When it becomes your turn…rest.

 

I cannot believe that Christmas is in 2 1/2 weeks!

 

 

 

 

 “Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.”

~ 1 Peter 4:8-11 CEB

 

Yesterday it occurred to me that my grandma is growing closer to 90, my mother is now with Jesus, and my in-laws will be guests in our home this year for Christmas. This means that I am it. It is my turn to hostess with the mostest.

I don’t know why this “hit” me all of the sudden. I guess I assume that my parents and grandparents will always be around to ensure that our family traditions continue.

During the past year a lot has changed.

Now it is time for Chad and me to be them. To maintain some family traditions and to create new ones with Jackson and Katie. It is our turn to care for and serve those who cared for and served us for 30+ years.

As 1 Peter 4 teaches, I am to do so without complaining.

Even if dinner turns out ruined, even if one (or both) of my tots throws a tantrum in front of my in-laws, even if XYZ happens… it doesn’t matter, there is to be no complaining!

Yikes! My heart is beating faster as I type this…

Added to my realization that I am an actual adult, is the truth that our December is quite busy. We have Christmas festivals to attend, cards to send, gifts to wrap, and relatives to host. We also celebrate my husband and son’s birthdays this month. I am becoming real busy,

                      with real life,

                                           real quickly…

 

When life becomes busy, I need to be busy pursuing rest. And real rest is found only in God’s presence.

 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

 

My heart is weary, not only from the Holiday season, but from the months that have preceded it. My friends, it is time for me to rest. So for the rest of December, I am going to obey the prompting of the Spirit and take some time away from writing so I can spend increased time in God’s presence. I yearn to hear His direction in several areas of my life. I want to listen to Him. I long to be filled and comforted by Him.

Lord willing, I will return in January with new blog posts that will encourage you in your walk with Jesus. Until then, I will repost some of my older blog posts to encourage you. If you are an email subscriber to this blog, or if you have not joined our One Degree Facebook family yet, I urge you to do so by “liking” the page. By doing so you can catch some of the older posts, quotes, and Scripture snippets that I will run this month via the Facebook page.

 

I pray God’s blessings on you and yours as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What this year has taught me is that being in the arms of the One who loves you most, is the best place to be…

 

 

 

Merry Christmas,