The Golden Ornament (Christmas is Over. . .or is it?)

As I contemplate taking down the Christmas tree and all the decorations; packing and putting away, I wonder about the New Year and what it holds in store for me. What circumstances will I be a part of, what people will come into and or leave my life, how will the Devil try to attack me this year? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not worrying, just pondering.

As I see the packing boxes in my garage waiting to be filled with Christmas, it’s always a little sad. So last year I kept one of the golden ornaments out and kept it hanging in my entry way all year. It will stay there from now on. Even though the Christmas holiday will be coming to an end, the Christmas spirit can go on forever and the glistening of this ornament is just a symbol. Again, don’t get me wrong, I never need a reminder of my Lord, He is with me always, but when those hot, humid months roll around, the feeling of Christmas, good tidings, good cheer, the giving spirit that we feel in December, sometimes, somehow gets lost by June.

I must not be the only one with these thoughts because of the quotes I found. Here are just a few. . .

“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.” Charles Dickens

“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” Calvin Coolidge

“Keep your Christmas heart open all the year round.” Jessica Archmint

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Charles Dickens.

Christmas is not just a time on the calendar, but is the baby in the manger who came to save mankind. Peace and joy is not just for December but for always if we accept the one who came to offer it. As I think about the coming New Year, I look at the golden ornament with the light flickering from it and know the true light of Christmas is within me, so I look forward with anticipation and eagerness to start it, knowing that Christmas is with me always. Let’s not say farewell to good tidings, Christmas cheer, a giving spirit, peace and joy. That can be with us for 12 months, year after year.

I have seen people I know along with strangers come together in love and compassion to help the less fortunate this Christmas season. My heart leapt for joy every time I saw a new donation for the homeless and needy children. That is truly a gift; a compassion flowing forth to those who need help, need love spread all over them, need the touch of Christ from another fellow human being. May this keep going on month after month. And if I ever start to forget, may the Lord use the sparkle of light from my golden ornament to remind me of Christmas, Christ in the every day, of giving, spreading good cheer, feeling joy that only comes from Him, and peace that passes all understanding; reaching out and loving the lovables and the unlovables.

May you all have a bright and shining New Year. And don’t be surprised if you hear me say “Merry Christmas” in June.

 

Are You Ready?

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked in the last couple of weeks,  "Are you ready for Christmas?"   What they are asking is if I have all the presents bought, wrapped and under the tree, is all my grocery shopping and baking done.

But, when I close my eyes, I can hear my Lord's voice asking, "Are you ready?"  I don't believe He is wondering about wrapped gifts and food.  He wants to know, am I ready to celebrate His Son's birthday, no matter what.  Is my heart prepared?  Have I kept Him in my mind during the shopping trips, driving through traffic, going to shows?  If the yule log wasn't ready, or if I couldn't find that one particular gift, or if my loved one did not show up, would I still be ready?

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did You Know?"  I can just hear that unmistakable voice whispering to me,

 "Kris, do you know, that when you're in the traffic, I am with you too?

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know when people get impatient, I will give you grace to handle all situations?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know when you are missing loved ones, I am here to comfort you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

Kris, do you know when you are weary, I will sustain you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris, do you know no matter how many sweets you eat, they can't fill you up like the sweet love I have for you?"

Yes Lord, I know.

"Kris do you know that when the tree comes down and all the wrappings are thrown away, when those things rust and fall away, my gift to you will always be?"

Oh yes Lord, I know.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul.

"Kris, do you know. . .the babe in the manger grew up into a man, died and rose again and is here for all mankind?

My gift is for all but they have to be told, everyone...young and old.

The people need to feel my love

Please be my hands and feet and tell them it is from above.

Tell them I am here for them if they would but just look

Share my words with them, give them my Book.

Tell them the greatest gift is theirs, just believe

All they have to do. . .just repent and receive.

Kris, do you know?

Yes Lord, I know.

O reader. . .do you know?  Are you ready?

The Perfect Winter Bridge Outfit and Why I Wear It

What I've learned by traveling with the Blanket Ministry and standing at the bridge with the Homeless Outreach in the winter time. . .

 

To take the cold and not let it beat me and not cry, I finally learned the perfect outfit. I wear 3 layers on the bottom, 3 layers on the top with top coat over all of that.

 

Keep the head and neck covered by something thick.

 

Two pairs of wool socks inside fur lined boots.

 

Gloves. . .always gloves.

 

Before you zip, snap and button, take a bathroom break. . .even if you think you don't need to.

 

Do not drink anything before leaving.

 

Do not drink anything while out.

 

This will ensure a pleasant time with folks and you can concentrate on them and not on numb feet and how in the world will you navigate in a bathroom while out.  ;)

 

I am not a cold weather person, but six winters ago, God said to go, and so I went. I have never, never, never regretted it. I found a family, a home away from home, hearts looking to receive and my heart was needing to give. In the process, they have given to me and I have taken from them.

 

What is this taking and giving. . .unconditional love and support. When I thought I was going to give it, I found they were giving it to me. OH, and there is this other thing that is all over the bridge out there, it is beautiful, it is more grand than anything I've ever experienced, it flows from the guests to the volunteers, from the volunteers to the guests. It is what makes us not "them", not "us", but we.

 

Grace from Christ Himself. HE meets us all out there in the cold, and that is what warms the soul. The love that comes from Him is felt and is given in all directions. When a man with tear filled eyes says, "thanks for giving me Hope", when a  homeless lady gives you her gloves because she sees you don't have yours on, when she holds your hands because she is worried about you, when the bearded man comes up to you with cold breathe leaving his mouth, giving thanks and gratitude for his meal, him wanting you to eat so you will be full, when the homeless comes up and gives you a big hug and says, "thanks for coming out for us", THIS is worth the ton of clothes I put on and the boots to walk out in the cold, dark night.  I've been touched by God with rough, calloused hands and long, scratchy beards and it is all so worth it.

 

I've learned that some of the greatest lessons learned are in places you think you don't want to go to, but when you step out in obedience to the Lord, you find that place is more than you could have ever dreamt of, that where He leads, you will find Him already there.

 

I've learned that where He leads, I will follow. . .

even in a ton of clothes and fur lined boots.

 

 

All I Want For Christmas Is . . .

. . .one goat,

Two chickens. . .

five ducks. . .

and a couple of mosquito nets. . .

After being around the homeless, reading books such as Revolution in World Missions, Radical, and Kisses from Katie, materialism has taken a back seat for me.  For the past 6 years, the Lord has been laying it on my heart to live more simply and do without all the store bought things.  I haven't shopped in a mall in a long time.  When I do go into a store and see all the pretty trinkets that I used to ooh and ahh at, now almost give me a sick feeling.  My mind goes to all the ones who don't even have enough food to eat and the thought of buying a trinket just doesn't seem right anymore.

 I'm not condeming those of you who do, please don't hear that!  It's just that the Lord has layed this on MY heart and so I feel this is how I need to and want to be now.  When my son started college seven semesters ago, my husband and I didn't have the cash for it and we did not want to take out loans that would take forever to pay back.  So we became even more frugal than we had been and somehow with the help from the Lord, we have paid the seven semesters in cash and are ready for the eighth.  Only from the Lord!!!  We learned that we could live without much, make what we did have go further, do without vacations and new things for the home and yard. 

I received a catalog from World Vision and was excited to think that this Christmas instead of gifts underneathe my tree for me, I wanted the money that would be spent on me to be spent on a goat, two chickens and some mosquito netting. 

The world's deadliest creature, the mosquito, kills nearly 800,000 people every year.  While preventing this malaria infection in inexpensive by U.S. standards, it's out of reach for poor African families who must watch helplessly as their children suffer and die.  One of the best ways to protect children from Malaria - bed nets - as well as critical education for prevention and control.

The ducks and chickens will produce hundreds of nutritious, protein-rich eggs to feed a family year round.  And both eggs and ducklings can be sold for extra income.

Dairy goat milk provides great protein to help children grow.  The family can sell surplus milk, cheese, and yogurt at the market to earn money for medicines and other necessities.  Plus, fertilizer from goats can increase the amount of vegetables grown in a family garden. 

To me, this sounds more beautiful than a pretty trinket or something for my home that would collect dust.

If you would like to consider giving in this way please go to the online website of World Vision at http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/  and see what you could give this Christmas season to a family in need.

Another wonderful place to go to shop is http://www.amazima.org/. . .you can buy beaded necklaces made by the Ugandian women and the money goes back to them so they can support their families.  With this, you do end up with something pretty around your neck or can give to a loved one.

These kind of gifts change lives. . .these kind of gifts can save lives!

And if you would like to give a gift to the homeless, instant coffee or coffee bags would be a wonderful gift, maybe along with a coffee mug. Hot chocolate and cider bags would be great. A gift card to a fast food place nearby where they can walk to. Also a great gift would be warm, wool socks.

Please pray about what God would have you do this Christmas shopping season.  Let's give a Merry Christmas to those who really need it.  The cheer will come in the giving.

words from Katie from her book Kisses From Katie. . .

"Lord.  . .help me to never be too busy or too comfortable to rememeber the people who suffer. Help me to never stop desiring to do something about it.  Lord help us to remember that as the body of Christ, this is our responsibility.  Thank you for loving us even when we forget."

May we never forget

JOY

When Jesus said "Come as a little child", I don't think this is what He meant. . .

(this picture cracks me up every time)

 

But, I do come to Him like this picture at times. And this is when I feel He lifts me up and puts me in his lap and holds me as a child, comforts me, and says, "Now, now there, it will be alright my child.

 

I've been told by very mature women at least two decades ahead of me with much more white crowning their head than my own, that they still have these moments and they still crawl up into His lap and are always comforted.

 

I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. We all just need to cry sometimes and I want everyone to know that there is a wonderful Savior who picks us up, holds onto us and says, "Now, now there. . .come to Me and I will be with you and it will be alright.

 

It may not be perfect, but it will be alright. And when we walk hand in hand with this Savior, when He becomes our Lord, we don't just have to hold the letters of J. O. Y. We carry joy in our heart. We may still cry at times, but the joy never leaves because HE is our joy and He never leaves.

 

JOY to the world! It's there within reach. . .do you have it?  Do you know Him?

Don't just see the word. Hold it in your heart.

 

JOY to the world, the Lord has come!

 

Go to him and crawl if you have to. He will pick you up.

 

I know!