Jesus answered, “I am the Way.”                                                              
                                                                                      John    14:6 NIV


Hello  Friend,

Two days left.  Only two days left and how am I ever going to get all this done?  
I still have shopping and gift wrapping, and cooking, and oh, the house, well, it needs some cleaning.  Jesus said to Martha, “Only one thing is needful.” Well, you and I can’t be like Mary and sit and read our Bible and pretend that we have little elves that will take care of the preparations for Christmas while we sleep. “Oh, if only that were the case.” 
 
As I’m frantically rushing through Macy’s, I can’t imagine Jesus hysterically rummaging through the sweaters looking for the perfect gift for Peter?  Can you visualize Him getting ruffled at all?  I believe He was calm, in control, and serene at all times.   I must remember not to seat Aunt Maud next to Sue—they’re currently not speaking.  Do you think Jesus made a seating chart for the last supper?  I want to embody his composure.  Jesus said, “not to worry about what to eat or drink; your Heavenly Father knows what you need and will provide.”  Do you think He knows I need dinner rolls?  I forgot to buy them and don’t have time to make them.  Would Jesus stress about the little things?  Are dinner rolls“needful”? What“one thing” is needful?  To remember that Jesus is the Way—our model for living—for walking in
peace.   And that is how I plan to make my Christmas Merry.  I’ll follow his example.      
Peace & joy to you all,  
Linda

 



I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.                                                                                                                                                                                                 John    John 14:27 NIV                                                                       

   Hello Friend,

            We are getting closer to Christmas.  The pace is picking up.  I can feel the excitement all around me whether at school, church, or the mall.  People are bustling and hurried.  Some and hurried.  Some are frantic.  Too much to do; so little time.  And if you are like me, which some of you are, you are thinking, “I want this to be the most perfect Christmas ever.”  I want to buy the just-right gift.  I want the food to be visually appealing and delicious.  Heaven forbid, if a cookie comes from the oven a little slanted or bowed—well, that one definitely will have to go in my mouth.  And now I have the guilt of over-eating and stress.

            But friends, these anxious thoughts and stressful days are not what Christmas is supposed to be about.  We are to be still and remember the gift. Because of His great love for you, God sent His son to provide forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.  And that Son, when He was about to return to His Father, left us with a parting gift—peace of mind and heart.  We willingly accept the Father’s gift, but Jesus’ gift—we have forgotten to open it. Today, this very moment, you need to pause and breathe and receive the gift of peace.  Tranquility and serenity are within you already, you just have to relax into its gentle flow.  This precious gift of peace of mind and heart is yours.  Be still. Close your eyes.  Breathe. Calm your anxious mind.  A Christmas in which love and peace reign supreme is perfect. 

                                                                        Remembering the Reason for the Season,

                                                                                    Linda

There is one God, and there is no other but He.  And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.                                                                                  Mark 12:33-34 NKV

Hello Friend,

            Most of you will not remember these lyrics from an old, old song sung by Rosemary Clooney, “I wish you shelter from a storm; a cozy fire to keep you warm; but most of all, when snowflakes fall, I wish you love.”  There most likely won’t be snowflakes in Florida, but there will be someplace up north at Christmas that has snowflakes, and when they fall, I wish you love.

            What more wonderful miracle could I wish for you than a heart and home filled with love?  I say “miracle” because for some of us, having our family together without a fistfight or hurtful words flying through the air would take a miracle.  Or perhaps you live alone, and what a miracle it would be for you to be invited to join with friends for Christmas dinner.  Perhaps you’re divorced and the kids are with dad for the holiday and you’re lonely.  A miracle would be a phone call from the kids or a distant relative saying, “I was just thinking of you and wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.” 

            Friends, you and I can have our own Miracle Network.  Let’s allow God to use us in a mighty way to spread His love to His hurting children.  Let’s not just “wish” for love to happen in the lives of others, let’s make it happen.  Be a Christmas miracle;  open your heart and share God’s love.    

                                                                                                            Loving you,  Linda