he said, "I hate Christmas."

Like many of you I’ve experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the last couple of weeks.  The Christmas season is an emotional roller coaster ride for lots and lots of people…Some love it and some hate it.  Yes, some hate it.  I had a friend of ours say those exact words to me.  “I hate Christmas.”  It caught me off guard. We weren’t at a place nor was it the right time for me to set in and preach to Him about all the reasons he should love Christmas.  I simply stated, “it makes me sad that you hate Christmas.”   I have since gathered my thoughts and prayed and will be sharing my heart with our friend soon.  Pray for me.

I must confess-my Christmas cheer was a bit delayed this year.

The first two weeks of December we were so busy selling trees and making wreathes at the store -Christmas was half here before I was able to take time to set my heart towards Him. So, I’m letting my simple decorations linger a while.

J, me and the boys were showered with goods from all of our favorite people.  We have so very, very much to be thankful for-at times it overwhelms me. Over the past week we have slowed the pace w-a-y down.

 

We set up Africa..I mean camp- in the living room, played games, zoo, trains, colored, drew, wrestled and watched movies together near the fire.  I’ve had lots of posts come to mind and considered writing several times before now but instead chose to savor those rare, cozy moments with the people I love to write about.

This morning with thoughts and sheer AWE of this past year swirling through my heart and mind I sat for my quiet time and read this from my devotional...”I am leading you along a way that is uniquely right for you.”   Just above that sentence I had jotted down this short prayer on this very day LAST YEAR “thank you Lord for opening the door to the store for us.  May we use this opportunity to honor you.”   Man, oh Man! What a year it has been..  This time last year we were fervently praying for the Lord’s affirmation to buy the feed store.  It seemed a natural fit for us.  J needed something to work his way out of shoeing horses full time and it just seemed like the perfect fit for our farm life lovin’ family but needed the Lord’s affirmation and blessing.  He has affirmed and blessed us beyond our wildest hopes and dreams.  We have felt His hand upon us.  We have seen His blessings-new relationships, new opportunities to speak of His goodness and faithfulness with our customers and friends.  He has met our every need.  We have lived on less financially than we ever have in our 18 years together but I assure you-little is MUCH when God is in it! amen.

This morning I wrote another prayer at the bottom of my devotional for the NEW year..  “LORD THANK YOU for using this blog over the past year.  Continue the work you have started here.  Use this platform to open new doors, provide new opportunities for me to speak and write FOR YOU, Father.  I am yours.  Uniquely crafted for Your purposes.” amen

and then I read this..”For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Y’all, He’s got this.  He’s got a plan for YOU.  He’s equipped you.  He’s given you a desire to do something.  A passion to bring Him glory.

As for me-I know He’s prompted me to write a book.  To share our story of His goodness and faithfulness through the good, bad, happy and sad.  (YES! the thoughts of writing a book are OVERWHELMING and scary and all the in between.  But it’s okay.  He’s faithful.)

I also know that He gave me a desire to speak.  (and it also makes since why He made me so naturally loud) Large groups-small groups.  Either way-I’m willing..  Just this past week I read a verse for the very first time that affirmed my hearts desire–“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45:1

With the New Year just a couple days away know this friends-you are loved.  You are prayed for..let me remind you that He has a purpose that only YOU can fulfill..So DIG IN!  Get into His word..sneak off to a quiet corner and get alone with Him.  And then, let me know what He shares with you…Because I know and believe

… the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

blessings for today,

:O)k