It’s December 1st. It’s time. Time for the marathon month. It’s time to decorate, bake, buy (Buy, BUY!), wrap, ship, trim, sing, love and hug. I do love Christmas and everything about it, but this month can be the most stressful of them all.
I think of so many who are without work right now, struggling to pay bills, facing the first Christmas ever with no gifts for the kids. Others have recently lost loved ones and find this time of year emotional and heart breaking in their grief.
Many of us are facing challenges and pressures that are greater than years past. What to do?
Trust. Hold steady. Count our blessings.
Truly, even in our need, we have so much. We need to focus on what we have and present our needs to God, trusting Him for a good outcome. And we need to be faithful.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Now is not the time to give up. Take the next step. Keep planting good seeds. We will reap a harvest if we “hang in there.”
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). As we present our requests to God, trust Him to answer, and continue in faithfulness, we will find great joy if we also reach out to someone else.
Now is the perfect time to “do good” for someone. Be the “peace-bearer” in this crazy month. Be the one who takes time to listen, who speaks that encouraging word. A present or food basket dropped off on a doorstep would be a tremendous way to spread God’s love and true Christmas cheer.
As you turn the calendar page to December today, are you dreading it or planning to enjoy it?
Erica Faraone 
Cori
/ December 1, 2009Beautifully said and very much needed. It’s December 1st. and I am already stressed and tired and feeling the “holiday” blues and they have yet to get started. Thank you for the reminder of what this season is all about…giving.
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Beth Crossland
/ December 1, 2009Truly looking to be the peace bearer during this holiday season. I am blessed beyond measure.!
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Martha Artyomenko
/ December 1, 2009I was dreading it. It means I will one year older and I hate birthdays!!! Plus, everything is so busy and I don’t like that either!! But there are good things about it too! Thanks for the reminder to think on good things! Take a visit to my blog too if you have a chance!
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Michelle
/ December 1, 2009Our church is subscribing to the Advent Conspiracy theory this year, http://www.adventconspiracy.org.
It’s all about fully worshiping the Lord, spending less, giving more and loving all. When we worship more we find ourselves fulfilled and full of the spirit. That means hopefully we don’t feel the need to overindulge to make ourselves feel better. That frees up time and resources so that you can give more of yourself and the money you would have been running around frantically spending. Which means you can show love to those who truly have nothing.
Sounds like just why Jesus came in the first place, to show love to those who were utterly nothing without that love!
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ericafaraone
/ December 1, 2009Thanks, friends, for your comments. Sorry it took awhile for them to post. I’m still learning how this works! 🙂
May all the dread disappear, Martha. As you think on the good things, let them replace everything else. And I’d be happy to look up your blog. (Address?)
The Advent Conspiracy sounds great, Michelle.
I’m going to blog more about walking in peace tomorrow. See you then! Thank you all for sharing.
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Shirley Hegel
/ December 1, 2009Thanks, Erica, for the encouragement. When we count our many blessings, we can’t be troubled beyond what we can handle. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. What more could we ask for? And, because of this, it is easy to be generous even though times are tough.
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Dan
/ December 1, 2009We are truly blessed. Those are beautiful verses, I’m going to refer back to this blog often.
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Ingrid
/ December 2, 2009Blessings to you and your family!
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Karen Hill
/ December 2, 2009Can’t wait for the next one! It was encouraging tp read, thanks for sharing!!
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ericafaraone
/ December 2, 2009Thanks for your comment, Shirley. So true.
Dan, thanks for coming by and I look forward to seeing you here!
Hi, Ingrid! Hope you all are doing well!
Thanks for your encouragement, Karen. See you back here soon. 🙂
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