging her not to be afraid, and empowering her with strength and love for this unique boy child. But actually raising this boy as his mother, parenting him through the different developmental stages until manhood, and being alone in a different undertaking than all of the other mothers around her… none of that could have been easy. There was so much she must have felt unprepared for, unqualified for. And yet, deep down, she had the acute awareness that she had been chosen by the Almighty for this special task. Any mom can relate, even when not given the huge responsibility of parenting the Son of God. This enormous responsibility that we’ve been entrusted with, as we raise these precious gifts given to us by God from birth until adulthood, can often seem overwhelming. We want to protect them, and we struggle for wisdom and even for answers when we encounter what may seem like stumbling blocks in our children’s …

Encouragement · December 19, 2013

Flowers of the Holy Night (Christmas Countdown Day 7)

Many poinsettias will adorn the insides and outsides of homes during this Christmas season. But besides their festive color, have you ever heard the meaning behind the use of this flower as a Christmas decoration? There is a Mexican legend about a poor little girl who had nothing to give to the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve service. She was encouraged by her cousin that even the smallest gift would make Jesus happy, so she picked a handful of weeds and formed them into a small bouquet. As she placed them in front of the nativity scene at the front of the church, she began to feel better. Magically, the weeds burst into bright red flowers, and everyone who saw this happen began to call them the “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.” Of course, that is all based on a legend, but the shape of the poinsettia flower and its leaves are often still a reminder of the Bethlehem star that shone brightly over the city that special night. So the next time you see a poinsettia this season, let it remind you of the beauty and wonder that filled that little town …

Encouragement · December 18, 2013

While Shepherds Kept Watch…(Christmas Countdown Day 8)

Nighttime… when most of the world sleeps and only a handful of us have jobs that require staying awake and keeping watch over something. In Bible times, this was the job of the shepherds, a lower class group of people whose job required little skill, whose clothes probably stunk of sheep’s wool, and who were often frowned on because of their inability to keep religious rules and customs of their time due to the lifestyle they lived. And yet, when it was time to spread the news of the baby Jesus’ arrival, God sovereignly chose to send the angels first to the shepherds. What an encouragement to us today that no matter how much others have made us feel forgotten, or unable to keep up with the current demands of social status, modern technology, or income, our Heavenly Father has not forgotten us. He is El Roi… the God who sees. He knows where we are and how neglected we might feel, and He is waiting to share His glory and love with us. Be encouraged today. You are seen, you are loved, and you are never left alone.

Encouragement · December 17, 2013

Why Stockings? (Christmas Countdown Day 9)

The stockings were hung but why? Have you ever heard how this began? Legend has it that a poor widower and his three children left their washed stockings out one night on the fireplace for them to dry. Nicholas, a kind man with a big heart focused on giving to others, passed by the house after they had gone to bed, and threw sacks of gold down the chimney, landing them in the stockings. Nicholas was later deemed a saint, and this tradition has continued through many centuries and across many countries. But there’s a deeper meaning we can take away from Nicholas’ actions and a fun tradition that resulted. In this culture of materialism and getting, we have a plethora of opportunities, especially around Christmas, to give to others. The need can sometimes even seem overwhelming in the midst of the season’s busyness. Perhaps, pick out one main service opportunity to focus on this Christmas, to help the kindness of St. Nicholas continue on. A family without the money to buy gifts, a single mom who could use some babysitting help over the school holidays, or even just some Christmas cookies dropped off at local fire and police …

Encouragement · December 16, 2013

Mary Pondered…(Christmas Countdown Day 10)

I desperately want to celebrate Christ in this season that tends to pull me in any and every direction except toward the very One whose birth we are celebrating. So to help me focus, today begins a 10 day countdown to Christmas devotion, of sorts. We will start with Mary because she is the mom and I love that! We don’t know much about her thoughts but we do know this–Mary pondered. According to Dictionary.com, the word ponder means “to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate.” I had to think about the last time I’ve taken time to stop and consider something deeply and thoroughly. Can you remember? This life we live as modern day women is so busy, so full of “to-dos”. And this time of year, it all comes at us even faster with the baking, shopping, decorating, and everything else that must get finished before Christmas Day arrives. But the idea of pondering offers us rest and time to reflect on all we’ve been given. It allows us to let sweet moments throughout the season become memories we treasure for years to come. So today, choose to sit and rest for even just a few minutes. …

Encouragement · December 13, 2013

An Awesome Way to Share Christmas Love

Christmas is my favorite time of year. The essence of good will is wrapped in vibrant color, peppermint and pine. I love it. I want my kids to love it. I want them to taste how precious giving good will can be. I want them to give in visible ways and to see the joy that giving produces in the faces of others. I want them to Light Em Up! My friend Courtney wanted the same thing for her children and so she challenged herself and her community be purposeful in spreading good with Light ‘Em Up. I encourage you to do the same. It is so very simple and so very rewarding. See Courtney’s simple plan. To get your kids thinking about who they want to give to iMOM created a free printable planner for your kids to use and some really cute printable gift tags. So, go and spread some joy–light up everyone in your life. Before you do be inspired by this amazing surprise by a company spreading joy.

Encouragement · November 28, 2013

Encouragement · November 26, 2013

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

Have you been to, heard of, taken advantage of all the cool kids activities at… Well go, see, have fun–today! I am blogging at their site with a …. Why? Because this is a great site. Kids love adventure and after that turkey on Thursday everyone over the age of 2o will be comatose. Everyone under the age of 10 will be bored and ready for some action. So send them on a mission and make it fun–cousins unite in a colonial adventure from me and My Kid’s Adventure. Hop to it and Happy Thanksgiving!