Well, we have officially entered into the craziest season of the year! Those of us who are attempting to balance all that goes with this Christmas season can find oneself in a weird place if not careful.

Decorating the house, decorating the church, choir practices for upcoming cantatas, church parties, parties at home, shopping, wrapping gifts, addressing Christmas cards, etc. etc. etc. Life can become very stressful during this month.

I love Christmas and all that goes with it but I need to step back each year and make a concerted effort not to get whacked out by all that is happening around me. It is very easy to become over stressed and overwhelmed with all the responsibilities at this busy season. I want to be joyful and a blessing to others. don't want to be one of those weary and tired saints who everyone tries to avoid because it is obvious they are everything but happy about this time of the year.

For me I rarely say "No" to anything but this year I have already scanned all that is on my plate and I have decided to find time for ME and my FAMILY during this busy season. I want to give honor to our Lord and my goal is for others to see Jesus in my life throughout this month. I am declaring to place "stress" on the shelf.

What about you? Are you already feeling overwhelmed about all that needs to be done? Take a deep breath and re-evaluate what really needs to be done this holiday season. Find other ways, regarding the additional responsibilities that have landed on your plate, to delegate the tasks to others. I have found that there really are others who would love to help us but we fail to ask.

I pray this Christmas will be one of joy, peace and relaxation for you and your family. Blessings friends!

Chosen

As a young pastor's wife who was filled with insecurities and very intimidated by those around me, I made many mistakes throughout the early years of ministry. If only I would have had a seasoned pastor's wife to come alongside me to coach and encourage me as I walked that unfamiliar territory. I was not raised in a Christian home and had no idea what my role was as a pastor's wife. It was very lonely. I chose to pour my life into my career for eighteen years in Corporate America. My heart breaks now as I think about all those wasted years I could have been doing something for the Kingdom of God but instead my focus was on "me" and what I wanted for my life.

As Christians, God is calling us to step out and profess our faith. We are called to live our testimony so people can see Jesus Christ in us. My heart burns with passion to minister to other pastor's wives who may be walking in a deep valley of discouragement. God's purpose for our lives is to reach out to others who are hurting, confused and lost. I sense such an urgency in my spirit for those who are traveling down the road to destruction today. The Lord is going to return and it is time we remove our heads from the sand and get busy about God's business. He wants to use us but because we limit God and think small, His purpose for our lives is not being fulfilled.

When someone is hurting, love on them. Encourage them and remind them that Jesus loves them and has an awesome plan for their life. This life throws all types of obstacles in our paths even when we are striving for that prize at the end of our journey. Life will become overwhelming at times but through prayer and the prayer of others we will make it!

Blessings to you today. You are chosen by God to make a significant difference in this world!

Hugs!

Love

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." I Corinthians 13: 4-7 (NKJV)

When I think about this scripture the first thing that comes to my mind is the responsibility we have as pastor's wives and leaders of our churches. In the early church, leaders modeled love to their churches. They lived by these words in the scripture. Love was the foundation and motive for the leaders' action.

As a pastor's wife and a woman in ministry I have repeatedly experienced everything but love from some folks throughout our ministry. I am thankful today that God has taught me how to love those who don't love others. I realize that if I were not able to love those who demonstrate a cold heart that I could not be an effective leader. When we dwell on the hurts and pains of life we become very bitter and indifferent. God's love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This love is not natural. It is possible only if God supernaturally helps us set aside our own desires and instincts. The closer we come to Christ, the more love we will express to others.

Blessings girlfriends! You are appreciated!

Casual to the Exactness of God

Sometimes our lives become so full that we just get too busy for God. Have you ever been in that place? We are sprinting to and from appointments, taking care of children, cleaning the house, running errands, cooking meals, paying bills, involved in all sorts of ministries in the church, etc. We quickly become overwhelmed with the activities taking place at the moment and totally lose sight of what we should be doing for God. We become casual to the exactness of God in our lives because the other stuff is competing for first place.

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Martha was so worried about all that was happening around her that she totally missed an awesome opportunity to simply sit at the feet of Jesus and enjoy His presence. You and I have done the very same thing many times. The demands on our lives become so overwhelming that spending time with God is not a priority. We have wonderful intentions at the beginning of each day. We recognize that our relationship with Christ is a vital ingredient needed to survive this journey of life. Spending quality time in the presence of the Lord each day is crucial to our Christian growth. But somehow He becomes a distant thought at times. A not so important entity at the moment. Disruptions and busy lives crowd out our time with Him. We like Martha miss an incredible opportunity to be with the Lord. We can become so casual to the exactness of God that we begin to question His will for our lives. God knows exactly what He has planned for each of us. He leaves no crumbs on the table. He didn't just die on the cross. He was the lamb of sacrifice who died for you and for me.

Mary was seeking the good part. She pursued the exactness of God and refused to be distracted by all the other things that were happening around her. She chose to sit and enjoy His presence. She determined in her heart that nothing was going to stop her. She wanted everything He had to offer.

Why shouldn't you and I reflect that same determination in our lives? He must be a priority. Pursue all He has to offer you. Refuse to be casual to the exactness of God.

Blessings girlfriends!!! Love ya!