ENCOURAGED IN HEART

In Luke 1:30 the angel told Mary, “Do not be afraid,” and told her about the baby that she will carry. The Savior of the world. The “joy to the world” that the song is all about.

Call me Captain Obvious, but that is no small assignment.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” lyrics played in Kohls as I observed a long line of tired and impatient looking people.

Call me Captain Obvious again, but the song lyrics sure didn’t match my observations.

I have to say while many circumstances of this past month may not feel particularly happy in the world, I do see a deep, residing joy in the lives of many people who have every reason not to:

*A friend standing by her father as they share their very last moments together on earth…but she’s trusting God.
*A friends’ brother entered drug rehab, again…but she’s trusting God.
*A family that’s been jobless for months…but they’re trusting God. The same family whose mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer…but they’re trusting God.
*A couple faces a cancer diagnosis for the third time…but they’re trusting God.
*A friend heartbroken because “the one” wasn’t “the one”…but she’s trusting God.

“Joy is not the absence of pain but the presence of the Lord,” were the wise words my friend Nancy spoke during a phone conversation years ago.

You can feel sad, afraid, scared or even crazy and still have a deep residing joy.

After Jesus was crucified, the women outside of Jesus’ tomb were “…afraid yet filled with joy.” (Matthew 28:8) In the next two verses, “Jesus met them.” Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.”

I no longer see the contradiction in feeling afraid, yet having a deep residing joy because I know the Joy Giver…Jesus meets us where we’re at. He’s cool like that.

If you find yourself feeling so-so about the Christmas season, I want to encourage you today. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy…” (Luke 2:10)

The Good News is that when you know Jesus, you’ll know joy when your mind says you really shouldn’t.

If you have someone who has had some bad news this month, leave a comment (with or without their name) and I promise to pray for you or them.

Do you see joy in the world? Where?

If you were a Super Hero, what would your name be?

There’s a gap between the woman I am and the woman I want to be.

Much like control top panty hose or spanx, I’d like to “mind the gap” and be mindful of where two points don’t meet (or overlap but that’s a different post for a different day). Ahem…

In Ross, I practiced behaving more like the woman I want to be and less like the woman I am.

Last week I had lunch with a dear girlfriend at a fab Italian restaurant. I ate like the woman I wanted to be. I had a cappuccino, goat cheese salad and dessert. I didn’t need to eat every last bite because I was satisfied.

For my fellow recovering eating addicts, you know what a big deal this is.

(Please note I did not write “sip” because I’m minding the gap and not delusional, okay? I’ll forfeit bites of Italian rum cake over sips of Italian coffee. Delicious coffee wasted is just.not.right.)

I’m allowing time, a gap of space and practice for God to mold me from the woman I am to the woman I want to be. The woman I believe that He wants me to be.

Celebrate progress where and when ever you can. I just did. Celebrate here!

Where do you want to mind the gap? What are some traits of the woman you want to be? Next given opportunity, will you practice being her to mind (and bridge) the gap?

One of my favortite things during December is mail time! I l-o-v-e digging through the mail to open the newly sent Christmas love! I then tape the pics to my fridge to smile all year long! EPIC WIN!

Christmas cards, pictures and letters…I you.

(This isn’t our Christmas postcard picture, but I did have fun decorating my kids for this post!)

First I wrote Christmas cards. Then I switched to the Christmas letter with picture. Then I streamlined to just a Christmas picture card. Last and this year I’m sent a Christmas postcard!

What type of Christmas greeting are you mailing out this year? What’s your favorite type to receive? WASSUP?