A NYE placeholder (jic)

Who knows? I might get last-minute inspiration! I want to be ready. 

God’s grace is sufficient

As year 2 dominated by the global Covid pandemic winds down, I am grateful to know I have much to be grateful for. 

The journalist in me wants to write some glowing words to highlight the good & offer poignant insights. The overthinking & overwhelmed part of me says that’s not going to happen this year. The spiritually focused part of me says that’s ok. 

I claim 2021 — & this last day of it, as I have done daily for weeks — as good, with God’s grace through my faith in Jesus Christ as my sufficiency. 

Period.
Amen. 

Christmas hangover

I admit it: I may have overdone it in Christmas festivity with my loved ones. 

Even as I feel the tiredness, congestion & aches of food portions of the revelry, I’m grateful for grace & peace that comes from knowing I don’t get to be perfect. 

This is not what I want this post to be about, so I hope to come back later & revise or continue … 

(And that was before I became aware of “the bug.”)

Unwrapping Christmas

 Very grateful for Whaley service of  “Christmas unwrapping” with many members of extended family. Enjoyed interactions with Diana & Josh & Ian & Belle. And Felderhoffs (2 generations) & Hoffmans (& Ami’s boyfriend AJ) & Mom & Amy.

Grateful for a family that spends quality time at church — not just Christmas, Easter, weddings & funerals. Participation by so many — including pairings that included Josh — added to my joy. And then cooperation for pictures. These all do my heart so much good. And singing the familiar carols. And of course, I’m grateful Gene was there. 

My heart & mind were reminded that these regular moments worshipping together have helped shape who we are. So grateful to be children of God, seeking to live to His glory. 

Christmas blessed!

 May I never forget that God’s promised love, peace, joy, hope, forgiveness, power & protection are mine even in those moments I don’t feel it. 

In all things, give God glory, honor, thanks & praise. 

God is good. 

I’m grateful for the Christmas spirit of peace, hope, joy, faith & love. 

Updated version Christmas Eve

 It was 80 degrees in the afternoon on Dec. 24 in south central Oklahoma — so I put on the Santa hat to make it feel a little more like Christmas Eve as we headed to Texas. 

After sunset, I was grateful to attend the Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service at Whaley UMC with Gene, Mom & a lot of our family, plus the extended church family.  

I’ve struggled some this Christmas season to feel grateful & joyful. It’s a reminder to me that spiritual warfare is real. Nothing else can account for how I can know on every level that I am blessed — and still I daily battle negativity & despair.

Even on Christmas Eve. 

I’m grateful that the truth of God’s great gift of love doesn’t rely on my feeling it. And I’m grateful for God’s promise that He is with me always, even when I’m not feeling it. 

Even so, I pray to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit & to let His love & joy flow through me. And even so, not my will but Yours be done, I pray, gracious Lord. 

(I wrote the less upbeat part of that earlier in the day & am grateful to report that God has, indeed, restored a sense of inner joy that departed briefly after the warmth & beauty of the candlelight service. And the present joy is accompanied by peace. I pray that all may experience the love & joy & hope & peace of Christmas, knowing it is real even in those fleeting moments we may not feel it.)

#christmaseve

82 degrees the afternoon of Christmas Eve afternoon

It was 82 degrees in the afternoon on Dec. 24 — and that’s far from the only reason it didn’t seem like Christmas Eve. 

I’m struggling to be grateful & joyful. It’s a reminder to me that spiritual warfare is real. Nothing else can account for how I can know on every level that I am blessed — and still I daily battle negativity & despair.

Even on Christmas Eve. 

I’m grateful that the truth of God’s great gift of love doesn’t rely on my feeling it. And I’m grateful for God’s promise that He is with me always, even when I’m not feeling it. 

Even so, I pray to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit & to let His love & joy flow through me. And even so, not my will but Yours be done, I pray, gracious Lord. 

Strange December gift

This is shaping up to be — or at least to seem to be — a December like no other for me. I can’t think of when I’ve been so unprepared for Christmas. Unprepared materially, spiritually and emotionally. Even when I had a job that I let consume too much of my time, I did more to experience what I think of as the Christmas spirit than I have this year. 

I don’t prefer how it is this year. I also don’t really understand how it happened. 

And yet, in its own strange way, this year’s unfolding of December and the lead up to Christmas is likely exactly what I need and how it’s supposed to be this year. 

Otherwise, how could I be at more peace than seems possible without accomplishments to show for it? 

Right. 

It’ll be my 63rd Christmas. I am still learning to truly accept the gift God offers through Christ. 

Dec. 1 placeholder

 December 1 placeholder — I’m even sharing it to only me on Facebook. Is this dishonest? Ot hopeful? 

It has to do with me wishing I would have taken on a something-a-day for December, since I did not starting on the first day of Advent. I really hope to just let it go. I guess I’m not yet willing.