November 4, 2012

Good morning all-

The time change has really messed me up this morning.  I normally am up at 5:30 am and writing.  Not today and I have to get my son to school.  But I didn't want to leave this morning without giving our Lord the glory.

This weekend I started on what has become a family tradition.  Baking cookies was my mom's way of showing all of us how much she loved us.  In the last couple of years its seemed hurried and not a whole lot of fun, except when I do them with my niece and the wonderful woman I have mentored.  So I decided to start earlier to prepare for the season I love.  Christmas has meant more to me throughout the years than I can even say.  I was born on December 23rd so I have always felt closest to God during the season.  Unfortunately, both my parents were taken in the month of December.  To say the least it has taken some of the excitement out of the season for me.  But like my mother did before me, I'm putting the care back into Christmas.

I want to start new traditions for my sons and their children to come.  I want the women of this family to remember why Christmas is important and to share it with every generation to come.  Over the next weeks, I will be baking a lot.  I also will be shopping and reminding myself that my season of loss is Jesus's gain.  My parents are gone now but the traditions they set are still with me.  It's time to take the torch and make new memories.

I realize that Christmas is a hard time of year for some.  There are lots of families that don't have the money to buy gifts or to make huge dinners, let alone bake cookies.  My family was not rich but my mom found ways to make it special.  Take time this week to think about how you can budget in a meal for a family this year or give to world vision.  Life takes lots of things we love but God shows us where we can bless those that are left behind.  Make memories this Christmas and find someone to share Jesus with.  We can't store treasures here but we can store treasures in heaven.

May God bless you all today and I hope you're starting to think about how you can make Christmas special for those you love.

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV:

     Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Ecclesiastes 1:4 NKJV:

     One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.

Luke 1:50 NKJV:

      And His mercy is on those that fear Him from generation to generation.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, the God of generations please instill in our hearts the gifts that You have given.  When life throws hardships and trials our way, help us teach the next generation how to face them with courage and humbleness.  For You, God, our the power behind the cross.  Only You can save a nation, a people or an individual.  It is by Your hand that one by one we come before You, falling on our faces to the throne of God.  We are numbered and our time is numbered, so with each tick of the clock give us courage to proclaim Your name.  Help us all to begin new traditions, re-establishing Your hand on our children and their children to come.  Give us strength and power as we speak Your name and help us Lord by leading us to the people that need us most.  Protect our families, build them up and make them mighty for You.  May every day leading to Christmas be about You and for You.   My heart wishes that all people would proclaim the name of Jesus this season.  May Your will be done and Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!  In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow..

Sorry for any grammatical errors I have to go.  Loving You all!