Encouragement Today

Allow God To Carry Your Load for Awhile

This is a lesson I have great difficulties with.

God has been trying to teach me this skill for a while but I am a slow learner.

It is my desire tonight however to encourage you that stress is a very dangerous weapon that enemy uses against us. 

Life is hard for many of us right now, but remember no matter how many tears you may shed, God is holding your hand and drying each and every tear you shed.

It may feel dark and you may feel weary and alone.

You may be questioning whether God is still near because you can't hear His voice any longer.

Sweet friend, I am that small voice encouraging you tonight that God is near, so near He is holding on to your right now.

He loves you and has not abandoned you at your weakest point. 

No, He is right beside you.

Reach out and grab Him. Share with Him your deepest darkest secrets and hurts. 

Share your worries and fears, He wants to hear them.

He created you, remember?  He knows what you are going through, but wants you to simply talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend or husband.

Trust me, I have been in a very dark spot for a very long time. 

God and I have had many long chats but one thing I can promise you is that He never left my side just like He hasn't left your side.

Cry to Him, scream to Him, talk to Him.

He is waiting to hear from you right now.

Release the stress and the worry dear friend and know God is there to listen and to dry your tears and calm your fears.

Allow Him to come back into your heart and I know you will hear His voice again.

He will show you He never left your side.

Allow Him to reveal to you what He is trying to teach you or show you.

Please know this trial or circumstance may seem like it will never pass, but it will.

Allow God to carry your worries and your concerns.

His shoulders are much bigger than yours.

He loves you and wants to do this for you.

Calming The Christmas Chaos

Life is busy and the holidays are here again.
Are you like me and wonder how in the world can you possibly add any more busy to your busy?
This is the time of the year that I find no matter how badly I want a stress free holiday season, I can't seem to find it possible.
I have vowed this year will be different.

This year I am going to strive, with God's help, to make it possible.

We have been under so much stress from the past couple of months, and years, that I can not possibly go into a new load of stress now.

Nope, (I know this isn't grammatically correct), this is not happening this year.
Here are some ideas of how we can accomplish this.

Put your decorations up early in the season.

•       This will allow you the opportunity to enjoy your decorations and take this big task off your plate.

Look through your favorite Christmas cookie or treat recipes and pick  3-5 your favorite recipes.

•        Compile a shopping list to purchase the necessary ingredients for your baked goods.

•        Shop only for your baked goods so you can easily focus on that one task while you are at the grocery store.

•         Having your supplies already on hand will allow you the opportunity to bake when you find you have the extra time.

Do you send out Christmas cards?

•        Make your list and upon completion, narrow down your list to between 10-20 of your favorite people.

•       This will allow you more time to do something else so you are not overwhelmed by filling out so many cards.

•       It will be better on your finances because it will cut down how many cards you will be buying, making, and mailing.

Make a list of all the people you wish to buy Christmas presents for.

•         Beside each person write down the amount of money you wish to spend on them and stay within that budget.
•         Beside each person write down a generic idea of what you wish to buy them.
•         Lastly, be prepared to go shopping as soon as you finish you list.
•        This will free up more time allowing you to remove time consuming project.
•        Try to get all your shopping done in the first two week of December if you haven't started yet.
•        Remember the most important point to the gift giving, do not go into debt to keep up with the Joneses.

      This area might require prayer and good communication with family members and determine if your finances are tight, you do not have to buy gifts for everyone you know.
      Learn to prioritize your list. This will be hard and stressful, but once this task is complete the stress is gone.
As you go about your day, don't be afraid to turn on your Christmas music and your lights and enjoy your home.
       Light a Christmas scented candle or diffuse your favorite essential oil for a calming atmosphere.
      If you have a few extra minutes bake up a Christmas treat or cookies for your family to enjoy later.
Lastly, I know many of you stay busy going from activity to party to activity to party.
     Put some careful consideration to what you can say no to.
     We have already taken 2 activities off our plate in order to destress our Holiday Season.
     Make a list of everyone's activity and decide as a family how many can you safely participate with before your family becomes stressed out over all of them.
     Remember a key point to the holiday season, that is to enjoy your own family and make good memories together.
    You don't want your kids to grow up remembering how busy you were that you weren't home to enjoy them as a family.
It is my genuine desire to destress this Holiday Season so we can truly enjoy it this year.
     Take the time to enjoy the lights, the music, the sights and sounds of the season.
     You won't regret it. Love your family and give them extra hugs.  Don't forget the best present you can give them is your presence.