Things tossed in a box…

Have you ever tossed things in a box and closed it up and tucked it away and forgot about it for a chunk of time?

It is so easy for me to think about that for physical things because it has happened to me several times. We have moved a time or two so it most often has happened then but it has also happened when I have a box of things I am not sure about so I gather them, put the somewhere and then it is a big surprise when I pull it out.

It’s so easy for me to forget about what I have — like that mini muffin tin I couldn’t find only to buy a new one and then find the old one less than a week later.

Or that can opener I set down in the pantry. Couldn’t find. And after I finally bought a substandard one (and used it) I found the other one less than 24 hours later. Ugh!

I do this with tangible things — what about those intangibles? Things that are gifts from God that I set aside and forget about like

Prayer

Have you ever set it aside and stopped using this amazing form of connecting with God? I think it happens to everyone at one point. Things happen, life takes a wild turn, and pretty soon it has been days when you are not connecting with God.

Don’t forget about this gift!

Dust it off if it has been set aside. Dig into God’s Word for some amazing Psalms as examples or utilize The Lord’s Prayer. Hymns can be another great prayer offering.

Are there other good gifts from our Heavenly Father that you may not be utilizing? Let this be an encouragement for you to remember them and utilize them.

The Empty Tomb

The empty tomb is full of promises kept.

Jesus fulfilled that which we could not.

From start to finish

From beginning to end

From now until forevermore

God makes the way by providing what we need for this life and the new life to come.

Come, Lord Jesus. Be our guest. And let thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.

He is Risen!

He is Risen, indeed!

Alleluia!

Day by Day

I don’t love this coronavirus but I am learning to be thankful for some of the unexpected gifts that have come out of it. Have you found anything to be thankful for in it? Take a moment to brainstorm and write them down.

I have been trying to cultivate a thankful heart but it starts with the seeds of thankfulness. Those need to be watered. And, believe it or not, a little manure might help them out, too! God uses all things! What a relief!

We are taking it day-by-day here. Naturally, many of the things we used to do are set aside for now and we are doing other things that need our attention. One of the things I have enjoyed is taking just a little time each day to think over the soundtrack of my earlier years. It is so interesting how music can transport me to a different space and time!

I don’t know that I ever saw Godspell but I certainly know this song and it definitely contains some timeless truths. Godspell ~ Day by Day

You don’t have to be crazy productive during this unusual time. We are traveling in uncharted waters in a lot of respects. Be patient with yourself. Be patient with others. Dig deeper in your relationship with God. Even if you find yourself stuck, cry out to Him with your concerns.

Stay Safe!
Liz

All is calm…

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia.
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born! *

For some of us, everything is ready and the house is relatively calm. But for others, there is a lot of last minute hustle on tap for today.

It all depends on what is happening in life at the moment. And yet, it is important to press the pause button and choose calm. I prefer less hustle, but that probably has to do with how busy things have been for the last six weeks helping everyone else get their Christmas gifts in order due to our business. It is a wonderful change in pace to go from long working days to just shipping out a package or two a day and spending more time with the kids and grandkids.

Nearly all is calm here in my neck of the woods. We don’t host a huge dinner because we don’t have the space. That’s okay with me because these limitations contribute to my calm. They also limit my distraction from the true celebration here. The gifts and family time are fun and precious. But…

Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

When I ponder these words, the what is and what isn’t in my life takes a back seat. Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the gift for the whole world, is here. His salvation is a gift for me. And this so very personal gift from God is an incredible treasure to me.

Christ, my Savior, is born.

Come, Lord Jesus!
Liz

*by Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848

A Time to be Silent

A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NIV

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Sometimes there is no fixing a situation.

Have you ever been in a situation where no words could possibly do any good. There are times to be silent and pray like crazy.

For some reason, silence troubles me. I think some of it is because I am a verbal processor. Or maybe silence is uncomfortable when something is wrong or uncomfortable and I feel pressure to fill up that “space” in a conversation that has a pause.

Silence can be a sign that everything is fine or that nothing is or something in between. But it is okay and sometimes it is even preferable over a barrage of words that are tossed haphazardly, littering a conversation. When I do not know what to say it is fine to say, “I am so sorry, I don’t know what to say.” and then get on with the business of just being present.

Sitting in silence is sometimes a very valuable gift.

In order to listen best, one must be silent. Is there someone who can benefit from your presence this week, with or without words? Even if there isn’t a conversation that takes place between the two of you, you can always silently pray, “Lord, be in this moment and fill the needs of this person I am with.” Look for His strength in every situation!

On the way,

Liz