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🎵…And A Happy New Year 🎶

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“Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year to you, too!”

How many times have you been part of this exchange in the past week? It comes with high hopes for a good year ahead, and often with longing for a better year than the one that came before. We wish all the best for our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and ourselves.

But what makes for a happy year anyway? Do you ever feel that happiness eludes you?

I have. I don’t tend to be a happy person by nature. I want to change that.

It’s been traditional to make resolutions for the new year. This often ends in Continue reading 🎵…And A Happy New Year 🎶 →

The Best Gender Reveal

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Gender reveal parties are all the rage these days. Expectant parents look forward to having an ultrasound, and are anxious and excited to find out the sex of their baby. The wait from a positive pregnancy test to determining the gender can seem so long. However, it wasn’t all that long ago that you had to wait until delivery. Continue reading The Best Gender Reveal →

Where Do You Stand Before the Tree?

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Ah, the Sears catalog. As young children of the sixties, we waited for it with eager anticipation each year. Once it arrived in our mailbox, we’d flop belly down on the floor, paper and pencil ready. We’d pour over it, each making a wish list for Santa. Written through our hopes and dreams.

Standing before the tree and decorating was so much fun! The Christmas tunes blaring from our record player increased the excitement. We heard the Christmas story and felt such awe. It was so easy back then. It was all so magical.

When did I forget to be in awe of the baby born? When did I lose sight of the true reason for the season?

But now there is shopping to do, either fighting the crowds or scouring the internet looking for a bargain and the perfect gift to impress.

When did I forget that the baby grew to manhood, had a ministry, came for my salvation? Well maybe I didn’t actually forget, it just went into the background of the busyness of the season.

But there are cookies to bake, events to attend…

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Local events, school events, parties, parades, performances. Is there even time to go ice skating?

Another tree, made into a rugged cross.

So much to do, so many people to see…

The crowds taunted him. They turned on him, crucified him; he died an agonizing death. For me. To reconcile me to God. For you. To reconcile you to God, his father. My father. Your father.

The gifts are purchased, but they still need to be wrapped. I have to go to work. There’s mom taxi driving. There’s grandchildren to see. It’s all too much. I need more hours in the day!

STOP. Hault!

The real meaning. Because if the real meaning isn’t there, the rest is all rubbish. Waste of money, waste of time.

Take a breath. All of this rushing around and craziness is optional.

His dying on that cross was optional. Yet he chose it. To bring salvation and eternal life to you and to me, if we believe and accept the gift.

I believe, Lord Jesus. Thank you.

So I ask you…Where do you stand before the tree?

I hope you choose belief, to accept the salvation he offers.

Merry Christmas, friends. Let’s celebrate!

~Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better”

 

 

 

 

 

Who do I think I am anyway?

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As I went out before sunrise to get the newspaper this morning, I stepped cautiously, careful not to slip on the wet leaves lying on the sidewalk. I looked down at first so I wouldn’t fall. Then I glanced upwards and caught a glimpse of a multitude of stars, all twinkling before dawn.

This came to mind:

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”  Psalm 8:3,4 (NIV)

And I am humbled.

For those times I didn’t think my prayers were answered, at least not in the way I thought they should be.
For those times I was angry at God or disappointed and felt like giving up on believing in Him at all.
For the times people I loved died when I wanted them to be here.
For my doubting Thomas days, when I thought I knew better how God should run things here on earth.

Those stars. That moon. The stars that twinkle. The moon that shines like a flashlight. They are suspended and beautiful and I am in awe of God’s creation. They hang up there reminding me who is in control and it’s not me. He knows best, whether I agree with Him at the time or not.

I am barely a speck of dust in this universe, yet I am loved by Almighty God. I am both awestruck and humbled.

Not too long after, I turn around and look out my window. Just that fast the scene is gone and a new day begins. Not to worry. I know the one who guides the way.

Make it a good day~

Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”