Philippians 4:4-9

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

For years, I’ve been encouraging my clients to keep a Beauty Journal – a journal used to physically record all the things that went right in a day.  Why do I think this is an important exercise?  Well, just take a moment and look around you.  How much of your world is full of negativity and sadness, destruction and despair, heart ache and heart brokenness?  These things are everywhere!  They surround us.  And if there aren’t enough of them in your own, personal life the media will make sure that you get your fill.

It is amazing that more people are not swept away in the depths of depression when experiencing this fallen world.  I know that many chose to ignore the pain that surrounds them and they are able to “create” a world that is more comfortable by denying the reality of the world and relationships.  (i.e., “My husband really isn’t physically abusive.  He just had a bad day.”  “My daughter really doesn’t have a drug problem.  She’s just going through a phase.”  “I really do not have a drinking problem.  I just need a drink to relax after work.”  “I really want this new high definition television and paying off the credit won’t take that long.  I work hard, I deserve it.”  “I really don’t work that many hours.  Money is important.  My wife and kids understand.” …)

It is important to develop some honesty when looking at what is going on around you.  Take an honest look and take it in.  The reality of our fallen world is heavy.  But don’t stop there.  I challenge you to look deeper – for the beauty.

In and amongst all that is fallen, God provides so much that is rich and beautiful.  We just often times miss it because of all the negativity that surrounds us.  Did you know that research has revealed that it takes nine positive things to undo the impact of one negative thing on our human psyche?  It is almost as if the negativity in our world has a powerful magnet drawing our attention. It is as if we are automatically pulled to what is negative and the power that the negativity has is 9 times more powerful than a moment of joy.  It is because of this that we must become more proactive in seeking out all that is good.

If we stop looking toward those things that suck the life and  joy out of us and start looking to those things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” and claim them as the God-given gifts they are, we would begin to enjoy more moments with God’s peace filling our hearts.  The peace that passes all understanding can be ours…it can be yours!  God has placed all that is beautiful in our world to fill us with the experience of his love.  We must seek out the beauty, claim these things as the gifts they are and hold them in our hearts.

This is where the Beauty Journal comes into play.  The negativity in our lives is a habit of thought.  Change the habit!  Actively seek  out the beauty!  The Beauty Journal is simple.  It only takes three simple steps to complete.  You can handle that!

1) Look for 10 Beautiful Things -

I challenge you to start looking for 10 things a day that bring lightness to your heart, a smile to your face, a peace to your mind.  What are 10 things that are gifts that God is bringing into your day…just 10!  They can be as simple as your car starting with the first turn of the key all the way to something as glorious a beautiful sunrise.  I don’t care what they are…I know they are there.

2) Claim Them As Your Own -

Write them down.  Get a journal (get a piece of paper!) and write them down – EVERYDAY – into your journal.  By writing them down, you are claiming them and making them your own.  Have you ever thought about claiming a sunrise as your own?  If not, why?  God could have made the sunrise without all of the beauty that comes with it.  He could have been practical and just made the sunrise simply functional.  But he didn’t.  He made it beautiful – for you!  He wants you to be reminded about how crazy he is about you!

3) Hold Them In Your Heart -

As you write these 10 things down, day after day, hold them in your heart.  Read the list, every  day!  As you read over the list of gifts that are given and you’ve claimed, the gift of the beauties literally multiplies right in front of your eyes.  You will visually see the power of God’s gifts as reminders of his presence in your life.  As you daily reflect on these gifts and praise God for them, the peace that passes all understanding will fill you.  It can’t help but happen.

What is the catch?  There is one!  You have to be an active participant.  You have to do your part.  God provides the beauty.  You have to experience it.  If someone gives you a beautifully wrapped and carefully selected birthday gift and you never open it – what’s the point?  The same is true with the gifts from God.  You have to do your part and receive them!

You must look for the gifts, claim them as your own and hold them in your heart.  When you do, you may be surprised at how the  negativity in the world loses its power and how the gifts start filling your days and your heart.  It will become a habit to look for these things.  It will become part of you.  God’s love will fill you and you will experience God in every beautiful thing.  From the pen that has ink in it to the awesome show of a lightening display to the song of a bird to the laughter of a baby – God’s love will flow through the gifts he is giving you and the peace that passes all understanding will fill your heart and mind – negativity will have no room!

Change your life – look for God’s gifts of beauty!

Christmas is the one of the special days we celebrate God’s love coming to live with us on earth in Christ Jesus.  He entered our world in the most vulnerable and humble way…a baby.  When I think of the ultimate gift of God’s love, I am moved beyond words.  Fortunately, I am always delighted in reading what others have shared in song and prose about this special celebration.  As we prepare for the celebration of God’s love coming to live amongst us, I would like to share some of my favorite quotes/verses/songs that inspire my heart and fill my day with the reality of God’s presence that continues today . 

Peace and joy to you this holiday season!  Jackie

John 1:14

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Luke 2: 8-14

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’ “

~ Gertrude B. Byram

Father, We thank Thee for this day.
Bless all we do and all we say.
May we each enjoy Thy blessings great
As Jesus’ Birth we celebrate.
And may the love that we share here
Remain throughout the coming year.
Amen!

Here are some of my favorite verses from some of my favorite Christmas Carols.  Sometimes the words get lost in the music and are sung from a place of habit rather than from our hearts.  There is a lot of love and hope in these carols.  Merry Christmas!

All Through The Night

 Love, to thee my thoughts are turning,
All through the night
All for thee my heart is yearning,
All through the night.
Though sad fate our lives may sever
Parting will not last forever,
There’s a hope that leaves me never,
All through the night.

While Shepherds Watched

All glory be to
God on high
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth
From heaven to men
Begin and never cease
Begin and never cease!

We Three Kings

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light.

The First Noel

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Once In Royal David’s City

For He is our childhood’s pattern;
Day by day, like us, He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless,
Tears and smiles, like us He knew;
And He cares when we are sad,
And he shares when we are glad.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.

Joy to the World

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

O ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Deck the Halls

Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Away In The Manger

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there.

Although not considered a traditional Christmas song, I think “Circle” (from Barbra Streisand’s album “Higher Ground) is full of the message of Christmas love. We are all connected and we are all part of God’s love. My prayer this Christmas is that we remember that all our brothers and sisters are loved by God and that our actions and words will remind them of His love.

Circle

Some say the walls between us stand so tall.
They don’t see there’s just one sun shining on us all.
I say we each choose roads to call our own.
But none of us is traveling through this universe alone.

And this circle just goes on and on.
It began before us, it will be here when we’re gone.
And this circle just goes on and on and on.
Connecting our humanity,
Joining me to you and you to me.

Seasons keep spinning on the wheels of time.
We stand, we fall, we struggle up the mountains we must climb.
Different dreams may color what we see ahead.
But our lives are strung together on a common thread.

And this circle just goes on and on.
It began before us, it will be here when we’re gone.
And this circle just goes on and on and on.
Connecting our humanity,
Joining me to you and you to me.

Round and round and round and round we go.
Around and round and round we go,
Love and learn and change and grow.
Round and round and round we go.

And this circle touches everyone.
As it crosses every boundary underneath the sun.
And this circle just goes on and on.
It began before us, it will be here when we’re gone.

Yes, this circle just goes on and on and on.
And someday we will come to see
I’m joined to you and you to me.

~ Wilda English

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

~ Charles Dickens

“ I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.”

A Christmas Prayer of Blessing
~ Helen Steiner Rice

“Our Father, who are in heaven,”
hear this Christmas prayer,
And if it be Thy gracious will,
may joy be everywhere –

The joy that comes from knowing
that the holy Christ child came
To bless the earth at Christmas
for Thy sake and in Thy name.

And with this prayer there comes a wish,
that these holy, happy days
Will bless your loved ones everywhere
in many joyous ways.

What Can I Give Him?
~ Christina Rossetti

What can I give Him
Poor as I am?
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part, -
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas (The 12 Days of Christmas)

1  True Love refers to God
2  Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3  French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4  Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5  Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the
“Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.
6  Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7  Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven
sacraments
8  Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9  Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10  Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11  Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12  Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the
Apostle’s Creed

A Friend’s Greeting

~Edgar A. Guest

I’d like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me;
I’d like to be the help that you’ve been always glad to be;
I’d like to mean as much to you each minute of the day
As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way.

I’d like to do the big things and the splendid things for you,
To brush the gray from out your skies and leave them only blue;
I’d like to say the kindly things that I so oft have heard,
And feel that I could rouse your soul the way that mine you’ve stirred.

I’d like to give you back the joy that you have given me
Yet that were wishing you a need I hope will never be;
I’d like to make you feel as rich as I, who travel on
Undaunted in the darkest hours with you to lean upon.

I’m wishing at this Christmas time that I could but repay
A portion of the gladness that you’ve strewn along my way,
And could I have one wish this year, this only would it be:
I’d like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me.

Christmas Bells ~

“During the American Civil War, Longfellow’s oldest son Charles Appleton Longfellow joined the Union cause as a soldier without his father’s blessing. Longfellow was informed by a letter dated March 14, 1863, after Charles had left. “I have tried hard to resist the temptation of going without your leave but I cannot any longer,” he wrote. “I feel it to be my first duty to do what I can for my country and I would willingly lay down my life for it if it would be of any good”. Charles soon got an appointment as a lieutenant but, in November, he was severely wounded in the Battle of New Hope Church (in Virginia).   Coupled with the recent loss of his wife Frances, who died as a result of an accidental fire, Longfellow was inspired to write Christmas Bells”.  He wrote the poem on Christmas Day in 1864.”  (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

“Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). The carol was originally a poem, “Christmas Bells,” containing seven stanzas. Two stanzas were omitted, which contained references to the American Civil War, thus giving us the carol in its present form. The poem gave birth to the carol, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” and the remaining five stanzas were slightly rearranged in 1872 by John Baptiste Calkin (1827-1905), who also gave us the memorable tune.”  (Excerpt from “The Editor’s Desktop” by by Tom  Stewart – December 20, 2001)

Christmas Bells

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The heart-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

God Is Everywhere

~ Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father up in heaven,
long, long years ago,
Looked down in His great mercy
upon the earth below.

And saw that folks were lonely
and lost in deep despair.
And so He said, “I’ll send My Son
to walk among them there,

So they can hear Him speaking
and feel His nearness, too,
And see the many miracles
that faith alone can do.

For if man really sees Him
and can touch His healing hand,
I know it will be easier
To believe and understand.”

And so the holy Christ child
came down to live on earth.
And that is why we celebrate
His holy, wondrous birth.

And that is why at Christmas
the world becomes aware
That heaven may seem far away
but God is everywhere.

Leo Tolstoy ~

Where there is faith, there is love;
Where there is love, there is peace;
Where there is peace, there is God;
And where there is God; there is no need.

– Unknown

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claustrophobic

 W.T. Ellis ~

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”

Heirloom

Up in the attic.
Down on my knees.
Lifetimes of boxes,
timeless to me.
Letters and photographs
yellowed with years.
Some bringing laughter.
Some bringing tears.

Time never changes
the memories, the faces
of loved ones, who bring to me…
all that I come from,
and all that I live for
and all that I’m going to be.
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me.

Wiseman and shepherds,
down on their knees.
Bringing their treasures
to lay at his feet.

 Who was this wonder?
Baby yet king.
Living and dying,
He gave life to me.
Time never changes
The memory, the moment
His love first pierced through me.

Telling all that I come from,
and all that I live for,
and all that I’m going to be.
My precious savior
Is more than an heirloom to me.

My precious Jesus Is more than an heirloom to me.

JOY

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.

-John Greenleaf Whittier

A Little Gift of Love

(J.Joens)

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.  Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

The word, Advent is from the Latin words, advenire which means “coming” and adventus which means “arrival.”   It is a time here we expectantly wait for the coming of Christmas – the celebration of God’s love coming down to earth in Jesus Christ.  God loves us so much, that he wanted us all to experience the warmth of his love in a very personal way.  He loves us so much that he wants us to continue to experience that love every day.  He loves us so much that he wants us to expectantly and eagerly wait for the arrival of love.   He’s filled those who invite him, with the Holy Spirit so that his love can flow through us and into the world in every day and every way – with every person we encounter.

I think there are sometimes (maybe even oftentimes) that we don’t even know when God’s love is flowing.  For those who let God’s love fill their hearts, they aren’t always aware of when love flows to the people around them.  I think sometimes we can touch another’s heart and not even know we did.

The realization of this struck me two Mondays ago when the church choir with which I sing went out for our Christmas celebration.  After we ate dinner and as we sat there, I looked around the room and was struck by the wonderful group of people that is Adoration Choir.  I was moved with the questions, “I wonder if we didn’t share the love of singing praises to God, would we be friends?” “Would we ever even have met?”  “Would I have ever had the chance to connect with such an amazing and diverse group of wonderful people if we didn’t all love to sing for Jesus?”

At that moment, I was filled with such awe at God’s gifts and such a love for them all.  I was soulfully moved with the blessing in my life that is Adoration Choir.  I was filled with love for them and from them and they didn’t even know it. 

You see, every week – day after day – hour after hour – I hear some tragic stories of hurt, pain, neglect, abuse, sorrow…so many hurting souls come into my office who are struggling in life because of broken relationships and broken hearts.  By the middle of the week, my heart can feel so heavy…I can feel so depleted…and then I get to sing praises to our Lord with Adoration Choir!

By the time I leave on Wednesday evenings (even though I’m very tired) my spirit is renewed.  They aren’t even aware of how much they bring to me every week. And then in turn…of how much I am able to share with the clients I see at the week’s end.  I don’t think they know the power of the love that flows through them and to me in every note we sing.  I eagerly anticipate and expectantly wait for our Wednesday evenings of singing praise together!

I encourage everyone to know that every relationship, every encounter with every single person is your opportunity to bring love into the world!  You can make a difference with every moment and you may never even know it!  Eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to shower love on someone…just as God showered us and continues to shower us with his love.  What a beautiful gift!

Prayer

Heavenly and most gracious Father, Thank you for the gift of your love in Jesus’ birth.  What a glorious day you sent your love in human form.  We praise you for the opportunity to be the bearers of that love today.  As we eagerly anticipate Jesus’ coming again, fill us with anticipation of the opportunities to fill each other with your love.  Thank you for the gift of your presence in our hearts and how you’ve designed this love to flow between us.  What an awesome way to keep us going.  What an incredible way to fill us up.  What a glorious God you are!  In your loving and soul-filling son, Jesus’ name we pray…Amen.

Winter Wonderland

~ favorite verse from this song

When it snows, ain’t it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We’ll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Janice Maeditere ~

“Christmas not as much
about opening our presents as opening our hearts.”

Robert Webber ~

“The event of Christ is the only event in human history that promises relocation and centering, meaning and purpose. This promise and its fulfillment evoke passionate and heartfelt praise and thanks, especially for those aware of their own brokenness and the healing which Christ brings into their lives.”

~ Pamela F.Dowd

God sent a star to light the night for
The Way, The Truth, The Life–His Son.
He sent the Light of Life to prove His heart
so we would invite His Son into our own.
God has given us all the light we’ll ever need
to find peace on earth, goodwill to men.

~ Handel Brown

Christmas has lost its meaning for us

because we have lost the spirit of expectancy.

We cannot prepare for an observance.

We must prepare for an experience.

A Christmas Prayer

~Martin Luther

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep,
I too must sing, with joyful tongue,
That sweetest ancient song,

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given
While angels sing with pious mirth.
A glad new year to all the earth!

Welcome To Our World

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Charles Dickens ~

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round,
as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time;
the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year,
when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely,
and to think of people below them as if they really were
fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

As With Gladness Men of Old

~ favorite verse from this hymn

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

Hamilton Write Mabie ~

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

GIVE THE FOLLOWING GIFTS:

To your enemy . . .forgiveness,
To your opponent . . .tolerance.
To a friend . . . your heart.
To a customer . . . service.
To all men . . .charity.
To every child . . . a good example
To yourself . . .respect

-Author Unknown

Dr Seuss ~

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”

There are far too many times in life when you feel weak and incapable of taking one more step, facing one more challenge, dealing with one more difficult person, handling one more disagreement with another family member, experiencing one more loss…  I know that sometimes life can feel overwhelming.  I also know that when these trials present themselves that it is then that you can feel so incredibly alone.

When you are facing such struggles, remember that God is the giver of all that is good.  In the midst of what seems to be all that is bad, please try to remember He is there with you.  I know that this isn’t always easy to do nor easy to remember, because quite honestly loss and pain hurt!  Hard times in life are difficult!  Loss seems to leave a big hole in our hearts!  Sometimes life just stinks!

I remember when I found out about my husband’s affair, I felt as if my entire world shook.  Then when I found out he didn’t want a divorce but also didn’t want to give up his girlfriend, my entire world changed some more.  I didn’t know what I was going to do.  I didn’t know what to think.  I really wanted to know why this was all happening.  But no answer came.  I felt defeated.

Then, I stumbled upon a copy of the poem Footprints In The Sand byMary Stevenson (1936).

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

I carried this poem with me for the next number of days…weeks…years…as I worked through the changes that came after losing a 19 year marriage.  I had to grieve the loss of my sons’ family unit – my family unit. I had to grieve the loss of my marriage.  I had to grieve the loss of half of my family and many of my friends.  I had to grieve the loss of my step-children and step-grandchildren.  I had to grieve the loss of the home that I designed and helped build.  I had to grieve the loss of my neighborhood and beautiful neighbors.  I had to grieve the loss of our dreams for retirement, grandchildren, the future we had dreamed about and planned.  It seemed that I had to grieve more than I had to hold on to as all of this loss was going on around me.  At times, I felt so alone.  It was a terribly difficult time in my life.  This poem served as a reminder that God was carrying me through all of my grief…all of these changes…all of the loss.

The verses in Ephesians reminded me, too that as life happened around me and to me, I was not alone.  I did not have to be strong – God’s strength would sustain me when I felt I had no more to give.  During those moments when I did not believe that I could take one more step, I was lovingly reminded that I didn’t have to.  God was carrying me.  I was not alone.

No matter what struggles you are facing today, may the words from Ephesians and the poem by Mary Stevenson be lights to your path.  My prayer for you is that during the hurt, sadness, pain and grief that you are working through today that you are lovingly reminded…

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.”

You are not alone!

 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

  make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

  tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

  let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

  see his face always.

Remember the wonders he has done,

  his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced….

  As we move toward Thanksgiving I am reminded of how sometimes stuff gets in the way of our gratitude and it may become difficult for us to remember to be thankful for all that we do have.  Sometimes life happens and our world seems to be filled with hurt, pain, suffering, and general negativity.  We are surrounded and flooded in all that seems rotten – how can we feel in our hearts a genuine sense of thanksgiving when there is so much hurt going on all around us?

It is well researched and documented that people with positive attitudes are happier, healthier and live longer than those with a habitual practice of focusing on the negative things in life.  Research also has found that it takes approximately nine positive things to undo the impact that just one negative experience has on our psyche.  You do the math.  If you subject yourself to hours of negative news reporting, crime dramas, Real Housewives of whatever county, 24 hour news channels, etc…how many positives do you need in your day to undo the impact of all that negativity?

If you are working in a negative working environment or with negative people, if you have recently suffered from illness or a loss, if you are looking at any change of life that could be difficult (empty nest, surgery, divorce, death, loss of job, loss of neighborhood, etc.) all of a sudden you need to really bring into focus and actively search out all of the positives that you can.  How can you do that?

I often will encourage my clients to start keeping a beauty journal writing down 10 beautiful, happy, positives that occurred with them during each day.  It is often difficult for most people.  So start simply…”the pen I picked up has ink in it; the car started when I first turned the key; I love the smell of coffee in the morning…” I promise there are beautiful things surrounding you every day, if you are just open to seeing them.  You have to train your brain to register them.

That is one of the best parts.  Our brains are trainable.  We can turn our negative focus into a positive one.  It just takes time and a deliberate effort to start looking for those positive things.

That is what is so incredible about God.  In the midst of everything we seem to mess up, he still delivers beauty!  He fills our lives with his presence and sends us positive reminders all of the time.  But…are you looking for them?  Are you open to them? 

You can’t experience them if you aren’t looking!  Are you?   Enjoy!!!! 

Heavenly and generous father,

We praise you and thank you for your presence in our lives.  Help fill our heads and hearts with an awareness of the blessings you shower on us daily.  Please help us remember your promises of love, hope and joy.  For you are ultimately the most beautiful gift of any we could possibly imagine.

Please be with all of your people as we gather together this holiday season.  And help us remember that your presence in our lives makes everyday Thanksgiving Day. 

In your precious son’s name we joyfully sing out in thanksgiving…”AMEN!”

If you look around, there are signs of it everywhere.  Magazines advertise lotions and creams that smooth wrinkles and remove age spots.  Are you loosing hair?  No problem there are creams and shampoos waiting to help fill in the thinning patches.  You are told of make-ups that will minimize flaws in our skin and, if that doesn’t work, there are always injections or plastic surgery.  You can tuck your tummy, enlarge your breasts, lift your chin, transplant your hair, shape your buttocks, enlarge your pecks, vacuum your cellulite, and whiten your teeth…just to name a few of the options available to help us attain “perfection.”  The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that there were over 12 million cosmetic procedures done in the United States during 2008.  This represented a 63% increase from the number of procedures done in 2000.  

 In your search for perfection, you are constantly challenged to buy the right automobile, be endowed with the most gorgeous figure, reside in the most suitable neighborhood, wear stylish clothes, attend the popular clubs, send your children to the best schools, travel to the most popular destinations, decorate your home in this year’s most glamorous colors and serve the most gourmet of meals on tastefully decorated tablescapesmade from the most gorgeous of serving pieces.  How can you possibly live up to that much perfection?  Even the ads created to promote these things are subject to special effects and airbrushing.  You can’t even believe the photographs or your own eyes anymore.

You are constantly bombarded with the message that “perfectionism” should be your ultimate goal.  It is no wonder that you transfer this need for perfection into all aspects of your daily lives.  You view yourself in the same high-standard, “need-to-be-perfect” way.  Unless you are perfect you find it difficult to believe that you are of value.  To satisfy your need to be loved (in spite of our insecurities) you often strive to do whatever you can, at almost any cost, to provide for the needs of those in your life.  If you could just attain perfection, then others would have to love you.  Right?  Well…maybe not…

Are you being genuine?

By giving more and doing more for others you long to secure their love.  But, you can never guarantee that someone will value you more if you give all of yourself to them or if you perfect yourself for them.  In your attempts to be loved, you may find yourself attempting to manipulate those around you to love you more because of what you are doing for them, rather than because of who you are as a person.  You want to become indispensable, vital, and important to the objects of your affection.  You think that if you please them, you feel certain that they will return the positive affection you so hungrily desire and crave.  You want to be everything to everyone…then everyone will love you.  If it were only this easy!  If you only had that kind of power and control over the love in your life.

It just doesn’t work that way.  You don’t have power or control over other people and their attitudes, behaviors or feelings.  The best you can hope for is to live honestly and true to yourself.  By doing so, you can then be more content and comfortable in your own skin…you will love yourself more…allowing love to come to your genuine self rather than to some “perfectly” manufactured shell of a person.  The more you love yourself, the more genuine love you will be able to give…unconditionally.  Then in turn, the more genuine will be the love that is returned in your direction.  You will begin to appreciate the fact that you have done the best that you could at any particular point in time…just as everyone else is doing and being the best they can be.

Living True to How God Has Defined You – Love

It sounds rather easy, doesn’t it?  What would it be like if you were to live true to how God has created you and defined you…being comfortable with doing the best you can do today, and accepting that as enough for now?  What a wonderful idea!  But how do you get there?

One of the most important steps in accepting yourself as less than perfect and embracing where you are today is to practice living a life full of love – with compassion and grace.  Since early in your childhood, you have been taught the importance of loving others.  It is well accepted and known that you are to “love our neighbors as yourself.”  Although that part isn’t always easy, our culture has attempted to incorporate this value and concept into our lives as a truth (even if we don’t always live it).  God tells you to live this way – and you know that you need to strive to that end.  You know and accept that love and compassion for others are what you should strive for…a concept you can easily embrace.  The part that is oftentimes much more challenging is exercising a loving and compassionate heart toward yourself.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Not, love your neighbor more than you love yourself, nor to love your neighbor at all costs to yourself or your self-worth.  You were taught that you should treat all people with patience, kindness, selflessness, respect, consideration, compassion and love…including yourself.  All of God’s creatures are to be embraced for being wonderful, just the way they are right now.  God’s unconditional love defines you and His grace, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, allows your repentant heart to be “good enough” in spite of your brokenness.

You Were Made In God’s Image

If you remember that you were made in God’s image and He knew your name before you were born, you may then begin to appreciate how His grace extends compassion to you.  You see, God made you special.  So special in fact, that He sent His son, Jesus to free you from your sins.  You are God’s love and you are here on earth to honor and love Him.  If you fail to honor the “temple” with which he has gifted you, aren’t you failing to honor Him?  He has given you all you have and are.  That includes your big nose, flat (or big) chest, wrinkles, sags, bags, and scars…emotional and physical.  Those things don’t make you less than perfect…that makes you perfect in His image…just as you are.  You see God doesn’t make mistakes – you are not a mistake.

To be perfect means you are just right…today, and that if you are good enough for God to treat with love and compassion – then who are you to not extend a similar grace unto yourself?  To be perfect is really just allowing the human condition to exist, even in yourself, yet still loving yourself in an unconditional way…generously and compassionately with a humble and repentant heart.  To love yourself as you love your neighbors…to strive to love all, including yourself, as God loves you…now, that’s perfection!!!!!

Know Who You Are

To help you develop a loving and compassionate pose when thinking of your self-identity, it is a good idea to be familiar with who you are and why you respond in the ways you do.  (Become familiar with your ‘buttons.’)  This knowledge helps with self-understanding.  Self-understanding then can empower you to know when it is safe to open your heart to self-compassion.  Knowing yourself means to know where you’ve been, accepting those parts of your life journey, and moving forward knowing that you are better off today than you were before – because of the lessons learned and God’s grace. 

Most importantly, your quest for perfection should be a never ending journey of getting to know your creator.  Spend time alone with God and His word.  Hear what He has to say about His character and what He has to say about you.  The Bible is an incredible love letter from God to you.  When you learn about God’s love you cannot help but have your hurts and pains released and your heart filled with His love.  Then, without even realizing it, your heart will overflow with love and it will bubble up and out into the world around you.  Your life journey is a process of learning and growing.  When you open the door to the knowledge of God’s love - joy beyond your wildest dreams will be experienced.  Now, that is perfection!

A young, eager and ‘hungry for God’ client of mine recently told me that she has a quote of mine on her Facebook page.  As she began to rejoin her journey of building a personal relationship with God, we had been discussing what it means to let God’s love into our hearts.  It was during an email exchange that I shared the above lines with her.   This morning, she reminded me of the words I had shared with her many weeks ago.  To be honest with you, I was very surprised that these words had come from me.  Then I smiled, knowing that they didn’t come from me at all.  (I’m not that wise!)  It was God using me to touch her heart.

I love how God uses me and flows through me to reach others.  I really believe that I am one of the luckiest women alive!  I get to work with people each and every day, hearing their hearts and opening up my heart so that God can flow through me and into their lives.  As I read these words this morning, I was moved and inspired all over again.

You see (I must admit) as a counselor, I sometimes feel the weight of my work on my heart.  It isn’t always easy to hear the hurts and pains of people hour after hour, day after day.  It can be a struggle for me to know what words are important to for me to hear or what I need to say to each client.  Some days I feel as if I cannot carry anymore.  I sometimes feel as if I could crush under the burden of one more story of abuse or neglect.  One more tail of injustice or evil feels as if it could destroy my very soul.  Last night was the end of a series of days such as these, where the burdens of the hurting people I serve were weighing heavily on my heart.

I know in my humanness, I cannot handle this calling on my own.  I really have nothing to offer all the wonderful people I meet day after day, except the willingness to open my heart to God and strive to serve Him faithfully. 

Before sleep found me last night, I prayed that God would lift the weight from my heart and provide me with renewed energy to serve the hurting.  I prayed that He would bring forth His strength and fill me so that I could serve those who need Him today.  I asked that He carry me – lifting me and filling me with His love.  This morning, my client shared with me that she has the above quote on her Facebook page.  I believe this morning’s email from her was the answer to my prayers of last night.

I believe God used my words – His words – once again today.  My client doesn’t know this, but God just flowed through her and touched the heart of her therapist this morning.  When we are willing to open our hearts to be filled with God’s love, it cannot help but bubble up within us and spill out to others.  He did that through me a few months ago with these words originally sent to her.  This morning, He did it again – the same words, flowing through her to touch my heart.

My prayer today is for all of us. 

Lord, Thank you for your love.  Please help us to accept the freedom and joy that can only come when we open our hearts to you.  May this day prove to be a day when your love fills us, overflows within us, and spills out into the world.  It is only with you that we can serve each other with the love that you want us to experience and share.  In our precious Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen 

Have a blessed day!