Christmas Wish List

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

I woke up this morning and realized how much stuff I still have to do before Christmas.

Instead of continuing to feel the stress of it all, I decided to make light of it and create an encouraging image for you in case you are feeling the same stress.

No matter how much we have to do, remember… it all will get done no matter how much we stress about it or not.

Instead, stop, breathe, and rest knowing Christmas will come whether we are ready for it or not.

If the cookies are not made, it’s not a problem. No one will ever remember the year with no cookies.

If you didn’t buy the gift you wanted, it’s not a problem. No one will ever remember the year you didn’t buy that gift because they didn’t know they were getting it.

If you didn’t do an activity or go to the Christmas party, it’s not a problem. No one will ever remember you didn’t go.

What people will remember is if you were present.

Be present for the things that matter. The snuggle time, the quality time, the time where you were present and engaged.

This is what will be remembered this Christmas Season.

We’ve got this, friends!!

Your Strength Is Your Beauty

Credit: Home.Life.Encouragement

I want to encourage you if life has you discouraged and beat up.

“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

A. A. Mine

Your strength is your beauty because God is your strength and your endless supply and source of it.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Stand tall and strong knowing you are not doing life on your own.

Allow your beauty to shine through because God has you.

Sit back and just breathe knowing God is refreshing you today.

Strength Has Power Over Shaken

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When life has turned you upside down and inside out, stand firm on this simple truth…

“ I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16:8

No matter what has you shaken remember God still has a plan for you.

“For I know the plan I have for you.”

Jeremiah 29:11

My Friend, I promise, I know how hard this is to live by, as well as remember on many days, but this is why I’m here today.

I am here to remind us both that we can get up, start our day, and move.

We can move, despite the paralyzed feeling of pain, anxiety, grief, or fear.

God is our strength when we have none.

Be encouraged sweet friend! You are not alone. You are never alone.

Lean on your Creator because He will give you the strength to move and the direction in which to move in.

You’ve Got This!

Set Your Cruise Control For Slower

Credit:@homelifeandencouragement.com

As we close out another week, I would like to remind you before you book up your entire weekend with busy work, to think about adding some down time in there as well.

It is my prayer you will be inspired by this quote and it will be enough to cause you to stop and observe how fast your life might be traveling.

“There is more to life than increasing it’s speed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Life has a way of getting ahead of us when we least expect it but, I want to remind you to be conscious of this and mindfully add some time to just sit down and reflect on the week.

Consider asking yourself a few questions.

• Did it go well?
• Did it function well?
• If you struggled, where were those struggles and are they ones you can change around before the next week?

The purpose to life should not be just existing or just surviving. It should be to live life to it’s full abundance.

I know this is hard as I find myself in constant survival mode but, God didn’t create us to be in survival mode. He created us to a light unto the world.

I don’t know if you can relate to this or not but, it is hard for my light to shine brightly when I find myself exhausted and struggling to get one foot in front of the other or when life has me chasing my tail because I’m constantly trying to chase down the chaos.

I found myself desiring and craving a need to change the crazy dance I have found myself dancing. I want to enjoy life and enjoy it to it’s fullest.

Is this you as well? If so, we can work on this together. Let’s start by not adding any more speed to our weekend. Let us make a valiant effort to find or make the time in our weekend ahead to relax and enjoy those who are around us and the quiet time we created.

Happy Friday Friend!!! We can do this!!

“Where’s The Line To See Jesus”

“Where’s The Line To See Jesus” – Becky Kelley
https://youtu.be/OExXItDyWEY

I am sharing one of my favorite Christmas songs with you today. Click on the link in the above image to listen to this beautiful song.

This is one that touches my heart year after year. It is also one that seems to be overlooked, but I don’t know why.

Where’s the line to see Jesus?

Is He here at the store?

If Christmas time is His birthday,

Why don’t we see Him more?

Lyrics excerpt from Becky Kelley’s song, “Where’s The Line To See Jesus”

As many of us grow more tired and weary from the hustle and bustle of this very busy season, I want to encourage you to take a moment to warm your tired and weary heart with the sweet lyrics to this Christmas song.

I also want to inspire you to take a moment to sit back and breathe. Enjoy the twinkling lights, the soft sounds, and the sweet smells of the season that you brought to life for your family and friends.

Lastly, I want to remind that it is ok to take a moment to open your heart, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you.

May you find a sense of peace and joy in the few days left of the Christmas season.

We Have Hope in The Shield

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Today’s Encouragement

Are you struggling with something today?

There is hope.

There is hope in the Lord.

He comes to you bearing His strength and His shield.

“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”
‭‭
Psalms 33:20 NIV

Reach out and grab the strength He is giving you and cling to the hope of the outcome for anything God gives us is worth the wait.

Big hugs, Friend as you wait.

Be Strong and Courageous

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

There are so many people struggling with anxiety for a variety of issues today.

There are many who are battling with issues Covid-19 has caused. Many are battling the virus, while others may be feeling the effects of having their jobs impacted, or are being forced to live in isolation. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, if you are battling with anxiety, then this feeling is real to you.

Some may be experiencing health related issues, or the uncertainty of pending surgeries. These medical concerns may have you consumed because of the pain you are in, or the fear of the bills that may be created as a result of this experience. The anxiety it is causing is real to you.

Some of you who are in school or are going to college may be stressed over the amount of work you have to invest in each class, or the papers you need to write, the exams you need to study for and take, as well as the numerous amount of deadlines that need to be met. This struggle is real and the anxiety is insurmountable.

Some may be in difficult relationships with spouses, family members, or friends. You know the relationship is toxic, but you are not sure how to end it or if you should. What you are certain with is that the pressures and the stress it is causing is more than what you want to continue to live with, but how do you make the changes that need to be made?

It does not matter what the struggle is. What matters is, the struggle is real.

It is my desire and prayer, God will use this Sunday Reminder to give you the strength to “Be Strong and Courageous.”

“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Do not be dismayed because God is with you. He is guiding you. He is giving you the strength and the courage you need to battle your anxiety.

Be sure to spend some quiet time with Him today and ask Him for the guidance you need to fight this battle and know He will deliver you the peace and comfort you are in need of. He will walk you through the difficulty and you will begin to experience a peace you didn’t think you could have.

Rest in your Master’s arms and allow Him to free you from all that concerns you today.

Rest, Breathe, Repeat

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Update To Previous Blog Post / “Living My Real”

I’m not sure about you, but I for one, am thankful for the weekend to finally arrive.

While we still have no resolution to if my daughter will have her health insurance come Monday morning, (see my post, “Living My Real” if you are unsure what I am referring to), I have to accept I have no control over the outcome over this stressful situation.

We have done everything we needed to do. We faxed the paperwork to them, not just once, but twice. We faxed their information Wednesday night and again Friday morning.

Now we have to “just” sit and wait and pray when we check her insurance Monday morning we will see nothing has changed. We will see she is still covered like she has been her whole life.

After being consumed by all of this, I had a realization yesterday while I was in my back yard. God revealed to me, no matter how difficult life may be, His beauty is still around us.

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

He revealed to me, as I was pruning my roses, that no matter how beautiful life may be, there will always be the thorns in our lives. The thorns keep us alert, but they aren’t meant to consume us. The beauty of the bountiful roses is what we are meant to see.

Many times the beauty is hard to see, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Are you too, going through a difficult time? Have you forgot what it was like to just “breathe” because your circumstances are all consuming?

Today I have a challenge for both of us. I want you to breathe and open your eyes up to the beauty that surrounds you.

I know so many are experiencing a quarantined life, but I want you to go outside and do something that brings you peace.

Is this the sound of the ocean water and seagulls in the background or the quietness of a hike in the woods?

Is it a quiet walk or a relaxing bike ride?

It doesn’t matter what you do, but I would suggest just going outside, breathe in the fresh air, and just open your heart to God will do wonders to restore your heart and your soul.

Share with Him your need to release this stress and allow Him to replace that stress with a peace that only He can give.

My friend, take some time this weekend to Rest, Breathe, and Repeat.

There Is A Reason For The Season

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

Encouragement Today

My friend, Today’s Encouragement will be a simple reminder that no matter what you are going through, whether everything is going well, or whether everything is going badly, there is a reason for all of it.

God reminds us in Ecclesiastes,

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

If you are going through a difficult time remember this and be encouraged that with every second and every hour God is growing you and molding you for a better plan and purpose.

He never allows us to go through the muddy waters of life without allowing us to use those difficulties later and somewhere else.

I have experienced some great difficulties in my life and as I was going through them, my greatest consolidation was that there was a purpose for it. Whether the purpose was to help me conquer a trial later or if it was to help encourage someone else, I knew in my heart there was a reason for everything I was going through.

It didn’t come easily though, because there were many days I remember saying, “Lord, this is hard, this is really hard, but if you can use this hardship later to make someone else’s life a bit easier, then I will be okay and I can do this, but only with Your strength.”

I needed to know there was a reason and a purpose for the difficult season in my life and God was always there to reassure me there was.

My friend, if this is you today and you are struggling in a difficult relationship, you are struggling financially, or you are struggling with a sick family member, a close friend or even a spouse. It doesn’t matter if it is all of these or none of these. What matters if you are having a difficult time is to remember these simple, but powerful words;

“There is none like You, Lord.”

Jeremiah 10:7

Stand tall today, hold your head just a little bit higher, and know your God knows you, sees you, and above all else, loves you.

God Will Light Your Way

Credit: Home. Life. Encouragement

My Friend,

Are you struggling with a difficult situation and you just feel beat down and alone?

Do you feel like no matter where you look, you only see the darkness of your circumstance?

Well, I have an encouraging reminder to share with you today.

You are not! You are not alone, no matter how lonely you may feel and you are not surrounded by the darkness that has you consumed.

God is here to remind you, today that, “His Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.” Ps 119:105

Be encouraged knowing God is with you, every second, every minute, and every hour. He is with you and will provide the light you need to see through the darkest of times.

Lean on Him and you will not feel alone. Lean on Him and you will no longer be consumed by your circumstances. He loves you and He is holding you up today.

Be Encouraged Today, You are not alone.