THE MONDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

The Monday after Christmas is not like any other Monday. Perhaps today is one of the worst Mondays that you have had in awhile, perhaps it is the best. I suppose it all depends on how your Christmas went yesterday and whether or not you are left with a mess today.

So many times, we build up and build up to the magical moment of Christmas morning and then just like the twinkle in Santa’s eye; dash away, dash away, it is gone. The presents have been opened. The friends and family have gone home. The cookies have been eaten. The wrapping paper has been drug outside. Nothing is left of Christmas.

Or is there?

This year I have had a different perspective about Christmas, one I have not had in quite some time. My focus hasn’t been about the gifts, or the singing or the baking. To be honest, my focus has just been about Jesus. Why He came, why He died and what am I doing about it? You see, Jesus IS the reason for the season but He is also the reason for today!

“Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!” (Hebrews 13:8)

Christmas doesn’t have to be over. Oh sure, you might need to pack those ornaments and tree away until next time, but the spirit of Christmas can live on. I think about Mary and Joseph and I wonder what kind of Monday after the first Christmas that they had? Did they rush around with cleaning up? Was there post Christmas blues? Did Mary fuss about the mess left by the animals in the stable? I really don’t think their Monday after Christmas was like any other Monday, matter of fact, I don’t think any of their Mondays were the same after Jesus was born.

The baby is no longer in the stable. However, the stable leads us to the cross and the cross leads us to the reason for the season … love, joy, forgiveness and salvation. Once we accept this free gift from God ALL of our Mondays will never be the same and He will become the reason for our EVERYTHING!

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright Laurie Adams

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB is found in chapter 22. I hope you have been following along with me this month by reading a chapter a day in the book of Proverbs.

"Train up a child in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not depart from it." (verse 6)

This particular verse is one that is quoted often by people, but have you ever really looked at the promise that it gives?

Children are certainly a joy, a gift the Bible says but as many of you who are parents know, children can also bring heartache and worry.

During my own times of worry and heartache over my own children, I cling to the hope, the promise that God gives me.

This verse not only brings hope but first a requirement for you and me. "Train up a child in the way they should go" is the requirement God gives us, but it doesn't stop there. The hope (the promise) is, IF we do our part, God will do the rest.

If you are a hurting parent over a lost child, remember the promise given here: "they will not depart from it".

Lost children are like lost sheep; they find their way home because of the leading of the Shepherd.

You've done your part, now let the Shepherd do His.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB is found in chapter 21, verse 13...

"Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered."

This particular verse stuck out to me today, I suppose because it is the season for giving and that is where my heart is right now.

It is easy to think of caring for those in need at Christmas, but what about the other 364 days of the year? Do we see the needs of the hungry, the poor and the shut ins as clearly then or do we walk on by?

Today's Proverb reminds me of how each one of us is just one day, one choice, one lost job, one crisis away from being the very one in need. Today you may have plenty but tomorrow it may be gone. Tomorrow it may be you who is hungry, or cold or in need.

The saying Is "what goes around, comes around." I pray hard times won't come around to you or me but in case it does keep in mind that the measure we give may be returned to us. 

When you give, give generously.

 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

DAILY PROVERBS

TODAY'S DAILY PROVERB is found in chapter 20...

 "Do not say, 'I’ll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and He will avenge you." (Verse 22)

This is a hard one because we all know it feels better to have the last word. However, I have learned along this journey of life that "my last word" probably would not be the same last words God would choose. 

 Two things that I know for sure:

1. Hurting people hurt people!

2. Nothing escapes Gods view and He WILL have the last Word!

As I get older, I am learning to be still more and let God deal with my enemies. After all, He's a much better score keeper than me.

Hope you have been reading along in Proverbs with me this month and today if someone has fighting words with you (or about you)...be still and know that God has your back!

BLESSINGS. Laurie 

Finding the joy that was stolen

I was reminded this week that not everyone has joy this Christmas. For some, they just wish it would come and go already. The laughter, the singing, the bells chiming, the whole spirit of love and giving has been stolen and replaced with heartache, gloom and despair.

It came to me first by way of a text message from my beloved daughter. It read, “He’s dead.” My heart stopped for a minute and then I quickly picked the phone up to call her. Thru her broken heart and tears, I heard the words as she told me about her friend who had been missing for a couple of days but had been found dead. Just 25 years old, such a tragedy. The joy of Christmas stolen.

Another reminder came to me during a visit from a lady who stopped by the church this week. They have been out of work and have no food or running water; “is there any way we could help them give their child a Christmas gift?” she asks. The joy of Christmas has been stolen from them.

Soon after this visit, a phone call was received. Cancer has spread and the doctors give no hope. Hospice has been called in. The joy of Christmas has been stolen yet once again.

My heart is more keenly aware this Christmas than any other that for many people the “merry” has been taken out of their Christmas and the “joy” to their world has been snuffed out by sickness, death and tragedy. Many will sit around a Christmas tree this year all alone, while others will not even have a Christmas tree or a present or a meal. I wish I could give to every single one of these that are hurting. I wish I could put my arms around each lonely person and tell them that someone loves them. I wish that I could give a toy to each wanting child. I truly wish I could restore the joy that has been stolen from so many people this Christmas.

While I am just one person, I may touch one or two with my giving but there is only One Who can touch the entire world. Jesus. And isn’t that exactly what happened on that night all those years ago in that stable? Joy was brought to the world. Not for one, not for two – Joy through our Savior was brought for ALL to have and to hold.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10,11)

The same words spoken then are the same words that can bring joy to your world. Even in those moments when your world is shaken up, torn apart and feels like it has been stolen from you, yes even in those moments, joy can be found. None of us enjoy difficulties, or sickness or facing death, but joy my friend, true joy, is not about our enjoyment. Anyone can give you a Christmas treat but that doesn’t mean that you will enjoy it. True joy is not found in Christmas gifts rather it is found in the arms of Jesus.

It is my prayer that this Christmas CAN be different for those hurting, may we all be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and share the joy of Christ and give back to those who have had their joy stolen. After all, that is where we will find CHRISTmas.

BLESSINGS, Laurie

PROVERB DAILY

This month I am studying the book of Proverbs. I invite you to read along with me, reading one chapter a day. Instead of sharing devotions this month, I will share a daily scripture picture from our daily reading. Today I'm in chapter 6 for the 6th day of the month.




"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." (Proverbs 6:16-19)

BLESSINGS, Laurie

Remove the Distractions

When I look around, I see so many distractions. It's so easy to be pulled in one direction or another just from the distractions around us.

I'm not just talking about flashing lights and loud noises, distractions come in various sizes. From our phone to the blaring tv to friendships that we have no business keeping.

When it comes to our relationship with God, we can be so easily distracted. Things (and people) stand in our way of getting closer to Him. The noises (the distractions) keep us from hearing Him.

Jesus told His followers that spiritual distraction begins with hearts that have "grown dull, ears that are hard of hearing, and eyes that are closed". (Matt. 13:15).

Jesus, using the visual of a farmer scattering seed, compares the seed that falls among thorns to that of a person who hears Gods Word but is distracted.

"The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

Be careful of the distractions that you allow in your life, some may choke the life (eternally speaking) out of you.

BLESSINGS. Laurie