Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at work, along with the special [occasional!] Tea Bar stop equaled an “ELF” tea and a fun Friday to help round off a busier than usual week!
Monday, I started my Christmas decorating, but I was having some difficulty in the direction I wanted to go…and realized that I was “missing” an extra tree. I remembered for sure that I had gotten rid of one after last Christmas, and had hopes of putting up two this year.
Tuesday, I helped my mom work on a room; visited a bit with her, my sister-in-law, and my niece and nephew; then ran to shop a bit for a few new decorating items—including a new tree—kind of small and kind of primitive, but I think it is going to work nicely!
Wednesday was back to work—AND THEN!!…That evening, I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried out a small group at the church Steve and I recently began attending. If you have read many of my blog posts here, you know that I embrace regular time alone! I do, however, recognize and value the need for fellowship with others. So a small group setting might be uncomfortable at times, or at first; however, it just might be a needed component.
Thursday, we dropped my car off at the shop—about 40 minutes away; then back home for a visit from my daughter and son-in-law to help set up Steve’s ‘new’ phone because my brother basically broke his over Thanksgiving weekend trying to offer his hand in changing the battery! [which, by the way, he had quite a bit of experience doing! —fixing—not breaking!! Haha]
Friday, we drove the trek again to pick up the car.
Today is still in the works. While I wait to see, I am writing to you. 🙂
So, a week like this one can tempt me to be a little grumpy especially when I feel like things are “half-done.” For example, the decorations are started, but I still have pumpkins outside that I need to deal with; and on weeks like this, my house gets neglected a bit, so on top of partial decorations, I have a fairly messy house.
I said that to say this…I am thankful even during weeks like this, God still speaks. Actually, it may be because of weeks like this. Don’t get me wrong, I really can’t complain. Although, Steve has been a little under the weather, this week could have been so much worse! But sometimes, our reactions to situations that are less than ideal can reveal a place in our hearts where just maybe we need to mark up.
This week’s take-aways:
1- I chose to go to the new small group on Wednesday because I had fairly recently recognized a need for a little more Christian fellowship in my life…more than only the Sunday morning service—which don’t get me wrong—is an excellent place to start!! The scripture instructs us to assemble, and even more so as the day of Jesus’ coming draws near. I believe without a doubt that God knew we would need each other during these last days to encourage and help each other make it all the way.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/heb.10.24-25.esv
Whether that particular small group is the place for me or not, God helped me to see the value in that assembly with other Christian ladies…and He helped me to recognize my need to value and love others more.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.4.1-6.esv
2- I don’t want to let less-than-perfect times or plans steal any joy and peace when I see SO MUCH to thank Him for!! So much to CELEBRATE!!
As I get ready for the day today, I am thankful for God’s mercy that nudges us when we need to mark up, yet continues to remind us of His love. I am also thankful for the simple privilege to choose. It is a privilege to have options. So, I celebrate that first, I choose Jesus. And with His help, I choose to let that choice alone trickle down into my other choices.
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 