Christmas Countdowns (really just a little festive reminder)

Summer’s finally crept up on me, and caught me without a tan (thank goodness for the fake stuff in the bottle – right?). Or maybe it’s gotten colder for all you people on the other side of the world (and yes we still in the sunnier parts sing carols like White Christmas, and all the ones about snow even though the coldest thing during our Christmas is the ice in our lemonade).

I've been really busy lately, but I'm really determined to do a lot of blogging this December, and when I'm determined, there's not much that can stop me (except for slow wifi - THERE'S NOTHING WORSE - #firstworldproblems).

So, here goes.

                  

I love waking up every morning and jumping (or slowly rolling to be completely honest) out of bed and opening the countdown calendar. This year I found the sweetest little string of stockings countdown, similar to the one pictured above from Crate and Barrel.

There’s quite a few options – the easiest would be to go and buy one (there are heaps of different types), but for all you crafty types, making one is just as pretty.

This year I'm going to put little sweet treats in them (mini chocolate bars, candies, etc) and an encouraging note. Aww, how nice is that?! (I'd love to know what you're doing - comment below and inspire us all).

I realize most of you will already have your countdowns sussed – I applaud you if you do! But even so, this is just a little festive reminder if you like, that IT’S NOT LONG TILL CHRISTMAS. *sings Christmas song*

Ach hem.

So yes, have a very merry day and stay tuned for more Christmas-y posts!

X

Nothing Can Make Me Love You Less

This is for the broken, the weak, the weary. Those who feel like they aren’t worthy or aren’t “perfect” enough.

This is what God is saying – “None of your scars can make me love you less.”

Right before I sat down to write, I prayed and the next minute as I was surfing the web (as you do) I read this. It stood out because I think a lot of us feel not worthy enough, and this is what God wants to say. He loves us with all his heart, and when we criticize ourselves and feel unworthy, it breaks his heart.

It brings tears to my eyes. Honestly.

No matter how many mistakes we make, how many times we fail … God still loves us with all his heart.

We are sons and daughters of a King, and who said royalty isn’t worthy?!

So stand tall. You’re worth everything in the world, you’re worth dying for – in fact, He already did die on the cross for you.

X

The Scary Word: Future

Life is full of questions. Yes? Such as “who do you want to be?” and “what do you want to do in life?”

If you’re having trouble answering those questions, then welcome aboard the ship (you may call me Captain).

There are SO many options, millions (ish) of topics that we could study, and thousands of different jobs we could take up. But which one?

A few months ago, my heart would’ve started racing and my mind would’ve started spinning and going into an overdrive. Panic, basically. Panicking that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life!

Then I found the Truth.

The truth is this simple: giving your life solely to God is all that matters. You and I are both made for a unique purpose. Jesus’s command was to love each other (John 15:17), so if we beginning by learning more about Him and the word of God and doing everything out of love, then that’s a great start right there.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)

That’s what really matters, see?

It’s really ok to have no idea what you want to do. In fact, now is the perfect time to give God the reins of your life and let him steer you.

In Proverbs 16:9 it says “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

I can truthfully say that I’m excited to wake up every morning knowing that I’m on an adventure with God.

Adventure.

That’s the way we should look at life. As an adventure with Him! It’s better to be right beside Him than anywhere else in this world, or the next. Psalm 84:10 says it exactly:

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”

That’s what we’re striving for, right? To be with Him.

God’s listening, watching, right now as you read this. I bet he’s absolutely full of joy and excitement that he wants to share with you about your future. So trust him, and lean into the Truth.

He’s calling you by name – and it says that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”. So dare to love him.

And when he asks you to do something? JUST SAY YES. It’s simple, and so rewarding. In my life it’s happened over and over, when God asks me to do something and I DO IT, the reward is amazing (better than a whole block of chocolate. No, seriously, it is.)

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

Together, let’s be the kind of people that jump off the chairs for the Lord. Let’s be the people that shout “PICK ME!!!!” at the top of our lungs (if you know me well, then you can definitely imagine me doing this). Let’s not even worry about our future, okay?

Amen.

X

Thanks for joining by the way – it’s been a real pleasure. I’ll be praying for you as you embark on the best journey E.V.E.R. (the one that God has planned for you.) Aye aye, me hearties!

What To Do About Revenge....

You know that moment when someone has just done/said something awful and you just want to punch their lights out and get revenge immediately? Yeah.

Let’s get our honest faces on, because I sometimes don’t deal with those situations in the most respectful manner. I’ve heard it said that you should pray for your enemies, and I’ve always kind of thought that I don’t have enemies! But I think as humans, we do get angry with each other and we do form “enemies”.

If you get into one of the situations, my advice is….bite your tongue. It’ll save you a whole lot of embarrassing apologies and trouble in the long run. That’s easy said but hard done (or however that saying goes), huh? Here’s what the bible says about it:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Do not repay evil for evil.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:14, 12:17 & 12:19.

Ouch. How do you bless someone that’s just wounded you? It’s H.A.R.D.

I have been lying awake at night, finding my mind going back to when someone did wrong to me that day. Before I begin to sketch out plans of revenge (involving tomatoes and a catapult) I remember these scriptures. And….here’s the secret…..

I pray for them.

You heard me right, I pray for my “enemies”! Well, an enemy sounds dramatic, but you get it.

And to make things even crazier, do GOOD for your enemies.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:20. Romans is full of some good stuff, eh?

Imagine this: next time someone does something wrong to you, instead of slapping them in the face like a 5 year old (we’ve all been there) let’s show kindness just like Jesus.

I kind of like the way Paul puts it in Romans 12:21……

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

X

(And a side note…don’t be the enemy! That’s another story, but keep it in mind. Thanks for joining. It’s been a pleasure!)