While I really enjoy holiday baking and creating a pretty
Christmas atmosphere in my home, I’ve come to realize that killing myself for
unrealistic, unattainable, and unnecessary holiday décor (or spectacular
cookies) is not a necessary thing. In fact, all my doing coupled with
unrealistic holiday expectations set me up for intense stress levels. And
exhaustion.
So I am learning to embrace simplicity. Less is more.
Meaning over dazzling.
I’m learning to do what I can and not stress about what I
cannot. And I am especially learning to take time to sit at His feet during the
hap-happiest time of the year. The truth is no one will notice that we didn’t
exquisitely hand-decorate every single cookie. Because at the end of the day,
it’s really not about the sparkle in our home, but the atmosphere of our
hearts.
The gospel is simple. This year, let’s ask the Lord to
help us embrace simple, and to be concerned about what really matters.
{Let’s
Pray}
Father,
You
are good, and You are worthy of all my adoration and praise! TodayI lift my
holiday expectations up to You, and I surrender my unrealistic goals. Will You
please help me to embrace simplicity, and to gladly do what I can and not to
allow myself to stress about the unimportant things. Help me cultivate a
peaceful, joyful, grateful atmosphere in both my heart and my home.
Though
I desire pretty décor and fragrant smells in my home, I’d much rather possess
an exquisite heart that honors You and blesses my family and those around me. I
realize I can only do that if I relinquish unrealistic ideas and embrace wisdom
and reality. I so want a grateful, joyful, peaceful heart that far outshines my
Christmas décor or baking. Help me to make time for You, to make room not only
in my crazy schedule but in my heart of hearts. I pause right now and turn my
heart to You. Please change the atmosphere of my heart and home. Thank you for
all You are doing in my life, and for making this season meaningful in a deeper
way. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
There is only one thing
worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken
away from her. (Luke 10:42) (NLT)
Christmas
Box Give-Away! On Wednesday, November 23, TWO random winners
will be chosen from ALL of the RaffleCopter options below (you may choose more
than one option to increase your odds of winning) to receive a beautiful
Christmas box containing lovely goodies, including a signed copy of my
devotional, “Prayers for a Woman’s Soul”, and a Christmas mug courtesy of my
sweet daughter-in-law’s Mostly Smiling Sticks (design may vary).
If you are reading this post via email please CLICK HERE TO ENTER and be eligible for the giveaway.

1 comment:
I am so thankful that Christmas is about Christ and not decorations and Santa Claus. We need to look to the days of Advent and prepare for His coming.
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