Happy Holidays
Jingle all the way...
Welcome! I hope you’re Thriving in this season. It’s been quite a year, but I’m enjoying the opportunity to slow down and relish in the preparation of Christmas. This has been the first year in a long time that I have not had every weekend in December booked and it’s been such a gift! Take time to find a Holiday ritual that suits you and intentionally rest. Ashley Wallace reminds us-
Advent captures the cry of our hearts, now more than ever, during this crazy and disorienting year. Advent is all about waiting and longing for God to come among us to redeem us and to set the world right again. Advent is a time of preparation, waiting and longing for the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
We need to be able to reorient ourselves. We need to remind ourselves every day, individually and as a family of who God is and how He feels about us. To remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us, that He has defeated death and conquered hell, and that one day, He will wipe every tear from our eye. Advent is the perfect time to start.
Need a good podcast?
Check out this conversation between Emily P Freeman and Tsh Oxenrider. It’s a good one.
Saying no like a boss
Am I the only one who signs up for something thinking it sounds like fun, only to end up backing out later? Or worse, resenting having to follow through?
This happens to me all the time. Especially this time of year. And in January. BEWARE of over-committing yourself in January. January FOMO so sneaky! When I find myself wishing I had said no to something that I said yes to, I usually beat myself up about it.
But that doesn't change anything, does it? So instead, let's figure out WHY we do this to ourselves. For me, it happens because I didn't think through all the things that will be on my future schedule. Or I didn't take care of myself physically and then find myself without the energy to do what I signed up for. Other times I just jump the gun and say yes because something SOUNDS fun. And it probably IS fun. Until it isn't. Because I've overcommitted and under-cared for myself. Round and round we go.
Wouldn't life be so much simpler if we could just say no upfront?
Here are 3 quick steps to keep you, me... heck, all of us... from falling into this trap over and over:
1. Stop and pray about it. Every little thing. Hey, God. Is this right for me right now?
2. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Then *gasp* follow his directions. Mind-bending advice, I know. But how often do I not listen and just go my own way anyway? Yeah. More than I want to admit.
3. Fight down FOMO with these words: I will not miss out on what God has planned for me. Repeat as many times as needed.
Another way to not overcommit? Try our Start Thriving Mini Workshop. We're gifting it to you for free this month. Grab your access before it's gone!
In less than 90 minutes, we'll teach you to identify what's weighing you down and how to take steps to start thriving. Join us here:
Holiday funnies:
Starbucks orders-Hehe
Here we come a wassailing….
Do you love Wassail? It’s one of my favorite things to make at the holidays. I make a huge pitcher and heat it up as needed. It’s cozy in a cup! Here’s the recipe! Enjoy!
Do you have an advent guide?
It’s not too late!
Below is an excerpt from my home church advent guide:
If you’d like to download the entire booklet, click Here!
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
By Fr. Jordan
Isaiah 40:1-11
God wants the prophet Isaiah to comfort his people. Isaiah writes “a voice says cry out and I say, what shall I cry?” In other words, Lord, what do you want me to say that will bring them comfort? How can I comfort them?
So many people around us are hurting and looking for comfort. This time of year, especially this year, many people are probably looking to be comforted by a bottle, or maybe by Amazon, or maybe by a gift that they are really hoping to get. If they could only receive that one thing, they think, then their hearts will be comforted. And to that we say, yes! We know that one thing that will still an anxious heart! That one thing is the baby coming in the manger. That one thing is the son of God, who loves us and guides us into all truth. That one thing is the comfort that comes from belonging to Christ and being adopted as a son or daughter of the living God.
God wants all of us to comfort His people. He knows many of His people are hurting or anxious. He knows the distress of His people. And so He asks us to do the same thing He asked Isaiah to do long ago. He wants us to look to Jesus, to point to Jesus and say to the world, and those who are hurting, “here is your God.” As St. Augustine said “our hearts are restless O God, until they rest in thee.” The Lord is our comfort, our shelter and our refuge and we are invited to proclaim this to all.
Heavenly Father, comfort us with the blessed hope of everlasting life that you have given us in Jesus Christ and give us courage to proclaim this message to all. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.